Imagine a limitless expanse of water: above and below, before and behind, right and left, everywhere there is water. In that water is placed a jar filled with water. There is water inside the jar and water outside, but the jar is still there. The 'I' is the jar.
RamakrishnaLonging is like the rosy dawn. After the dawn out comes the sun. Longing is followed by the vision of God.
RamakrishnaIt is on account of the ego that one is not able to see God. In front of the door of God's mansion lies the stump of ego. One cannot enter the mansion without jumping over the stump.
RamakrishnaIf you meditate on your ideal, you will acquire its nature. If you think of God day and night, you will acquire the nature of God.
RamakrishnaGod is everywhere but He is most manifest in man. So serve man as God. That is as good as worshipping God.
RamakrishnaIt's enough to have faith in one aspect of God. You have faith in God without form. That is very good. But never get into your head that your faith alone is true and every other is false. Know for certain that God without form is real and that God with form is also real. Then hold fast to whichever faith appeals to you.
Ramakrishna