Dedicated to Sri Sarada Devi

A Place where devotees gather to share inspiration.


"Holy Mother" painted by Swami Tadatmananda

Used courtesy of the Vedanta Society of Southern California

http://www.vedanta.org




Dedicated to Sri Sarada Devi
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Re: "No Mirror Can Ever Shave"


This story reminds me of what Sri Ramakrishna mentions in the Gospel of not getting a single drop of water from the almanac. He then goes on to remind M (and all of us) that nothing is achieved my mere reading of books.




While I agree to the limited use of books in spiritual life they have played a big role in my life and continue to do so. Reading these books drew me to Vedanta and then many of my questions were answered in these books. It is not easy for those of us who are not in India to find “holy company” and these books have been a constant source of “holy company” for me.




There have been multiple occasions when a reading from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna or Holy Mother have given me insight into what I am facing or the questions I have. Reading Swamiji’s Inspired Talks have given me energy to move ahead. When faced with numerous problems that we face in life, reading lives of the direct disciples gives me courage to move ahead. Listening to Mathur’s faith in “Father” shows me how I can develop faith. Kalipada Ghosh making Sri Ramakrishna promise him in the middle of the Ganges that he would come and take him by the hand at the last moment in his life, shows me to pray and inspires me every time I read that story. I can quote numerous such anecdotes.




How can I say that these books have not been a source of strength inspiration and solace to me? I really cant. I know and I am aware that in spiritual life we need to do things ourselves yet these books and the words of the Great Lives show us the way and the path again and again.

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Replying to:

Recently I read the following in "The Maharshi" Newsletter (Vol. 12, No. 5)[Originally from the 1972 issues of the Mountain Path magazine]and wish to share it with you in the Mother's Courtyard.




It was in 1940 that one day one of the devotees sitting in the hall raised the topic regarding the utility of reading books on religion and philosophy. In reply Sri Bhagawan (Ramana Maharshi) said, "You wake up in the morning and look into the mirror and the mirror shows you that you have a growth and that you have to get rid of it. You may go on looking into any number of mirrors; every mirror will tell you the same thing, but no mirror can ever shave you. You have to shave yourself. Instead of wasting time looking into mirror after mirror it is best to start shaving after having looked into the first mirror and known the truth.




"So also all the books will tell you the same truth, perhaps in slightly different ways. Instead of wasting time reading book after book why not realize for yourself what was obvious from the very first book."