Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886)
Through the ages Vedanta has produced many great Indian saints, some of whom have restated the principles of Vedanta for their own era, giving them fresh impetus and power. In recent times the best known of these saints and teachers is Sri Ramakrishna (1836−1886), who lived and taught in a state of continual God-consciousness. His main teaching was that religion is not a matter of doctrine or belief but of realization. He fully verified through his own experiences that all conceptions of God represent different aspects of the same Supreme Being and that “every religion in the world is one of the ways to reach God.”
“Many are the names of God and infinite the forms that lead us to know Him. In whatsoever name or form you call on Him in that very name and form you will see Him.”
“God is our Inner Controller. Pray to Him with a pure and guileless heart. He will explain everything to you. Give up egotism and take refuge in Him. You will realize everything.”
“The companionship of the holy and wise is one of the main elements of spiritual progress.”
“God is seen when the mind is tranquil. When the mental sea is agitated by the wind of desires, it cannot reflect God and then God-vision is impossible.”
“He who from the depth of his soul seeks to know God will certainly realize Him. He must. He alone who is restless for God and seeks nothing but Him will certainly realize Him.”
—Sri Ramakrishna