Ogmin/hinduism

"Like a young serrpent bathed in red pigment (kumkuma) resting twisted round itself, this small serpent power, the kundalini, is asleep with mouth downwards in three and a half coils. She is like a streak of lightening or a fold of flame, or a polished band of pure gold."

Glory and shame, bitter and sweet,
are Thine alone;
This world is nothing but Thy play.
Then why, O Blissful One,
dost Thou cause a rift in it?

- Ramprasad

"M. (Mahendra Nath Gupta) elaborated his diaries in five parts of 'Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita' in Bengali which were first published at Kathamrita Bhawan, 13/2 Guru Prasad Chaudhury Lane, Calcutta in the years 1902, 1905, 1908, 1910 and 1932 respectively. They are now available in English edition, in three volumes, being word by word translation of the original. "

"It was because he knew human nature so well that Vimalananda excoriated most "gurus" for failing to acknowledge their own limitations. He insisted on pointing out to his own gurus, whom he loved with a limitless love, their own occasional oversights. He flayed yet more resolutely those spiritual dilettantes who assert that gurus have become unnecessary, maintaining that only the personal ministrations of a powerful guru can insure that you will survive the awakening of Kundalini in Her full glory. A good guru destroys her disciple right down to the ground before re-creating him from the ground up. This process of dying and being born again truly turns the disciple into the guru's child, in every way. "You will only learn how to love God," said Vimalananda over and over, "after you have learned how to love your guru."

"The current notion that one cannot escape one's destiny is applicable only to weak-minded and senseless wastrels."

SRI RAMAKRISHNA: "God has the nature of a child. A child is sitting with gems in the skirt of his cloth. Many a person passes by him along the road. Many of them pray to him for gems. But he hides the gems with his hands and says, turning away his face, 'No, I will not give any away.' But another man comes along. He doesn't ask for the gems; and yet the child runs after him and offers him the gems, begging him to accept them.

"One cannot realize God without renunciation. Who will accept my words? I have been seeking a companion, a sympathetic soul who will understand tand my feelings. When I see a great devotee, I say to myself, 'Perhaps he will accept my ideal.' But later on I find that he behaves in a different way."

The amazing Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is now online. This is one of the most important and inspiring books in my collection, an introduction to an attractive and unexpected presence, beautifully translated. If you don't know about the life and times of this phenomenal man, put it on your short list; it will help shift your perspective. Ramakrishna is a spiritual super-hero.

"The various states of one who is free of uncertainty within, and who outwardly wanders about as he pleases like an idiot, can only be known by someone in the same condition."

Ashtavakra said:

"While a man of pure intelligence may achieve the goal by the most casual of instruction, another may seek knowledge all his life and still remain bewildered."