Yogiraj Sri Lahiri Mahashaya Quotes – Kriya Yoga

 

 

(Click on Image to view full size in a new tab) 

Photo credits and source

(Description at original website:

I received this photograph of Lahiri Mahasaya from Sananda Lal Ghosh, Paramhansa Yogananda's brother, in Calcutta in 1978. It's become more and more precious to me as the years pass, because it's become more and more evident just how difficult it is to find a published copy of this picture that hasn't been modified in some way. Those of you familiar with the Kriya literature know what I'm talking about. To those of you who don't: go in peace, it's really not worth bothering about. But rest assured, this is one of the most authentic, least messed-with versions of this invaluable image you're likely to encounter. At least until it gets tossed around the web.)

1. Unless and until one humbles oneself, it is not possible to enter the spiritual realm

2. Without work nothing can be achieved and God cannot be realized

3. If one's will is set on God-realization, one can attain it even while living a worldly life

4. So long as man has not subdued his animal nature, he will not be able to discover the divinity within him

5. The mind is restless because prana (air) is always fluctuating. If the process of inhalation and exhalation is regulated and introverted by yoga, the mind also becomes introverted and still

6. Our main duty is to still the mind. If the mind is not controlled, sadhana is flawed. If worldly duties are not properly performed, man looses his humanity, what he values as a human being

7. There is no work without desire. Work which is duty bound is also born of some desire.

8. Shun all thoughts about the past and future, do all your work with your attention fixed on your breath (prana)

9. The simmering flames of worldly life can be extinguished if someone maintains his internal detachment while he goes about his everyday duties

10. While surrendering everything to God; he who continues on the path, reaps immediate dividends

11. In every breath merge with the soul. Practice makes one perfect

12. Never eat too much, take only what is easily digestible

13. By being humble you can achieve greatness

14. If the mind is always entranced and engrossed in the Self, God will be found

15. Remain fixed in nothingness

16. If one continues practising, communion with the soul is bound to happen, whether one is ready or not

17. God lives in you. Instead of seeking Him in the distance, seek Him near and very much within you

18. Forget your past suffering and troubles. If you set your mind on Self-realization and work towards your spiritual upliftment, you will receive immense benefits

19. Try hard, then you will get everything

20. It is not true that you do not have time for God-realization

21. Attachment is an obstacle. If there is no attachment, then there is no obstacle

22. Ephemeral love is not real love, eternal love is necessary

23. The same soul exists in all living beings, due to this there is no obstacle in the way of soul culture

24. If one’s will is set on God-realization, one can attain it even while living a worldly life

25. The world is a propitious field for sadhana. You can obtain anything, even while living a worldly life

26. We are all immortal souls, nobody is big or small

27. By removing restlessness through sadhana, you will attain the stage of calmness

28. So long as man has not subdued his animal nature, he will not be able to discover the Divinity within him

29. Our main duty is to still the mind. If the mind is not controlled, sadhana is flawed. If worldly duties are not properly performed, man looses his own humanity

30. Liberation is the ultimate goal to be achieved

My Humble Pranams to an enlightened Yogi, Sri Lahiri Mahashaya of the great Kriya Yoga Lineage

Please visit
http://www.hariharananda.org/, www.kriya.org

Is chanting of God’s name enough?

After his meal Sri Ramakrishna rested a little on the small couch. Inside and outside his room crowded the devotees, among them Kedar, Suresh, Ram, Manomohan, Girindra, Rakhal, Bhavanath, and M. Rakhal's father was also present.

A Vaishnava Goswami was seated in the room. Sri Ramakrishna said to him:

"Well, what do you say? What is the way?"

Goswami: "Maharaj (Sri Ramakrishna), the chanting of God's name is enough. The scriptures emphasize the sanctity of God's name for the Kaliyuga."

Sri Ramakrishna: "Yes, there is no doubt about the sanctity of God's name. But can a mere name achieve anything, without the yearning love of the devotee behind it? One should feel great restlessness of soul for the vision of God. Suppose a man repeats the name of God mechanically, while his mind is absorbed in 'woman and gold'. Can he achieve anything? Mere muttering of magic words doesn't cure one of the pain of a spider or scorpion sting. One must also apply the smoke of burning cow-dung." (A primitive medicine used by the villagers for scorpion bites.)

Goswami: "But what about Ajamila then? He was a great sinner; there was no sin he had not indulged in. But he uttered the name of Narayana on his death-bed, calling his son, who also had that name. And thus he was liberated."

Sri Ramakrishna: "Perhaps Ajamila had done many spiritual things in his past births. It is also said that he once practised austerity; besides, those were the last moments of his life. What is the use of giving an elephant a bath? It will cover itself with dirt and dust again and become its former self. But if someone removes the dust from its body and gives it a bath just before it enters the stable, then the elephant remains clean.

"Suppose a man becomes pure by chanting the holy name of God, but immediately afterwards commits many sins. He has no strength of mind. He doesn't take a vow not to repeat his sins. A bath in the Ganges undoubtedly absolves one of all sins; but what does that avail? They say that the sins perch on the trees along the bank of the Ganges. No sooner does the man come back from the holy waters than the old sins jump on his shoulders from the trees. (All laugh.) The same old sins take possession of him again. He is hardly out of the water before they fall upon him.

"Therefore I say, chant the name of God, and with it pray to Him that you may have love for Him. Pray to God that your attachment to such transitory things as wealth, name, and creature comforts may become less and less every day.

(To the Goswami) With sincerity and earnestness one can realize God through all religions. The Vaishnavas will realize God, and so will the Saktas the Vedantists, and the Brahmos. The Mussalmans and Christians will realize Him too. All will certainly realize God if they are earnest and sincere.

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

Sri Ramakrishna on Avatar

Sri Ramakrishna (to the devotees): "Ordinary people do not recognize the advent of an Incarnation of God. He comes in secret. Only a few of His intimate disciples can recognize Him. That Rama was both Brahman Absolute and a perfect Incarnation of God in human form was known only to twelve rishis. The other sages said to Him, 'Rama, we know You only as Dasaratha's son.'

"Can everyone comprehend Brahman, the Indivisible Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute? He alone has attained perfect love of God who, having reached the Absolute, keeps himself in the realm of the Relative in order to enjoy the divine lila. A man can describe the ways and activities of the Queen (Queen Victoria.) if he has previously visited her in England. Only then will his description of the Queen be correct. Sages like Bharadvaja adored Rama and said: 'O Rama, You are nothing but the Indivisible Satchidananda. You have appeared before us as a human being, but You look like a man because You have shrouded Yourself with Your own maya.' These rishis were great devotees of Rama and had supreme love for God."

Presently some devotees from Konnagar arrived, singing kirtan to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals. As they reached the northeast verandah of Sri Ramakrishna's room, Sri Ramakrishna joined in the music, dancing with them intoxicated with divine joy. Now and then he went into samadhi, standing still as a statue. While he was in one of these states of divine unconsciousness, the devotees put thick garlands of jasmine around his neck. The enchanting form of Sri Ramakrishna reminded the devotees of Chaitanya, another Incarnation of God. Sri Ramakrishna passed alternately through three moods of divine consciousness: the inmost, when he completely lost all knowledge of the outer world; the semi-conscious, when he danced with the devotees in an ecstasy of love; and the conscious, when he joined them in loud singing. It was indeed a sight for the gods, to see Sri Ramakrishna standing motionless in samadhi, with fragrant garlands hanging from his neck, his countenance beaming with love, and the devotees singing and dancing around him.

When it was time for his noon meal, Sri Ramakrishna put on a new yellow cloth and sat on the small couch. His golden complexion, blending with his yellow cloth, enchanted the eyes of the devotees.

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna