“One can see God’s form. One sees God when all upadhis disappear and reasoning stops. Then a man becomes speechless and goes into samadhi…Perfect Jnana and perfect bhakti are one and the same thing. A man reasons, saying, ‘Not this, not this’; he rejects the unreal. When his reasoning comes to an end, he attains the knowledge of Brahman. Then he accepts what he rejected before. A man carefully climbs to the roof, rejecting the steps one by one. After reaching the roof he realizes that the steps are made of the same materials as the roof, namely, brick, lime and lime dust.
(p. 810-1, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ramakrishna’s advice on 15th July1885)
“What is the use of man’s receiving basketfuls of instruction? He must understand it and act accordingly. Otherwise, nothing will avail. They go on repeating, “The mind is very restless.” Yet, they will not act upto my advice. Can restlessness be removed thus? You may associate with holy men and study the scriptures; but unless you practise spiritual disciplines, nothing will avail…Stick to the Master and follow him in your own way; and you will get everything in time…It does not all come in a day. It needs introspection, and along with that regular practice. One need have no worry if one but does regular spiritual practice; peace is bound to come.”
(p.245-6, For Seekers of God, Swami Shivananda’s instruction to a devotee on 15th July 1930)