“A monk is like a bleached cloth, and the householder is like a black one. One does not notice the spots in a black cloth so much, but even a drop of ink looks so prominent on white linen. The monk’s life is always beset with dangers. The whole world is engrossed in lust and gold. The monk must always practice renunciation and dispassion. Therefore Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘A monk must be always alert and careful.’”
(p.57, The Gospel of Holy Mother, Holy Mother’s advice on 3rd dt. September 1918)
“My child, if you cannot perform spiritual practice, you can at least think of him and sing his glory. The world has not bound you day and night. If you cannot do even this much, how can you expect any result? In any event, one should feel drawn towards God; somehow or other one should be devoted to Him. Without some longing for god spiritual progress is impossible. So long as you are attached to this world, you will not see Him. It will be most unfortunate if you do not avail yourself of the blessed privilege of being born a human being.”
(p.46, For Seekers Of God, Swami Shivananda’s instruction to a devotee on 3rd September 1927)