Sri RamaKrishna suggests How a householder should live in the world

[Guest guest]

A householder should take care of his children, but at the same time he

should think of them as Baby Krishna, or as children of God. Serve your

father as God, and your mother as Divine Mother. After realizing God, if a

man lives with his wife, he has no physical relation with her. Both live

like Bhaktas or true devotees.

 

They talk of spiritual subjects and spend their time in thinking of God and

in caring for His Bhaktas. They serve God who dwells in all beings.

Householder: But, Revered Sir, we do not find any such husbands and wives.

 

Ramakrishna: Yes, there are some, but they are very rare. Worldly people do

not easily recognize them. But in order to live like this both must he

spiritual. If both enjoy Divine Love, then such a life is possible;

otherwise there will be no harmony, but discord and trouble between husband

and wife.

 

Perhaps the wife will complain, saying: " Why did I marry this man! What

pleasure does he give me? He simply sits quietly and thinks of God. He is

losing his mind. " A devotee: These are some of the obstacles; but there may

be others. The children may be disobedient or may be diseased.

 

Then, Revered Sir, what is to be done? Ramakrishna: It is very difficult for

a householder to practise devotion. There are many obstacles. You all know

them very well,--disease, sorrow, poverty, disharmony with the wife,

disobedience and evil tendencies in the children; but there is a way out of

it. One should occasionally live in solitude and pray and struggle hard to

attain to God.

 

A householder: Revered Sir, is it necessary to leave one's home?

Ramakrishna: Not for good; but occasionally when you find opportunity, for a

day or two, leaving behind responsibility, care and anxiety. But during this

time you should not mix with worldly people or think of worldly affairs.

Either live alone, or in the company of some saint or holy man.[p. 77 & 78]

 

Source: THE GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA Revised by SWAMI ABHEDANANDA

 

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Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Prasanth Jalasutram

 

Love And Love Alone