Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Sri Ramakrishna on Theosophy


Surendra's Brother: "Sir, what do you think of Theosophy?"

Sri Ramakrishna : "I have heard that man can acquire superhuman powers through it and perform miracles. I saw a man who had brought a ghost under control. The ghost used to procure various things for his master. What shall I do with superhuman powers? Can one realize God through them? If God is not realized then everything becomes false."

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Surely Ramakrishna hadn't the full intention of Theosophy in mind. The spiritual Self realization is the point of Theosophy not to obtain superhuman powers, which may be useful to the aid of all life in its evolution.

Indiaspirituality Blog said...

Namaste @Ananymous ji,

Sri Ramakrishna always focused on Self Realisation / having Divine vision (Darshan) of God then any other thing.

As far as Theosophy and other related New-age Phenomenon like Reiki, Pranic Healing, etc are concerned, there is an urge to explore the subtle worlds and master the subtle bodies. They also focus on healing people through energy healing. Thus the focus is diverted and so in the exploration and in the quest to heal more people and the spread the teachings there is a big probability that one's goal of Self Realisation gets diverted. Even Patanjali has warned Yogis to not fall for Siddhis.

Sri Ramakrishna didn't even wished to open an Ashram or a school or a hospital, as he once replied that if God gives you Darshan (he manifests in fronts of you), what will you ask to him - 1) I want to build schools and hospitals or 2) Give me a permanent place at your lotus feet, grace me with your devotion.

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