Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

March 23, 1884   MASTER: "To be able to realize God, one must practise absolute continence.  Sages like Sukadeva are examples of an urdhvareta.   Their chastity was absolutely unbroken.  There is another class, who previously have had discharges of semen but who later on have controlled them.  A man controlling the seminal fluid for twelve years develops a special power.  He grows a new inner nerve called the nerve of memory.  Through that nerve he remembers all, he understands all. "Loss of semen impairs the strength.  But it does not injure one if one loses it in a dream.  That semen one gets from food.  What remains after nocturnal discharge is enough.  But one must not know a woman. "The semen that remains after nocturnal discharge is very 'refined'.  The Lahas kept jars of molasses in their house.  Every jar had a hole in it.  After a year they found that the molasses had crystall...

March 23, 1884   MASTER (to Mahimacharan):  "What I said about aspirants practising continence is true.  Without chastity one cannot assimilate these teachings. "Once a man said to Chaitanya: 'You give the devotees so much instruction.  Why don't they make much progress?' Chaitanya said: 'They dissipate their powers in the company of women.  That is why they cannot assimilate spiritual instruction.  If one keeps water in a leaky jar, the water escapes little by little through the leak.' " Mahima and the other devotees remained silent.  After a time Mahima said, "Please pray to God for us that we may acquire the necessary strength." MASTER: "Be on your guard even now.  It is difficult, no doubt, to check the torrent in the rainy season.  But a great deal of water has gone out.  If you build the embankment now it will stand". Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Chapter 20, Rules for Householders and Monks

May 25, 1884 MASTER: " 'Woman and gold' is the cause of bondage. 'Woman and gold' alone constitutes samsara, the world. It is 'woman and gold' that keeps one from seeing God. (Holding the towel in front of his face) Do you see my face any more? Of course not. The towel hides it. No sooner is the covering of 'woman and gold' removed than one attains Chidananca, Consciousness and Bliss.   "Let me tell you something. He who has renounced the pleasure of a wife has verily renounced the pleasure of the world. God is very near to such a person." The devotees listened to these words in silence. MASTER (to Kedār, Vijay, and the other devotees): "He who has renounced the pleasure of a wife has verily renounced the pleasure of the world. It is 'woman and gold' that hides God. You people have such imposing moustaches, and yet you too are involved in 'woman and g...