Boundless luminosity

Devotees would often come and open their hearts to Sri Ramakrishna.  They would complain again and again about their defects and that they are unable to transcend their limitations and reach a higher level of spirituality.  Sri Ramakrishna would calmly answer them stating that their defects should in no way come in the way of their spiritual evolution.  To explain the idea he would give a beautiful example.  Dark spots are seen on the surface of moon.  But, they do not restrict or prevent moon from shedding its luminous light.  The moon always shines gloriously and gives out a wonderfully soothing light not hampered in the least by the black spots on its surface.  In the same way Sri Ramakrishna would say that in essence all of us are that glorious, shining, birthless, deathless, and eternal Atman.  Our nature or existence as human beings should not and cannot in anyway hamper our glorious nature as the eternal Atman.  There is a Bengali proverb which says, Caught in the meshes of the five elements even Brahman weeps.  This means that if one incarnates in a body, it is impossible not to have qualities relating to the body.  But, one should know that all these are only aberrations and do not in any way reflect our true nature.  The qualities relating to body are bound to manifest or appear in every human being.  But, one should again and again remember and assert one’s immortal nature and should not be bothered by inhibitions relating to body.  This is what is called Sadhana or spiritual striving.  We should refuse to be cowed down by such negative qualities which arise due to our association with the body.  But, by constantly asserting one’s eternal nature and emphasizing the idea that one is in reality Sat Chit Ananda swarupa or existence, knowledge and bliss, one slowly overcomes bodily limitations and ultimately realizes one’s true nature.