Is it possible to realise God?

Mahendra Nath Gupta, familiarly known as M, used to ask several questions to Sri Ramakrishna to get his doubts regarding spiritual life clarified. These appear repeatedly in the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna but often under various pseudonyms because M wanted to remain concealed from public glare. One of the frequently asked questions was whether a householder can realize God. Sri Ramakrishna would assure that it is possible and would also give a prescription. One set of disciplines he advocated consist of Satsang (Holy company), Prarthana (prayer) and weeping for God in solitude. One has to begin with the first discipline i.e. Satsang or company of holy. Our lives are often guided and moulded by the company we keep. The person who wants to realize the true goal of life should give up the company of the worldly and seek the company of the holy. In fact, the awakening of true spiritual life often comes through such a company. As an individual one would find it extremely difficult to practise spiritual disciplines or think of God, etc. In a Satsang (in a congregation) it is much easier to keep one’s mind on the higher dimensions of life. Slowly by repeatedly seeking company of the holy and participating in such Satsangs it is possible to give a spiritual drift to the mind. When one’s mind is established in such a pursuit, it is possible to go deeper and that is when Prarthana or prayer takes over as the next discipline. Prayer or Prarthana is the communication of the soul with God. Even if one does not know God, it is possible to communicate with Him through prayer which is nothing but the outpouring of the soul’s inner feelings. After one is firmly established in the discipline of prayer, then comes the practice of weeping for God in solitude. If one goes that far, the realization of Ultimate Truth or God is not far away from such an aspirant.