A man needed to cross a wide river but had no boat. Instead of asking for one or finding a way across, he wrote the word boat on a piece of paper, placed it carefully on his head, and stepped into the water. At first, he felt secure, believing the name alone could carry him across. But soon, he began to sink, struggling in the current. A passerby rescued him, shaking his head at the folly. The lesson was clear: words or appearances alone cannot accomplish a task; only true effort and faith can carry one through challenges. Spiritual teachings are the same—reciting sacred names or formulas without sincere devotion or inner transformation will not bring liberation.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836–1886) Indian Mystic and Saint
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DAILY REFLECTION BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY
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