Story: Crossing the River

Crossing the River


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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