This Chapter taken from The book ‘Crumbs from His Table’ by Ramanananda Swarnagiri
Resignation and Renunciation
D: I have a good mind to resign from service and remain constantly with Sri Bhagavan.
B: Bhagavan is always with you, in you, and you are yourself Bhagavan. To realize this it is neither necessary to resign your job nor run away from home. Renunciation does not imply apparent divesting of costumes, family ties, home, etc., but renunciation of desires, affection and attachment. There is no need to resign your job, but resign yourself to Him, the bearer of the burden of all. One who renounces desires, etc., actually merges in the world and expands his love to the whole universe. Expansion of love and affection would be a far better term for a true devotee of God than renunciation, for one who renounces the immediate ties actually extends the bonds of affection and love to a wider world beyond the borders of caste, creed and race. A sannyasi, who apparently casts away his clothes and leaves his home does not do so out of aversion to his immediate relations but because of the expansion of his love to others around him. When this expansion comes, one does not feel that one is running away from home, but drops from it like ripe fruit from a tree; till then it would be folly to leave one’s home or his job.
D: Can everybody see God?
B: Yes.
D: Can I see God? B: Yes.
D: Who is my guide to see God? Do I not need a guide? B: Who was your guide to Ramanasramam? With whose
guidance do you see the world daily? God is your own Self beyond body, mind and intellect. Just as you are able to see the world yourself so also you will be able to see your Self if you earnestly strive to do so, your Self alone being your guide in that quest also.
God With and Without Form
D: Whenever I worship God with name and form, I feel tempted to ask whether I am not wrong in doing so, as that would be limiting the Limitless, giving form to the Formless. At the same time I feel I am not constant in my adherence to worship of God without form.
B: As long as you respond to a name what objection could there be to your worshipping a God with name or form? Worship God with or without form till you know who you are.