Ramakrishna On Non-Doership

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Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836-1886) is one of the most revered sages of 19th century India. A renowned mystic and yogi, he was considered an avatar, a divine incarnation. He was influenced by several ancient spiritual traditions such Bhakti (which as included his supreme devotion toward the goddess Kali), Tantra, and Advaita Vedanta.

The most comprehensive work on Ramakrishna and his teachings is The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The book records conversations between Ramakrishna, his disciples and visitors.

The subject of non-doership has echoed through the ages in the Indian scriptures, and also been advocated by spiritual masters. In fact, it is the primary underlying message in the Bhagavad Gita. The light that Ramakrishna shed on the subject in The Gospel has been the specific focus of this small book.

When masters like Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa consistently point to the teaching of non-doership, it would help to listen to their words with an open mind. Allowing the seeds that have been planted by the teaching to sprout, will enable one to flow through life's brief journey with equanimity.

"Nobody truly 'does' anything. We are all instruments through whom the Divine Will functions. This is according to me the true meaning of 'universal brotherhood'; we are a brotherhood of instruments through whom God's Will functions."

This is what my spiritual guide and contemporary Advaita sage Ramesh Balsekar (1917-2009), spoke about at the daily talks that were held at his home in South Mumbai. He would explain in a step-by-step manner how he not only reached this conclusion based on his personal experience in daily living, but also how the same message was echoed in the Indian scriptures, as well as the teachings of the Buddha, Jesus, and 20th century masters like Sri Ramana Maharshi.