Page:The Gospel of Râmakrishna.djvu/295

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GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA

the mind and leads to spiritual results through discrimination, concentration and meditation. Perfect concentration of the mind is necessary in the path of Raja Yoga. Mind is like the flame of a lamp. When the wind of Concentration. desire blows, it is restless; when there is no wind, it is steady. The latter is the state of mind in Yoga. Ordinarily the mind is scattered, one portion here, another portion there. It is necessary to collect the scattered mind and direct it towards one point. If you want a whole piece of cloth, you will have to pay the full price for it. Yoga is not possible if there be the least obstacle in the way. If there be a small break in the telegraphic wire, the message will not reach its destination. A Yogi controls his mind, the mind does not con- trol him. When the mind is absolutely con- centrated, the breath stops, and the soul enters into Samadhi.

This state of breathlessness is called Kum- bhaka. It can be attained through Bhakti Yoga also. When the emotion Kumbhaka. (Bhakti) reaches its climax, the breath stops and the mind becomes fixed. If a man is sweeping and some one comes and tells him: "Mr. So and So is dead; have you heard ?"

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