Ramakrishna Flashcards
What is mysticism?
The search for contact with the divine in this lifetime, Ramakrishna was dedicated to achieving unity with the divine.
Give three facts about Ramakrishna
- Born to a poor Brahmin family, had very little education. 2. Father died when he was young, so his elder brother took on the role. 3. Became a priest at a temple dedicated to Kali.
What was Ramakrishna’s relationship with Kali?
Completely devoted to her, he dressed as a woman to identify with her and ate the offerings meant for her. His mother was worried and this worsened after his brother died, his mother had him return home and married him to a five year old.
How did Ramakrishna worship Kali?
Became aware of the divine in all things, worshipped a temple cat as Kali. His devotion became so strong that he became unable to perform his duties as priest.
Who influenced Ramakrishna?
Female guru bhariavi brahmani, she taught him tantric techniques to control his spiritual energy.
Who else influenced Ramakrishna?
A sadhu called totapuri who taught him how to meditate to achieve liberation. He did this through pursuing visions of god through sadhanas (spiritual techniques.)
How did Ramakrishna see other religions?
All gods are manifestations of the same ultimate reality, ergo, all religions are true and the same eternal and blissful being is at the heart of all of them.
Who was sarada Devi?
His wife, he worshiped her as an incarnation of Kali and saw all women as incarnations of shakti. She was known as the holy mother and was a guru in her own right.
Did Ramakrishna have any influence on his own?
No, he made no effort to convert others or to teach his practices. He criticized those who focused on social reform and through that the caste system would disappear as more followed Bhakti.
How was Ramakrishna seen by his disciples?
Despite not preaching, he attracted his own followers, they saw him as a sannyasin and renouncer of the world. One of these followers would be integral to bringing his message to the world.
