Too much study of the scriptures does more harm than good. The important thing is to know the essence of the scriptures. After that, what is the need of books? One should learn the essence and then dive deep in order to realize God.
(p.255, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna)
The guru is realized as the Chosen Deity; in other words, the Chosen Deity is perceived in the guru. As power, both are the same – this becomes revealed to one through spiritual disciplines.
(p.199, Spiritual Treasures, Swami Turiyanandaji’s letter on 18 June, 1919 from Varanasi.)