“As long as a man analyses with the mind, he cannot reach the Absolute. As long as you reason with your mind, you have no way of getting rid of the universe and the objects of the senses – form, taste, smell, touch, and sound. When reasoning stops, you attain the knowledge of Brahman. Atman cannot be realized through this mind; Atman is realized through Atman alone. Pure Mind, Pure Buddhi, Pure Atman – all these are one and the same. When the mind is annihilated, when it stops deliberating pro and con, then one goes into Samadhi, one attains the knowledge of Brahman.”
(p.802, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ramakrishna to Hari on 14th July 1885)
“The mind is rendered pure as a result of many austerities. God who is purity itself cannot be attained without spiritual practices. What else does a man obtain by the realization of God? Does he grow two horns? No, his mind becomes pure, and through such a pure mind one attains knowledge and spiritual awakening.”
(p.172-3, The Gospel of The Holy Mother, Mother instruction on 14th July 1913)