Once Harinath said to the Master that his goal was to attain nirvana (liberation) in this very life. For this the Master reproached him: “Those who seek nirvana are selfish and small-minded. They are full of fear. They are like those parcheesi players who are always eager to reach home. An amateur player, once he sends his piece home, doesn’t like to bring it out again. Such players are unskilled. But an adept player is never afraid of coming out again, if by doing so he gets the opportunity to capture an opponent. Then he rolls the right number and returns home once more. It seems that whenever he rolls the dice, the right number comes up for him. So do not fear. Play without any fear.” Harinath asked with wonder, “Does it actually happen?” “Of course it happens,” replied the Master. “By Mother’s grace everything takes place.” (Source: God Lived with Them)
Ramakrishna’s illness showed no signs of abating in spite of the best available care and treatment. When Narendra realized that the Master would not live long, he intensified his own spiritual practices. One day he entreated Ramakrishna for the experience of nirvikalpa samadhi, the highest realization of Advaita Vedanta. But the Master reprimanded him: “Shame on you! You are asking for such an insignificant thing. I thought that you would be like a big banyan tree, and that thousands of people would rest in your shade. But now I see that you are seeking your own liberation.” He said further: “There is a state higher than that. It is you who sing, ‘O Lord, Thou art all that exists.’” The Master wanted his disciple to see God in all beings and to serve them in a spirit of worship. (Source: God Lived with Them)
Vivekananda was an embodiment of renunciation and purity, and he reminded the monks that all power comes from those virtues. In the Belur Math rule book, he stated the monks’ primary goal: “This monastery is established to work out one’s own liberation, and to train oneself to do good to the world in every way, along the lines laid down by Sri Ramakrishna.” One day one of his disciples expressed a desire to go into seclusion in order to practise austerities. The swami reprimanded him: “You will go to hell if you seek your own salvation! Seek the salvation of others if you want to reach the Highest. Kill out the desire for personal liberation. This is the greatest spiritual discipline.” This statement shows what an unselfish, gigantic heart Vivekananda had! (Source: God Lived with Them)