Ram Dass

Remembering God

Once I asked Maharaji how it is possible for a man to remember God all the time. He told me the story of Narada (the celestial sage) and the butcher: Vishnu (one of the aspects of God) was always praising the butcher and Narada wondered why, since the butcher was always occupied and Narada spent twenty-four hours a day praising Vishnu. Vishnu gave Narada the task of carrying a bowl of oil, full to the brim, up to the top of a mountain, without spilling a drop. The task completed, Vishnu asked how many times Narada remembered Vishnu. Narada asked how that would be possible, since he had to concentrate on carrying the bowl and climbing the mountain. Vishnu sent Narada to the butcher and the butcher said that as he works he is always remembering God.

Maharaji said then, “Whatever outer work you must do, do it; but train your mind in such a way that in your subconscious mind you remember God.”

– Excerpt from Miracle of Love: Stories about Neem Karoli Baba, compiled by Ram Dass