-The idea of religious universality, that all religions can lead to the same transcendental experience of unity, has entered into the modern world thanks to the influence of Sri Ramakrishna.
-Sri Ramakrishna was able to reach the highest Advaitic experience in only three days under the instruction of Tota Puri.
-This immediate realization comes when the disciple is fully concentrated on realizing the truth.
-Ordinary seekers may need to practice concentration on the meaning of the highest Vedantic statements for some time before these ideas go from being only a doctrine or a concept to becoming an experience.
-The waters of the various rivers mingle into one body of water. In the same way, the material of all religions is the same spiritual reality. An Advaitin can no longer be in conflict with any religion because he is not separate from anybody.
-Sri Ramakrishna’s experience was the very embodiment of the ancient Vedantic revelations.
-In modern times, according to Arnold Toynbee, this universal trend is shaping the trajectory of civilization. Directly or indirectly, Sri Ramakrishna’s nondual practice is the source.
This lecture was delivered at the Vedanta Society of Northern California on March 10, 2013.