Understanding Atman

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There is a small story with regard to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. In the midst of giving a discourse, he found a disciple by name Rani Rasamani sitting and pretending to listen to the discourse. He went straight to her and gave the Rani two slaps. Others who were witnessing this event were surprised and were thinking that Ramakrishna dit not have a sound mind.

Rasamani also was surprised at this and was trying to think if anything was wrong with her and why the guru was treating her with disrespect. Truly, if one knows one's own faults, he will not commit those faults. In fact, because Rasamani did not know her fault she was not able to realise what was wrong with her.

Ramakrishna told her that if she came there to think of her problems of litigation, and not to listen to the discourse, she might as well do so in her house. In the same manner, some people who come and sit here to listen to what is being said here waver and flutter like the leaves of a tree. They move about and look around as if they are crows. They are not able to sit steadily.

They look this side and that side. They are unconcerned and unaffected by all that happens here. They can not even sit properly. Unless you have a steady mind, you cannot understand matters relating to the atma. They also set a bad example to others. People who have a wavering mind cannot be true yogis, even though they may pass off as good devotees in external appearances.