ABSTRACT
The most important thing necessary to a spiritual aspirant is the longing for God and the desire to seek and find Him. There are many religions in the world, innumerable sects with their varied theories, beliefs and doctrines, but these are helpful to us only in so far as they help to create in us the desire to realize God and show us the means and ways to reach Him. Sri Ramakrishna tells the following parable: A pundit hired a ferryboat to take him across the river. He was the only passenger, so he began to talk to the ferryman. They insist that we ourselves strive strenuously to find God. Those who practice spiritual disciplines and regularly pray and meditate will come directly to the experience of divine grace. It is a psychological experience, almost exactly like the magnet drawing the needle.
