When we are children, we dream of being grown up, of becoming a movie star, a fireman, a space traveler or perhaps even the president — and then we will be happy.  When we are teenagers, we rebel against our parents’ control and dream of being free to do all the mischief we want — and then we will be happy.  As adults, we dream of becoming rich and famous, living worry-free in luxury — and then we will be happy.  When we get old, we get depressed and dream of being young and desirable again because then, and only then, we will be happy.

All through life, we run breathlessly after our dreams never quite catching them, and if we actually do get what we want, we are not satisfied and start runnng after yet another dream.  This madness does not stop until we do. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, “People run after all sorts of things.  They are mad for money, husband, children, but they call me mad because I am mad for God.”

When we fall in love with God, life becomes sweet.  We may get what we desire from the world or we may not get it.  It does not matter when the heart is deeply happy within.  Go to the office, clean the house, stress over a test at school, work at an unpleasant job  — these activities comprise only the hard shell over the lava of love that flows underneath.
Sri Ramakrishna said that in this dark age of kali yuga the forms of God most awake are Ma Kali and Gopala Krishna.  If you earnestly pray to Ma Kali, to baby Krishna, you will get quick results.

One of the devotees here at Kali Mandir has a very special relationship with Ma Dakshineswari Kali.  Some time ago, he came every day in the afternoon and swept Ma’s courtyard.  When he stopped, we asked him about it.  “I promised Ma that I’ll sweep Her courtyard every day for a week if She gives me a job.”  Yes, he got the job he wanted.  Some time after, we saw him sweeping again.  “Did you lose your job?” we asked.  “No, but my friend needs a job.”  When we did not see him sweep again, we guessed that the friend also got a job.  This devotee has such a childlike dependence on Ma.  She cannot help but respond quickly to his needs.

Ma is here for all of us.  If we just call on Her with a longing heart, She showers Her love and blessings.  If we just exhibit a little bit of shraddha, She puts us on Her lap and takes care of every little detail in our life. What is preventing us from sitting on Her lap and living the dream?  The only thing that stands in our way to the highest bliss is our ego.  Let it go.

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