Positive thinking: Where is God?

“If I could reach God by worshipping a stone, I’d worship a whole mountain. More useful than an idol is a grinding stone—it at least fills the hungry belly.” (Kabir) But who listens? Our search for God is relentless. And often fruitless.

A woman was in the habit of rushing to church every day before work. She’d kneel down for a few seconds and run out again, her appointment with God kept. One spring morning, without a glance at the blossoming gardens in the churchyard, she hurried to prayer to find the church doors closed. On it was a note—”I’m out there.”

Narendra, a young, intelligent student from Calcutta, had only one question to ask every mystic he met: “Have you seen God?” He received no satisfactory response from anyone?until he met Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. When asked, the saint simply said, “I see him as clearly as I see you.” “Can I see him too?” asked Narendra. Ramakrishna touched his temples and suddenly Narendra saw the one Self shining through all things, the one heart beating everywhere. Transformed, Narendra rose to become Swami Vivekanand.

A man went in search of God. He asked an ascetic, “Can you help me see God?” “Not I,” he said, “But ask the fish in the river behind my house.” On being asked, the fish answered, “Sure! I can show you God. But first, get me a glass of water. I’m thirsty.” The man laughed. “You’re perpetually in water and you’re thirsty?” Instantly, the fish answered, “You’re perpetually amidst God and you go searching for him?” “As oil in sesame seed, fire in flint, your God is within. If you have the power, awaken him!” (Kabir)
When the young lad, Svetaketu, asked the sage, Uddalaka, his father, “Where is God?” he answered, “Bring me a glass of salt water.” It was procured. “Now, taste it.” “It’s salty.” “But where’s the salt?” “That’s dissolved.” “So with God. He’s an immutable part of every atom,” explained Uddalaka. He then said, “Pour the water in a pan. Keep it in the sun.” The water dried. Immediately, the salt re-appeared. “So with man,” Uddalaka elucidated, “whenever his ego evaporates, God will become visible."