Why Think 'I am God'?

Sri Ramana Maharshi

How can I help others?

Who is there for you to help? Who is the "I" that is to help others? First clear up that point and then everything will settle itself.

As for Ishwara's help in my effort, isn't that to be secured by prayer, worship etc.? Won't that be helpful?

Ishwara's grace and worship for it etc. are all intermediate steps adopted and necessary to be adopted so long as the goal is not reached. When it is reached, God is the Self.

What particular steps will be helpful?

That depends on the circumstances in each case.

Which path is best suited to me? Won't all help be provided by God?

Bhakti, karma, jnana and yoga, all these paths are one. You cannot love God without knowing Him nor know Him without loving Him. Love manifests itself in everything you do and that is karma. The development of mental perception (yoga) is the necessary preliminary before you can know or love God in the proper way.

Can I go on thinking "I am God"? Is that right practice?

Why think that? In fact you are God. But who goes on thinking or saying 'I am a man', 'I am a man'? If any contrary thought, for instance, that one was a beast had to be put down, then of course the wrong notion that one is this or that, according to one's erroneous fancies, to that extent the idea that he is not these but God or Self, may be indulged in, as a matter of practice but when practice is over, the result is not any thought at all (such as 'I am God') but mere Self-realization. That is beyond conceptual thought.