Concentration on Name and Form

Sri Lakshmana Swami

Q: Is concentration on the name and form of the Guru a good practice if one is following the path of love and surrender? Is such a practice enough or should I do something else to increase my devotion?

LS: Concentration on name and form is not merely a beginner's practice. If it is done with love and devotion, and if the form can be held continuously without any other thought arising, then such a practice can take one all the way to self-realization.

Before sarada realized the Self I tried to get her to take up self-enquiry, but she was not interested. She only wanted to hold on to my name and form, and in the end that was enough. By following this method, she realized the Self in three years.