Philosophies – Unity in diversity

While talking about Atma Sakshatkaram or Self-Realisation, Bhagawan Ramana states that to say that you are trying to realize the Self with the help of the mind is like saying that we can see the sun with the help of moonlight. The moon per say, is not luminescent and merely reflects the light from the Sun. Therefore to attempt to see the Sun which is the source through moon-light is impossible. Likewise it is total ignorance to imagine that one can realize the Self with the mind which is merely a reflection of the Chaitanya called the Self or the Atman. This represents the perfect Vedantic standpoint.
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa would say that if a man is holding a torch pointed away from him, others will not be able to see him. Only if he decides to reveal himself by shining the torch on himself, will those in the darkness be able to see him. Likewise only if God decides to reveal himself before you, you will be able to see Him. This is the perfect portrayal of a devotee’s point of view.
Though there is an apparent difference between the two schools of thought, one can easily notice the striking similarity between the two that flows like a strong undercurrent.