The world loses its danger and poison when the mind becomes illumined. Then death is conquered and life is conquered and eternity is attained. When we are in possession of knowledge no harm can come to us, for we realize that though the body may be subject to many things, the soul remains unaffected. The soul has tasted immortality and is at perfect rest. Until we have found out this royal secret and mystery, we are restless, seeking here and there.
As Sri Ramakrishna said, ‘The bee buzzes as long as it is not sitting on a flower. It becomes silent when it begins to sip the honey.’ In another place Sri Ramakrishna said, ‘With the divine Knowledge of Advaita (non-duality) in you, do whatever you wish; for then no evil can come out of you.’
If we touch everything with jnana, the sting will go out of everything and the entire universe will become a place of bliss. And again, ‘First rub your hands with oil and then break open the jackfruit; otherwise they will be smeared with its sticky milk. First secure the oil of divine love, and then set your hands to the duties of the world.’ So it is with this world. It is very sticky, very nasty and difficult to get through without being harmed. But once we rub our minds with the oil of discrimination, it becomes easy. Then anger, hatred, lust and greed will not stick to the mind.