What is the path to the knowledge of Brahman?

One evening, Anandamayi Ma was strolling on the banks of the river Ganges. Some local ladies were also there. One of them had a discussion with Anandamayi Ma and asked a question, “How can we know Brahman while being in this world?” Ma smiled and replied, “When there is a world, where is Brahman? As long as there is creation in the form of perception, you cannot conceive Brahman. When Brahman is realised, this world ceases to exist, and only Brahman exists.” The lady recited 1-2 shlokas from the Upanishad. Ma said laughingly, “Arre! She knows everything. (Pointing towards her own body) This body does not know all these things. This body has not learnt any reading or writing.” The lady again queried, “Why? Can’t we know Brahman while being in this world? There is a path to the knowledge of Brahman too!”

Ma: “Yes, surely there is a path, that path is to follow the words of the SatGuru.” After the lady left, Ma said: “This verily happens when one tries to know Brahman through the mind and intellect. One gets partial benefit in the knowledge by knowing through inquiry, because the mind has a habit of seeing in parts. Then only, this type of confusion occurs… ‘This would be true… This would not be true.’ But when one is fully enlightened, then it is understood that everything is correct from the point of view from which it is said. There is no conflict in it.”