Vijnanananda told the devotees in Madras: “The goal of human life is to realize God because only that can give us real and permanent peace. Truly it is the ego, a product of ignorance, which has covered our God-vision. Once someone asked Sri Ramakrishna, ‘Why can’t we see God?’ He immediately covered his face with a towel and asked: ‘Can you see my face? No. Because this towel is the barrier; yet I am seated in front of you. Similarly, remove the veil of ignorance, which is between you and God and you will see Him everywhere.’” (Source: God Lived with Them)