Ishta - Unique Way

Such an idea as that there is but one way for everybody is injurious, meaningless, and entirely to be avoided. 

Woe unto the world when everyone is of the same religious opinion and takes to the same path. 

Then all religions and all thought will be destroyed. 

Variety is the very soul of life. When it dies out entirely, creation will die. When this variation in thought is kept up, we must exist; and we need not quarrel because of that variety. 

Your way is very good for you, but not for me. 

My way is good for me, but not for you. 

My way is called in Sanskrit, my "Ishta". 

Mind you, we have no quarrel with any religion in the world.

We have each our Ishta. But when we see men coming and saying, "This is the only way", and trying to force it on us in India, we have a word to say; we laugh at them. 

For such people who want to destroy their brothers because they seem to follow a different path towards God -- for them to talk of love is absurd. Their love does not count for much. 

How can they preach of love who cannot bear another man to follow a different path from their own? 

If that is love, what is hatred?  

- Swami Vivekananda, 

Address at Jaffna,

Lectures From Colombo to Almora