Anger and Hatred

Every wave of passion restrained is a balance in your favor. It is therefore good policy not to return anger for anger, as with all true morality.

Christ said, "Resist not evil", and we do not understand it until we discover that it is not only moral but actually the best policy, for anger is loss of energy to the man who displays it.
You should not allow your minds to come into those brain-combinations of anger and hatred.

- Swami Vivekananda,
   Lessons on Raja-Yoga,
   Class Notes in England

The One

The gigantic principles, the scope, the plan of religion were already discovered ages ago when man found the last words,
as they are called, of the Vedas --"I am He" 
  -- that there is that One in whom this whole universe of matter and mind finds its unity, whom they call God, or Brahman, or Allah, or Jehovah, or any other name.

We cannot go beyond that.

- Swami Vivekananda,
'Methods and Purpose of Religion
- Talk in England

Hypnotising Ourselves

You say, "Lord, give me my bread, my money! Heal my diseases! Do this and that!" 
Every time you say that, you are hypnotising yourselves with the idea, "I am matter, and this matter is the goal." 

Every time you try to fulfill a material desire, you tell yourselves that you are [the] body, that you are not spirit. . . . 

        - Swami Vivekananda, 
          Formal Worship, Talk in California

Soul Everywhere

The earth is moving, yet we think that the sun is moving instead of the earth, which we know to be a mistake, a delusion of the senses. 
So is also this delusion that we are born and that we die, that we come or that we go.

We neither come nor go, nor have we been born. For where is the soul to go? There is no place for it to go. 
Where is it not already? 

        - Swami Vivekananda, 
The Nature  of the Soul and Its Goal

Body-Making

If we could entirely stop our mind-stuff from breaking into waves, it would put an end to our bodies. 
For millions of years we have worked so hard to manufacture these bodies that in the struggle we have forgotten our real purpose in getting them, which was to become perfect. 

We have grown to think that body-making is the end of our efforts. This is Maya. We must break this delusion and return to our original aim and realize we are not the body, it is our servant. 

                 - Swami Vivekananda, 
                   Six Lessons on Raja-Yoga, US

Institutions

"I Am the Universe"

Immortality can only be true of the unconditioned. 
Nothing can act on the Atman -- the idea is pure delusion; but man must identify himself with that, not with body or mind. 

Let him know that he is the witness of the universe, then he can enjoy the beauty of the wonderful panorama passing before him. 
Let him even tell himself, "I am the universe, I am Brahman." When man really  identifies himself with the One, the Atman, everything is possible to him and all matter becomes his servant.  

               - Swami Vivekananda, 
                 Discourses on Jnana-Yoga, US

Yoga Definition

Internal Universe

The internal universe, the Real, is infinitely greater than the external one, which is but the shadowy projection of the true one. 

When we see the "rope", we do not see the "serpent", and when the "serpent" is, the "rope" is not. Both cannot exist at the same time; so while we see the world we do not realise the Self, it is only an intellectual concept. 

In the realisation of Brahman, the personal "I" and all sense of the world is lost. The Light does not know the darkness, because it has no existence in the light; so Brahman is all.  

                    - Swami Vivekananda, 
                       Discourses on Jnana-Yoga, US

Freedom means Immortality

Brutal, Human, Godly

Virtue is that which tends to our improvement, and vice to our degeneration. 
Man is made up of three qualities -- brutal, human, and godly. 

That which tends to increase the divinity in you is virtue, and that which tends to increase brutality in you is vice. 
You must kill the brutal nature and become human, that is, loving and charitable. You must transcend that too and become pure bliss.

                      - Swami Vivekananda, 
                        Notes taken at Madras (1892-93)

One Without Second

Philosophers' Stone

My Master used to say, "This world is a huge lunatic asylum where all men are mad, some after money, some after women, some after name or fame, and a few after God. 
I prefer to be mad after God. 

God is the philosophers' stone that turns us to gold in an instant; the form remains, but the nature is changed -- the human form remains, but no more can we hurt or sin." 

              - Swami Vivekananda, Inspired Talks

Soul of Humanity

Good Work

Swamiji: … … As far as you can, you must go on doing good work.

Disciple: What is this good work?

Swamiji: Whatever helps in the manifestation of Brahman is good work. Any work can be done so as to help, if not directly, at least indirectly, the manifestation of the Atman. 

            - Swami Vivekananda, 
               Conversations and Dialogues, 
               recorded by Sharat Chandra Chakravarty

Be a Man First

Real Sannyasin

The real Sannyasin is a teacher of householders. It is with the light and teaching obtained from them that householders of old triumphed many a time in the battles of life. 

The householders give food and clothing to the Sadhus, only in return for the invaluable teachings. Had there been no such mutual exchange in India, her people would have become extinct like the American Indians by this time. 

                - Swami Vivekananda, 
                   Conversations and Dialogues, 
                     recorded by Sharat Chandra Chakravarty

Sense-Life

Spirit of Renunciation

Where you find the attraction for lust and wealth considerably diminished, to whatever creed he may belong, know that his inner spirit is awakening. 
The door of Self-realisation has surely opened for him. 

On the contrary if you observe a thousand outward rules and quote a thousand scriptural texts, still, if it has not brought the spirit of renunciation in you, know that your life is in vain. 

                - Swami Vivekananda, 
                   Conversations and Dialogues, 
                    recorded by Sharat Chandra Chakravarty

Wonderful Unity

God and 'I'

Dvaitism -- small circle different from the big circle, only connected by Bhakti; 
Vishishtadvaitism -- small circle within big circle, motion regulated by the big circle; 

Advaitism -- small circle expands and coincides with the big circle. In Advaitism "I" loses itself in God. 
God is here, God is there, God is "I". 

                 - Swami Vivekananda, 
                    Notes taken at Madras (1892-93)

Mind in Different States

Real Education

… you consider a man as educated if only he can pass some examinations and deliver good lectures. 

The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion -- is it worth the name? 
Real education is that which enables one to stand on one's own legs. 

               - Swami Vivekananda, 
                  Conversations and Dialogues, 
                    recorded by Sharat Chandra Chakravarty

Love of God

Struggle Against Obstacles

Whatever may happen in the lower strata of nature's evolutions, in the higher strata at any rate, it is not true that it is only by constantly struggling against obstacles that one has to go beyond them. 

Rather it is observed that there the obstacles give way and a greater manifestation of the Soul takes place through education and culture, through concentration and meditation, and above all through sacrifice. 

              - Swami Vivekananda, 
                Conversations and Dialogues, 
                  recorded by Sharat Chandra Chakravarty

Feel It, Realize It

Reach Unity

God is the perception of every being: He is all there is to be perceived. 

That which says "I" is Brahman, but although we, day and night, perceive Him, we do not know that we are perceiving Him. As soon as we become aware of this truth, all misery goes; so we must get knowledge of the truth. 

Reach unity; no more duality will come. But knowledge does not come by sacrifice, but by seeking, worshiping, knowing the Atman. 

                 - Swami Vivekananda, Inspired Talks

Religion for Everyone

Brahmo and Arya Samaj

As for religious sects -- the Brahmo Samaj, the Arya Samaj, and other sects have been useless mixtures; they were only voices of apology to our English masters to allow us to live! 

We have started a new India -- a growth -- waiting to see what comes. We believe in new ideas only when the nation wants them, and what will be true for us. The test of truth for this Brahmo Samaj is "what our masters approve"; with us, what the Indian reasoning and experience approves. 

The struggle has begun -- not between the Brahmo Samaj and us, for they are gone already, but a harder, deeper, and more terrible one. 

                        - Swami Vivekananda, 

                           in a Letter to Mary Hale 

                            from Ridgely Manor (October 1899)

Practical Religion

Two Counter-Spirals of Hinduism

In India, in every age, there is a cycle of sects which represents every gradation of physical practice, from the extreme of self-torture to the extreme of excess. 
And during the same period will always be developed a metaphysical cycle, which represents the realization of God as taking place by every gradation of means, from that of using the senses as an instrument to that of the annihilation of the senses. 

Thus Hinduism always consists, as it were, of two counter-spirals, completing each other, round a single axis. 

                - Swami Vivekananda, Sayings and Utterances

Vedas - The One Source

"Sameness"

This idea of renunciation has been in some form common to nearly all religions. 
Jnana demands that we look upon all alike, that we see only "sameness". Praise and blame, good and bad, even heat and cold, must be equally acceptable to us. 

In India there are many holy men of whom this is literally true. They wander on the snow-clad heights of the Himalayas or over the burning desert sands, entirely unclothed and apparently entirely unconscious of any difference in temperature.  

                 - Swami Vivekananda, 
                   Discourses on Jnana-Yoga, US

The Householder

Work as No-Work

To attain liberation through work, join yourself to work but without desire, looking for no result. Such work leads to knowledge, which in turn brings emancipation. 

To give up work before you know, leads to misery. Work done for the Self gives no bondage. Neither desire pleasure nor fear pain from work. 
It is the mind and body that work, not I. Tell yourself this unceasingly and realise it. Try not to know that you work. 

              - Swami Vivekananda, Inspired Talks

True Enjoyment

As Men and as God

Mother First , Mother Last

One without a Second

Unselfishness is the denial of the lower or apparent self. 
We have to free ourselves from this miserable dream that we are these bodies. 

We must know the truth, "I am He". We are not drops to fall into the ocean and be lost; each one is the whole, infinite ocean, and will know it when released from the fetters of illusion. 
Infinity cannot be divided, the "One without a second" can have no second, all is that One.  

                       - Swami Vivekananda, 
                          Discourses on Jnana-Yoga, US

Idea behind Nation

Shankara and Buddha

Swamiji: Shankara's intellect was sharp like the razor. He was a good arguer and a scholar, no doubt of that, but he had no great liberality; his heart too seems to have been like that. Besides, he used to take great pride in his Brahmanism — much like a southern Brahmin of the priest class, you may say. 

How he has defended in his commentary on the Vedanta-Sutras that the non-Brahmin castes will not attain to a 
supreme knowledge of Brahman! And what specious arguments! 
Referring to Vidura he has said that he became a knower of Brahman by reason of his Brahmin body in the previous incarnation. Well, if nowadays any Shudra attains to a knowledge of Brahman, shall we have to side with your Shankara and maintain that because he had been a Brahmin in his previous birth, therefore he has attained to this knowledge? Goodness! 

What is the use of dragging in Brahminism with so much ado? The Vedas have entitled any one belonging to the three upper castes to study the Vedas and the realization of 
Brahman, haven't they? So Shankara had no need whatsoever of displaying this curious bit of pedantry on this subject, contrary to the Vedas. And such was his heart that he burnt to death lots of Buddhist monks — by defeating them in argument! And the Buddhists, too, were foolish enough to burn themselves to death, simply because they were worsted in argument! 
What can you call such an action on Shankara's part except fanaticism? 

But look at Buddha's heart! — Ever ready to give his own life to save the life of even a kid — what to speak of  "बहुजनहिताय बहुजनसुखाय — For the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many"! See, what a large-heartedness — what a compassion!

Disciple: Can't we call that attitude of the Buddha, too, another kind of fanaticism, sir? He went to the length of sacrificing his own body for the sake of a beast!

Swamiji: But consider how much good to the world and its beings came out of that 'fanaticism' of his — how many monasteries and schools and colleges, how many public hospitals and veterinary refuges were established, how developed architecture became — think of that. 

What was there in this country before Buddha's advent? 
Only a number of religious principles recorded on bundles of palm leaves — and those too known only to a few. It was Lord Buddha who brought them down to the practical field and showed how to apply them in the everyday life of the people. In a sense, he was the living embodiment of true Vedanta. 

Disciple: But, sir, it was he [Buddha] who by breaking down the Varnâshrama Dharma (duty according to caste and order of life) brought about a revolution within the fold of Hinduism in India, and there seems to be some truth also in the remark that the religion he preached was for this reason banished in course of time from the soil of India.

Swamiji: It was not through his teachings that Buddhism came to such degradation, it was the fault of his followers. By becoming too philosophic they lost much of their breadth of heart. Then gradually the corruption known as Vâmâchâra (unrestrained mixing with women in the name of religion) crept in and ruined Buddhism. 
Such diabolical rites are not to be met with in any modern Tantra! 
One of the principal centres of Buddhism was Jagannâtha or Puri, and you have simply to go there and look at the  abominable figures carved on the temple walls to be convinced of this. Puri has come under the sway of the Vaishnavas since the time of Râmânuja and Shri Chaitanya. 
Through the influence of great personages like these the place now wears an altogether different aspect. 

    - Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
                (Vol VII P117-119)

No Privileged Monopoly

Fault of Followers

Disciple: … sir, it was he [Buddha] who by breaking down the Varnashrama Dharma (duty according to caste and order of life) brought about a revolution within the fold of Hinduism in India, and there seems to be some truth also in the remark that the religion he preached was for this reason banished in course of time from the soil of India.

Swamiji: It was not through his teachings that Buddhism came to such degradation, it was the fault of his followers. 
By becoming too philosophic they lost much of their breadth of heart. Then gradually the corruption known as Vamachara (unrestrained mixing with women in the name of religion) crept in and ruined Buddhism. 
Such diabolical rites are not to be met with in any modern Tantra! …  

                 - Swami Vivekananda, 
                    Conversations and Dialogues, 
                     recorded by Sharat Chandra Chakravarty  

Buddha Purnima - Sannyasa Ideal

Unchanging Reader

The mind brings before us all our delusions -- body, sex, creed, caste, bondage; so we have to tell the truth to the mind incessantly, until it is made to realize it. 

Our real nature is all bliss, and all the pleasure we know is but a reflection, an atom, of that bliss we get from touching our real nature. That  is beyond both pleasure and pain. 

It is the "witness" of the universe, the unchanging reader before whom turn the leaves of the book of life.  

                        - Swami Vivekananda, 
                           Discourses on Jnana-Yoga, US

Crown of Sorrow

Silent Prayer

Is there ever any movement of yours, mental or physical, in which you do not participate in the infinite Divine Energy? 

It is all a constant prayer. If you call only a set of words prayer, you make prayer superficial. Such prayers are not much good; they can scarcely bear any real fruit. … 

… This universe is a constant prayer. If you take prayer in this sense, I am with you. 
Words are not necessary. Better is silent prayer.  

                - Swami Vivekananda, 
                   ‘Buddha’s Message to the World’, 
                    Talk at San Francisco

Law and Phenomena

Illumination

Religion is above reason, supernatural. 
Faith is not belief, it is the grasp on the Ultimate, an illumination. 

First hear, then reason and find out all that reason can give about the Atman; let the flood of reason flow over It, then take what remains. If nothing remains, thank God you have escaped a superstition. 

When you have determined that nothing can take away the Atman, that It stands every test, hold fast to this and teach it to all. 

               - Swami Vivekananda, Inspired Talks