Swami Vivekananda Quotations
Swami Vivekananda was a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. A neighbour said of the boy that became Vivekananda: "I have never seen a more hopelessly spoiled one . . . he goes along smoking a cigar in the presence of the elders of the quarter, and so on in all matters."
Jagadananda: "Ordinary people often regarded the bold and plain-speaking Narendra as arrogant and insolent and of improper conduct when they saw his conduct and perceived his great self-confidence."
Another Ramakrishna disciple, Swami Saradananda, tells how he got to know that the young man that the neighbour had disapproved of so much, was praised by Sri Ramakrishna, who became his gurudev. Ramakrishna made his doubts go away and transformed him. [Jagadananda 1970, 749-57, abstracted]
Vivekananda's first shot to stardom at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. There he called for tolerance and the end of religious fanaticism. Women fell over each other to get a closer look at this handsome Hindu monk with ochre robes and turban, and who spoke flawless English. – ]◦Link]
His lectures and writings are gathered into nine volumes. They are online.
Example
Of science, philosophy, and art, . . . Paris is the mine. (7) - Swami
Vivekananda, in an article he wrote after a visit to Paris in 1900.
"Do not believe this either" 😉:
Do not believe in a thing because you have read about it in a book.
Do not believe in a thing because another man has said it was true.
Do not believe in words because they are
hallowed by tradition.
Find out the truth for yourself. Reason it out . . . (etc.) -
Swami Vivekananda. Compare: [Kalama Sutta]
Be pure to do good. - Vivekananda, mod
Great work may have to pass through these stages – ridicule, opposition, and then acceptance. Each man who thinks ahead of his time will probably be greatly misunderstood. - Vivekananda, de
I have every respect and veneration for Lord Buddha. - Vivekananda
I preach only the Upanishads. If you look, you will find that I have never quoted anything but the Upanishads. - Vivekananda
Social life in the West is like a peal of laughter; but underneath, it is a wail. It ends in a sob. The fun and frivolity are all on the surface: really it is full of tragic intensity. - Vivekananda
Take care about what you think. Thoughts can travel far. - Vivekananda, de
The more we progress, the more avenues are opened to pain as well as to pleasure. - Swami Vivekananda, Jnana Yoga, Chapter 3: "Maya and Illusion"
The same thing which is producing misery in one, may produce happiness in another. - Swami Vivekananda, Jnana Yoga, Chapter 3: "Maya and Illusion"
The Vedanta has no quarrel with Buddhism. - Swami Vivekananda
Think positively and masterfully, and life becomes richer. - Vivekananda, de
To help the suffering world was the gigantic task to which Buddha gave prominence. - Vivekananda
We are all after the Golden Fleece . . . everyone struggles for it. - Swami Vivekananda, Jnana Yoga, Chapter 3: "Maya and Illusion"
We read in the Svetashvatara Upanishad, "Know nature to be Maya and the Ruler of this Maya is the Lord Himself." - Swami Vivekananda, Jnana Yoga, Chapter 3: "Maya and Illusion"
When a man has developed a high state of spirituality he can understand that the kingdom of heaven is within him. - Vivekananda
When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it can be transformed into an actual physical or mental state. - Vivekananda, de
Work for lessening misery . . . That lesson we shall have to learn. - Vivekananda, Jnana Yoga, Chapter 3: "Maya and Illusion"
So
Learn how to tune in to the Subtle Ocean. That is in the teaching of Guru Dev, who let his disciple Maharishi Mahesh Yogi spread ◦the unparalleled system of Transcendental meditation, TM.
TM "gives the people the insight into life and they begin to enjoy . . . peace and happiness," said Maharishi. "We must supply them with some tangible, simple, natural means to glorify all aspects of their personality and life," said Maharishi also.
◦Reduced substance abuse is a definite effect of TM (Transcendental Meditation).
