Swami Vivekananda
Religion is Self-Abnegation - Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Topic
One cannot divide the rights of the universe. To talk of "right" implies limitation. It is not "right" but "responsibility". Each is responsible for the evil anywhere in the world. No one can separate himself from his brother. All that unites with the universal is virtue; all that separates is s
Religion and Science - Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Topic
Experience is the only source of knowledge. In the world, religion is the only science where there is no surety, because it is not taught as a science of experience. This should not be. There is always, however, a small group of men who teach religion from experience. They are called mystics, an
On Proof of Religion - Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Topic
The great question about religion is: What makes it so unscientific? If religion is a science, why is it not as certain as other sciences? All beliefs in God, heaven, etc., are mere conjectures, mere beliefs. There seems to be nothing certain about it. Our ideas concerning religion are changing
Religion is Realisation - Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Topic
The greatest name man ever gave to God is Truth. Truth is the fruit of realisation; therefore seek it within the soul. Get away from all books and forms and let your soul see its Self. "We are deluded and maddened by books", Shri Krishna declares. Be beyond the dualities of nature. The moment yo
The Goals and Methods of Realisation - Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Topic
The greatest misfortune to befall the world would be if all mankind were to recognise and accept but one religion, one universal form of worship, one standard of morality. This would be the death-blow to all religious and spiritual progress. Instead of trying to hasten this disastrous event by i
On Raja Yoga - Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Topic
The first stage of Yoga is Yama. To master Yama five things are necessary: (1) Non-injuring any being by thought, word, and deed. (2) Speaking the truth in thought, word, and deed (3) Non-covetousness in thought, word, and deed. (4) Perfect chastity in thought, word, and deed. (5) Perfect sinlessnes
PRANA
(These lessons are from class notes preserved in England.)
Concentration: Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Topic
Concentration is the essence of all knowledge, nothing can be done without it. Ninety per cent of thought force is wasted by the ordinary human being, and therefore he is constantly committing blunders; the trained man or mind never makes a mistake. When the mind is concentrated and turned backw
Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Topic
Yoga has essentially to do with the meditative side of religion, rather than the ethical side, though, of necessity, a little of the latter has to be considered. Men and women are growing to desire more than mere revelation, so called. They want facts in their own consciousness. Only through exp
Sannyasa: its ideal and practice
A parting Address was given to Swamiji by the junior Sannyâsins of the Math (Belur), on the eve of his leaving for the West for the second time. The following is the substance of Swamiji's reply as entered in the Math Diary on 19th June 1899:
Monasticism - Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Topic
"Never forget, to say to yourself, and to teach to your children, as the difference between a firefly and the blazing sun, between the infinite ocean and a little pond, between a mustard-seed and the mountain of Meru, such is the difference between the householder and the Sanny
Mother Worship - Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Topic
(Fragmentary notes of a class talk by Swami Vivekananda in New York.)