Vivekananda on Strength: The Ignored Virtue.š§µ
Dharma, philosophy, & science are different routes to the same end goal: the truth.
But Vivekananda says:
Truths are only for the strong.
Even spiritual salvation isnāt for the weak.
A thread on the what and why of strength:
Dharma, philosophy, & science are different routes to the same end goal: the truth.
But Vivekananda says:
Truths are only for the strong.
Even spiritual salvation isnāt for the weak.
A thread on the what and why of strength:
Vivekananda mocks the āEuropeanizedā Indian who has no ābackbone.ā
Some minds are nothing but āa mass of heterogeneous ideas picked up at random from any source.ā
Ideas which are āunassimilated, undigested, unharmonized.ā
Strength of conviction is impossible for such a psyche.
Some minds are nothing but āa mass of heterogeneous ideas picked up at random from any source.ā
Ideas which are āunassimilated, undigested, unharmonized.ā
Strength of conviction is impossible for such a psyche.
Viveknananda wrote that people are taught ātheories of degradation.ā
Materialists say our noblest feelings are just neurochemical cocktails.
The behaviorists say humans can be *nudged* into doing anything.
Dharma puts our reason in doubt; science puts our instinct in doubt.
Materialists say our noblest feelings are just neurochemical cocktails.
The behaviorists say humans can be *nudged* into doing anything.
Dharma puts our reason in doubt; science puts our instinct in doubt.
Viveknanadaās better message:
āLet them hear of Ätman: that even the lowest of the low have the Ätman within, which never dies and never is born - of Him whom the sword cannot pierce, nor the fire burn, nor the air dry.ā
Even at our weakest our true self (Ätman) is inside us.
āLet them hear of Ätman: that even the lowest of the low have the Ätman within, which never dies and never is born - of Him whom the sword cannot pierce, nor the fire burn, nor the air dry.ā
Even at our weakest our true self (Ätman) is inside us.
Vivekanandaās demand:
āWhat we want is muscles of iron and nerves of steel. We have wept long enough. No more weeping, but stand on your feet and be men. It is a man-making religion that we want. It is man-making theories that we want. It is man-making education that we want.ā
āWhat we want is muscles of iron and nerves of steel. We have wept long enough. No more weeping, but stand on your feet and be men. It is a man-making religion that we want. It is man-making theories that we want. It is man-making education that we want.ā
Judge dharma, theories, and education by how much they strengthen you.
Vivekananda: āAnd here is the test of truth ā anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison; there is no life in it, it cannot be true. Truth is strengthening.ā
Vivekananda: āAnd here is the test of truth ā anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison; there is no life in it, it cannot be true. Truth is strengthening.ā
But WHY is the truth strengthening? Because the truth aligns you with reality. When you know the truth about something you have power over it. In a new city youāre helpless; a few weeks later, once you know the truth about its streets, youāre oriented, directed, more powerful.
Vivekananda: "I preach only the Upaniį¹£ads. You will find that I have never quoted anything but the Upaniį¹£ads. And of the Upaniį¹£ads, it is only that One idea, strength. The quintessence of the Vedas and Vedanta and all lies in that one word.ā
What are the implications of this?
What are the implications of this?
Vivekananda: āReligion is a matter of growth, not a mass of foolish words.ā
The goal is to grow from ignorance to strength, from cowardice to courage, from a self-image limited to oneās body to one broad enough to include the cosmos.
This growth will require strength above all.
The goal is to grow from ignorance to strength, from cowardice to courage, from a self-image limited to oneās body to one broad enough to include the cosmos.
This growth will require strength above all.
Vivekananda:
āYou talk of ghosts and devils. We are the living devils. The sign of life is strength and growth. The sign of death is weakness. Whatever is weak, avoid! It is death. If it is strength, go down into hell and get hold of it! There is salvation only for the brave.ā
āYou talk of ghosts and devils. We are the living devils. The sign of life is strength and growth. The sign of death is weakness. Whatever is weak, avoid! It is death. If it is strength, go down into hell and get hold of it! There is salvation only for the brave.ā
Why is salvation only for the brave?
Because salvation is nothing but life arranged in proper hierarchy.
Your body must let go of inertia to serve the mind, which must let go of distractions to serve your spirit.
And all hierarchies need courageous defense on a regular basis.
Because salvation is nothing but life arranged in proper hierarchy.
Your body must let go of inertia to serve the mind, which must let go of distractions to serve your spirit.
And all hierarchies need courageous defense on a regular basis.
Vivekananda on greatness:
āIn the history of the world, you will find that only those nations that have believed in themselves have become great and strong. In the history of each nation, only those individuals who have believed in themselves have become great and strong.ā
āIn the history of the world, you will find that only those nations that have believed in themselves have become great and strong. In the history of each nation, only those individuals who have believed in themselves have become great and strong.ā
Vivekananda knew that the āweak teachingsā of humility are destructive.
Teach kids the glory of their souls:
āLet positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter brains from the very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralyzing ones.ā
Teach kids the glory of their souls:
āLet positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter brains from the very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralyzing ones.ā
Vivekanandaās famous words on GÄ«tÄ, football, and strength:
āOur young men must be strong. Religion will come afterwards. You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of the GÄ«tÄ. These are bold words; but I have to say them, for I love you.ā
āOur young men must be strong. Religion will come afterwards. You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of the GÄ«tÄ. These are bold words; but I have to say them, for I love you.ā
Water absorbs water but not oil. To understand Kį¹į¹£į¹a's strength, you must have some:
āYouāll understand the GÄ«tÄ better with your biceps, your muscles, a little stronger. You will understand the mighty genius and mighty strength of Kį¹į¹£į¹a better with strong blood in you.ā
āYouāll understand the GÄ«tÄ better with your biceps, your muscles, a little stronger. You will understand the mighty genius and mighty strength of Kį¹į¹£į¹a better with strong blood in you.ā
Ultimately, dhÄrmika ideas are tools.
What good is a hammer if you canāt grip it well?
Bhavagad-GÄ«tÄ can give you hundreds of useful ideas, but Vivekanandaās question is:
Can you lift them? Grip them? Use them?
Or will they sit idle in your mind, like antiques on a shelf?
What good is a hammer if you canāt grip it well?
Bhavagad-GÄ«tÄ can give you hundreds of useful ideas, but Vivekanandaās question is:
Can you lift them? Grip them? Use them?
Or will they sit idle in your mind, like antiques on a shelf?
A skeptic still asks:
What do my muscles have to do with my dharma?
Vivekanandaās response: āVedanta teaches oneness - one life throughout.ā
Virtue spills over, so does vice.
You canāt become stronger or weaker in one area without it affecting the rest of your being.
What do my muscles have to do with my dharma?
Vivekanandaās response: āVedanta teaches oneness - one life throughout.ā
Virtue spills over, so does vice.
You canāt become stronger or weaker in one area without it affecting the rest of your being.
Did you know:
In jail Sri Aurobindo was visited by Vivekananda's spirit?
Vivekananda's interests were Sri Aurobindo's interests.
Vivekananda took India's message West. Aurobindo wrote on what India and the West can teach each other
From @oldbooksguy: brhat.in
In jail Sri Aurobindo was visited by Vivekananda's spirit?
Vivekananda's interests were Sri Aurobindo's interests.
Vivekananda took India's message West. Aurobindo wrote on what India and the West can teach each other
From @oldbooksguy: brhat.in
It is clear by Swami Vivekanandaās thoughts that the āreligionā he talks about is really a natural religion like SanÄtana dharma. It is very distinct from the dogmatic prophetic monotheistic religions.
And dharma need not be an enemy of science.
Both are ways of knowing. And while science is limited; dharma is the ultimate way of knowing. Read on:
memod.com
Both are ways of knowing. And while science is limited; dharma is the ultimate way of knowing. Read on:
memod.com
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