Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, 9 Vols.

1. Religion: Humanity's Innate Quest for Transcendence

It is not a message of antagonism, but of one united religion.

Universal religious impulse. Religion isn't a set of doctrines but a fundamental aspect of human nature, driving us to seek something beyond the limitations of our senses and reason. This quest for transcendence is a constant throughout history, manifesting in various forms across cultures.

Beyond the senses. True religion transcends the physical and intellectual realms, leading to a superconscious state where we come face to face with ultimate reality. This state is not achieved through mere intellectual assent or adherence to dogma, but through direct experience and realization.

Comparative religion. Studying different religions reveals their shared essence, highlighting the unity underlying their diverse expressions. This understanding fosters tolerance and appreciation for the various paths leading to the same goal.

2. The Illusion of Separateness: Maya in Vedanta

From the high spiritual flights of the Vedanta philosophy, of which the latest discoveries of science seem like echoes, to the lowest ideas of idolatry with its multifarious mythology, the agnosticism of the Buddhists, and the atheism of the Jains, each and all have a place in the Hindu's religion.

Maya's nature. Maya is not simply an illusion but a statement of the universe's inherent contradictions, where good and evil, existence and non-existence, are intertwined. It's the veil that obscures our perception of the underlying unity.

Transcending Maya. The goal is not to escape Maya but to understand it, to see through the illusion of separateness and recognize the underlying reality of Brahman. This understanding transforms our perception of the world, turning it from a source of misery into a playground of the Divine.

The world as a dream. The world is a dream, a projection of our minds onto the canvas of reality. By recognizing this, we can detach ourselves from its fleeting pleasures and pains, and find lasting peace in the unchanging Self.

3. Karma and Rebirth: The Soul's Eternal Journey

The present is determined by our past actions, and the future by the present.

Actions and consequences. The law of Karma dictates that every action, thought, and word has a corresponding effect, shaping our present and future experiences. This law is not a system of punishment or reward but a natural principle of cause and effect.

Reincarnation explained. The soul is eternal, immortal, and deathless, and death is merely a change of center from one body to another. The soul migrates from body to body, evolving through countless lifetimes, until it reaches perfection and liberation.

Breaking the cycle. The cycle of birth and death can only be broken through the mercy of God, which comes to the pure. Purity is the condition of His mercy, and through His mercy, the soul is freed from the bonds of imperfection.

4. The Guru's Role: Transmitting Spiritual Power

The goal of mankind is knowledge. That is the one ideal placed before us by Eastern philosophy.

Spiritual guidance. A Guru, or spiritual teacher, is essential for guiding aspirants on the path to realization. The Guru possesses the power to transmit spiritual energy and awaken the dormant potential within the disciple.

Qualifications of a Guru:

• Knowledge of the scriptures
• Sinlessness
• Unselfish motive

The Guru-Shishya relationship. The relationship between Guru and disciple is sacred, characterized by faith, humility, submission, and veneration. This bond facilitates the transmission of spiritual wisdom and accelerates the disciple's progress.

5. Bhakti Yoga: The Path of Love and Devotion

He is to be worshipped as the one beloved, dearer than everything in this and the next life.

Love as the path. Bhakti-Yoga is the path of love and devotion, where the aspirant seeks union with God through intense longing and attachment. This path is considered the easiest and most natural way to reach the divine.

Forms of love:

• Reverence: Showing respect to temples and teachers
• Priti: Finding pleasure in God
• Viraha: Experiencing the pain of separation from the beloved
• Tadiyata: Seeing everything as belonging to God

The God of Love. The ultimate goal of Bhakti-Yoga is to realize God as the embodiment of love, transcending all fear and bargaining. This love is selfless, unconditional, and all-encompassing, embracing the entire universe.

6. Jnana Yoga: The Path of Knowledge and Discrimination

The Hindu religion does not consist in struggles and attempts to believe a certain doctrine or dogma, but in realising — not in believing, but in being and becoming.

Discrimination as the key. Jnana-Yoga emphasizes the power of discrimination (Viveka) to distinguish between the real and the unreal, the eternal and the transient. This path requires intense intellectual effort and a relentless pursuit of truth.

The nature of the soul. The soul is divine, perfect, and infinite, but it is held in bondage by matter. Liberation (Mukti) is achieved when this bond is broken through the mercy of God, which comes to the pure.

Realization, not belief. The goal of Jnana-Yoga is not to believe in certain doctrines but to realize the divine nature of the soul. This realization involves seeing God directly and transcending all doubts and limitations.

7. The Synthesis of Yogas: Harmony in Spiritual Practice

All his words, from one point of view, read as a commentary upon this central conviction. "Art, science, and religion", he said once, "are but three different ways of expressing a single truth. But in order to understand this we must have the theory of Advaita."

Interconnected paths. Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, and Raja Yoga are not mutually exclusive but interconnected paths leading to the same goal of liberation. Each path emphasizes different aspects of spiritual practice, catering to various temperaments and inclinations.

Karma Yoga. The workshop, the study, the farmyard, and the field are as true and fit scenes for the meeting of God with man as the cell of the monk or the door of the temple. To him, there is no difference between service of man and worship of God, between manliness and faith, between true righteousness and spirituality.

The meeting point. The ultimate realization is that the many and the One are the same Reality, perceived by the mind at different times and in different attitudes. This understanding dissolves the distinction between sacred and secular, making all modes of worship and work paths of realization.

8. Practical Vedanta: Applying Spirituality to Daily Life

To labour is to pray. To conquer is to renounce. Life is itself religion. To have and to hold is as stern a trust as to quit and to avoid.

Integrating spirituality. Practical Vedanta involves integrating spiritual principles into every aspect of daily life, transforming ordinary activities into opportunities for self-realization. This approach blurs the lines between the sacred and the secular.

Karma without attachment. Work should be performed without selfish motives, focusing on the action itself rather than the fruits of the action. This detachment allows for greater efficiency and prevents the accumulation of negative Karma.

Serving others. Service to humanity is a form of worship, recognizing the divine presence in all beings. This selfless service purifies the heart and leads to spiritual growth.

9. The Power of Thought: Shaping Reality

The present is determined by our past actions, and the future by the present.

Thought as a force. Thoughts are not mere mental events but powerful forces that shape our character and influence our actions. By cultivating positive and virtuous thoughts, we can create a virtuous cycle that leads to spiritual growth.

The law of attraction. A soul with a certain tendency would by the laws of affinity take birth in a body which is the fittest instrument for the display of that tendency. This is in accord with science, for science wants to explain everything by habit, and habit is got through repetitions.

The power of affirmation. The Vedas proclaim not a dreadful combination of unforgiving laws, not an endless prison of cause and effect, but that at the head of all these laws, in and through every particle of matter and force, stands One "by whose command the wind blows, the fire burns, the clouds rain, and death stalks upon the earth."

10. The Essence of Strength: Fearlessness and Self-Reliance

The heart sinks at the idea, yet this is the law of Nature. Is there no hope? Is there no escape? — was the cry that went up from the bottom of the heart of despair. It reached the throne of mercy, and words of hope and consolation came down and inspired a Vedic sage, and he stood up before the world and in trumpet voice proclaimed the glad tidings: "Hear, ye children of immortal bliss! even ye that reside in higher spheres! I have found the Ancient One who is beyond all darkness, all delusion: knowing Him alone you shall be saved from death over again."

Overcoming fear. Fear is the root of all misery and weakness. By recognizing our true nature as immortal and divine, we can conquer fear and live with courage and conviction.

Self-reliance as a virtue. The Hindu religion does not consist in struggles and attempts to believe a certain doctrine or dogma, but in realising — not in believing, but in being and becoming.

The path to perfection. The whole object of their system is by constant struggle to become perfect, to become divine, to reach God and see God, and this reaching God, seeing God, becoming perfect even as the Father in Heaven is perfect, constitutes the religion of the Hindus.

Last updated: February 22, 2025