Swami Vivekananda

22/02/2017. CHAPTER - IV MAYA AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPTION OF GOD-23. (Delivered in London, 20th October 1896) We see, then, that through freedom the sciences were built; and in them we have two sets of opinions, the one the materialistic and denouncing, and the other the positive and constructive. It is a most curious fact that in every society you find them. Supposing there is an evil in society, you will find immediately one group rise up and denounce it in vindictive fashion, which sometimes degenerates into fanaticism. There are fanatics in every society, and women frequently join in these outcries, because of their impulsive nature. Every fanatic who gets up and denounces something can secure a following. It is very easy to break down; a maniac can break anything he likes, but it would be hard for him to build up anything. These fanatics may do some good, according to their light, but much more harm. Because social institutions are not made in a day, and to ...

14/02/2017. CHAPTER IV MAYA AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPTION OF GOD-22. (Delivered in London, 20th October 1896) We, in India, allowed liberty in spiritual matters, and we have a tremendous spiritual power in religious thought even today. You grant the same liberty in social matters, and so have a splendid social organisation. We have not given any freedom to the expansion of social matters, and ours is a cramped society. You have never given any freedom in religious matters but with fire and sword have enforced your beliefs, and the result is that religion is a stunted, degenerated growth in the European mind. In India, we have to take off the shackles from society; in Europe, the chains must be taken from the feet of spiritual progress. Then will come a wonderful growth and development of man. If we discover that there is one unity running through all these developments, spiritual, moral, and social, we shall find that religion, in the fullest sense of the w...

07/02/2017. CHAPTER IV MAYA AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPTION OF GOD-21. (Delivered in London, 20th October 1896) I. Thus India has always had this magnificent idea of religious freedom, and you must remember that freedom is the first condition of growth. II. What you do not make free, will never grow. III. The idea that you can make others grow and help their growth, that you can direct and guide them, always retaining for yourself the freedom of the teacher, is nonsense, a dangerous lie which has retarded the growth of millions and millions of human beings in this world. IV. Let men have the light of liberty. V. That is the only condition of growth. Swami Vivekananda To be continued ..