Swami Vivekananda
-
Vivekananda and the Proud Rāja
An incident from Swami Vivekananda’s wandering days in Rajputana The Visit to the Court During his Parivrājaka (wandering monk) days, Swami Vivekananda traveled through Rajputana (modern Rajasthan), observing the customs of various princely states. He was once invited to the court of a wealthy and powerful Rāja (King) – a man proud of his lineage, Continue reading
-
When Vivekananda Saw a Vision of Durga
An incident from Swami Vivekananda’s life that reveals his unshakeable faith in India’s destiny and his foresight about the revival of Indian spirituality. Days of Wandering During his Parivrājaka (wandering monk) days – before leaving for the West – Swami Vivekananda was deeply contemplating India’s future. The Despair and the Question As he traveled across Continue reading
-
Vivekananda and the Milkmaid: The Strength of True Detachment
In his early days as a wandering monk – a Parivrājaka – Swami Vivekananda travelled across northern India, meeting people from every walk of life. It was during this time that he came across a story that revealed what true renunciation really means. The Strict Monk Vivekananda stayed for a while in a hermitage near Continue reading
-
The Yogi and the Sound of the Bell
A disciple once asked Swami Vivekananda, “Swamiji, when I sit down to meditate, my mind is constantly distracted by sounds — a barking dog, people talking, the clock ticking.How can I shut all this out and focus?” Vivekananda smiled and told him a story. The Yogi’s Secret There once lived an advanced Yogi near a Continue reading
-
Vivekananda – Master Your Destiny
Swami Vivekananda’s insights into human nature, strength and self-mastery continue to feel as fresh today as they did over a century ago. Among his most powerful teachings is one he often shared with young people – a clear, almost scientific explanation of how our thoughts shape our destiny. The Chain of Destiny Vivekananda would say Continue reading
-
Vivekananda: The Power of Being Real
The Serpent and the Saint When Swami Vivekananda arrived in America in the 1890s, he stood out wherever he went, dressed in saffron robes, calm, tall and full of quiet power. For many, he was unlike anything they had ever seen. One day, a well-known American lady – refined, intelligent, but skeptical – saw him Continue reading
-
Swami Vivekananda on The Secret Yogic Science of Mind Control
Swami Vivekananda revealed a profound secret the ancient Yogis had discovered — that the rhythm of the breath holds the key to the rhythm of the mind. Through the simple act of conscious breathing, they found a way to still thought, calm emotion and touch the source of peace within. In his Raja Yoga lectures, Continue reading
-
The Storehouse of Karma
An analogy used by Swami Vivekananda Vivekananda used this analogy to explain why some people seem to suffer or prosper disproportionately – even when their current actions don’t seem to warrant it. The Storehouse of Deeds (Sañchita Karma) Vivekananda likened a person’s entire accumulation of past actions (Karma) to a vast seed storehouse: “Each person Continue reading
-
The Boastful Yogi
A story often narrated by Swami Vivekananda Vivekananda would share this story to critique the tendency to seek miraculous spiritual powers (Siddhis) instead of focusing on true realization. The Boastful Yogi A highly regarded Yogi lived near the Ganga River. He was known throughout the region for his intense practices and the rumors of the Continue reading
-
Swami Vivekananda’s Tale: Never Stop Striving
Swami Vivekananda told a story of a poor woodcutter. The woodcutter once heard a divine voice say, “Go forward, and you shall find.” He walked a little into the forest and found copper. Delighted with his new wealth, he stopped his search. After some time, the voice called again, “Go forward.”This time he went deeper Continue reading
Vedik Mind 