Teachings and Philosophy
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Vivekananda believed a country's future depends on its people; his teachings focused on the development of the mass. He wanted “to set in motion a machinery which will bring noblest ideas to the doorstep of even the poorest and the meanest.” Vivekananda believed that the essence of Hinduism was best expressed in the Vedanta philosophy, based on the interpretation of Adi Shankara. He summarised the Vedanta's teachings as follows:
| “ | Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal.
Do this either by work, or worship, or mental discipline, or philosophy—by one, or more, or all of these—and be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines, or dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or forms, are but secondary details. |
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Vivekananda linked morality with the control of mind. He saw truth, purity and unselfishness as traits which strengthened the mind. He advised his followers to be holy, unselfish and have Shraddha (faith). He supported practice of Brahmacharya (celibacy), and believed that such practice was the source of his physical and mental stamina, as well as eloquence. Vivekananda emphasized that success was an outcome of focused thought and action. In his lectures on Raja Yoga, he said, "Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, that is way great spiritual giants are produced."
Read more about this topic: Bibekananda
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