First Visit to England and Europe continued...
Swami Vivekananda also gave one interview to the 'Westminster Gazette'. It was published under the title 'An Indian Yogi in London'. In this interview the swami had a long discussion pertaining to the concept and need of renunciation and sannyasa, with particular reference to his life. He elaborated the influence of the teachings and life of his Master, to wit - Sri Ramakrishna; that he did not believe in starting a new sect, but such fellowship and foundation as would encompass and form the basis for all the religious faiths. He was interested in giving 'general outline of Vedanta and to let each apply them to his own concrete forms'. Truth is that which stands the day of light anywhere and everywhere, and that which stands on its own authority.
In his own words: 'I propound a philosophy, which can serve as a basis to every possible religious system in the world, and my attitude is one of extreme sympathy - my teaching is antagonistic to none. I direct my attention to the individual, to make him strong, to teach him that he himself is divine, and I call upon men to make themselves conscious of this divinity within.'
And this was what the correspondent felt when he felt after the interview: 'I then took my leave from one of the most original of men that I have had the honour of meeting.'
Following such spread about the swami's personality, influence, and grasp of spirituality, people started coming to him for discussions, seek instructions, and just to pay courtesy visits and satisfy their curiosity. Swami Vivekananda was satisfied that the British people did not reject him or his teachings. And thus in the following month, the short stay that was possible in England, the swami laid the firm foundation for future work and made a deep and lasting impression upon those whom he met. Thus his lecture at Prince's Hall on October 22, 1895 marks the beginning of his work in Europe.
He held number of talks in the last week of this October - the Chelsea residence of the Rev. H. R. Haweis, residence of Mr. Chemier, at Maidenhead, and stayed at 80 (61) Oakley Street, Chelsea from October 29th. He held about eight classes per week apart from public lectures. The people sat on floor for want of space without feeling any inconvenience. He spoke on 'Indian Philosophy and Western Society' on November 5, in front of a select audience of scientists; on 10th November he talked on 'The Basis of Vedanta Morality' before Ethical Society of Moncure Conway at South Place Chapel.
Meeting with Margaret Noble
It was in the month of November 1895 that Swami Vivekananda met Margaret Noble; later to become his most devoted disciple - Sister Nivedita. The Swami was seated on the floor of West End drawing room in meditative pose, his face radiant with dignity and poise, childlike simplicity and calm radiating spiritual aura. Margaret Noble was one of them listening to the celestial words of the Swami who was elaborating ancient wisdom of Upanishads and Vedanta to the small group:
'Friends, your Church is true, our temples are true, and true is Brahman, formless and eternal, beyond the two. Time has come when nations would exchange their spiritual ideals as treasures, as they are already exchanging the commodities of the market. These ideals are but various impressions in different modes of manifestation of the One. 'All these are threaded upon Me, like pearls upon a string', so says the Lord in The Gita. Love is the highest virtue, love knows of giving alone, never expecting anything in return. Love God, but don't barter worldly pleasures and comforts in exchange for that.'
Those words were full with deep meaning about true religion; words sweet yet foreign to this educated, literate, bold, and intelligent lady. The words full with wisdom of ancient Hindu thought entered her mind as the Swami continued: Man proceeds from lower truth to higher truth, and not from error to truth. This growth in search of higher and still higher truth is what religion is all about. The mind rebels and refuses to accept the truth. The words continued to make impact on Margaret; as if she continued to listen to the words of her master in the state of ecstasy: 'You must have heard the mischievous word Maya...'
It took the Swami full four lectures to elaborate and bring home the concept of Maya, but still, Sister Nivedita wondered as to how many really understood the intricacies of it. The struggle that Sister Nivedita perceived in the life of her Master was an effort of translating superconscious into practical life. She remembered Sri Ramakrishna mildly rebuking his beloved disciple 'I thought you had been born for something greater my boy' when Swami Vivekananda was put the question 'Naren, what is your highest ambition' and he had answered 'to remain always in samadhi'.
Thus continued the teaching of a disciple in the lecture series through 1895 and the second visit to London in 1896. In those few days Sister Nivedita realized the whole ancient realm of Indian spirituality dating back to 5000 BCE. The words like Atman, Brahman, Self, Maya, Ishwara, God, Realization etc. opened up new vistas in front of her inner eyes, like flowers arranged in a wonderful bouquet by a deft artist. Listening led to contemplation that merged into mediation, and soon Nivedita left everything comfortable in her land of birth and accompanied her Master to reach the shores of India. Yes, the land of spirituality, but afflicted with poverty, want, disease, ignorance, and burden. The only force of attraction for her was Vedanta as preached to her by none other than her venerable Master, Swami Vivekananda.
More about Swami Vivekananda's Work in Britain
During the month of November, Swami Vivekananda gave many more lectures and talks in which the swami brought forth the ideas of benefits and flaws of religious organizations. He said: "It is well to be born in a Church, but it is terrible to die there,' symbolizing the narrowness and fossilization that creeps in organized religions and precepts. It is true that initially such 'family' of like-minded brothers and sisters encourages and benefits the aspirant to progress in his/her austerities, study, practice, and faith, but it also imposes restrictions for the full realization of divine potential. Later, the swami did organize the 'Ramakrishna Order', maintaining that he had done so to spread the message of his Master even at the cost of losing some depth of his teachings. He felt that the need of the hour was to make Sri Ramakrishna's teachings and sayings 'broadcast' in every direction, in every layer of the society, so that the masses can stand the drift away from spirituality in the face of powerful currents of science and materialism. Swami Vivekananda was more than pleased with his work in England, as can be seen from his letters written to his friends in India. 'In England my work is really splendid,' he wrote.
American Work Part 4... |
American Work Part 6...
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