THIS IS A VERY LARGE ORDER - THE PLAN OF WORK

I must frankly state that in my life - long experience in the work, I have always found " Occultism " injurious and weakening to humanity. What we want is strength. We Indians, more than any other race, want strong and vigorous thought. We have enough of the superfine in all concerns. For centuries we have been stuffed with the mysterious; the result is that our intellectual and spiritual digestion is almost hopelessly impaired, and the race has been dragged down to the depths of hopeless imbecility - never before or since experienced by any other civilised community. There must be freshness and vigour of thougth behind to make a virile race. More than enough to strengthen the whole world exists in the Upanishads. The Adviata is the enternal mine of strength. But it requires to be applied. It must first be cleared of the incrustation of scholasticism, and then in all its simplicity, beauty and sublimity be taught over the length and breadth of the land, as applied even to the minutest detail of daily life.

" This is a very large order" ; but we must work towards it, nevertheless, as if it would be accomplished tomorrow. Of one thing I am sure - that whoever wants to help his fellow beings through genuine love and unselfishness will work wonders. "

- Swami Vivekananda
[ Page 284 - The Plan of Work - Swami Vivekananda ON HIMSELF ]

MEANS ARE WANTING IN THIS COUNTRY

There are many things to be done, but means are wanting in this country. We have brains, but no hands. We have the doctrine of Vedanta, but we have not the power to reduce it into practice. In our books there is the doctrine of universal equality, but in work we make great distinctions. It was in India that unselfish and and disinterested work of the most exalted type was preached; but in practice we are awfully cruel, awfully heartless - unable to think of anything besides our own mass-of-flesh bodies....I too believe that India will awake again if anyone could love with all his heart the people of the country - bereft of the grace of affluence, of blasted fortune, their discretion totally lost, downtrodden, ever - starved, quarrelsome, and envious. Then only will India awake, when hundreds of large-hearted men and women, giving up all desires of enjoying the luxuries of life, will long and exert themselves to their utmost for the well - being of the millions of their countrymen who are gradually sinking lower and lower in the vortex of destitution and ignorance.

- Swami Vivekananda

[ Vivekananda His Call To The Nation - Page 97 ]