QUOTES FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA 28

The more this power of concentration, the more knowledge is acquired, because this is the one and only method of acquiring knowledge. Even the lowest shoeblack, if he gives more concentration, will black shoes better; the cook with concentration will cook a meal all the better. In making money, or in worshipping God, or in doing anything, the better
the power of concentration, the better will that thing be done. This is the one call, the one knock, which opens the gates of nature, and lets out the floods of light.

QUOTES FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA 27

All the great prophets, saints, and the seers of the world – what did they do? In one span of life, they lived the whole life of humanity, traversed the whole length of time that it takes the ordinary humanity to come to perfection. In one life, they perfect themselves; they have no thought for anything else, never live a moment for any other idea, and thus the way is shortened for them. This is what is meant by concentration, intensifying the power of assimilation, thus shortening the time.

QUOTES FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA 26

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 alone. This is the way to success. ….. If we really want to be blessed, and make others blessed, we must go deeper.

QUOTES FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA 25

Stand up and fight! Not one step, back, that is the idea. Fight it out, whatever comes. Let the stars move from the spheres! Let the whole world stand against us! Death means only a change of garment. What of it? Thus fight! You gain nothing by becoming cowards. Taking a step backward, you do not avoid any misfortune. You have cried to all Gods in the world. Has miseries ceased? ….The Gods come to help you when you have succeeded. So what is the use? Die game. You are infinite, deathless, birthless. Because you are infinite spirit, it does not befit you to be a slave. Arise! Awake! Stand up and fight!

QUOTES FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA 24

Once when I was in Varanasi, I was passing through a place where there was a large tank of water on one side and high wall on the other. It was in the grounds where there were many monkeys. The monkeys of Varanasi are huge brutes and sometimes surly. They now took it into their heads not to allow me to pass through their street, so they howled and shrieked and clutched at my feet as I passed. As they pressed closer, I began to run, but the faster I ran, the faster came the monkeys, and they began to bite at me. It seemed impossible to escape, but just then I met a stranger who called to me, „Face the brutes‟. I turned and faced the monkeys, and they fell back and finally fled. That is the lesson for all life – face the terrible, face it boldly.

QUOTES FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA 23

Let people say whatever they like, stick to your own convictions, and rest assured, the world will be at your feet. They say, „have faith in this fellow, or that fellow‟, but I say, „Have faith in yourself – all power is in you – be conscious and bring it out. Say, „I can do everything‟. „Even the poison of snake is powerless, if you can firmly deny it.‟

QUOTES FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA 22

Why weepest thou, brother? There is neither death, nor disease for thee. Why weepest thou, brother? There is neither misery, nor misfortune for thee. Why weepest thou, brother? Neither change nor death was predicted of thee. Thou art Existence Absolute. …… Be your own self.