5 inspiring quotes from Swami Vivekananda that can change your perspective on life
Swami Vivekananda was an Indian monk and philosopher of the 19th century. He was the chief disciple of Ramkrishna Paramhans, the famous 19th-century Indian mystic. His real name was Narendranath Dutta and changed his name to 'Vivekananda' in 1893 after Maharaj Ajit Singh of the Khetri state requested him to do so.
His contributions to Indian society are many. Reviving modern Hinduism, inspiring national consciousness during colonial rule, introducing Hinduism to the western world at the Chicago conference of 1893, etc. to name a few.
Romain Rolland, the 1915 Noble Prize winner of literature writes in his book 'The Life of Vivekananda and the Universal Gospel’-
Vivekananda’s words are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages at thirty years distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. and what shocks, what transports must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero.
Here, I am going to share 5 quotes from Swami Vivekananda, that CAN change the way you think.
If I love myself despite my infinite faults, how can I hate someone at the glimpse of a few faults?
Imagine this scenario. You and your best friend are studying hard for your exam. But, the question paper was tough. When the results were declared, your best friend had failed. On the other hand, your score is lesser in comparison to the one who stood first.
Now, answer these questions:-
- Will you judge yourself because your score is less than the student who stood first?
- What about your best friend? She had failed the exam. Will you be disgusted by her? Will both of you not remain friends?
As far as human nature, you will not judge yourself and you will promise yourself to work harder the next time. But, for your best friend, you may be disgusted by her or may not.
If you are disgusted by her, here is my question — Why? Why are you hating her just because of her one fault? Why are you not seeing your own fault?
Now, go back to the quote and read it aloud. Can you answer now?
Don’t overthink. Overthinking leads to negative thoughts.
Here, I will be drawing an example from my own experiences. I was in the 2nd year of college when all the students were supposed to select one elective from the given two. One was Vigyapan (Eng: Advertisement) and the other was Sahitya aur Hindi Cinema (Eng: Literature and Hindi Cinema). It was only me who had gone with the latter one. Honestly, the teachers also didn’t help much. So, it was only I who needed to prepare for the paper. I was so nervous because I didn’t know how to prepare. But, I tried to give my best.
And, I was able to pull the highest score in that subject, more than the ones who had chosen 'advertisement’.
See, we, humans, by default are scared whenever we try something new. There are many questions that cross our minds. Like, what if it does not work out, what if I am just making a fool of myself.
When we are scared, we do overthink. Overthinking is a natural occurrence and we cannot escape it. But, do not let this overthinking lead you to negative thoughts.
What if my overthinking stopped me from giving my best? Probably, I would have surrendered to my fear and not gotten the highest marks.
Everything is easy when you are busy. Nothing is easy when you are lazy.
Honestly, this does not need any explanation. I am sure all of you have felt this once in your life. However, this quote is related to the previous one. How? Let’s find out :)
I created this flowchart for your better understanding.
This is what happens when you are lazy to do any work.
But, can we skip to the good part, please?
The good part is YOU can break this cycle. Don’t look at the finish line from the start line. Even if you can see it, remember, it is still afar. Start wherever you are with what you already know.
This time you are not starting from zero but from experience.
Never say ‘No’. Never say ‘I cannot’. For you are infinite. All the power is within you. You can do anything.
Do you believe in yourself?
Are you cheering yourself when things do not work out in your favor?
If you are not, then STOP.
Stop self-sabotaging yourself. If you think, that talking negatively about yourself can bring everything to the right place, then there will be no optimistic person on this earth.
Let me share with you an example. After completing my graduation last year, I did not know what to do with my degree. It was merely a piece of paper for me.
I had always been fascinated by the word ‘entrepreneur’. I had read articles about various women entrepreneurs and somehow they used to fascinate me a lot. But, being an unconfident lass I was scared to even think about that. I used to tell myself, ‘I am not worthy of my dreams.’ I used to compare myself with my friends who are doing better than me. My confidence level was zero and wanted to remain in my comfort zone.
Then came a time when I was not happy in my comfort zone. I felt like stagnant water. Someone who wants to flow but cannot due to various reasons. For me, the reasons were — fear of failure and judgment by society.
So, I have started to work towards those two reasons. I am still inexperienced and do not know where to start. But now I have started to believe myself.
I do not count my worth on what I have achieved- I do it by thinking about what I am doing right now and what I am becoming. Honestly, I am wealthier now.
The power to achieve anything lies within us and it is hidden in the darkest corners of our hearts. Start believing in yourself and you will witness your real ‘power’.
The greatest sin is to think that you are weak.
You want to be a dancer but have never danced in your life?
Do you dream to be an entrepreneur but have zero knowledge of the business?
I am sure many of you have similar wishes which you think are too good to be true. Right?
Wrong.
That’s where you are wrong. That’s where you are calling yourself weak.
That’s where Swami Vivekananda had referred to you as a 'sinner’.
Remember this👉
You are not weak. You are a lot stronger than you think.
James Clear in his book ‘Atomic Habits’ has said-
“New identities require new evidence. If you keep casting the same votes you’ve always cast, you’re going to get the same results you’ve always had. If nothing changes, nothing is going to change.”
With people sharing only the good side on social media, it can easily overwhelm you.
But, try not to do that. They share only a part of their day. You haven’t seen the other side of the coin. Then how do you know about them having a perfect life?
No one has a perfect life. Everyone is figuring it out. You, me & the others.
Stop thinking of yourself as weak.
And, if you do so, then you are a sinner.
Here, we come to the end of this long article. I hope this article really helps you. Remember one thing if you do not believe in yourself, no one will.
So, what is your take from this article? Do not forget to mention it in the comments.
