Interesting Visitor

[Guest guest]

Yesterday we had an interesting visitor. His name is Sri Parameshwaran.

He is the present All-India president of the Vivekananda Kendra.

 

I share part of the discussion we had:-

 

He had asked:

 

Q: What is this 'Vivekananda Centre?

A: We are a strictly non commercial and non sectarian group.

We use the name 'Vivekananda' to acknowledge our debt.

It is Vivekananda who is the source of our inspiration and also

the authority for all the work we do.

 

Q: What aspect of Vivekananda's teaching is relevant to the West?

A: Divinity within. They already have other aspects of spirituality. It is

this aspect that they are missing and are thirsting for.

 

Q: How do you compare the response of the Western youngster to the

response of an Eastern youngster to such teachings?

A: The Western youth is 'thrilled to bits' - the other thinks this is just

'old hat'.

 

Q: How do you see the role of 'spirituality' in a society becoming more

secular.

A: The West seems to have completed the secular phase and is

coming out of it fast. We must not under-estimate the real love of

spirituality in the West. It is here that we will see a real revival.

I personally think it will not come with 'prophets' but via 'science'.

 

Q: Do you think the West can produce a 'Vivekananda'?

A: It certainly can.

 

Q: Vivekananda had said that it is in England that his work will gain

a real strong hold. It seems that he passed away too early and this

dream was not realised. How can this work out?

A: Still this little island is the centre of the world in many

respects. In days to come the teachings of Vivekananda will

not only become very acceptable here but will be transmitted from

here to every corner of the world. Once this idea catches on here then

it

becomes acceptable very quickly by the rest of the world.

 

We talked at length on various issues. At the end of the meeting he

graciously said 'you must have noticed that I agree with all that you have

said'.

 

jay

Vivekananda Centre London