Guest guest Posted February 23, 2002 Report Share Posted February 23, 2002 Several ideas we can get also from this, and later on, perhaps, we shall be able to understand it better, and we can speculate a little upon what it means. The last part which deals with how those who have been in heaven return, is clearer, perhaps, than the first part; but the whole idea seems to be this that there is no permanent heaven without realizing God. Now some people who have not realized God, but have done good work in this world, with the view of enjoying the results, go, when they die, through this and that place, until they reach heaven, and there they are born in the same way as we are here as children of the gods, and they live there as long as their good works will permit. Out of this comes one basic idea of the Vedanta that everything which has name and form Is transient. This earth is transient, because it has name and form, and so the heavens must be transient, because there also name and form remain. A heaven which is eternal will be contradictory in terms, because everything that has name and form must begin in time, exist in time, and end in time. These are settled doctrines of the Vedanta, and as such the heavens are given up. -- ______________________________ Today we continue: PRACTICAL VEDANTA--PART II (Delivered in London, 12th November 1896) This lecture is found in Vol. II of the Complete Works, pg. 311-327. This is a part of a daily study of the lectures and writings of Swami Vivekananda. All lectures are sent out in sequenced form, as he spoke them. Please tell a friend about this Vivekananda Mailing (VML) list and study group. To or send a message to sarada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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