HINTS ON PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY - Swami Vivekananda

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HINTS ON PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY - Swami Vivekananda

(Delivered at the Home of Truth, Los Angeles, California)

 

For practical purposes, let us talk in the language of modern

science. But I must ask you to bear in mind that, as there is

religious superstition, so also there is a superstition in the matter

of science. There are priests who take up religious work as their

specialty; so also there are priests of the physical laws,

scientists. As soon as a great scientist's name, like Darwin or

Huxley, is cited, we follow blindly. It is the fashion of the day.

Ninety-nine per cent of what we call scientific knowledge is mere

theories. And many of them are no better than the old superstitions

of ghosts with many heads and hands, but with this difference that

the latter differentiated man a little from stocks and stones. True

science asks us to be cautious. Just as we should be careful with the

priests, so we should be with the scientists. Begin with disbelief.

Analyse, test, prove everything, and then take it. Some of the most

current beliefs of modern science have not been proved. Even in such

a science as mathematics, the vast majority of its theories are only

working hypotheses. With the advent of greater knowledge they will be

thrown away.

 

The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Volume 2 [ Page : 28 ]

 

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Look upon every man, woman, and everyone as God. You cannot help

anyone, you can only serve: serve the children of the Lord, serve the

Lord Himself, if you have the privilege.

- Swami Vivekananda