THE REAL NATURE OF MAN

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Posted by: " Uttishthata " uttishthata

Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:40 pm (PST)

 

THE REAL NATURE OF MAN - Swami Vivekananda

 

Continued from the pervious posting: http://groups. /

group/Uttishthat a/message/ 1990

 

This is the whole history of man. Finer and finer becomes the veil,

more and more of the light behind shines forth, for it is its nature

to shine. It cannot be known; in vain we try to know it. Were it

knowable, it would not be what it is, for it is the eternal subject.

Knowledge is a limitation, knowledge is objectifying. He is the

eternal subject of everything, the eternal witness in this universe,

your own Self. Knowledge is, as it were, a lower step, a

degeneration. We are that eternal subject already; how can we know

it? It is the real nature of every man, and he is struggling to

express it in various ways; otherwise, why are there so many ethical

codes? Where is the explanation of all ethics? One idea stands out

as the centre of all ethical systems, expressed in various forms,

namely, doing good to others. The guiding motive of mankind should

be charity towards men, charity towards all animals. But these are

all various expressions of that eternal truth that, " I am the

universe; this universe is one. " Or else, where is the reason? Why

should I do good to my fellowmen? Why should I do good to others?

What compels me? It is sympathy, the feeling of sameness everywhere.

The hardest hearts feel sympathy for beings sometimes. Even the man

who gets frightened if he is told that this assumed individuality is

really a delusion, that it is ignoble to try to cling to this

apparent individuality, that very man will tell you that extreme

self-abnegation is the centre of all morality. And what is perfect

self-abnegation? It means the abnegation of this apparent self, the

abnegation of all selfishness. This idea of " me and mine " -- Ahamkara

and Mamata-- is the result of past superstition, and the more this

present self passes away, the more the real Self becomes manifest.

This is true self-abnegation, the centre, the basis, the gist of all

moral teaching; and whether man knows it or not, the whole world is

slowly going towards it, practising it more or less. Only, the vast

majority of mankind are doing it unconsciously. Let them do it

consciously. Let them make the sacrifice, knowing that this " me and

mine " is not the real Self, but only a limitation. But one glimpse

of that infinite reality which is behind -- but one spark of that

infinite fire that is the All -- represents the present man; the

Infinite is his true nature.

 

To be continued..

 

The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Volume 2 [ Page : 82 ]

(Delivered in London)

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

I hate this world, this dream, this horrible nightmare, with its

churches and chicaneries, its books and blackguardisms, its fair

faces and false hearts, its howling righteousness on the surface and

utter hollowness beneath, and, above all, its sanctified

shopkeeping.

- Swami Vivekananda