Comparing Sri Ramakrishna with Vivekananda

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" sourav dey " <souravmadhur

<Ramakrishna >

Monday, September 29, 2003 09:15

Re: [sri Ramakrishna] Re: Comparing Sri Ramakrishna with

Vivekananda

 

 

> Naamaste,

> Thank you for the inputs.I don't actually want to compare them, but what

really is astonishing for me is that Swamiji seldom said volumes on thakur.

Swamiji himself told to believe in oneself more than god, and later he

himself realized that he was just a puppet in the hand of thakur, which he

himself admitted to ma. <snip>

 

 

----response-------------------------------

--------

 

Dear Sourav

 

Your anxiety is very sincere. How do we resolve the apparent

contradiction between the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna

and Vivekananda?

 

You seem to be convinced that Vivekananda's mannerism is

somehow wrong as he seems to encourage 'aham'

(or self centrerdness) while Sri Ramakrishna talks of

submission of the ego to God.

 

To understand the source of this contradiction and confusion you must

bear in mind that every instruction, by every saint, sage or saviour has

always been 'contextual'. No absolute message has ever been

imparted to mankind. There is no fixed message for all people for all

times. This is the unique teaching of our religion. It recognises that

all messages have to be 'relative' never 'absolute'.

Why should this be so? Because:-

The message has to relate to us hence it has to be relative

else we can never understand it let alone put it into practice.

 

When Sri Ramakrishna talked to Swami Vivekananda he

emphasised 'Advaita' - God as your essential self. While when

Sri Ramakrishna talked to most other devotees he emphasised

the importance of building a relationship of servant/master with

God. Different prescription for different people.

 

Vivekananda was destined to bring spirituality to the West.

The West is hungry for this brand of spirituality that places

emphasis on the inner self. This brand that gives highest dignity to

mankind as the most transparent manifestation of God. Hence

you see Vivekananda using phrases like:-

 

In this age you will be called an atheist if you do not believe in yourself.

 

I present this message to great many Western youngsters in

London schools. The reaction these teachings produce can best

be described as dramatic.

 

Hope this has cleared up your doubts.

 

jay