May 9 :
9 May 1898 : Swami Vivekananda Visited Mrs Bull, Josephine Macleod and Sister Nivedita at their cottage in Belur when a storm broke out.
FROM THE BELUR MATH DIARY -A class held by Swami Vivekananda on the
evening of May 9, 1899 - Every man is capable of receiving knowledge if
it is imparted in his own language.... You must speak out the truth
without any fear that it will perturb the weak.
Truth is always truth. Speak it out boldly. Men are selfish, they do
not want others to come up to the same level of their knowledge. But
they explain it by saying that knowledge of the highest spiritual truths
will bring about confusion in weak-minded men. I cannot believe in the
self contra dictory statement that light brings greater darkness. It is
like the chance of losing life by being drowned in the deep of
satchidananda. You call it the ocean of absolute existence and at the
same time think that you would cease to exist. How absurd is that!...
Men also desist from speaking out broad truths from fear of losing the
respect of people. They always try to make a compromise between real
eternal truths and the nonsensical prejudices of the people. The result
is that the grand truths are soon buried under heaps of rubbish and the
latter is eagerly held as real truths.... Know ye for certain that this
attempt at compromise proceeds from arrant downright cowardice, and
adhikarivada is a sure result of the most abominable sort of
selfishness. Therefore repeatedly I say to you, be bold to speak out
your convictions. Never hesitate to do so from fear of losing your
respect or causing unhappy friction.
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