In USA After The Parliament
The unification of the world through the progress of science and technology, communication and commerce necessitated parallel spread of culture and religious ideas. To fulfill this global mission, Swami Vivekananda reached America in the year 1893. After his astounding success at the Chicago Parliament of Religions, he decided to stay in America to spread the message of Vedanta. His power to enthrall the audience, his eloquence, and his depth of spiritual knowledge automatically attracted many agencies and bureaus to invite him for a nationwide lecture series. Accordingly, for nearly one year, he traveled, toured, and lectured in various cities in big and small states of America.
Towards the end of 1894, Swamiji was 'tired and disgusted with the fame he had acquired, and felt that the interest he had awakened was not what he wanted; to his mind it was too superficial.' The Swami wanted earnest minded young people to take interest in his teachings of Vedanta. Therefore in the month of January 1895, the Swami established himself in a lodging in the city of New York at 54 West, 33rd Street. Here he held classes for the aspirants according to his choice of time and the topic, and free of cost.
In New York - 1895
Gradually many interested followers started coming to the lodging room to listen to his talks. Some came out of curiosity, others were genuinely interested in knowing the eastern philosophical currents; particularly what did Hinduism mean. The Swami talked about the ancient teachings of Vedanta and related subjects in the Upanishads and the Gita: the nature of Spirit and God, the yoga and the meditation. He emphasized the all-encompassing non-sectarian nature of Hindu thought in its essence, and the universal message of not only toleration of various religious faiths, but also accepting each one as the true path to realize that Self.
Soon the hall started to fill up with increasing number of listeners; the followers started to occupy whatever place they could find - the marble topped tables, dressers, and even the steps on the staircase. The Swami sat on the floor, in a posture of a yogi - serene, tranquil, and calm. In the silence in the room, his voice reverberated with the mystical quality of his sermons and talks. Everyone tried to catch every word that came out from the bottom of swami's heart. Like an ancient Guru taking full responsibility of his devotees, the Swami taught them about basic spirituality underlying various sects and faiths. The offering of these valuable treasures was totally free, without carrying any fees or charges in exchange. Declining invitations to dine at his friends', the Swami and one of his disciples - Mr. Landsberg (later to become Swami Kripananda) - cooked their own simple food consisting of rice and vegetables, barley and beans.
Dedicating himself fully to the will of God, Swami Vivekananda started giving lectures in earnest, daily from 11 to 1 pm, and also took visitors whenever they knocked at his door. The questions were answered; the doubts were cleared. Some learnt the steps to meditation from this great yogi adept in that art. During such demonstrations, the Swami at times merged into higher states of samadhi, thus incidentally revealing the truth of what he preached. During his discourses he often used Sanskrit verses and hymns to emphasis a particular point. The gentle murmur, the sonorous humming of his songs and singing produced such a spiritual atmosphere that one was reminded of the piety and gaiety of the room of his master - Sri Ramakrishna - at Dakshineswar.
In the first half of 1895, Swami Vivekananda dealt largely with Raja and Jnana Yoga. He talked and emphasized the value of purity of thought, chastity of both body and mind, control of mind and senses as the prerequisite for the practice of Raja Yoga, and in general for the spiritual progress. He taught the path of practical spirituality. Such gems as "religion is realization," "each soul is potentially divine," and "religion is to manifest this divinity within," were dispersed amongst the eager seekers after the Truth. A few indeed could gather and make these precious teachings their own.
Through Jnana Yoga the Swami made clear the ultimate finality of renunciation and fearlessness through discrimination and non-attachment. These virtues or values were the natural outcome as one proceeded to seek the Truth. Vedanta was not mere rational and positive philosophy, but also practical religion to be realized or experienced, he maintained. The growth, progress, and development of individual character and personality were the natural outcome of spiritual practice. The final stage is the intuitive realization of the Absolute Consciousness by way of transcendental release into the realm of Total Freedom; freedom from the painful and sorrowful cycle of birth and death.
These talks made immense impact or impression on the audience, for, the subject matter was fresh, novel, and bearing impress of Truth. Moreover, the preacher himself had experienced these spiritual truths in his life at the holy feet of his Master, Sri Ramakrishna. During this period, in addition to the classes at his lodging room, Swami Vivekananda also spoke to small gatherings in and around New York. For instance, he held Sunday classes at Miss Corbin's, Mrs. Andrew's, spoke on "Vedanta Philosophy" at the house of A. L. Barber at 871 Fifty Avenue, Dixon Society, Metaphysical Society at Hartford, Conn. ("Soul and God"); Motts Memorial building at 64 Madison Avenue ("The Science of Religion"), etc.
The selected disciples who were impressed by the Swami's talks and teachings include among others - 1) Miss Laura Glenn (later to become Sister Devamata), 2) Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 3) Mme. Marie Louise, 4) Lean Landsberg, 5) Mrs. Ole Bull, 6) Dr. Allan Day, 7) Miss S. Ellen Waldo, 8) Miss Mary Phillips, 9) Professor Wyman, 10) Harvard University Professor John Henry Wright, 11) Dr Street (later to become Swami Yogananda), 12) Mr. Francis Legget, 13) Mrs. Sturges, 14) Miss Josephine MacLeod, 15) Dr. and Mrs. Egbert Guernsey, 16) Emma Thursby, and 17) 'faithful' Goodwin.
During the first six months of this stay in New York, between January 1895 and June 1895, Swami Vivekananda took holiday twice. He visited and rested for two weeks in the month of April at Ridgley Manor on the Hudson River at the invitation of Mr. Legget. Later in the first week of June he went to Camp Percy near a lake in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There he meditated and studied the Hindu Scriptures including the Gita and the Upanishads. Refreshed from the rest, but still feeling unexplained restlessness from constant talks and speeches, the Swami felt the need to go into seclusion, for the spirit of sannyasin was uppermost in his mind. That opportunity came soon.
American Work Part 1... |
American Work Part 3...
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c s shah