Celebrating Ma Sarada in December

We are tasking you to pull stories from the Gospel of Holy Mother and elaborate on how these teachings are applicable to day to day life today.

On December 11, we shared stories we remember about Swami Vivekananda who was keen to finally find someone who affirmatively answered that he sees God. It was Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

Deshji and others can order and preview this HardCover edition of

# STORIES OF VEDANTA MONKS

by Swami Chetanananda
https://www.vedanta.com/store/Stories_of_Vedanta_Monks-1.htm

Cheers from the VSE Programming Team

We are gathering people who are interested in a Vedanta study group with a series of introductory virtual gatherings around vedanta teachings and their applicability to day to day life. We would like to schedule a regular timetable in 2026.

Best wishes by the VSE Communication Team

P.S. Today we read from
https://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_6/conversations_and_dialogues/conversations_and_dialogues_contents.htm

On reflection it continues to resonate today when Swamiji compares the power our bodies to that of a train. We have that capacity of force within us to realize full infinite, Divine Consciousness, knowledge if we train ourselves to think that way. Sadly, we are brainwashed and hypnotized by repeatedly being told we are not smart/good enough. The time is now to take it from Swami Vivekananda and his disciple monks to "Arise, awake, sleep no more; within each of you there is the power to remove all wants and all miseries." through thought and accomplish the act of divine realization. No more waiting. Start now.

Swamiji: Just read the history of the world and see whether it applies or not. You will find that excepting yours, it holds good in the case of all other nations. It is you only who are in this world lying prostrate today like inert matter. You have been hypnotised. From very old times, others have been telling you that you are weak, that you have no power, and you also, accepting that, have for about a thousand years gone on thinking, "We are wretched, we are good for nothing." (Pointing to his own body:) This body also is born of the soil of your country; but I never thought like that. And hence you see how, through His will, even those who always think us low and weak, have done and are still doing me divine honour. If you can think that infinite power, infinite knowledge and indomitable energy lie within you, and if you can bring out that power, you also can become like me.

Disciple: Where is the capacity in us for thinking that way, sir? Where is the teacher or preceptor who from our childhood will speak thus before us and make us understand? What we have heard and have learnt from all is that the object of having an education nowadays is to secure some good job.

Swamiji: For that reason is it that we have come forward with quite another precept and example. Learn that truth from us, understand it, and realise it and then spread that idea broadcast, in cities, in towns, and in villages. Go and preach to all, "Arise, awake, sleep no more; within each of you there is the power to remove all wants and all miseries. Believe this, and that power will be manifested." Teach this to all, and, with that, spread among the masses in plain language the central truths of science, philosophy, history, and geography. I have a plan to open a centre with the unmarried youths; first of all I shall teach them, and then carry on the work through them.
Disciple: But that requires a good deal of money. Where will you get this money?
Swamiji: What do you talk! Isn't it man that makes moneys Where did you ever hear of money making man? If you can make your thoughts and words perfectly at one, if you can, I say, make yourself one in speech and action, money will pour in at your feet of itself, like water.
Disciple: Well, sir, I take it for granted that money will come, and you will begin that good work. But what will that matter? Before this, also, many great men carried out many good deeds. But where are they now? To be sure, the same fate awaits the work which you are going to start. Then what is the good of such an endeavour?

Swamiji: He who always speculates as to what awaits him in future, accomplishes nothing whatsoever. What you have understood as true and good, just do that at once. What's the good of calculating what may or may not befall in future? The span of life is so, so short — and can anything be accomplished in it if you go on forecasting and computing results. God is the only dispenser of results; leave it to Him to do all that. What have you got to do with working.