Swami Vivekananda: The Complete Yoga Classes 1895-96 NYC Karma Yoga - Class 1 - “Karma in Its Effect on Character” by Swami Vivekananda
May 1, 2025
Swami Vivekananda, a pivotal figure in introducing Vedanta and Yoga to the West, shares profound insights on Karma Yoga. He emphasizes the journey towards unselfish work, urging listeners to maintain a calm mindset despite distractions. The discussion touches on how both positive and negative experiences shape character and personal growth. Vivekananda highlights the importance of selflessness in work and contrasts the shallow pursuit of fame with the deeper satisfaction of selfless labor, promoting a balance between action and introspection for inner strength.
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Knowledge Over Pleasure
- The goal of mankind is knowledge, not pleasure, because pleasure and pain are temporary teachers.
- Character forms from the combined impressions of happiness and misery over time.
Knowledge Is Uncovered Within
- All knowledge is already within the mind and is discovered, not received from outside.
- External events only suggest or occasion the uncovering of inner knowledge.
Blows As Character Shapers
- Every feeling and action is struck out from within by life's blows and becomes part of us.
- These cumulative blows and impressions are what shape our character.