WHAT IS RELIGION? (Apr )
By Swami Vivekananda
Summary
The text explores Swami Vivekananda’s evolving definitions of religion, culminating in the concept of the “pleasure of the Self” as the ultimate spiritual goal. He contrasts material pleasures—derived from external sources like wealth, relationships, and sensory experiences—with the transcendent bliss of realizing the Self, which he equates with true religion. Material happiness, he argues, is fleeting and rooted in sorrow, while the bliss of the Self is eternal and unchanging. Vivekananda emphasizes that religion’s purpose is to elevate humanity from brute-like existence to divine consciousness, fostering harmony in Existence, Knowledge, and Bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda). He critiques selfish love, distinguishing it from selfless love, which generates only peace and joy. The text also reconciles philosophical and devotional perspectives, asserting that the impersonal Absolute (Brahman) and the personal God (Ishvara) are one, with the latter serving as a relatable form for devotees. Ultimately, Vivekananda calls for a harmonious pursuit of spiritual growth, urging individuals to seek bliss within the unchanging Self, beyond the impermanence of worldly desires.
Conclusion
Religion, as explored through Swami Vivekananda’s insights, transcends mere ritual or dogma, emerging as the profound journey of self-realization and the pursuit of eternal bliss. It is not confined to external pleasures or material gains but leads to the harmonious unity of existence, knowledge, and bliss—Existence-Knowledge-Bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda). This spiritual quest transforms human consciousness, elevating individuals from fleeting material happiness to the enduring joy of the Self, which is both the source and destination of all true fulfillment. By dissolving ego and self-centered desires, religion fosters universal love and unattached compassion, reflecting the divine within and beyond. Ultimately, it is the path to liberation, where the individual merges with the infinite, realizing that all pleasure, all existence, and all love are manifestations of the One Absolute Reality.