HINTS ON PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY - 12. Swami Vivekananda.

25/02/2017.

(Delivered at the Home of Truth, Los Angeles, California )

But they all have to do these. And there is nothing occult about these things. The word "occult" has no bearing on them.

Near the Ganga thousands and thousands of people may be seen daily sitting on its banks breathing and concentrating with closed eyes. There may be two reasons that make certain practices impracticable for the generality of mankind. One is, the teachers hold that the ordinary people are not fit for them.

There may be some truth in this, but it is due more to pride. The second is the fear of persecution. A man, for instance, would not like to practice breathing publicly in this country, because he would be thought so queer; it is not the fashion here.

On the other hand, in India. if a man prayed, "Give us this day our daily bread", people would laugh at him. Nothing could be more foolish to the Hindu mind than to say, "Our Father which art in Heaven." The Hindu, when he worships, thinks that God is within himself.

To be continued ...