The Practical Religion - An Eternal Quest for Freedom
My reflections on Swami Vivekananda's lecture 'The Practice of Religion', April 18 1900
With each lecture of Swami Vivekananda I continue to be amazed by the clarity and precision with which he addresses the big questions and complex topics in short lectures. I am glad that I am now able to comprehend his lectures because of my basic understanding of the foundational texts of Indian Philosophy. I have to read these lectures a few times for the concepts to sync-in.
In this lecture, ‘The Practice of Religion’ delivered in Alameda, California, on April 18, 1900, Swami Vivekananda delves into the bigger questions on Religion, Spirituality and Purpose of Life, and presents his idea of a practical religion.
Swami Vivekananda sets the context with some thought-provoking questions:
Is enjoyment the goal of life?
What does it mean to be spiritual or live a life of practical religion?
Is it about building hospitals, feeding the poor, or improving the world around us?
Are we simply machines striving for comfort and convenience?
Or is there a deeper, more profound purpose that transcends these actions?
This lecture challenges the conventional ideas about religion with a call to action for self-discovery and liberation. Swami Vivekananda compels us to reflect on our understanding of life’s purpose, the limitations of material progress, and the eternal quest for freedom that lies within every human heart.
The Key Message – Freedom as the Ultimate Goal
At the heart of Swami Vivekananda’s lecture is a powerful truth: the ultimate goal of life and practical religion is freedom. This freedom is not about political or economic liberties but the liberation of the soul from the constraints of nature, senses, and material existence. True religion, according to Swami Vivekananda, is the journey toward self-realization and the recognition of the infinite spirit within. This concept of ‘the infinite spirit’ is the core aspect of Advaita Vedanta.
Charity and societal improvement have their place, but they are merely means to an end. Without the deeper pursuit of freedom, these actions risk becoming distractions, binding us further to the material world. Practical religion, therefore, is about using life’s experiences to transcend them, to discover and embrace the eternal truth of the soul.
1. The Illusion of Material Progress
"Is this world (the material accomplishments) the goal of life? Nothing more?”
Swami Vivekananda critiques the modern obsession with material progress and sensory pleasures. While society celebrates advancements in technology and comfort, he warns that these are temporary fixes to deeper issues. The pursuit of material gain often creates as many problems as it solves, trading one set of challenges for another.
True progress, he argues, lies not in perfecting the external world but in transcending it. The infinite soul cannot be satisfied by finite things. Practical religion must guide us to look beyond the transient and embrace the eternal.
2. The Eternal Cry for Freedom
"What is your life? It is the struggle for freedom"
Nature is trying all around to suppress us, and the soul wants to express itself. Freedom is the essence of life itself, manifesting as the soul’s eternal struggle to overcome the limitations imposed by nature. Whether it’s a plant evolving from a seed overturning the ground to reach for sunlight or humanity’s quest for knowledge, this yearning for freedom drives all existence. Yet, we often mistake temporary pleasures or achievements for fulfillment, only to find ourselves yearning for more.
This dissatisfaction is not a flaw but a blessing—it reminds us of our infinite nature and pushes us to seek true liberation. Practical religion channels this cry for freedom into a purposeful journey toward self-realization.
3. The Power of Renunciation
“Renounce the lower so that you may get the higher.”
Renunciation is the cornerstone of practical religion. It is not about rejecting life but about letting go of the lesser to attain the greater. Swami Vivekananda emphasizes that renunciation is not a forced act but a natural outcome of realizing higher truths. When the soul recognizes its infinite nature, the attachment to transient things falls away on its own.
Whether it’s the renunciation of selfish desires, untruths, or material attachments, this practice paves the way for spiritual growth and ultimate freedom.
4. The Role of Meditation
"Meditation is the gate that opens infinite joy and unchanging permanence"
Meditation, for Swami Vivekananda, is the tool that allows us to calm the turbulent mind and recognize our true selves. The mind, like a disturbed lake, prevents us from seeing the reflection of our infinite spirit. Through meditation, we still the waves of distraction, allowing the soul’s true nature to emerge.
This practice is not about instant results but about gradual and persistent effort. With time, meditation separates us from the identification with the body and connects us with the eternal joy and freedom of the spirit.
5. The Limitations of Good Works
"Practical religion is not cleaning streets or building hospitals; their value lies only in this renunciation"
While good works like charity and social service have immense value, they are not ends in themselves. Swami Vivekananda warns against mistaking these actions for the ultimate goal of religion. Their true worth lies in their ability to foster renunciation and spiritual growth.
Practical religion, therefore, is not about external actions but about the inner transformation they inspire. When performed selflessly and with a pure heart, these actions become tools for realizing the infinite spirit.
The Call to Self-Realization
Swami Vivekananda’s lecture is a profound reminder that practical religion is not about what we do but about what we become. Charity, societal improvements, and rituals have value only if they lead us closer to this realization. It is a journey of self-realization, where we move beyond the illusions of material progress and sensory pleasures to discover the infinite spirit within. This is the freedom that all of nature strives for, the ultimate goal of human existence.
As you reflect on these insights, consider embarking on your own journey of self-discovery. Read Swami Vivekananda’s original lecture in its entirety, and reflect on its truths, and explore the teachings that resonate with your soul. The path to freedom begins within, and the rewards are infinite
