Finals start tomorrow — and as such, I figured that it would be appropriate to share a few of Swami Vivekananda’s quotes and poems that inspire me to continue working, even when I feel like I have no more strength.
“Arise! Awake! And stop not til the goal is reached!”
“If you think about disaster, you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience.”
“The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves!”
The following poem is also one of my greatest sources of inspiration. I came across it looking for poems for an English class presentation once — I randomly decided to read it out loud, and when I did, I got goosebumps. I know it is a bit long, but if you get a chance and need a study break (or just need inspiration at any point in time) try reading it out loud — Swami Vivekananda’s belief in the power and strength of mankind is tangible in this poem; and if you are like me, then reading it aloud will also transfer that sense of strength to you, even when you feel as though you have no strength left.
The Song of the Free
The wounded snake its hood unfurls,
The flame stirred up doth blaze,
The desert air resounds the calls
Of heart-struck lion’s rage.
The cloud puts forth it deluge strength
When lightning cleaves its breast,
When the soul is stirred to its in most depth
Great ones unfold their best.
Let eyes grow dim and heart grow faint,
And friendship fail and love betray,
Let Fate its hundred horrors send,
And clotted darkness block the way.
All nature wear one angry frown,
To crush you out - still know, my soul,
You are Divine. March on and on,
Nor right nor left but to the goal.
Nor angel I, nor man, nor brute,
Nor body, mind, nor he nor she,
The books do stop in wonder mute
To tell my nature; I am He.
Before the sun, the moon, the earth,
Before the stars or comets free,
Before e’en time has had its birth,
I was, I am, and I will be.
The beauteous earth, the glorious sun,
The calm sweet moon, the spangled sky,
Causation’s law do make them run;
They live in bonds, in bonds they die.
And mind its mantle dreamy net
Cast o’er them all and holds them fast.
In warp and woof of thought are set,
Earth, hells, and heavens, or worst or best.
Know these are but the outer crust -
All space and time, all effect, cause.
I am beyond all sense, all thoughts,
The witness of the universe.
Not two nor many, ’tis but one,
And thus in me all me’s I have;
I cannot hate, I cannot shun
Myself from me, I can but love.
From dreams awake, from bonds be free,
Be not afraid. This mystery,
My shadow, cannot frighten me,
Know once for all that I am He.
— Swami Vivekananda
When it seems as though the world is against you, when you feel that you are losing the race against the clock, when you feel overwhelmed by the burdens of life — just remember: You can do it! All you have to do is “Arise! Awake! And stop not, till the goal is reached.”
Related posts:
2 Comments
What lies behind us (reading period) and what lies before us (Life Sci/PS1) are small matters compared to what lies within us (hunger..?).
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Haha– thanks Sharmila, that might have just made my day.
Post a Comment