Flashes from Swami Vivekananda - 4

The only method of Education - 1

Concentration

There is only one method by which to attain knowledge, that which is called concentration. The very essence of education is concentration of the mind. From the lowest man to the highest yogi, all have to use the same method to attain knowledge.

The chemist who works in his laboratory concentrates all the powers of his mind, brings them into one focus, and throws them on the elements; the elements stand analyzed, and thus his knowledge comes. The astronomer concentrates the powers of his mind and brings them into one focus; and he throws them on to objects through his telescope; and stars and systems roll forward and give up their secrets to him.

So it is in every case: with the professor in his chair, the student with his book, with every man who is working to know.

Its Power

The more the power of concentration, the greater the knowledge that is acquired. Even the lowest shoeblack, if he gives more concentration, will black shoes better. The cook with concentration will cook a meal all the better. In making money, or in worshiping God, or in doing anything, the stronger the power of concentration, the better will that thing be done. This is the one call, the one knock, which opens the gates of Nature, and lets out floods of light.

Difference in Degree

Ninety per cent of thought-force is wasted by the ordinary human being and therefore he is constantly committing blunders. The trained man or mind never makes a mistake. The main
difference between men and the animals is the difference in their powers of concentration. An animal has very little powers of concentration. Those who have trained animals find much difficulty in the fact that the animal is constantly forgetting what is told him. He cannot concentrate his mind upon anything for a long times. Herein is the difference between man and the animals. This difference in their power of concentration also constitutes the difference between man and man. Compare the lowest with the highest man. The difference is in the degree of concentration.

All success in any line of work is the result of this. High achievements in arts, music, etc., are the result of concentration. When the mind is concentrated and turned back on itself, all within us will be our servants, not our masters. The Greeks applied their concentration to the external world and the result was perfection in art, literature etc.

The Hindu concentrated on the internal world, upon the unseen realms in the self and developed the science of yoga. The world is ready to give up its secrets if we only know how to knock, how to give the necessary blow. The strength and force of the blow come through concentration.

Thirukkural verses 6: The Worth of a Wife

Please Note: The following excerpt from the Thirukkural is 'as-is' replicated from the actual translation. This has no relation with anti-womanism. I truly respect the modern progressive thought behind women independence and capabilities. Please read the verses below as view towards an ancient way of livelihood, giving you an idea of the devotion-centric lifestyle of the Indian wife.

English Translation of Kaviyogi Maharishi Shuddhananda Bharatiar

A good housewife befits the house,
Spending with thrift the mate's resource.

Bright is home when wife is chaste.
If not all greatness is but waste.

What is rare when wife is good.
What can be there when she is bad?

What greater fortune is for men
Than a constant chaste woman?

Her spouse before God who adores,
Is like rain that at request pours.

The good wife guards herself from blame,
She tends her spouse and brings him fame.

Of what avail are watch and ward?
Their purity is women's guard.

Women who win their husbands' heart
Shall flourish where the gods resort.

A cuckold has not the lion-like gait
Before his detractors aright.

An honest wife is home's delight
And children good are jewels abright.