Despondency Is Not Religion - Swami Vivekananda

Despondency Is Not Religion - Thoughts - By Swami Vivekananda - Source - The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, 4.11

Despondency is not religion, whatever else it may be. By being pleasant always and smiling, it takes you nearer to God, nearer than any prayer. 

How can those minds that are gloomy and dull love? If they talk of love, it is false; they want to hurt others. Think of the fanatics; they make the longest faces, and all their religion is to fight against others in word and act. Think of what they have done in the past, and of what they would do now if they were given a free hand. They would deluge the whole world in blood tomorrow if it would bring them power. By worshipping power and making long faces, they lose every bit of love from their hearts. So the man who always feels miserable will never come to God.

It is not religion, it is diabolism to say, ‘I am so miserable.’ Every man has his own burden to bear. If you are miserable, try to be happy, try to conquer it. God is not to be reached by the weak. Never be weak. You must be strong; you have infinite strength within you. How else will you conquer anything? How else will you come to God?

At the same time you must avoid excessive merriment, Uddharsha, as it is called. A mind in that state never becomes calm; it becomes fickle. Excessive merriment will always be followed by sorrow. Tears and laughter are near kin. People so often run from one extreme to the other. Let the mind be cheerful, but calm. Never let it run into excesses, because every excess will be followed by a reaction.

Additional Information:

Swami Vivekananda's thoughts on despondency and strength carry profound wisdom that remains highly relevant in today's world. His message, "Despondency is not religion," emphasizes that true spirituality and connection with the divine cannot be achieved through despair or weakness. Instead, they require an inner strength and positivity that lead us closer to God, or to the essence of spiritual enlightenment.

Expansion and Additional Information

Swami Vivekananda was a strong advocate for self-reliance, inner strength, and positivity. He believed that these qualities were essential for personal growth and spiritual development. When he says, "Despondency is not religion," he is rejecting the idea that being miserable, weak, or passive in the face of life’s challenges is a form of piety or spiritual practice. He argues that such an attitude is closer to "diabolism" (a term referring to devilish or destructive tendencies) than to true religion.

Importance

This teaching is important because it shifts the focus from passive suffering to active resilience. In many spiritual traditions, there is a tendency to equate suffering with holiness or to see it as an unavoidable aspect of the human condition that must be endured with resignation. Swami Vivekananda challenges this notion by asserting that true religion is about overcoming weakness and despair, not wallowing in it. By encouraging people to be strong, cheerful, and optimistic, he promotes a spirituality that is life-affirming and empowering.

Similar Concepts

Swami Vivekananda's ideas can be compared to several other philosophical and religious teachings:

1. Stoicism: The Stoic philosophy teaches that individuals should not be controlled by their emotions but should strive for a state of calm and rationality, regardless of external circumstances. Like Vivekananda, the Stoics emphasized inner strength and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in the face of adversity.

2. Positive Psychology: Modern psychology, particularly the field of positive psychology, echoes Vivekananda's ideas by focusing on the importance of positive thinking, resilience, and personal strengths in achieving mental well-being and fulfillment.

3. Bhagavad Gita: In the Gita, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to rise above his despondency and fulfill his duties with strength and equanimity. The message is that one should not succumb to despair but should act with courage and resolve.

Modern-Day Relevance

In the modern context, Swami Vivekananda's teachings are more relevant than ever. In a world where mental health issues like depression and anxiety are prevalent, his advice to avoid despondency and to cultivate inner strength is crucial. The idea that one can and must overcome personal struggles by tapping into their inner strength and maintaining a positive outlook is a powerful antidote to the culture of negativity that can sometimes pervade society.

Moreover, in an era of social media and instant gratification, his caution against excessive merriment and the fickleness it can bring is also pertinent. The constant pursuit of pleasure and the highs of life, as often depicted online, can lead to emotional instability and burnout. Vivekananda's call for a calm, balanced, and cheerful mind offers a more sustainable path to well-being.

Conclusion

Swami Vivekananda’s message that "Despondency is not religion" is a timeless reminder that true spirituality is not about surrendering to weakness or misery but about cultivating strength, resilience, and a positive, calm mind. His teachings encourage us to face life’s challenges with courage and to seek spiritual fulfillment through a balanced and empowering approach to life. In today’s world, where challenges are abundant and the pressure to maintain a facade of constant happiness is high, his words provide a guiding light for both personal and spiritual growth.