Vivekananda and the inner quest of humanity

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study Vivekananda and the inner quest of humanity. Vivekananda’s quest was to hold up a mirror to us for our inner search. Vivekananda desired to show us the intrinsic truth, the innermost divinity and help manifest it. We have not reached the ultimate level of development and evolution. Swami Vivekananda was convinced that we are on the cusp of higher evolution and need to believe that we can move in that direction consciously.

Design/methodology/approach

We can rise to the highest levels of civilization and culture through personal research and discovery. Sustained human development is to have a goal and follow a well-thought path. The goal is the ultimate freedom.

Findings

All human beings have a spiritual core, whether we are aware of it or not; whether we manifest it or not; or whether we recognize it or not. Therefore, it is a matter of having faith that we are spiritual to begin with and then make the effort to manifest that truth.

Originality/value

In the East and in the Third World, civilizations had suffered severely due to invasions and colonization. They had to now struggle and achieve freedom, even at the political or social level. In the West, where human beings had a surfeit of physical enjoyment, they had to avoid the pitfalls of over-confidence and physical power.

Citation

Vivekaprana, P. (2014), "Vivekananda and the inner quest of humanity", International Journal of Development Issues, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 212-219. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDI-06-2014-0042