Swami Turiyananda (January 3, 1863 - July 21, 1922)
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Conversations with Swami Turiyananda pt 1 Conversations with Swami Turiyananda pt 2
One thing was clear. Swami Turiyananda did not care much for public work, organization and all that. He was for the few, not for big crowds. His work was with the individual – character building. He seemed to be of the opinion that with organization the spiritual work is apt to suffer. “Lectures,” he used to say, “are to reach the public, but the real work can be done only through close personal contact. Both are necessary. And every one has his own way or working. We must each follow our own way. Swami Abhedananda will reach many people through his lectures. But that is not my way. And I have special instructions from Swamiji. He does not want me to lecture much. Swamiji asked me before he sent me here: ‘Can you lecture like I have done?’ I said: ‘Of course not, Swamiji, what are you saying?’ ‘Well then,’ he said, ‘do not trouble yourself about lecturing. You just live the life. Be an example to them. Let them see how Sannyasins live!’ So, you see, I am only obeying Swamiji.” (Source: Chapter IV, A living example. With the Swamis in America by a Western Disciple)
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- www.vivekananda.net edited by Frank Parlato Jr.