The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 9/Letters - Fifth Series/XCVI Sir
XCVI
A letter to the editor, which appeared in the July 11, 1896 issue of the
Light
63, ST. GEORGE'S-ROAD, S.W.
SIR,
Allow me to put a few words in your estimable journal as comments on an
article in your paper dated July 4th. I must thank you without reserve for
the kind and friendly spirit manifested throughout the article towards me
and the philosophy I preach; but, as there is a fear of misconstruction in
one part of it — especially by my Spiritualistic friends — I want to clear
my position. The truth of correspondence between the living and the dead is,
I believe, in every religion, and nowhere more than in the Vedantic sects of
India, where the fact of mutual help between the departed and the living has
been made the basis of the law of inheritance. I would be very sorry if I be
mistaken as antagonistic to any sect or form of religion, so far as they are
sincere. Nor do I hold that any system can ever be judged by the frauds and
failures that would naturally gather round every method under the present
circumstances. But, all the same, I cannot but believe that every thoughtful
person would agree with me when I affirm that people should be warned of
their dangers, with love and sympathy. The lecture alluded to could but
accidentally touch the subject of Spiritualism; but I take this opportunity
of conveying my deep admiration for the Spiritualist community for the
positive good they have done already, and are doing still: (1) the preaching
of a universal sympathy; (2) the still greater work of helping the human
race out of doctrines which inculcate fear and not love. Ever ready to
co-operate with, and at the service of, all who are striving to bring the
light of the spirit,
I remain yours sincerely,
VIVE KANANDA