The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Writings: Prose and Poems/The Advaita Ashrama, Himalayas
THE ADVAITA ASHRAMA, HIMALAYAS
(These lines there sent in a letter, March, 1899, by Swamiji, for
embodying in the prospectus of the Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, Almora,
Himalayas.)
In Whom is the Universe, Who is in the Universe, Who is the Universe; in
Whom is the Soul, Who is in the Soul, Who is the Soul of Man; knowing Him
—and therefore the Universe—as our Self, alone extinguishes all fear,
brings an end to misery and leads to Infinite Freedom. Wherever there has
been expansion in love or progress in well-being, of individuals or numbers,
it has been through the perception, realisation, and the practicalisation of
the Eternal Truth—the oneness of all beings. "Dependence is misery.
Independence is happiness." The Advaita is the only system which gives unto
man complete possession of himself, takes off all dependence and its
associated superstitions, thus making us brave to suffer, brave to do, and
in the long run attain to Absolute Freedom.
Hitherto it has not been possible to preach this Noble Truth entirely free
from the settings of dualistic weakness; this alone, we are convinced,
explains why it has not been more operative and useful to mankind at large.
To give this one truth a freer and fuller scope in elevating the lives of
individuals and leavening the mass of mankind, we start this Advaita Ashrama
on the Himalayan heights, the land of its first expiration.
Here it is hoped to keep Advaita free from all superstitions and weakening
contaminations. Here will be taught and practiced nothing but the Doctrine
of Unity, pure and simple; and though in entire sympathy with all other
systems, this Ashrama is dedicated to Advaita and Advaita alone.