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About this quote

What does it mean?
External religious practices alone cannot grant freedom without inner realization.
In plain terms
Praying and reading scriptures won't free you unless you find the Truth.
What can you take from it?
Inner realization is necessary for true freedom.

Where it applies

  • religious practice
  • spiritual seeking
  • faith crisis

Putting it to work

  • seek inner realization
  • go beyond ritual

Questions to consider

  • What is Truth to you?
  • Is ritual enough?

Another view

Some faiths emphasize faith over experiential realization.

More from Swami Vivekananda

  1. Please everyone without becoming a hypocrite or a coward.

    Permalink to quote #121
  2. Pray all the time, read all the scriptures in the world, and worship all the gods there are :[but] unless you realize the Self (atman), there is no freedom.

    Permalink to quote #123
  3. Perfection is always infinite. We are the Infinite already.You and I, and all beings, are trying to manifest that infinity.

    Permalink to quote #120

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