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About this quote

What does it mean?
True religious growth shows up as increased cheerfulness.
In plain terms
Becoming more spiritual makes you happier.
What can you take from it?
Look for joy as a sign of spiritual progress.

Where it applies

  • spiritual practice
  • self-assessment
  • daily life

Putting it to work

  • cultivate gratitude
  • track mood changes

Questions to consider

  • Are you more cheerful than before?
  • What brings you peace?

Another view

Joy is not the only valid expression of deep faith.

More from Swami Vivekananda

  1. The essential thing in religion is making the heart pure; the Kingdom of Heaven is within us, but only the pure in heart can see the King. While we think of th…

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  2. The human soul has sojourned in lower and higher forms, migrating from one to another according to the samskaras or impressions, but it is only in the highest …

    Permalink to quote #139
  3. The essence of Vedanta is that there is but one Being and that every soul is that Being in full, not a part of that Being.

    Permalink to quote #136

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