Was Vivekananda's experience of samadhi through contact with Ramakrishna authentic?
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definition
"Vivekananda's experience of samadhi was authentic, yet it remained a fleeting glimpse at the threshold of the mind and soul, restrained by Ramakrishna's fear of losing his disciple's potential for worldly work. True realization demands a surrender that transcends the ordinary, a journey that cannot be"
According to Osho, Vivekananda’s samadhi via Ramakrishna was authentic but only a preliminary glimpse—occurring at the boundary where mind ends and soul begins, more psychic than the true Self. It didn’t deepen because Ramakrishna, fearing he’d lose Vivekananda’s usefulness for his work, restrained it. Hence the experience faded; a deeper realization would have made returning to ordinary activity difficult.
It was like seeing the doorway to a house but not entering—real, yet shallow, and kept that way so he could still help with worldly work.
Why this matters practically
- Distinguishes fleeting psychic glimpses from stable Self-realization.
- Encourages seeking depth rather than clinging to initial highs.
- Reminds that even teachers’ intentions can shape or limit your growth.
- Encourages seeking depth rather than clinging to initial highs.
- Reminds that even teachers’ intentions can shape or limit your growth.
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