Dr Sushil Rudra
“Inspired Talks”: The Gospel of Swami Vivekananda is a bunch of talks. These are the Gospel of Swami Vivekananda. Therefore, It’s the divine utterances of the Hindu monk, Vivekananda.
The great World Teacher taught his 12(-1 may be less according to Marie Louise Burke) Western disciples or students by his spiritual advice at Miss Dutcher’s cottage in Thousand Island Park of America.
And ultimately, Swami ji’s disciple, Miss. Dutcher published these lectures. It is famous as Swami Vivekananda’s Inspired Talks.
Read also: 1. The Cliff Of Swami Vivekananda 2. SWAMI VIVEKANANDA: THE POET & HIS POEMS
It was in 1895. Swamiji got an invitation from Miss Dutcher to visit there for some time for a summer retreat.
So he had accepted her invitation to get little rest from the busiest schedule of lectures in America. In this connection, Swami Vivekananda wrote a letter to Mrs Ole Bull:( Swami Vivekananda’s Inspired Talks )
…” I cannot go to Green acre now. I have arranged to go to the Thousand Island, wherever that may be. There is a cottage belonging to Miss Dutcher, one of my students, and a few of us will be there in rest and peace and seclusion.
I want to manufacture a few “Yogis” out of the materials of the classes ( Swami Vivekananda’s Inspired Talks ). And a busy farm [fair] like Green acre. It is the last place for that, while the other is quite out of the way, and none of the curiosity – seekers will dare go there “.(April 25, 1895, Letters of Swami Vivekananda )
Ready to Welcome Swami Vivekananda
On June 18, 1895.
Vivekananda left the White Mountains of New Hampshire by train for Thousand Island Park. It is about 200 miles to the west, where some of his students awaited him.
From Swami Vivekananda’s Inspired Talks :
” Everything at the Park had, it would seem, been ready for his coming. – wrote Marie Louise Burke in his book ” New Discoveries”.
Finally, everything was refurbished from Dock to electric lights of the park to Tabernacle. Even the steamer St. Lawrence.
It had been newly cleaned, painted, brightly lighted. It’s a refurbished community to which Swami Vivekananda reached at.
Miss Dutcher ( Mary Elizabeth Dutcher) along with 2/3 other disciples already reached at the Dock to greet him and to escort him.
Miss Dutcher had a little three stories building. So She thought that it was not sufficient for her Master. That’s why for Swamiji’s comfort and privacy she made arrangements to add a wing to the cottage.
The house was a three-storied building. In addition, there was a guest room on the lowest floor, a classroom on the first floor, and Swamiji’s room on the top floor.
Besides, there was an open terrace with a magnificent view of the river. Naturally, Swamiji used to spend some time here and observe the beautiful nature.
“Welcome Vivekananda” read the banner that greeted SWAMI as he entered the Cottage. For it was the beginning of a remarkable seven weeks of staying in.
• THOUSAND ISLAND PARK:
INSPIRED TALKS : The Gospel of Swami Vivekananda
In brief, Thousand Island Park is a small village. It’s located on Wellesley Island. It’s in a remote area about 360 miles from New York City. This village is on the St. Lawrence River, near the Canadian border. So it was a very serene and attractive place.
Although the Park was only 20 years old in 1895, yet its attraction was enough. So there formed a community of 600 cottages. In addition, several thousand summer residents supported a program of recreation for both mind and body.
Moreover, it attracted celebrity preachers and speakers . Amongst the prominent speakers were Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas and so on .
Through the eyes of Swami ji, the natural beauty of the place was charming.
In short, by 1890s, Thousand Island Park was a summer resort par excellence. But there was massive change or transformation from a remote wilderness to a popular resort.
Eventually, It is a land where people of various tastes used to visit for some days.
Hence, they used to enjoy themselves with their relatives and friends. They used to spend their time playing, dancing. Some went boating and so on and otherwise enjoyed themselves.
By 1895, this Island as a whole drew thousands of excursionists every day. The island was quiet and it’s 800 acres in area. It was then hilly jungle. Therefore, very very isolated and serene place.
However, there were lots of cottages out of 100 acres. So there are small and large cottages about 600 and over and in addition to the hotel, there are at least a dozen rooming houses.
Read more: 1. Why Should We Follow Swami Vivekananda’s views! 2.The Cliff Of Swami Vivekananda
Swami ji wrote in early July : ( Inspired Talks: The gospel of Swami Vivekananda )
” It is a very beautiful spot, but I am afraid it becomes too crowded during the season.”( Complete Works, 5:89). ( Inspired Talks: The gospel of Swami Vivekananda )
However, this isolated and serene environment was suitable for expressing the divine thought of Swami ji. And ultimately we have got “Inspired Talks”: The Gospel of Swami Vivekananda.
” Inspired Talks” is undoubtedly our treasure. Swami Vivekananda’s utterances came to light by one of his devotees.
However, the golden words of Sree Ramkrishna are Kathamrita. One of his close devotee, Master Mahashai or Mahendranath Gupta memorized and wrote it. Kathamitra is parallel to Gita.
Inspired Talks are as divine as Kathamrita. And Swami ji’s teachings to his Western disciples was
published as Inspired Talks.
