Saints in a Hostile World — Swami Bhaskarananda

Recorded at the Vedanta Society of Western Washington on January 21, 2018.In this talk, Swami Bhaskarananda examines why genuine saints have so often encountered hostility, persecution, and misunderstanding throughout history. Drawing on Vedantic philosophy, he explains that the world is characterized by pairs of opposites, including good and evil, while God transcends these distinctions. Saints, having attained knowledge of their inherent divinity, embody spiritual qualities that may provoke resentment or opposition from those whose understanding and values differ. Through examples from several religious traditions, including the persecution of Zarathustra, the Sufi mystic Mansur al-Hallaj, and Swami Vivekananda, he illustrates how spiritual greatness has frequently been met with intolerance, suspicion, and even violence.Swami Bhaskarananda distinguishes between prejudice arising from unfamiliarity, which may be overcome through greater understanding, and deeply ingrained bigotry, which is far more difficult to change. He also considers the tendency of people to admire outward displays of spirituality while failing to recognize genuine holiness. Drawing on George Bernard Shaw’s portrayal of Joan of Arc, whose condemnation and later canonization reveal the contradictions of public attitudes toward saints, he reflects on the difficulty society has in accepting those who challenge its established beliefs and expectations. The talk concludes by recalling the persecution of Jesus and asking when humanity will become sufficiently receptive to recognize and welcome genuine saints during their own lifetimes.