“However spiritual a man may be, he must pay the tax for the use of the body to the last farthing. But the difference between a great soul and an ordinary man is this:
The latter weeps while leaving the body, whereas the former laughs. Death seems to him a mere play.”
(p.41, The Gospel of The Holy Mother, Holy mother on 31st July 1918)
“Stick to God! Who cares what comes to the body or to anything else! Through the terrors of evil, say — my God, my love! Through the pangs of death, say — my God, my love! Through all the evils under the sun, say — my God, my love! Thou art here, I see Thee. Thou art with me, I feel Thee. I am Thine, take me. Do not go for glass beads leaving the mine of diamonds! This life is a great chance. What, seekest thou the pleasures of the world?– he is the fountain of all bliss. Seek for the highest, aim at that highest, and you shall reach the highest.”
(p.262, V.6, Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Swamiji’s letter to Hale sisters dt. 31st July 1894)