The attendees at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 were enthralled by the presence and wisdom of a young Hindu monk from India. Swami Vivekananda (1863 – 1902) was lauded for his visionary and lyrical embrace of the validity and unity of all religions. He went on to introduce Hinduism and the practices and principles of yoga to the West.

Vivekananda's ideals of a universal religion and the worship of the living God still reverberate in the hearts and minds of those who espouse the spiritual practice of hospitality in a pluralistic world. Although he died at the early age of 39, he popularized Vedic terms and concepts such as karma, meditation, chakra, reincarnation, self-realization, enlightenment, and guru.

To Name This Day:

To remember Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, try one of these spiritual practices:

1. Face your fears.
2. See God in every person you meet.
3. Lighten up.
4. Wander
5. Let more light in.
6. Put your faith into action.
7. Find a spiritual teacher
8. Meditate.
9. Expand your social circle.
10. See Christ the way Vivekananda did.

For more on these practices see "How to Be Like Swami Vivekananda," an excerpt Swami Vivekananda edited by Victor M. Parachin, a top-notch collection of this esteemed spiritual teacher's writings.