Swami Vivekananda - Candid picture

“As was the case everywhere, Swamiji met people of all kinds in San Francisco, and, as was the case always, he was equally friendly to all. ‘He seemed to like all people,’ Mrs. Hansbrough once said. ‘He was most compassionate; it seemed as if he never saw distinctions between people—almost as if he didn’t see the difference between a duck and a man!’ ” 29 ❊ ❊ ❊ This world is a play. You are His playmates. Go on and work, without any sorrow, without any misery. . . . It is blasphemy to think that you can help anyone. First root out this idea of helping, and then go to worship. . . . You are His servant. . . . Serve the living God! (CW [1984]1:441-42)