Swami Vivekananda - California Sojourn - California (1900) - Pose 4

Swami Vivekananda is depicted here during his significant second visit to the West, specifically during his California sojourn between 1899 and 1900. During this period, he extensively lectured on Vedanta and Yoga, establishing foundational work that led to the formation of permanent Vedanta centers in the Bay Area and Southern California. This photograph embodies the spiritual intensity and intellectual clarity with which he engaged Western audiences, profoundly influencing many devoted students. His time in California was marked by deep philosophical discourses at venues like Hotel Green in Pasadena and various clubs, interspersed with moments of appreciating the natural beauty of the region. This image reflects his role as a compassionate global teacher, bringing ancient Indian wisdom to a new continent and preparing the ground for a spiritual awakening. It captures the essence of his mission to interpret Eastern thought for the modern Western mind.