Posts tagged spiritual

The aspiring yogi of the West as well as of the East must discipline himself…. He should refrain from making too much fuss about the body. If he sees he is finding time for everything else but is too busy for God, he should take the whip of discipline to himself. Why be afraid? There is everything to gain. If a man will not himself cry and struggle to attain his own salvation, will anyone else do it for him?

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “Man’s Eternal Quest”

When someone tells me how much he has worked for God, I see the poor quality of his spirit. Those who work for the Lord in the right way never think in terms of how much they are doing for Him. Rather, they think only of how much He is doing for them - giving them a body through which they can render service to others, a mind to think about Him and His wonders, and a heart to love Him as their Father, Maker, and sole Benefactor.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “Yogoda Satsanga Magazine”

Whenever your mind wanders in the maze of myriad worldly thoughts, patiently lead it back to remembrance of the indwelling Lord. In time you will find Him ever with you - a God who talks with you in your own language, a God whose face peeps at you from every flower and shrub and blade of grass. Then you shall say: “I am free! I am clothed in the gossamer of Spirit; I fly from earth to heaven on wings of light.” And what joy will consume your being!

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yoga­nanda “Sayings of Paramahansa Yogananda”

When you meditate, immerse your whole mind in God. And when you are performing a duty, put your whole heart into it. But as soon as you are through with work, place your mind on the Lord. When you learn to practise the presence of God in every moment that you are free to think of Him, then even in the midst of work you will be aware of divine communion.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “Yogoda Satsanga Magazine”

Once when I was meditating I heard His voice, whispering: “Thou dost say I am away, but thou didst not come in. That is why thou dost say I am away. I am always in. Come in and thou wilt see Me. I am always here, ready to greet thee.”

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “Man’s Eternal Quest”

Don’t concern yourself with the faults of others. Use the scouring powder of wisdom to keep the rooms of your own mind bright and spotless. By your example, other ­persons will be inspired to do their own housecleaning.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “Sayings of Paramahansa Yogananda”

See nothing, look at nothing but your goal, ever shining before you. The things that happen to us do not matter; what we become through them does. Each day, accept everything as coming to you from God. At night, give everything back into His hands.

- Sri Gyanamata “God Alone: The Life and Letters of a Saint”

Birthday of Sri Gyanamata The way to freedom is through service to others. The way to happiness is through meditation and being in tune with God…. Break the barriers of your ego; shed selfishness; free yourself from the consciousness of the body; forget yourself; do away with this prison house of incarnations; melt your heart in all, be one with all creation.

- Sri Sri Parama­hansa Yogananda Yogoda Satsanga Lessons

Loyalty to a spiritual custom–without sincerity and conviction–is hypocrisy. Loyalty to the spirit of a custom even without clinging to the form —is wisdom. Loyalty both to the form and the spirit is the greatest wisdom. But loyalty neither to spiritual custom, principle or teacher, is spiritual degeneration

- Yogananda

Praise does not make you better, nor blame worse than what you are. Then why heed these two? Don’t pay attention when they praise you, but survey yourself carefully when they blame you. If you are in fault, free yourself from error quickly, but if you are not guilty–laugh and forget it. Truth will speak for you. Spiritual action talks louder than the utterance of many sacred words3

-  Yogananda