opalstream

[opalstream]



Affirmation

Teach me, O Father, to find my oneness with Thee

in the peace within and the tumult without.

I care not whether silence or noise surround me,

if at all times and in all places

I may feel Thine enveloping presence.

Find the Underlying Harmony Midst Disharmony

Harmony is born of love and wisdom. These, in turn, are offspring of a heart that is pure and outreaching. A pure heart is the result of pure thoughts…The world abounds in evils, but do you know that these are necessary? They are the inharmony, the shadows amidst the light, that creates diversity, duality, without which there would be only the Divine Singularity. This does not mean that you are to embrace evil and discord, nor that you are not to resist and fight them. You are a soul, an individualized expression of God, intended to view creation as He does. You are to find the underlying harmony midst the disharmony, and to maintain that harmony within yourself.

-Paramahansa Yogananda

SRF Magazine Fall 1988

*May your day be blessed with inner and outer peace and harmony. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

O All-Pervading Spirit,

the breeze of Thine inspiration has removed the clouds from my heart.

The firmament of my mind is clear,

and with a purified soul I behold Thee alone—everywhere.

Seek God First

Master (Paramahansaji) was a sublimely simple person, as are all great lovers of God. He had only one request, and one lesson he wanted us to learn: that God should come first in our lives. We should keep before our consciousness the words of Christ: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” He did not intend this counsel only for those who live in monasteries, but for all mankind. If we dwell on this truth - seek God first - we gradually begin to understand what it means. When we have a pain in the stomach, when we are experiencing trouble with our family, or when we are having difficulty in our work, the solution is very simple: Pinpoint the mind on God. Become anchored in Him first, and then from that level of consciousness try to solve your problems.

Sri Daya Mata, Only Love p 29

*Find the peace and beauty of the Presence of God within. Take an affirmation such as the one above and let it lift your mind beyond the problems you are facing. From that transcendent perspective, notice that small difficulties seem to vanish, while larger ones become easier to tackle. Faith is restored. Action produces solutions. OmPeace, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

Oh Lord, make my heart big enough to hold Thee,

that it throb with the Christ Consciousness in everything.

Then I shall celebrate the festivity of Thy birth

in my mind, my soul, and in oneness with every pulsing atom.

What Was the Star of Bethlehem? Can We See It Today?

The star of the East that led the Three Wise Men to Christ was no physical star, but rather a spiritual star. Absence of the visible material light is darkness. But behind material darkness is the spiritual light which is everywhere. When you pierce the darkness of closed physical eyes, you behold the light of the spiritual eye - the intuitive, all-seeing eye of the soul. Through that spiritual eye you can enter the sphere of awakened silence. It is there, behind the clouds of darkness, that you perceive Christ. Prepare your mind by meditation until your entire consciousness passes through that telescopic eye and beholds the overspreading divine consciousness of the Infinite Christ. Christ Consciousness is Omnipresence, the Lord spread over every pore of infinite space and permeating every atom. When in deep meditation we peer through the spiritual eye, we behold God’s creation-evolving spiritual light afloat in the vast sphere of our awakening in Christ.

-Paramahansa Yogananda SRF Mag Winter 1991

*May you deepen your celebration of Christmas through keeping the attention at the spiritual eye. Whether meditating or in activity, this practice brings great peace and upliftment. Despite the many challenges of the body and external environment a blessing is felt by attuning to the inner light of the uplifted gaze. A truly spiritual Christmas will come to you and to those around you. OmChrist, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

O Spirit!

Bless us, that we may remember Thee always.

Let’s us not forget that all blessings flow from Thee.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The yearning for our lost perfection, the urge to do and be that which is the noblest and most beautiful of which we are capable, is the creative impulse behind every high achievement. We strive for perfection here on earth because we long in our souls to be restored to our Oneness with God. There is no greater power than the power of God, which always surrounds you. God is harmony, and when you follow Him you will feel that harmony within and you also will be conscious of harmony outside you body. Make every day a day of Thanksgiving, a continuous contentment will sparkle in your body, mind, and soul.

-Paramahansa Yogananda

*Wishing you a day overflowing with the Love and Joy of God. Take time throughout the day to silently give thanks for the invisible spiritual treasures of your life. God is joy. May we sip His happiness whether alone or with our family and friends. Paramahansaji said, “If you have turkey, be sure to ‘stuff’ it with your best Bliss-seasoned dressing of thankful remembrance of God: for all His highest gifts of wisdom, peace, and power to accomplish, as well as for His relatively inconsequential gift of the turkey dinner and so forth.” Much love to you all, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

Heavenly Father,

Thou art all feeling, will, and thought.

Guide Thou my feeling, will, and thought;

let them follow,

let them be as Thou art.

Meet Life Experiences With Intelligence, Wisdom, Love and Vision

Look at life unmasked, in the mirror of your experiences.

View the relativities of time and space as they come to you in the form of problems, experiences, and relations.

Look at the perpetual current of emotions and thoughts arising within you.

Go into the very heart of your aspirations, dreams, hopes, and despairs.

Dive deep into the mute cravings of your inner Self.

Life is manifesting through all these channels and demanding your highest intelligence, wisdom, love, and vision in its expression.

-Paramahansa Yogananda

*As our days roll into weeks, months, and years, Paramahansaji invites us to look beyond the superfluous. Directing our attention to what truly matters - hidden perceptions and intuitive insights - we develop an understanding of our soul purpose. It takes practice to introspect deeply enough to fully realize why we are here and what our experiences truly mean. Resist the temptation to interpret your life by society’s standards. OmLove, Annie

*Here is a beautiful video, Kingdom of Peace, by devotee Holger Klussmann. Watching it brings peace to one’s senses. He writes, “Peace is the most precious commodity we have on earth. We should not only look at the politicians, but also at ourselves, what we can contribute to peace.”

ttps://youtu.be/bj2wI3HuVyg?feature=shared

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

O Ever Watchful Father,

may we, Thine eager pilgrim children,

easily reach our Home

by following the inner light - intuition,

Thy holy beacon.

Become a Truly Moral, Spiritual Being of Peace and Joy

Your state of consciousness is the real “you.” Stand before the introspective mirror of your soul to discover your faults and virtues. By constantly following the inner voice of conscience, which is the voice of God, you will become a truly moral person, a highly spiritual being, a person of peace and joy. But be honest with yourself. The world is not honest with you! In many ways it encourages hypocrisy. When you are honest with yourself you will find the road of inner peace.

-Paramahansa Yogananda

*Fearless self review is a powerful tool on the road to enlightenment. Don’t be discouraged when you see inner parts of yourself that are not fully aligned with your spiritual goals. These should be the focus of your journey from self discovery to transformation. And always take time each day to honor the progress you are making regardless of the work yet to be done. The Transcendent Loving God continues to reveal Himself in quiet ways. Appreciate and treasure each one. OmLove, Annie

*I listened to this YSS Monastic talk last night on Youtube and was transported. If you have time to watch it, let me know what you think. Jai Guru!

https://www.youtube.com/live/A2rNEU0n-pQ?si=fvbhHcmxeLbT7JBe

God is as Close to You as Your Thought Allows Him to be | YSS Sangam 2023

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

I am Thy child, made in Thine image;

Make me one with Thee.

If You Love God You Will Be Able to Make Others Feel His Presence

God is reflected in all beings, in all creation. Because of the happiness that I feel in the joy of Spirit, I want to impart His love to all beings who come to me….If you love God you will be able to make others feel His presence, just as you are able to make others feel your hate if you hate them. You should use your power. Sincerity is the transparent diamond through which the light of God can shine in our lives.

Proof of the existence of God is not to be found in books, nor in the words of others. It is in yourself. When you sit quietly and pray and nothing happens, you have not gone deep enough to touch God. Blind prayers will not work. If you try praying from now on for five hours daily that you might become a millionaire like Henry Ford, your wish will not be granted. But if you wholeheartedly pray to God: “I am Thy child, made in Thine image; make me one with Thee,” that prayer will be granted.

-Paramahansa Yogananda

*What greater gift can we give to others than the peace and love of God that we feel within ourselves?Meditate deeply enough to make conscious contact with the Spirit within. If you are not finding results in meditation, lengthen your practice time. During the day, make choices to stay attuned to spiritualizing thoughts, feelings, and desires. As you go deeper into peaceful states you will be able to transmit that peace, love and wisdom to others. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Prayer

May the Divine Friend guide and bless each one of us.

And May He inspire within us

a strong determination to help one another,

to treat one another with understanding and mutual respect -

and above all, may we have constant inspiration

to seek the Divine beloved Friend behind all human relationships,

first, last, and always.

God bless you all.

-Sri Daya Mata

Make the World a Little Better

The devotee of God applies only constructive criticism. He does not go through life finding fault with everybody; he does not constantly criticize conditions. If he has a suggestion to make, he expresses it constructively to the people who can do something about it, or he remains silent and concentrates upon bettering himself and his conditions. Yes, sometimes it is our duty to resist wrongdoing; I am not referring to that. I am speaking of those who forget that primarily we are here not as a gift from God to change others, but to change ourselves and thereby leave the world a little better for having been here.

-Sri Daya Mata, The Godward Life, SRF Mag Summer 1998

*It is human nature to notice the faults of others and to complain about external conditions such as the weather. But if you are becoming overly critical and dissatisfied, it is time for a spiritual reboot. As a soul traveler, every person you meet and every experience you have can lead to a deeper awareness of the Soul within all. Look for the positive. Associate with cheerful people. Serve those in need. And dedicate extended periods of time to devotional chanting and prayer. Finding God within will lead to discovering Him/Her without, in all people and all circumstances. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

Divine Mother

I have heard Thy voice whispering in the fragrance of the rose.

I touched Thy tenderness in the softness of the lily.

In the whispers of my devotion, it was Thy love that answered.

Find the Eternal Friend Now

If God is seeking anything, it is our love. He knocks at every heart and asks us to come unto Him, but most persons don’t want to go. Yet when they get into trouble or become sick, they are quick to call for Him. He who makes friends with the Lord while he is prosperous and happy will always find God near when he needs Him. But he who procrastinates in forming that relationship will have to fight his tests alone until, through wisdom and unconditional surrender, he finds the Eternal Friend.

-Paramahansa Yogananda SRF Magazine Fall 1970 p 3

-Affirmation, Metaphysical Meditations p 10

*Why wait to feel the healing power of the presence of God? Divine joy, love, and peace are blessings in both good and bad times. Build God awareness day by day so that when trials come, that expansive power of Spirit will be available when you most need it. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

O Thou Great Lover,

Thou art Life, Thou art the Goal.

Thou art my Desire.

Deliver me from Thy maya of delusion.

Tempt me with Thy presence instead.

Beloved Lord, fill my heart with undying devotion to Thee alone.

Temptations Everywhere!

Everything in creation is a temptation to lure you from God. But He is more tempting than any earthly temptation. If you attain even a glimpse of Him you will realize this; and you can find Him by inner prayer and meditation, and by strong determination. Your resolutions with God must be firm; He will not come so long as your mind is roaming elsewhere. He wants to come to you but you don’t let Him; you would rather seek a little sense pleasure or spend your time on books or cocktail parties. So God says, “All right, My child, play on.”

-Paramahansa Yogananda, SRF Magazine Fall 1970 p 3.

- Affirmation, Metaphysical Meditations p 10

*Keep your shining goal of God Realization in the forefront each day. Notice the many distractions that come along to undermine your desire to meditate and commune with God. As you identify them one at a time, it will become easier to shift your attention back to the sweetness of inner silence and joy. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

O my Guru,

In the stillness of my soul

I humbly bow before Thine omnipresence,

Knowing that Thou art ever leading me

onward and upward on the path of Self-realization.

The Guru’s Inner Help

[Paramahansaji] used to say to us, “The guru is always present in the kutastha (spiritual center between the eyebrows, seat of the spiritual eye) of his disciples. Another time he said, “The guru is always present in the heart of his disciples at all times, helping him spiritually. In your meditations, and whenever you choose, you can be in that presence, because he is right within you and around you, everywhere. As Sri Daya Mataji has said, “The greatest way of honoring the Guru is to practice his teachings.” So I would urge those of you who are following these teachings: Put them into practice. They are a special divine dispensation; the sacred Kriya Yoga that had been lost has been given again. The techniques given by Guruji as part of the Kriya science - the Energization Exercises, Hong-Sau, the Aum technique of meditation, and Kriya Yoga - lead you steadily and surely to the perception of divinity within. You will never be satisfied until you have that realization. You can seek fulfillment in people and the things of the world, but you will not find it there, because you are the soul - an individualized spark of God - and you will not be at rest until you realize that consciousness. Keep on! Every time you meditate, you are advancing toward the sublime goal of Yoga: oneness with the absolute, infinite, eternal bliss of God.

-Bro Anandamoy, SRF Mag Summer 1995 p 44;

Affirmation, M Meditations p 31

* May the blessings of God and Guru ever light your way to the Eternal Goal. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

O August God, Beloved Father,

Oversoul of the Universe, Spirit of Spirits,

Friend of friends!

Unravel for me the mystery of my existence.

I yearn to know Thee, O Secondless, O True Unique!

It Is Never Too Late To Find God

The temple God loves most is the temple of His devotee’s inner silence and peace…First establish in yourself a temple of beauty and peace; there you will find Him, on the altar of your soul…Sometimes one feels discouraged, thinking it is too late to find God. It is never too late. The Bhagavad-Gita says that even in the last moment before death, if one realizes that this world is false and only Spirit is real, he will exit from here into a better world. Resolve that from this moment you will seek God through your own Self-realization.

-Paramahansa Yogananda

SRF Magazine Fall 1970 p 2; Affirmation - Whispers from Eternity

*Make God-realization your goal today. Let the procession of humanity not distract from your primary purpose. Each of life’s experiences can lead us to a deeper commitment to find the underlying meaning of our existence. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

Lord, Thou art the doer, not I.

Three Things to Practice Everyday

One evening after meditation, as Guruji blessed us, he said three things that I have tried to put into effect ever since. I encourage you all to practice them from this day forward:

Be sympathetic.

Don’t criticize.

Be humble.

Returning to my room, I wrote them down and put them where they could be a constant reminder.

Be sympathetic: This means to be more understanding and compassionate; to feel for others, be thoughtful of them, helpful in times of need, and try always to think well of others.

Don’t Criticize: We have no right to pass judgment on one another; God alone has that right. Anyone who has a critical nature will find it a great drawback to spiritual growth.

Be Humble: Pray for true humility, the self-forgetting, inner attitude: “Lord, Thou art the Doer, not I.” Use this as a mental chant. Concentrating deeply and asking God to free you from egotism. The more the mind and heart are filled with thoughts of God and love for Him, the less room there is for the selfish “I, I, I.”

Sri Daya Mata, SRF Magazine Fall 1986 p 20

*This simple advice is bound to bring peace within and without, for ourselves and for those around us. Notice how spacious your consciousness becomes as you extend more sympathy and good will to the human family. OmShanti, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

O Thou Self-manifested cause and substance of creation,

O Thou indwelling Self of all,

Thou source of Illumination,

guide me beyond Thy rays of creation,

transport me beyond Thine objective form

that, by Thy grace,

I may behold Thy glorious Self.

That absolute Self abiding in the transcendental effulgence,

verily I am He.

-Isha Upanishad

God is Revealed to the Devotee

Day by day as you learn to meditate, a new awakening will come; a new, living relationship with God will stir within you. The mist of silence and mystery that hangs over everything will slowly vanish before the dawning light of your mental and devotional search for God. The blue sky will speak, saying: “Look! Here He is, spread all over my bosom.” The flowers will murmur: “Behold His smile in us.” The mute stones will declare: “See! He is sleeping in us.” The trees will rustle softly:“He is dreaming in us.” The birds will trill: “He is awake and singing in us.” Your soul will say: “He is throbbing in me.” Your thoughts, hitherto unmindful and unconscious of Him, will proclaim: “He is awake in thee now, aroused by thine inner whispers. Listen! Responding to thy soul call, He is everywhere whispering songs of His love to thee.” -Paramahansa Yogananda, SRF Magazine Spring 2018 page 7

*Does God seem far away from your day-to-day experience? If so, take time out to quietly invoke Her presence. Use a visualization such as the one above to seek Her as you pass through the journey of the day. Look and listen for Her manifestations in the beauty of nature and the soul depths of the people with whom you interact. Through your soul calls may you find the indwelling, indescribably lovable God of Love & Beauty who is interested in removing all the miseries of mankind. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

Lord when You want to take this burden away,

You will do so.

I will endure my tests with courage and faith

until it is Your will to lighten my burden.

Endure Tests With Courage and Faith

The right attitude is to be absolutely undaunted in the face of life’s challenges. When a difficult task is before you, let your thought be: “I can do it! I will do it!” And say to God, “Lord, when You want to take this burden away, You will do so. I will endure my tests with courage and faith until it is Your will to lighten my burden.” Then one is at peace inside; one is not hampered by the attitude that happiness is dependent on outer conditions.The path is at times like a razor’s edge, no question about it. Success requires self-sacrifice. But the worldly path will exact even greater sacrifice, and to what end? For a little temporary comfort or pleasure or ego-gratification, so many persons sacrifice all the years of their lives! I would much rather lead a life in which my efforts are moving me forward on the path of God, my mind is set on the divine goal, and my heart knows its true home where it belongs - and from that powerful single-pointed inner strength to deal with whatever comes each day.-Sri Daya Mata, SRF Magazine Spring 2008, p 23

*As the day unfolds, may your burdens be lightened by the thought that God has laid them upon you for a divine purpose. With courage and perseverance find ways to overcome and endure while progressing steadily toward your spiritual goal. Remember to feel empathy for the struggles of others even if you are sailing smoothly at the moment. Many around you are silently suffering physically or emotionally. Encourage them, pray for them, and help to ease their troubles. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

As I radiate sympathy and goodwill to others

I open the channel for God’s love to come to me.

Divine love is the magnet

that attracts all blessedness.

Express Divine Love Instead of Emotional Reactions to Others

The heart is the inner fountain of truth and love - that part of our divine nature through which we receive love and through which we send it out to others. In worldly persons that fountain has become constricted and dried up, because it has been misused. Instead of expressing divine qualities, the hearts of most people are channels of emotional reactions, material desires and passions, egoistic likes and dislikes. How many persons really practice the spirit of divine love, understanding, forgiveness? Most wait for someone else to give love to them first; then they may respond. They want to see how the other person behaves toward them; and if it pleases them, then they may reciprocate with a little kindness.-Sri Daya Mata SRF Magazine Spr 2008 p 23

*Introspect upon the emotions you are sending out into the world today. Notice if you are becoming reactive in a negative way to the words and actions of others. Intensify the pure love and goodwill that you express regardless of the environments you pass through. A steady increase of compassion and positive energy will bring emotional health and happiness to you and uplift those around you. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

A Guided Prayer

Close your eyes.

Feel that you are Spirit watching your finite body.

Feel that the room is filled with joy;

it surrounds and permeates you, within and without.

Affirm: “Joy and I are one.

God and I are one in divine ecstasy.

O Infinite Spirit,

surcharge my body, my mind, and my soul with Thy heavenly bliss.

Give me realization,

that I may consciously know Thy presence within me.

Aum, Peace, Amen

One Moment of Sincere Soul Call Will Arouse God

Repent of your indifference to God. Those who are indifferent to Him suffer. Give unto Him your love. He is your Father; you are His child. It is your duty and privilege to love Him. Offer Him your heart right now. One moment of sincere soul call will arouse God, and His response will surely come if you will continue to call to Him. Friends, name, fame, money - all mortal possessions are ephemeral and will vanish. But with God all joys are real and everlasting. With your heart’s sincerity give Him a soul call - a magnet call , a heartrending call of deepest longing - and you shall receive His mercy.

-Paramahansa Yogananda SRF Magazine Spring 2008 p 4

*Take a moment for a soul call to God. At first, feel relaxation and peace. As you go deeper, discover the joy that overtakes your being. During periods of spiritual dryness, use this guided prayer to elevate your consciousness into transcendental God realization. OmJoy, Annie

*Here is a link to Yogananda’s Cosmic Chant I Give You My Soul Call: https://youtu.be/oTd7pksrW4M

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons