Recently while in Pune, India, I asked an old friend how he felt he’d changed spiritually over the years. He replied, “It’s hard to see change from one day to the next, but looking back I see that I’m not the same person I used to be, though my nature remains much the same. In the past I used to be skeptical about everything, but now doubt has nearly disappeared as God and Guru’s presence has grown. I may still question things in order to understand them better, but I’m no longer plagued with a doubting nature.”
How can we evaluate our own spiritual success? Paramhansa Yogananda says, “Success is measured by your level of happiness, by your ability to remain in peaceful harmony with divine laws.” Here are some of Yoganandaji’s principles for success:
Take advantage of the spiritual opportunities given to you. To be drawn to a true guru and receive techniques for liberation is a result of very good past karma. Accept that you’ve earned these blessings by efforts in other lifetimes. Now continue to deepen and refine your understanding of the teachings and techniques of the path of Kriya Yoga.
Feel that meditation is not something foreign to you, but is a familiar practice that you’re now picking up once again. Resolve that in this lifetime you will finish the job and find inner freedom.
Habitual positive or negative thoughts determine our spiritual success or failure. Never allow yourself to dwell on past unsuccessful efforts, but daily water your meditation with fresh enthusiasm and hope.
Yoganandaji said, “The season of failure is the best time for sowing the seeds of success.” Whatever has happened in the past, know that it has brought you one step closer to the realization of God’s presence. Releasing the power of positive thought and giving our spiritual efforts “one more try” is a tremendous help in achieving success.
Spiritual success requires dynamic, rather than mechanical, will power. Mechanical will power is found in any unthinking, habitual action that requires little initiative or energy on our part. By contrast, dynamic will power involves conscious determination and effort.
To develop it, challenge yourself to do things that you thought you couldn’t accomplish. Start with small achievements, and then gradually, concentrating on one thing at a time, build your dynamic will power by taking on bigger tasks. Eventually you’ll be able to direct this flow of determined energy to accomplish whatever you set out to do—especially to finding God.
Attunement with Divine Consciousness is the most important factor in success. By attuning our consciousness with God and Guru, we open ourselves to the flow of their magnetism. The guru’s magnetism realigns the “molecules” of our past karmic tendencies upward towards God, rather than allowing the “thwarting cross-currents of ego” to pull our consciousness downward.
Yoganandaji wrote: “When you continue to seek God no matter what obstacles arise, you are using human will in its highest form. You will thus operate the law of success known to the ancient sages who found God.”
Of all human endeavors, the only one in which everyone can reach the top is the search for God. Let us all continue our efforts, until we can say, “God and Guru have blessed me with true spiritual success.”
In divine friendship,
Nayaswami Devi
21 Comments
Regardless of the topic, this blog is a wonderful lifeline to the inspiration of Ananda; it always enriches my day.
Amen.
Beautiful, a treasure to keep ‘
Every changes in the world begine from the little group of people…Energy, Joy and subtle spitiritual energy go from spiritual teachers to others people and enlihtening them. Best regards from devotee from CROATIA.
Thank you, that was beautiful!
Yep ! It’s a process and not an event…. (12 step program quote)
And . . . .”When Michalangelo painted the Sistine Chapel — he didn’t do it in a day w/ a roller.” –
and when the statue of David was created — it didn’t happen with one ‘ka-chink’ of the mallet and chisel.
And we need to re-mind ourselves of that.
Thanks for your presence and this ‘re-minding’ blog,
Marcela
Pranam Ji
I am Happy with all the Help that I am getting from Anandha’s beloved Acharyas keeping me at Peace, what else one can expect more than this.
With Gratitude
R Sundararajan
Devi, this says so much that’s practical & useful in such a concise, digestible way–Jai, & thanks!
Dear Nayaswami Devi Ji ,
Thank you for the blog :-) .
Thank you very much for Real encouraging article of you and of God and Guru -Paramhans Swami Yoganand . I was in need of something like this at this time.
I will continue to go forth, in (HIS) perfect faith in the power of OMNIPRESENT GOOD to remind me that naughty or good, and through His Grace-I am Good, I am His Beloved Child. I have changed and will continue to seek more diligently, lovingly and faithfully for the reminder that I am Self Realized. I will continue to improve my knowing and remember…OM TAT SAT. Namaste.
This is all very nice if you’re not a psychiatric patient like me,when the naging negative thoughts have the upperhand. I agree that positive thinking does help raise the consciousness,but when you’re mind is ill it’s almost natural to think gloomy thoughts.
Hi Lagae. I hear you. Personally, I’ve found psychotherapy techniques like CBT, which teaches you to challenge negative thoughts, complement the spiritual path well. I can give you some resources if you want. And the most important thing is to never, ever, ever give up.
One knows, feels, perceives he or she is spiritually oriented and indeed is in the path of progress. But that’s only the start. This may be because of past karma or positivity in attitude in general. But what I learn today in this mail is so clear in terms of direction and intensity of effort to go forward.
Thank you Deviji so much.
Syamal
Dear Brother/Sister,
Thank you very much for motivational letter, i am blessed already by His Grace and Radiation through Heartfullness meditation which includs cleaning of past karmas ,and effective prayers.
How true , for me, these comments have been born out in my life. The unity in the experiences is special. Thanks!
I love this powerful message. Thank you
Thanks Nayaswami.
Success is so far not in sight. As you say, “Never give up. One day I might see the light”
However, I do feel I am more at peace now with myself than ever before.
My Goodness… Devi –
How beautiful, and what a wonderful reminder that we have this amazing spiritual opportunity!
When media and culture seek our attention and desire to draw us outward…finding the ability to be habitually positive, taking advantage of this spiritual opportunity to use dynamic power and especially attunement to remind ourselves that we have been here before and we can be successful THIS LIFETIME!
Thank You!
Very beautiful ?
Thank you DeviJi ?
in ever new joy,
Mirabai
Yes, your uplifting words are always there when I need them. Blessings on all?