It was a bitterly cold winter, and the men were starving and ragged. Many of them were barefoot, and all of them without hope. The year was 1776, the low point for the Americans in the Revolutionary War against England.
General George Washington was struggling against overwhelming odds to keep his troops from deserting and to rally them to face the power of the British army. A new nation—one based on freedom and equality—was desperately trying to take life; by all outer indications, it was going to be stillborn.
Then Thomas Paine, an aspiring writer who had emigrated to America from England two years earlier, wrote a series of pamphlets called “The American Crisis.” The first of them began with these words: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
The pamphlet was published on December 23, 1776. Its impact on General Washington and his troops was such that two days later, on Dec. 25, they crossed the freezing Delaware River at night, and soundly defeated the British at the Battle of Trenton. It was the turning point of the war.
Where does such courage come from? The word itself comes from the Latin root “cor,” meaning “heart.” It is from within our heart that we find the strength to enter a battle against overwhelming odds; to confront a foe stronger than ourselves; to face inner tests that have always defeated us.
How do we find our inner source of courage?
Find what is dear or important to you in life and fight for it; then forget about the results. As Master explains so profoundly in his commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita, life itself is a battlefield. We must take up our sword, do what is before us, and be unattached to the outcome.
Every test in life is a test of our will power. Challenge yourself daily to strengthen your will power: first in little ways, and then in increasingly demanding ones. Eventually you’ll reach the point where nothing can stand in your way.
Call constantly on God’s power to give you the strength and courage that you need. Here are some words of Yoganandaji to one of his disciples:
You must never lose courage. . . . Overcome all by constant inward calling on God and utmost devotion in words, thought, action, and obedience to Guru. . . . Your troubles I do not mind. I will never give up my job about you. . . . Have no fear, even when I am gone and no longer visible to your eyes. You will never be alone. . . . I shall ever be with you, and through Divine Mother guard you from all harm, and will constantly whisper to you guidance through your loving self.
So do not be discouraged or tired, but be ever interested in doing for Divine Mother, no matter if war, sickness, and death dance around you. . . . A smooth life is not a victorious life. And I will give you lots of good karma, so you will get through.
Towards divine victory,
Nayaswami Devi
28 Comments
Om Namo Narayana Jai Sri krishna ,
Bhagwat Geeta is gist of whole human life and aspects and encompassing all the existence so no need to look anywhere else except into your heart where Param brahm reside,you just need to awake yourself from deep slumber of ignorance and darkness to get what your meant for !
Courage is the most precious virtue, and the foundation of all other virtues. It is not just about physical courage, higher and the courage to take responsibility for other people…With divine friendship,
Devotee from CROATIA
Mario Vukelic
Pranam Ji
Thanks for sharing, When I first took the Pilgrimage Oath from Ananda Acharyas blessing, made me to Realise the Importance of Keeping the Heart open in receptivity thus had very beautiful experiences then and after made me strong by Heart.
With Gratitude
R Sundararajan
Deviji, Thank you for this Powerful message. May Master and Babaji’s Mission spread far through Your Love and Light.
God’s Blessings abound on Thee Great Soul!!!
Ssangeeta
Dear Nayaswami Devi Ji,
Thank you for this encouraging blog :)
“So do not be discouraged or tired, but be ever interested in doing for Divine Mother, no matter if war, sickness, and death dance around you. . . . A smooth life is not a victorious life. And I will give you lots of good karma, so you will get through.”
How Happy and safe we feel to be with Master and in his thoughts always.
Aum,
Prem
Love this message. I am convinced that our constitution was given to us by divine inspiration.
Beautiful! We have good karma since we are taught these wonderful teachings!
Pat
Thank you! & Thankyou Divine Mother & Guru
In Joy
Tara
Divinely inspired, and much appreciated.
COURAGE:
“Courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success.
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings, and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.
Whatever you do or dream you can do, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
-Goethe
Dear Devi,
Thank you for this inspiration!
JAI GURU!
~~~Peace, Josette
Thank you Deviji, AUM AUM AUM
Thank you Devi. This arrived at the perfect moment.
Namasthe Dear Jyotish and Deviji – the article resonates with Swamiji’s song ‘ live without fear ‘
Devi,was Yogananda George Washington?
God has spoken through you…
Your words are infused with the divine power.
I received exactly what I needed now!
Aum peace and harmony
One of the most encouraging and inspiring story that I have ever read. Thanks. Om Guru !
A truly inspiring and motivating article, specially when one is in need of the guidance and encouragement. GOD has different ways of working through the chosen ones and for me this time out it’s you. May GOD always keep his blessings on us and guide us to the final destination.
Thanks, as always, dear friend Devi.
Thanks Devi, God bless you.
Dear Devi and Jyotish,
I just listened to David McCoulough on a TV interview & he said there was such a blessing given to Washington that he persevere. Thankyou for talking to us about COURAGE. Devotee from Concord
Dear Friend, thank you for the quote from Master. I have referred to it many, many times and shared it with many souls. I will NEVER LOSE COURAGE! Thank you so very much for the needed reminder. Namaste
Here oh lord,oh God,
My soul calls out to You,
Every day,every night,
I cant stop thinking of You..
Oh dear Lord,oh dear God,
Help me rise high above..
Oh my Lord,oh my God,
Fill my heart with Your love.
Hear,oh Lord,oh God,
My soul calls out to You..
Beautiful, thank you for sharing that.
Thanks. I do remember what is it that I want of life and I will never forget it. I need Your blessings to be successful in my mission.
Thank you Devi for your continued messages of inspiration.
God Bless
John
Thank you, Devi
A wonderful article.
This is worth re-reading again and again. Thank you for the deeply inspired touch of light, Devi.
Joy to you~