Once Paramhansa Yogananda was attending a wedding with some of his disciples, and at a certain point he began handing out different-colored roses to the women devotees. After receiving her rose from the Guru, one woman expressed disappointedly, “But I wanted a pink rose, not a red one.”
Yogananda looked at her, and with unexpected intensity replied, “What I give, you take.”
Swami Kriyananda kneels before a mandir of Lahiri Mahasaya at Ananda Village
The human tendency to want to change the circumstances of our life to accord more closely with our desires is a deeply ingrained aspect of the ego. The Master was teaching the disciple the importance not only of accepting impartially whatever comes to us, but also of being totally open to God’s taking charge. Having little or no resistance to God’s will allows us to move beyond the bondage of likes and dislikes towards inner freedom.
In contrast to this story, we recently heard a remarkable tale about Anandamayee Ma, one of India’s great women saints who passed away in the early 1980s. In one of her ashrams there lives today a joyful, radiant monk who recently shared with some of the Ananda monks about his life.
When this monk was a little boy of about six years old, his mother, a devotee of Anandamayee Ma, brought him to Ma for her blessing. As Ma reached out her hand to bless him she paused, and then, looking directly into his mother’s eyes, asked, “Will you give me your son?” The mother nodded, and Ma invited the lad to come forward and sit close to her. And that was the beginning of his life in God.
Now a grown man, the monk shared that he never felt any separation from family: at one point he was cared for by one mother, and then by another, but he always felt surrounded by love.
What is the spiritual lesson this story demonstrates? What God asks, we give. Judged from the point of view of a traditional family, this incident may seem unsettling. But considered from the perspective of someone seeking freedom from ego attachments, it shows the power and blessing of overcoming all resistance to God’s will.
For years scientists have worked with something called “superconductors”: various materials that, when cooled to very low temperatures, conduct electricity with absolutely no resistance on an atomic level. Because of this, electrical current can flow perfectly through the conduit, and great magnetic power can be generated.
We, too, can become “superconscious superconductors” when we:
1) Cool down and stop struggling against God’s will,
2) Remove the resistances of the ego, and
3) Allow the power of divine current to flow through us unimpeded.
As the words in one of Master’s chants say, “Then joy is sweet, sorrow a dream, when Thy song flows through me, Lord.”
In divine friendship,
Nayaswami Devi
34 Comments
Thank you mataji for your everkind words…
Simply and beautifully put.
Thank you beautiful stories! We have to empty ourselves like the flute becoming hollow so God than play Divine music through us!! Namaste!!
Lovely words… thank you
Hello…what a beautiful helpful post this morning! I have been struggling to accept the new President of the United States, and needed the reminder to trust more in the Divine! Thankyou so much! Sending love , Giovanna
In Master’s Love, by your side in prayer this important day my friends.
So beautiful, thank you.
Thank you for the beautiful message this morning that was wonderful to wake up to. It helped me pay attention to subtle tension I hold defensively which keeps out not only negativity, but joy and connection with Master.
This post seems especially powerful and timely. And this sentence touches very deep truths: “The human tendency to want to change the circumstances of our life to accord more closely with our desires is a deeply ingrained aspect of the ego. ” Thank you for bringing such crystal clarity to this important subject, so much in the spirit of Swamiji. The photo: is that him at the dedication of the Lahiri Shrine? I remember it well, and fondly!
Yes, Liladevi, that is Swamiji at the dedication of the Lahiri Shrine. Our love to all of our friends in Assisi.
So beautiful dear Devi.
Thank you for sharing the blessed story,
and your words that help me feel your loving presence;
always in my heart,
bhajana
Jai ma as always what you share is always so close to my heart.jai guru jai ma anandamayi ma!thank you .
The way I simply see is: By becoming totally transparent (removing all resistance), anything can flow through you , without hurting.
IT IS INTERESTING DEVI THAT YOU TALK ABOUT NON RESISTANCE ON THIS INAUGURAL DAY FOR A VERY PRESIDENT WHICH HAS SPAWNED A HUGE RESISTANCE MOVEMENT. THERE IS A WAVE OF RESISTANCE LIKE A TIDAL WAVE BUILDING UP. IT IS TROUBLING FOR ME. I AM TRYING TO ENCOURAGE HOPE AND POSITIVE ACTION, NOT JUST RESISTANCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT.
Thank you Deviji.
Deeply inspiring. Thank you, Devi.
Wow, that lucky little boy…
Thanks, Devi!
Thanks, Devi!
Wonderful inspiration at just the right time!
Thank you, dear Devi, for both the beautiful words and the practical suggestions. May we all become ever more perfect at being “superconscious superconductor”!
Such truth expressed simply, clearly and to the point.
Everything gets better and easier when there is no resistance. I have always loved the rose story with Master that you shared. What I love about living in the Ananda Village community is the continuous opportunity to be challenged to live this truth. I am so grateful for the inspiration of “The Touch of Light”!
Exact meaning of the song ‘When thy song flows through me Lord” learned today. Thank you very much.
Dear Nayaswami Devi Ji,
Thank you :) .
The message is put very simply and beautifully for us to follow
Aum,
Prem
Thank you dear Devi for these lovely and revelatory words of wisdom, a most welcome blessed reminder. Namaste and joy to all everywhere
What happens when the devil has dressed in the most gorgeous of clothes and has fooled you into thinking that ihe was God? Ive always believed in God but now at 40, I have realized that it was the devil or a dark force who has guided me through life. It impersonated God. I think that, although I have always believed in God (at least the christian one) it’s been something else who I have been in contact all my life. Now, at 40, my life is upside down but I am beginning to wake up from the trick. But how am I supposed to just “surrender” to God when its been the devil who has been with me al the time? I dont think I know “God” anymore. How am i supposed to surrender to “Gods” will, If I did that once and ended up being fooled?
Dear Charlie,
It’s easy to get confused about what is “God’s will” and what our own subconscious tendencies are telling us. For now, if you practice meditation, try to reach a place within of calmness and silence. Don’t ask for guidance, but merely try to connect with your own higher self which is always present in the solitude of our soul. The spirit of peace is our best guide.
Many thanks for the timely message. It gave me lot of insight into day to day problems and how to handle things. I follow both Sri Paramahansa Yoganandaji and Sri Anandamayee Ma. It is nice see a reference to both of them. Very happy.
Beautifully stated
No struggle…No resistance…More Flow!
It really is so simple, isn’t it?!
Thank you Deviji!
Jai Guru!
Thank you dear Devi for another much needed and welcome reminder and beautifully expressed, thank you again so much. Namaste
Thank you Deviji. I felt graced to experience a taste of this energy today. All challenges felt effortless. I take what the Guru gives with great joy and gratitude. Namaste
Thank you for this, Devi. A wise sage once said: “Everything happens FOR you, not to you.” <3
Thank you. Went from experiencing panic to feeling whole again by releasing to God all of the things I thought I should have or need. What was given to me in return was far greater. Superconductivity in ever new and unfolding ways. So Good! :-)
Thank you Devi ji.
Being a superconscious super conductor such a beautiful concept put so simply.
by cooling down, letting go of resistance and letting god’s will flow thru me i enhance my magnetism and energy.
Will remember this.