Historians tell us that medieval alchemists were continually in search of the elusive “philosophers’ stone,” that mythical substance which could turn base metals into gold. As far as we know, they never succeeded in their quest, but there is a different kind of philosophers’ stone which we have already discovered.
The guru is that philosophers’ stone, for he or she transmutes the base metal of our ego into the pure gold of God-realization. The guru’s power, however, goes beyond even this. Swami Kriyananda once said that the guru’s inner touch ultimately transforms us into his own likeness—giving us the ability, to a greater or lesser degree, to transform others. In other words, we, too, become a philosophers’ stone.
In this new year, as we make resolutions to cast aside bad habits and adopt new ones for self-improvement, let’s not limit ourselves to activities that are, in the last analysis, still tied to the post of ego. Let’s also look at ways that we can unite our awareness with that of God and Guru.
Here are some suggestions:
Try to see all circumstances in your life from the broadest, most impersonal perspective. When difficulties arise, don’t think, “Oh, why is this happening to me?” Rather consider, “Something has happened of which I, and others, are a part.” Try to feel that you are only a small component of a greater reality. Look for the one divine consciousness behind the seeming diversity of perspectives and events.
Meditate on and inwardly repeat these lines from Yogananda’s poem “Samadhi”:
I, the Cosmic Sea,
Watch the little ego floating in me.
Judge no one, but accept all as expressions of God—as part of your own Self. Once when Swami Kriyananda was meditating in one of the sacred sites of Assisi, Italy, where St. Francis had lived, he was overwhelmed by a sense of inner sweetness. Feeling that this was the presence of St. Francis, Swamiji prayed to him, “How is such sweetness possible?” The answer that came to him in an instant was, “By never judging anyone, but accepting all as children of God.” The good and evil in this world are also a part of each one of us, which we can transcend and help others as well to transcend.
Meditate on and repeat these words from “Samadhi”:
Anger, greed, good, bad, salvation, lust,
I swallowed, transmuted all
Into a vast ocean of blood of my own one Being!
In 2017 live with the strength of will, courage, and determination to be a channel for God’s love and joy under all circumstances. Clutch the “philosophers’ stone” of Guru’s grace to your bosom, and pray that all the dross within you be melted away. Walk on inner paths that you haven’t before trod. Develop the courage to cast aside the old you, and to allow the power of the guru to flow through you unimpeded.
Meditate on and repeat these words from Yogananda’s poem, “The Noble New”:
Love all with love that none have felt, and brave
The battle of life with strength unchained.
United with you in our inner quest,
Nayaswami Devi
Full “Samadhi” poem by Paramhansa Yogananda:
Download here.
22 Comments
THANK YOU Deviji for your encouragement and Unconditional friendship to us ALL.!!!
May you and Jyotishji be blessed by God’s Sweetness and Love in this New Year!!!
With my Guru’s Love,
Ssangeeta
Thank you for Master’s Birthday Present to us. Everything you said spoke to my experience last night.
God Bless you and Jyotish.
Love, ramani
Thank you dear Jyotish and Devi God bless you
Dear Nayaswami Devi Ji,
Thank you for the letter. How sweet and lovely its to read :)
I was thinking about having a copy of Samadhi Poem on my laptop last week and haven’t downloaded it yet !. Thank you for sending it across with this letter :)
This is very encouraging “Develop the courage to cast aside the old you, and to allow the power of the guru to flow through you unimpeded.”
Happy Newyear to you & Jyotish Ji. Thank you for your guidance :))
In Master’s love
So helpful, Devi. Many thanks.
Pranam Ji’s
Thank you so much for the Inputs to stay Ahead in the Path , I was reading the Tamil Language Version of Samadhi Poem on kindle two days ago and grasp the Essence of it Fully Well.
Wishing you both a Healthy and Blissful New Year and the Years there after, Inspiring Us with your Eternal Love and Happiness. Aum.
With Gratitude
R Sundararajan
What a sweet article to start your day with.
Thank you
Thank you so much, we are so blessed to have you as our leaders. Your reminders help me so much . What is going on in our country
is so scary at times. Reminders that only God and Guru are our salvation as Master said “ONLY LOVE CAN TAKE MY PLACE’.
Thank you for your lives of discipleship, friendship and inspiration. Together in this divine ray.
thank you to my beloved sister Jyotish and brother Devi for your love. God bless. With respect and in gratitude. Loc
I shall remember, judge no one and accept all. You yourself are not that holy to consider others as good or evil.
Kanwal
Thank you, Devi!
Bingo! Great thoughts.
Thanks so much, Devi!
Thank you the guidance. It came in the right time and immediately shifted me into broader consiosness.
Thank you, Devi, for this beautiful message. Yes, we should strive to: “love all with love that none have felt …” <3
Thank you Deviji for sending this blessing!! Thank you with lots of gratitude!!
Thank you very much for All. We wish you a new year full of Love, Joy, harmony and Peace-
Rashmi e Radha from Ananda Assisi
What a powerful and inspiring Touch of Light to start the new year! Wow! Thank you, Devi. God bless us all~
Perfect New Year Focus and aspirations! Thank you also for the glorious Christmas gift about our pilgrimage Home.
Dearest Deviji,
Your words – so beautifully spoken and with such deep faith and passion are igniting within me the fire that’ll move upward in my spine to the third eye…transmuting fire to light…being that light!
“In 2017 live with the strength of will, courage, and determination to be a channel for God’s love and joy under all circumstances. Clutch the “philosophers’ stone” of Guru’s grace to your bosom, and pray that all the dross within you be melted away. Walk on inner paths that you haven’t before trod. Develop the courage to cast aside the old you, and to allow the power of the guru to flow through you unimpeded.”
2017 challenge – taken on! Thank You – for setting a standard that I can be inspired by!
JAI GURU!!!
Thank you so much dear Devi and Jyotish for the gentle guidance, inspiration and encouragement from all the wonderful quotes etc. May God and Guru bless you both throughout this New Year 2017 with all that is dearest to your hearts.
Nice thoughts for the new year!