Before the baby sky was born as the blue, out of the dark breast of Eternity, who existed? God first. It was He who with His omnipresent brush spread blue all over the ceiling of dark space. Who was it who peopled the hall of space with the family of planets? – God first. Naught could breathe without His first … Read More
A Christmas Letter to Students, All Individuals, and All Nations
Dear Friends: Let us decorate the growing Christmas Tree of Civilization with the flaming flags of all brother nations. Let us drown our differences and behold the branches of our National Life spreading out from the tree of one International Life. Let us demand that America, India, Germany, Russia, France, China, Japan, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Mexico, Egypt, and all … Read More
Christmas Greetings
To Friends, Students, And All Eastern And Western Brothers From Jerusalem and India, reinforced by the perception of the Sons of God, I bring unto you a new message of Spirit. Blessed is the Soul, instrument divine, to occasion this. Earth-bound possessions and glory must all fade away sometime, but God-possessions hold through eternity, serving supreme usefulness. The best way … Read More
Be a True Christ One
This is my Christmas song to you: that by daily meditation you will so prepare the cradle in your consciousness that you will behold the Infinite Baby Christ laid there anew. From today until Christmas pray deep and long until every day becomes a true Christmas day of Christ-communion. Spiritualize the social ceremonious Christmas celebration around the Christmas tree of … Read More
I Am King
Wisdom’s fire is burning. I am feeding the flame. No use sorrowing more. All perishable pleasures, all temporary aspirations, I am using as faggots to feed the Eternal fire of knowledge. The old cherished logs of desire, which I had saved to fashion furniture of pleasures, I also cast into the hungry flames. Ah, my ancient ambitions are crackling joyously … Read More
Everyone is Important
I am a type of human actor necessary for the stage of your Creation. There is no one like me. I cannot play anyone else’s part, no matter how I may wish to. I must play my part assigned by You, Cosmic Stage Manager. I shed many a tear for what I could not be, but I wiped away my … Read More
Creating Your Happiness
It is easier to spend than to earn. Also, it is harder to save than to earn. Most people spend thirty dollars a week when their income is only twenty. The extra ten dollars is acquired by borrowing, or by buying with promises to pay in the future, on installment plans and such systems. You must not always feel that … Read More
India
India is the epitome of the world in everything — a land of all kinds of climates, religions, commerce, arts, peoples, scenery, stages of civilization, and languages. Her civilization dates back many thousands of years. Her great seers, prophets, and rulers left records behind them that prove the great antiquity of the Aryan civilization in India. Many European travelers visit … Read More
Do Not Judge Others
Your individual happiness depends to large extent upon protecting yourself and your family from the evil results of gossiping. See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil, think no evil, feel no evil. Most people can talk about other people for hours and thrive under the influence of gossip like the temporary influence of intoxicating poisonous wine. Isn’t it … Read More
Swami Kriyananda, Still Touching Hearts
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” — Luke 16:10 One of the most inspiring characteristics of Swami Kriyananda was his ability to be perfectly holy and perfectly appropriate in every situation he found himself in—whether he was giving a lecture in front of two thousand people, or talking to the clerk of … Read More
What is the Purpose of Evil?
The following is a written record of the conversation between Yogananda and one of his disciples. “Master,” inquired a disciple, “what purpose does evil serve in God’s creation? Surely the Lord is a God of goodness and love. Is it possible that, as certain modern writers claim, He doesn’t know evil?” Sri Yogananda chuckled. “God would have to be very … Read More
Spiritual Marriage
Master [Paramhansa Yogananda] continued his reminiscences of those years. “A student of this work in Boston told me he wanted to be a renunciate. I said to him, ‘Your path is marriage.’ “‘Oh, no!’ he vowed, ‘I’ll never marry!’ Well, a week later he met a beautiful girl and swore to me that he was deeply in love with her! … Read More