In December of 2008, I attended a gathering where Swami Kriyananda was addressing the monks. It was my very first time meeting him alongside the monastic community. Swamiji spoke about many things, but one specific message burned itself into my memory.
He shared that Paramhansa Yogananda (Master) had predicted a challenging future. Master warned that if mankind does not learn its lessons of fostering brotherhood and universal cooperation, we would see very difficult times arising in the near future.
Swamiji then looked at everyone and said:
“When such challenges come… I would like to see you all serve as channels of light. I would like to see you stand by your principles and serve as channels of light.”
Today, whether in our personal lives or on the international stage, we find ourselves living in those rapidly changing, unpredictable, and challenging times.
What does one do in moments like these? On the spiritual path, when in doubt, we look to the masters and the saints.
Lessons from the Masters
Paramhansa Yogananda went through countless monumental tests. He witnessed the unfolding of World War I, World War II, the devastating Bengal famine, the Great Depression of the 1930s in America, and numerous organizational challenges. Likewise, Swami Kriyananda faced immense trials. Yet, they both came out victorious, leaving behind a blueprint for how we can navigate our own storms.
Recently, I experienced a powerful lesson in putting Swamiji’s words into action.
I was leading a spiritual retreat in Russia, just a few kilometers away from an active conflict zone. Throughout the week-long program, our buildings literally shook under the impact of drone strikes and counterattacks. The sky was filled with smoke, and we faced constant uncertainty about whether we could even continue.
While we remained practical and kept a close eye on the safety and feasibility of the situation, we made the conscious decision to go ahead. We gathered in the name of God and Guru—and what followed was a remarkable testament to the power of tuning into the Divine.
A Blueprint for Navigating Challenging Times
During that retreat, we didn’t succumb to fear. Instead, we anchor-dropped into our spiritual practices. Here is the exact “spiritual toolkit” we used to remain centered, which anyone can apply during difficult periods:
- Amplify Your Sadhana (Spiritual Practice)
- Meditation & Yoga: We meditated together three times a day, practiced Ananda Yoga, and did the Energization Exercises twice a day.
- Sacred Ceremonies: We held Higher Kriya Initiations and Discipleship Initiations, creating a strong vortex of spiritual energy.
- Daily Satsang: We gathered every day to discuss high truths and keep our minds uplifted.
- Practice Dynamic Visualization & Sacred Sound
- Chanting Aum: We started chanting Aum and kept it playing continuously in the background to uplift the vibration of the space.
- Facing the Challenge with Grace: We placed pictures of the Masters facing the direction from which the physical challenges were coming, feeling that they were actively watching over and protecting us.
- Living with the Masters: We internally visualized the Gurus and Swamiji living, walking, eating, sleeping, and meditating right alongside us in the retreat compound.
- Move from Fear to Selfless Service
- Extended Healing Prayers: Four to five times a day, we sent out powerful healing prayers to the area of conflict, to the world, and to our global spiritual family (Guru Bhais).
- Joyful Karma Yoga: We channelled light into everyday tasks—whether it was cooking, gardening, cleaning, or vacuuming—always looking for ways to help one another.
- High Physical & Mental Attunement
- We resolved to keep our spines straight at all times.
- We focused on breathing diaphragmatically.
- We consciously drew our energy up to the spiritual eye (the seat of superconsciousness).
- We decided we were going to smile more often and gently remind one another to do the same.
The Ultimate Result: Coming Out Brighter
By anchoring ourselves in God, the six-day retreat flew by at lightning speed. Despite the smoke and explosions outside, the participants came out remarkably happy, joyful, and deeply aware of the Divine presence. People even experienced profound visions of Master and Swami Kriyananda.
As Christ beautifully said: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
As our Dharmacharya, Nayaswami Jyotish, recently shared during Inner Renewal Week, if we go through these challenging times in the coming years with the right attitude, there is no question that we will come out stronger and brighter.
Master led by example. Swamiji led by example. Now, it is your turn and my turn.
Take some time today to make a personal list of things you can do on a daily, hourly, or night-and-day basis to feel more light, bring more light, and share that light with the world.
May the light of God grow stronger in each one of us and in this world. Jai Guru!