v
INTRODUCTION TO SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP LESSONS
We are happy that you have become a student of the incomparable teachings
of our Guru-Founder, Paramahansa Yogananda. Through application of the moral
and esoteric principles of original Christianity and of original Yoga presented
in these teachings -- especially the simple techniques of meditation handed
down to us by the Gurus of Self-Realization Fellowship -- you will discover a
life divine. You will realize a spiritual fellowship with other truth seekers
on this path; and the supreme joy of "satsanga" -- fellowship with God, our one
Father.
The real meaning of any scripture can be known only through direct experience. That inner knowledge is accessible to all men who attain soul-perception
or Self-realization. Followers of all creeds may apply Self-Realization Fellowship teachings: basic spiritual truths that develop man's potentialities for
living a godly life. Our humble desire is to help you, through these teachings,
to expand your consciousness until you understand by your own Self-realization
Truth behind all great religions, and to foster goodwill and uni'irhood in the name of the one God.
.-
The Self-Realization Fellowship principles and techniques will help you to
erase forever all doubts as to the existence, nature, and power of God. But
merely reading the words of our Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, will not suffice
to bring forth the inner illumination of Self-realization. He often said:
"Mahavatar Babaji and Lahiri Mahasaya have given to the world, through this
work that they sent me here to establish, the scientific techniques by which
real truth seekers can consciously follow the quickest route to the Infinite.
The Lessons you will receive are impregnated with the spirit of the great
masters of Self-Realization Fellowship: Jesus Christ, Bhagavan Krishna, Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, and Swami Sri Yukteswar. If you study the Lessons
with reverence and deep attention, and, along with that, deeply practice meditation, you will be in touch with the divine link of these masters. When a student tunes in with the wisdom of a God-sent guru-preceptor, then by his efforts
to follow the guru's teaching, and by the inner guidance he receives from the
guru, that student can find liberation. Those who are steadfast will ultimately
be lifted into the kingdom of Cosmic Consciousness."
You should give some time to God. No person is really so busy that he is
unable to devote a part of each day to the most important of all man's duties -seeking oneness with his Creator. Students who knock at the door of spiritual
opportunity with their best efforts will find it swinging open, for God does
indeed "help those who help themselves." As soon as the devotee begins to
I NTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: 3 8 8 0 San Rafael Avenue. Los Angeles. California90065 Cable Selfreal, Tel: (213) 225-2471
In India: Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
The Reverend Mother Daya Mata. President
understand t h e u l t i m a t e R e a l i t y t h a t s u s t a i n s a l l t h i n g s and a l l b e i n g s , h e
c r i e s i n joy: "Lord, nothing t h a t I e v e r sought
i n t h e world i s a s wonderful
a s Thou a r t
Thou, t h e Giver of a l l g i f t s . "
--
Paramahansaji a g a i n and a g a i n s t r e s s e d t h a t t h e u n i v e r s a l p r e c e p t s of t h e
s c r i p t u r e s a r e meant n o t only f o r f o l l o w e r s of t h e monastic l i f e b u t f o r a l l
mankind. He p o i n t e d o u t t h a t a t t u n i n g t h e l i m i t e d human consciousness t o God's
w i l l i s n o t o t h e r w o r l d l y , b u t p r a c t i c a l . "Have a p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h t h e Lord i n
a l l your undertakings," h e advised. Without God's s u p p o r t man i n e v i t a b l y f a i l s ;
because s t r e n g t h and wisdom f o r s u c c e s s i n t h e b a t t l e of l i f e come from t h e Inf i n i t e Source. I g n o r i n g God, man c u t s h i s own l i f e l i n e . Those persons a r e c l o s e s t t o u n r a v e l i n g t h e mystery of l i f e who a r e c o n s c i o u s l y s e e k i n g communion
w i t h God, t h e F i r s t Cause.
Regardless of r e l i g i o u s a f f i l i a t i o n s , a l l persons who s i n c e r e l y s e e k s p i r i t u a l advancement a r e welcome t o s t u d y t h e S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n Fellowship Lessons.
These s a c r e d t e a c h i n g s c o n s t i t u t e t h e formal r e l i g i o n of s t u d e n t s who make S e l f R e a l i z a t i o n Fellowship t h e i r Church. I n i t i a t i o n i n t h e h i g h e s t technique of medi t a t i o n , Kriya Yoga, i s t h e s p i r i t u a l baptism of t h i s Church, and i s given when
s t u d e n t s e s t a b l i s h church-membership a f f i l i a t i o n w i t h S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n Fellowship.
A p p l i c a t i o n f o r Kriya Yoga may be made a f t e r completing S t e p s I and I1 of
t h e Lessons, a period of approximately one y e a r i f t h e Lessons a r e received witho u t i n t e r r u p t i o n on a biweekly b a s i s , a s i s t h e c a s e w i t h t h e m a j o r i t y of s t u d e n t s . I n i t i a t i o n i n Kriya Yoga s i g n i f i e s acceptance of t h e holy g u r u - d i s c i p l e
r e l a t i o n s h i p between t h e s t u d e n t and Paramahansa Yogananda. Kriya Yogis pledge
t h e i r s p i r i t u a l l o y a l t y t o t h e Gurus and t o S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n Fellowship.
You a r e welcome t o w r i t e us any q u e s t i o n s about t h e Lessons o r about s p i r i t u a l problems; o r t o r e q u e s t d i v i n e a s s i s t a n c e through p r a y e r . Your l e t t e r s
w i l l r e c e i v e sympathetic a t t e n t i o n and w i l l be t r e a t e d c o n f i d e n t i a l l y . Such
correspondence i s looked a f t e r by monks and s i s t e r s of t h e S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n
Order. These r e n u n c i a n t s have d e d i c a t e d t h e i r l i v e s t o f i n d i n g God by followi n g t h i s p a t h , and t o s e r v i n g H i m by h e l p i n g o t h e r s ( i n s o f a r a s i t i s w i t h i n
t h e i r power t o do s o ) toward t h a t h i g h e s t of a l l achievements.
We pray t h a t t o t h e end you t r a v e l w i t h u s t h e Kriya Yoga highway t o t h e
Inf i n i t e .
SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
I
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
S-1 P-1
@ Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION ALLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Ralael Avenue. Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
THE LORD'S PRAYER*
An I n t e r p r e t a t i o n by P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
0 Heavenly F a t h e r , Mother, F r i e n d , Beloved God ! m a y o u r c e a s e l e s s s i l e n t u t t e r a n c e of Thy holy Name t r a n s f o r m u s to Thy l i k e n e s s .
*
I n s p i r e us, that o u r m a t t e r w o r s h i p be changed to adoration of
Thee. Through o u r purified h e a r t s m a y Thy p e r f e c t kingdom c o m e on
e a r t h , and a11 nations be l i b e r a t e d f r o m m i s e r y . Let the soul f r e e d o m
within u s be manifested outwardly.
May o u r w i l l s grow s t r o n g in overcoming worldly d e s i r e s and final ly be attuned to Thy f a u l t l e s s will.
Give u s o u r daily b r e a d : food, health, and p r o s p e r i t y f o r the body;
efficiency f o r the mind; and, above a l l , Thy love and wisdom f o r the
soul.
It i s Thy law that "with the s a m e m e a s u r e ye m e t e , it shall be
m e a s u r e d to you.
May we forgive those who offend u s , e v e r mindful of o u r own need f o r Thine unmerited m e r c y .
"**
Leave u s not in the pit of temptations into which we have fallen
through o u r m i s u s e of Thy gift of r e a s o n . Shouldst Thou wish to t e s t
us, 0 Spirit, m a y we r e a l i z e Thou a r t enchanting beyond any e a r t h l y
temptation.
Help us to d e l i v e r o u r s e l v e s f r o m the shadowy bonds of the sole
evil: ignorance of Thee
*
F o r Thine i s the kingdom, and the power, and the g l o r y , f o r e v e r .
Amen.
- - F r o m " Whispers f r o m E t e r n i t y "
-
* Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke
- 11:2-4.
- 6:38.
**Luke
SIGNIFICANCE OF
SRF TEACHINGS
SRF teachings a r e a special dispensation f o r the Atomic
Age, sent f o r t h f r o m India, ancient land of spiritual
wisdom, by a line of fully enlightened, Christlike Gurus
- - Babaji, L a h i r i Mahasaya, S r i Yukte s w a r , and P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda.
Self-Realization Fellowship teachings fulfill C h r i s t ' s p r o m i s e that he would
send the "Comforter. I' "But the C o m f o r t e r , which is the Holy Ghost, whom
the F a t h e r will send in m y name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all
things t o your r e m e m b r a n c e , whatsoever I have said t o you" (John 14:26).
Our Guru, P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda, h a s given the following explanation:
These Biblical words r e f e r t o the threefold nature of God as F a t h e r , Son,
and Holy Ghost (Sat, T a t , and Aum in the Hindu s c r i p t u r e s ) . God the F a t h e r
i s the Absolute, the Unmanife sted, existing beyond vibratory creation. God
the Son is the C h r i s t Consciousness (Brahma o r Kutastha Chaitanya) existing
within vibratory creation; t h i s C h r i s t Consciousness is the "only begotten"
o r sole reflection in creation of the Uncreated Infinite. The outer manifestation of the omnipresent C h r i s t Consciousness, its "witness" (Revelation 3: 14),
i s Aum, the Word o r Holy Ghost: invisible divine power, the only d o e r , the
sole causative and activating f o r c e that upholds all creation through vibration.
Aurn the blissful Comforter is h e a r d in meditation and r e v e a l s t o the devotee
the ultimate Truth, bringing "all things to. . remembrance. "
-
-
-
-
.
The student receives in the 29th L e s s o n the Aurn (Om) Technique of Meditation, through whose practice he m a y h e a r the cosmic sound of Aum, the
Holy Ghost. By deep attunement with Aurn he c o m e s t o f e e l the p r e s e n c e of
the C h r i s t . It i s thus that we m a y " receive himtt--i. e . , consciously c o m mune with the C h r i s t Consciousness that was manifest in J e s u s and in a l l other
illumined m a s t e r s . This experience of receiving the C h r i s t Consciousness
within o n e ' s own consciousness i s the r e a l "second coming" of Christ.
Devoted, regular practice of the Aurn (Om) Technique of Meditation ( L e s son 29) and of the Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration (Lesson 21) i s e s s e n t i a l in the daily life of every Self-Realizationist who is seriously seeking spiritual advancement. He should a l s o faithfully practice the Recharging E x e r c i s e s (Lesson 8- A) , whose principles w e r e discovered in 1916 by P a r a m a hansa Y ogananda.
The L e s s o n s a r e grouped into " steps, each of which contains approximately twenty-five L e s s o n s ; at the end of each
step the student r e c e i v e s a s u m m a r y of the preceding m a t e r i a l , together with pertinent questions t o help him in reviewing that step;
and a brief questionnaire that m a y be completed and sent to Self-Realization
Fellowship a s a p r o g r e s s report.
PLAN OF
SRF LESSONS
Many different subjects a r e covered, in some c a s e s a t length (by continuation f r o m Lesson to Lesson). T h e r e i s something of i n t e r e s t f o r everyone,
young o r old, busy o r a t l e i s u r e . And whether a subject i s of immediate
i n t e r e s t to the student o r not, the p r i n c i p l e s of Self-realization brought out
in e a c h c a s e a r e universally applicable.
THE BEST
METHOD
O F STUDY
F o r a d i s c r i m i n a t i v e understanding of S R F teachings, the
following method of study h a s been found by m o s t students
to give the b e s t r e s u l t s :
( 1 ) Read over a n e n t i r e S R F Lesson once, trying to g r a s p i t s main
p u r p o r t . Do not b r e a k the continuity of thought to mull over
points not immediately c l e a r to you a s you r e a d .
( 2 ) Now begin reading again, but this time r e a d only one p a r a g r a p h
and, focusing your d e e p e s t attention on the subject m a t t e r , weigh
the meaning of the words in the balance of your mind. Proceed
to the next p a r a g r a p h and continue in the s a m e manner.
In this way you will g r a s p the full meaning of a l l important points without
fatiguing m e m o r i z a t i o n and without l o s s of time owing to wandering thoughts.
Mother C e n t e r will be happy to help you with your questions concerning
the S R F teachings and techniques. But r e m e m b e r that understanding i s a
p r o c e s s of growth. If you f e e l you a r e encountering some r e a l p r o b l e m o r
obstacle, d o not hesitate to write to Mother Center for guidance and help.
Otherwise, f i r s t give yourself time to study, apply, and a s s i m i l a t e the instructions in the S R F L e s s o n s . More and m o r e of your questions will be answered
with each s u c c e s s i v e S R F Lesson. All of your q u e r i e s will be resolved a s you
deepen your own intuitive, all-knowing soul faculty of perception and understanding by the r e g u l a r p r a c t i c e of deep meditation.
S E L F - REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
4
PRAYER
Heavenly F a t h e r , Divine Mother, J e s u s C h r i s t , Bhagavan Krishna,
Babaji, L a h i r i Mahasaya, Sr i Yukte s w a r j i , G u r u - P r e c e p t o r P a r a m a hansa Yogananda, s a i n t s of a l l religions, I bow to you a l l . May Thy
love shine f o r e v e r on the s a n c t u a r y of my devotion, and may I be able
to awaken Thy love in a l l h e a r t s .
THE WAY TO A HIGHER L I F E
Self-Realization Fellowship teaches the highest principle of spiritual living: meditation combined with activity. Everywhere people a r e working, but
they have forgotten God. F i r s t meditate and f e e l the divine P r e s e n c e ; then do
your work s a t u r a t e d with the consciousness of God. If you d o this you will
n e v e r become t i r e d . If you work f o r your Divine Beloved, your life will be
filled with love and strength. SRF students are taught how to dedicate inwardly
to God a l l the d a y ' s a c t i v i t i e s ; and, when work i s done, to commune with Him
in the temple of silence.
Spirituality cannot be bought in a marketplace. God m u s t be e a r n e s t l y
sought. When you a r e v e r y d e s i r o u s of finding Him, the Lord sends a guru. A
t r u e guru i s a d i r e c t link with God. The guru h a s only one purpose: to introduce you to the Heavenly F a t h e r . When you a r e in tune with a t r u e g u r u you
a r e in tune with the Lord. The relationship i s e t e r n a l . Even a f t e r death, a
g u r u continues to help h i s d i s c i p l e s (i. e. , those who recognize him as t h e i r
g u r u and who faithfully follow h i s teachings). This i s a spiritual law.
Hence e v e r y S R F student should understand and r e s p e c t the significance of
the link of SRF Gurus- - J e s u s C h r i s t , Bhagavan Krishna, Mahavatar Babaji,
L a h i r i Mahasaya, S r i Yukte s w a r , and P a r a m a h a n s a Y ogananda- -wi th whom all
SRF students a r e connected by affiliation with Self-Realization Fellowship.
Those who d e s i r e the help of these Gurus in finding God should follow the way
that the G u r u s have shown. The r e a r e students who d o not follow the teachings,
yet expect s p i r i t u a l benefits just the s a m e . Those benefits will not come! An
SRF student should n e v e r go to bed without f i r s t giving his d e e p e s t attention to
God. Those who p r a c t i c e the SRF techniques of meditation daily, with s i n c e r e
devotion to the Lord, will find by their own Self- realization the validity of SRF
teachings. SRF a s k s no one to believe blindly, but to p r a c t i c e the methods
offered in these s a c r e d teachings. By being loyal to the Gurus in this way, the
student m a k e s it possible for the Gurus to guide h i m s u r e l y to the Divine Goal.
SRF teaches control of the body until one i s i t s m a s t e r . Then when you
s i t to meditate you will not nod. P r a c t i c e these teachings and you will make
your body a f i t temple to receive God. The human body h a s to be made r e a d y
to r e c e i v e the divine power. The s t a t e of consciousness h a s to be right. Then
God will come to you!
But the Lord m a y not r e s p o n d r i g h t away. Only when He i s convinced
that you s e e k Him not f o r the s a t i s f a c t i o n of t e m p o r a l d e s i r e s o r f o r s p i r i t u a l
g l a m o u r and g l o r y - - b u t s i m p l y to be H i s , unconditionally, f o r e v e r - - w i l l He
open the d o o r . The d e v o t e e s who a r e faithful to the end a r e those f o r whom
He will open the d o o r . But only He c a n t e l l when that d a y of final beatitude
will c o m e .
God d o e s not a l w a y s a p p e a r before us j u s t b e c a u s e we have meditated
deeply f o r s e v e r a l y e a r s , o r f o r w h a t e v e r we c o n s i d e r a p r o p e r length of
t i m e . If t h e r e i s s o m e flaw in t h e i r love, even s a i n t s who have meditated f o r
i n c a r n a t i o n s m a y be c h a s t e n e d by G o d ' s f a i l u r e to a p p e a r . But to those who
m a k e no d e m a n d , who j u s t k e e p on s t r i v i n g , saying, " Lord, I will wait f o r you,
II
no m a t t e r how long it t a k e s , He will c o m e . The g r e a t e s t f a c t o r f o r s u c c e s s
with God i s to have that r e s o l u t e d e s i r e . L o r d K r i s h n a s a i d , "Out of one
thousand, one s e e k s Me; and out of one thousand that s e e k Me, one knows Me"
(Bhagavad- Gita VII:3 ) .
-
God i s c a r e s s i n g you through the b r e e z e , in the sunshine. He i s the food
that you e a t . He i s the One that n u r t u r e s you a s f a t h e r , m o t h e r , and relatives.
He i s the only e t e r n a l r e l a t i v e . That i s why J e s u s s a i d , " T h e r e i s no m a n
that h a t h left house, o r b r e t h r e n , o r s i s t e r s , o r f a t h e r , o r m o t h e r , o r wife,
o r c h i l d r e n , o r l a n d s , f o r m y s a k e , and the g o s p e l ' s , but he shall r e c e i v e a n
hundredfold- now in this t i m e , h o u s e s , and b r e t h r e n , and s i s t e r s , and m o t h e r s ,
andchildren,andlands,withpersecutions;andintheworldtocomeeternal
life" ( M a r k 10:2?-30).
No one belongs t o a n o t h e r p e r s o n . We have a l l c o m e f r o m God. On e a r t h
we a r e s e e m i n g l y s t r a n g e r s ; it i s only when we love the Lord that we b e c o m e
t r u l y b r o t h e r s and s i s t e r s of a l l . Salvation is f o r m e n and women who love
God, those who g o on seeking Him to the end- - not just to " stick it out, " but
b e c a u s e they love H i m .
"Seek ye f i r s t the kingdom of God" w a s J e s u s ' advice to a l l people. Man
w a s not m a d e m e r e l y f o r producing c h i l d r e n and f o r s e l f i s h a g g r a n d i z e m e n t .
Millions of p e r s o n s have thought those goals to be sufficient, but they w e r e
m i s t a k e n . At d e a t h they l e f t this w o r l d , bewildered and d i s s a t i s f i e d , t h e i r
soul hunger unappeased.
J e s u s , K r i s h n a , and the M a s t e r s a r e g r e a t reflections of God, p e r f e c t
e x a m p l e s f o r you to follow. Thus you m a y know you too a r e a potential child
of God. We a r e a l l s o n s of the one F a t h e r . But you have to r e a l i z e t h a t ! May
that c o n s c i o u s n e s s c o m e to you! No one should c a l l himself a s i n n e r . Whate v e r your e r r o r s , they belong to the p a s t ; they a r e not you. God i s y o u r s !
C h r i s t , K r i s h n a , and the g r e a t M a s t e r s a r e y o u r s ! Hold that t r u t h in your
b o s o m , in e v e r y thought you have; and one d a y you will find that you have only
d r e a m e d you w e r e a m a n ; you will wake and know you a r e a god, an e t e r n a l
r e f l e c t i o n of the Infinite S p i r i t . The g r e a t e s t s i n i s ignorance of o u r o n e n e s s
with H i m .
Self- Realization Fellowship teachings a r e a g r e a t dispensation sent f o r t h
into the world by J e s u s Christ and Mahavatar Babaji to unite the original
Christianity and the original Yoga, to bring r e a l God-communion to people in
all lands. S R F h a s come to show people how to seek God. Self-Realization
is the new dispensation that was promised in the s c r i p t u r e s . C h r i s t promised
to send the Holy Ghost a f t e r he had departed. "Holy Ghost" means the s a c r e d
cosmic vibration that underlies the s t r u c t u r e of all creation, the vibration you
can h e a r by practicing the "Om" (Aum) technique of meditation (Lesson 2 9 ) .
SRF i s bringing that teaching, that scientific method, which h a s never before
been given to the world. When you practice the technique and h e a r and commune with the s a c r e d vibration, the Aum ( O m ) o r Amen, you will be one with
the Lord through the C h r i s t Consciousness immanent in it.
-
If you sincerely follow this path of the M a s t e r s , Self-Realization Fellowship will take you to your highest Goal, the Cosmic Beloved--God!
Anyone who receives this m e s s a g e with a n open h e a r t shall not go away
unfulfilled. His h e a r t shall become a wonderful cup of realization that will
gradually expand to receive the ocean of Infinity, the power of the e t e r n a l
Spirit.
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
If you will study these Lessons f o r a t l e a s t half a n hour e v e r y day, you
will soon r e a l i z e a new goal of happiness, inner awakening, and Self- realization that will f o r e v e r shed light upon you s o that you m a y live according to the
highest standards of existence. You will feel God; you will s e e Him smiling
in the s t a r s and the blossoms; you will see Him templed within e v e r y human
being and in e v e r y good thought and e v e r y love that you have.
When you have understood by your own Self-realization the spiritual m e s sage given h e r e you will a l s o realize that within these pages i s the best that
India h a s to offer. Self- Realization Fellowship brings you the universal technique of salvation, the royal highway to the Infinite.
AFFIRMATION
This day shall be the be s t day of my life. Today
I will s t a r t with a new determination to dedicate m y
devotion f o r e v e r a t the feet of Omnipresence.
SELF- REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP LESSONS- -Volume 1
LESSON
Introduction to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons * * * * * 1
1
The Way to a Higher Life
The Dynamic Power of Will
2
3
What i s the Best Religion?
How to Meditate
3-A
Friendship
4
5-9 incl
The A r t of Energization
5
Physical Body i s Constantly Changing
P o w e r of Will
6
Special Kinds of Relaxation
7
The Technique of Energization * * * * * - * * * * = * * * * * * * = - * 8
Explanat ion and P r a c t i c e of
Recharging E x e r c i s e s (including routine)
* - * 8-A
Scientific Tension and Relaxation
9
The Phenomena of Dreams
10
P l a i n Living and God- Thinking
11
Control of Your Emotions i s the
12
Key to Health and Happiness
slib&&a%-~*----*~
-13
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Humbleness v e r s u s Egotism
14
15
Good and Bad Habits
The A r t of Concentration and Meditation
16
Popular Conceptions of Concentration
17
17
The Right Method of Concentration
18
Definitions of Concentration
The A r t of Concentration
19
F u r t h e r Instructions on Concentration
20
The Technique of Concentration (Hong-Sau)
21
Routine of Concentration
22
23
F u r t h e r F a c t s on Concentration
23
Delicate A r t of Breath Control
Important Points Concerning the Hong-Sau Technique 23
23-A
SRF Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration
How to Cure Nervousness
24
25
Cultivate Inner Soul Joy-- The T r u e Happiness
Le s son Summa r ie s
1 . 5 incl
2611
6 . 11 incl
2612
1 L . 19 incl
2613
20 -25 incl
2614
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Volume 1
STORLES AND INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS
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Two F r o g s in Trouble
Spreading the Ripples of Peace
The Mouse That Became a Tiger
The Discontented Man
The S e c r e t Way to P r o s p e r i t y
P r a y e r f o r Divine Guidance and P r o s p e r i t y
Seek Ye F i r s t the Kingdom of God
A Saint Who Chose a King a s His Spiritual Guide
The Man Who Thought That He w a s Proof Against
Temptation
Guru Nanak
Madame Butterfly's Attempts a t Concentration
Four States of Consciousness
P o r t r a i t of an Unsuccessful Businessman
Monkey Consciousness
The Prodigal Son
Hong-Sau--The Silent Kriya Yoga
The Man Who Refused Heaven
The Saint Who Called a King a Beggar
E v e r New Joy
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy souiful study"
A
S-1 P - 2
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles. California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
MAY I ACT FROM F R E E CHOICE, NOT HABIT
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
T e a c h m e , 0 F a t h e r , to seek the s o u l ' s
lasting happiness r a t h e r than t e m p o r a r y s e n s e
pleasures.
Strengthen m y will power, that I escape
f r o m bad habits and r e f o r m myself by meditation and the influence of s p i r i t u a l l y minded
companions.
Give m e the wisdom to follow happily t h e
ways of righteousness. May I develop the soul
faculty of disc rimination that d e t e c t s e v i l , in
even i t s subtlest f o r m s ; and that guides m e t o
the humble paths of goodness.
I would d i r e c t my life by the God-given
power of f r e e choice, not by the compulsions of
hardened habits.
- - F r o m "Whispers f r o m Eternity"
PRAYER
Heavenly F a t h e r , teach m e t o contact Thee f i r s t and thus h a r n e s s
m y will and activity t o the right goal.
T H E DYNAMIC POWER OF WILL
DYNAMO OF
VOLITION
Volition i s the dynamo t h a t f e e d s a l l o u r powers. It initiates
and k e e p s in continuous operation a l l o u r physical, mental,
and s p i r i t u a l actions. Without the spring of volition, we c a n not walk, t a l k , think, work, o r feel. In o r d e r not t o e x e r c i s e volition, o r will
power, one would have to l i e down and e n t e r a s t a t e of suspended animation.
Even the slightest movement of the m u s c l e s ( a s in winking the eyelids) o r any
a c t of thinking i s initiated by the u s e of volition.
-
A wish i m p l i e s a h e l p l e s s d e s i r e of the mind. A d e s i r e i s a s t r o n g e r wish;
it i s often followed by fitful e f f o r t s t o m a n i f e s t itself into action. An intention,
o r a determination, i s a definite, strong d e s i r e e x p r e s s e d v e r y forcefully once
o r twice through action f o r the accomplishment of a c e r t a i n purpose. Such a
d e t e r m i n a t i o n , however s t r o n g , i s often discouraged a f t e r one o r p e r h a p s s e v e r
a1 unsuccessful efforts. But a volition c o n s i s t s of a s e r i e s of continuous, undis c o u r a g e a b l e , unceasing d e t e r m i n a t i o n s and a c t s revolving around a d e s i r e , until
it becomes dynamic enough t o produce the m u c h - c r a v e d r e s u l t . "Will and a c t
until victory" i s the slogan of a l l volitive activity. No m a t t e r how impossible of
accomplishment h i s goal may s e e m , the m a n of volition n e v e r stops repeating
conscious a c t s of determination to achieve i t , a s long a s he l i v e s .
-
WILL POWER
GOVERNS
THE UNIVERSE
Does not will power govern evolution? Coercion o r compulsion n e v e r brings about growth. It i s f r e e d o m that a c c e l e r a t e s evolution. Too much dependence upon what i s e x t e r n a l
o r objective t h r o t t l e s t h e possibility of p r o g r e s s and nips
in the bud the potent f a c t o r s of evolution. P r o g r e s s p r e s u p p o s e s the existence
of the power of growth f r o m within; and t h a t a subject will evolve by adjusting
itself to i t s environment, o r by adapting i t s environment t o itself. Unless he
t r a i n s h i s will by qpplication of scientific techniques such a s Self-Realization
F e l l o w s h i p o f f e r s , m a n ' s power of volition a t r o p h i e s .
The u s e of will power developed by the p r a c t i c e of SRF methods opens up
l i m i t l e s s p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r a l l - r o u n d s u c c e s s . We m u s t will t o m o v e o r think.
And we a r e a l m o s t continuously moving s o m e p a r t of the body and thinking.
T h e r e f o r e the d e t e r m i n e d d i r e c t i o n of physical a c t i v i t i e s and thought f o r c e by a
developed, consciously e x e r c i s e d will power, c a n accomplish many things that
might be c o n s i d e r e d impossible. Using the will d o e s not n e c e s s i t a t e physical
o r m e n t a l s t r a i n . Exertion of conscious will m e a n s a cool, c a l m , d e t e r m i n e d ,
@
increasingly steady and smooth-flowing effort of the attention and the whole being
toward attaining a definite goal.
PHYSICAL PERFECTION
THROUGH WILL POWER
SRF instructions combine the basic laws of physic a l well- being utilized by the ancient Hindu yogis
and d i s c o v e r i e s of m o d e r n physiological science.
Some Western a t h l e t e s have l e a r n e d t o c o n t r o l c e r t a i n m u s c l e s by will, but
have failed t o s e e the scientific principles underlying such control. The yogis
of India have a l a r g e number of p o s t u r e s that they p r a c t i c e in o r d e r to strengthen and develop t h e i r will power. The will c a n be utilized t o develop the body;
and the will itself i s developed in the p r o c e s s by the v e r y exercising of it.
P h y s i c a l and m e n t a l development a r e intertwined, and help each other. The SRF
technique of recharging the body by will i s distinctive in that it t e a c h e s one how
t o concentrate h i s attention upon the inner e n e r g y- - d i r e c t giver of strength and
vitality to a l l the t i s s u e s in the body. The faithful student will find t h a t p r a c t i c e
of the technique invariably and consciously develops h i s will power along with
h i s bodily strength.
EVOLUTION OF
WILL POWER
The evolution of t h i s g r e a t f o r c e should be thoughtfully
studied. The newborn b a b y ' s f i r s t c r y announced the birth
of will power. The baby c r i e s because it wants t o remove
the feeling of d i s c o m f o r t owing t o the f i r s t painful opening and activity of t h e
lungs. This i s called llautomatic physiological will. I ' When the baby grows old
enough to t i l k , and unque stioningljr fblIo<s -the wishes of i t s m o t h e r , it i s said
t o p o s s e s s "unthinking will. " The m o t h e r c a l l s the infant a "good boy" because
he obeys h e r .
Then the baby grows older and begins t o think f o r h i m s e l f ; and if the m o t h e r
d e n i e s something that the baby thinks he should have, he begins t o manifest
obstinacy by offering r e s i s t a n c e . The mother may become angry and c a l l h e r
child "naughty. " But, i n the f i r s t a c t of obstinacy, the baby i s only using the
next phase of evolving will, "blind will. I '
Will a t t h i s stage i s t e r m e d "blind" because it i s not usually
guided by wisdom. Most young people u s e t h i s explosive
blind will without any worthwhile p u r p o s e , wasting energy and higher po s sibilit i e s on p a s s i o n s , temptations, brawls, f a s t d r i v i n g , r a s h resolutions, ungove r n e d appetites, and so forth. In the E a s t we give the following illustration of
the folly of letting the s e n s e s go ungoverned: The bee, f o r love of f r a g r a n c e
s e t t l e s in the lotus flower; the p e t a l s entomb it i f t h e bee f o r g e t s t o get out
before they c l o s e . The f i s h loves the t a s t e of w a t e r ; it d i e s when taken out of it.
The moose loves music and i s l u r e d to i t s death by the flute of the hunter. The
wild m a l e elephant loves the s e n s e of touch and i s l u r e d by the t a m e she-elephant
to captivity--behavior t r u e t o human beings too! The i n s e c t loves the sight of
light and p e r i s h e s trying to enjoy the white loveliness of the candle flame. So
each of t h e s e c r e a t u r e s d i e s because it i s addicted t o a single s e n s e . But m a n
i s attached to a l l five s e n s e s , and he m u s t watch h i s s t e p if he would save
BLIND WILL
@
himself f r o m h i s blind will, which u r g e s h i m to jump into one of the yawning
c r e v a s s e s of the five s e n s e l u r e s .
Realizing the futility of blind will- - a f t e r experiencing i t s
r e s u l t s - - t h e youth l e a r n s what i s m e a n t by "thinking will. "
Even thinking will, however, i s not an end in itself; f o r u n l e s s it i s guided by
d i s c rimination, it becomes semiparalyzed by wrong activities. But if one ' s
thinking will r e t a i n s i t s n o r m a l power and i s made to revolve around a definite
p u r p o s e , it becomes "dynamic volition. " When such volition i s u s e d f o r wholesome p u r p o s e s - - actions in tune with the u n i v e r s a l harmony o r good- -the will is
strengthened and leads t o s u c c e s s . A wrongly u s e d will weakens i t s e l f , owing
t o lack of encouragement f r o m t r u t h , a s it i s out of tune with the u n i v e r s a l
o r d e r . When one knows that h i s objective o r the n a t u r e of h i s purpose i s worthwhile, then the tenacity of h i s volition becomes g r e a t e r . The m a n of volition
s a y s:
THINKING WILL
"I will u s e my dynamic power of volition to fight f o r the t r u t h
until s u c c e s s c o m e s . If death i n t e r v e n e s , I shall take up m y activity
with renewed determination in another incarnation, until I have fulfilled my good purpose. l'
A WILL--A WAY
A strong will, by i t s own dynamic f o r c e , c r e a t e s a way
f o r fulfillment of i t s intention. By i t s very strength, the
will s e t s into motion c e r t a i n vibrations in the a t m o s p h e r e ; and n a t u r e , with i t s
laws of o r d e r , s y s t e m , and efficiency, thereupon responds by c r e a t i n g favorable
c i r c u m s t a n c e s . Will d e r i v e s i t s g r e a t e s t strength f r o m a n honest purpose, lofty
m o t i v e s , and a noble solicitude f o r doing good to the world a t l a r g e . A strong
will i s n e v e r stifled; i t always finds a way.
GOD'S WILL AND YOUR WILL
God did not make u s i n e r t automatons, but
i n s t r u m e n t s of His will, endowed with f r e e
choice to u s e that power a s we please. God's will i s not guided by whim o r
temptation. His will i s guided by wisdom. God m a d e u s , H i s children, in His
i m a g e , that we might guide o u r will with wisdom, even a s He does. T o teach
people not to u s e t h e i r will i s not only a ridiculous denial of the Divine F a t h e r ' s
wish; indeed, it i s an impossibility, since the will i s involved i n even the slighte s t movement of the m u s c l e s o r in thinking.
NOT TEMPTATION BUT GOD
All human craving and d e s i r e should be t r a n s muted and turned toward God, instead of being
allowed t o delude the soul-image of God i n man. Temptation i s a delusive, c o m pelling, conflicting, joy -expecting thought which should be used t o pursue happine ss- making t r u t h and not misery- producing e r r o r . Although God i s the C r e a t o r
of c o n s c i o u s n e s s , the vitiated consciousness i n m a n t u r n s away f r o m Him and
t r i e s to l u r e the soul t o concentrate upon t e m p o r a r y pleasures of the s e n s e s .
CONTACT GOD FIRST
When you want t o accomplish something important,
@
(i
will and a c t a f t e r you have f i r s t contacted God. By contacting God f i r s t , you
h a r n e s s your will and activity to the right goal. As you cannot broadcast through
a broken microphone, s o m u s t you r e m e m b e r that you cannot broadcast your
p r a y e r s through a m e n t a l microphone that i s d i s o r d e r e d by r e s t l e s s n e s s . R e p a i r
your mind microphone by practicing deep c a l m n e s s . Then give God a r e a l soulc a l l . Do not give u p a f t e r only one o r two b r o a d c a s t s if He d o e s not s e e m t o
respond. You cannot get a n a n s w e r by just calling someone and then running
away. S i m i l a r l y , i t i s ineffective to p r a y once and then l e t the attention run
away. Continuously broadcast your p r a y e r t o God through your c a l m m e n t a l
microphone until you h e a r His answering voice. Most people p r a y in r e s t l e s s n e s s , and without the determination to r e c e i v e a response.
IN TUNE OR
OUT O F TUNE
If one u s e s h i s will ignorantly, i t p r o d u c e s wrong o r evil
actions. But if one guides h i s will with wisdom, h i s a c t i o n s
bring about good, f o r they a r e in tune with divine will, and
divine will i s guided by wisdom. Wisdom-guided, self - initiated human will, and
human will guided by God's wisdom-guided will, a r e one and the s a m e thing.
"THY WILL BE DONE"
J e s u s found h i s will so completely guided by wisdom
that he could say t o a dead m a n , " L a z a r u s , c o m e
f o r t h , " and bring h i m to life; o r "0 m y F a t h e r . . Thy will be done, " and with
full knowledge submit to the betrayal t h a t led to h i s crucifixion (Matthew 26:42).
Many people m i s i n t e r p r e t the r e a l meaning of "Thy will be done, ' I and p r e a c h a
phfs ic a l l y l a i y - -an&
dziiniFoCi 7Io-r
i i G 7 E o t 5-s-e
w i K T a i i j T i er F
m o s t people a r e mentally lazy. They a r e unwilling even to initiate c r e a t i v e
thinking, o r self - emancipating thinking, l e s t they succeed.
.
0-
DIVINE WILL HAS
NO BOUNDARIES
T h e only s a v i o r of m a n i s a constantly p r o g r e s s i v e
dynamic will. Human will, however powerful, i s s t i l l
limited by the c i r c u m f e r e n c e of the body and the bounda r i e s of the physical u n i v e r s e . M a n ' s will c a n initiate successful a c t i v i t i e s in
the body, o r on e a r t h , o r in finding out the m y s t e r i e s of distant s t a r s . But
divine will h a s no boundaries; i t w o r k s in a l l bodies, in a l l things. God said:
"Let t h e r e be light, I ' and t h e r e w a s light. God's will i s working in everything.
When by deep meditation and by wisdom-guided, unflinching, n e v e r discouraged
determination we c a n successfully k e e p o u r volition revolving around a l l o u r
noble d e s i r e s , then o u r will becomes one with divine will.
M a n ' s will o r d i n a r i l y w o r k s within the boundaries of h i s own little c i r c l e
of f a m i l y , environment, world conditions, destiny, and p r e n a t a l and postnatal
cause- and- effect governed actions. But divine dynamic volition c a n change
destiny, wake the dead, move mountains into the s e a , and d i v e r t the c o u r s e of
planets.
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
F o r absolute control of your life and f o r destroying p r e n a t a l and postnatal
r o o t - c a u s e s of f a i l u r e , you m u s t e x e r c i s e your will in e v e r y undertaking, until
i t shakes off i t s m o r t a l delusion of being human will and becomes all-powerful
divine will. You do not need to a c q u i r e t h i s dynamic divine will. You a l r e a d y
p o s s e s s it in the image of God within you.
TWO FROGS IN TROUBLE
Once a big f a t frog and a lively little frog w e r e hopping along together when
they had the misfortune t o jump s t r a i g h t into a p a i l of f r e s h milk. They swam
f o r h o u r s and h o u r s , hoping t o get out somehow; but the s i d e s of the pail w e r e
s t e e p and slippery, and death seemed c e r t a i n .
When the big f r o g was exhausted h e l o s t courage. T h e r e s e e m e d no hope
of r e s c u e . "Why k e e p struggling against the inevitable ? I c a n ' t swim any longe r , " he moaned. "Keep on! Keep on! " u r g e d the little f r o g , who w a s s t i l l
c i r c l i n g the pail. So they went on f o r awhile. But the big frog decided it was no
u s e . "Little b r o t h e r , we m a y a s well give up, " he gasped, " I ' m going to quit
struggling.
Now only the little frog was left. He thought to h i m s e l f , "Well, t o give u p
i s t o be dead, so I will keep on swimming. I ' Two m o r e h o u r s p a s s e d and the
tiny l e g s of the d e t e r m i n e d little f r o g w e r e a l m o s t paralyzed with exhaustion.
It s e e m e d a s if h e could not keep moving f o r another minute. But then he thought
of h i s dead f r i e n d , and repeated, "To give up i s to be m e a t f o r s o m e o n e ' s table,
so I ' l l keep on paddling until I die--if death i s to c o m e - - b u t I will not c e a s e t r y ing-- 'while t h e r e i s life, t h e r e ' s hope ! '"
Intoxicated with determination, the little frog kept on, around and around
and around the pail, chopping the milk into white waves. After awhile, just a s
h e felt completely numb and thought h e was about t o drown, he suddenly f e l t
something solid under him. T o h i s astonishment, he saw that he was resting
on a lump of butter which he had churned by h i s i n c e s s a n t paddling ! And s o the
successful little frog leaped out of the milk p a i l to freedom.
AFFIRMATION
I shall tune m y f r e e will with the infinite will of God, and
m y only d e s i r e shall be t o do the wisdom-guided will of Him
who c r e a t e d m e .
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
---.
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S-1 P - 3
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Resewed (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
0 SPIRIT, I WORSHIP THEE IN ALL SHRINES
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Into the temple of peace come Thou, O Lord of Joy!
E n t e r m,y s h r i n e of meditation, O B l i s s God ! Sanctify m e
with Thy p r e s e n c e .
E t e r n a l Allah, hover over the lone m i n a r e t of m y holy
aspiration. The mosque of m y mind exudes a frankincense
of s t i l l n e s s .
On the a l t a r of m y inner v i h a r a I place flowers of
d e s i r e l e s s n e s s . Their chaste beauty i s Thine, O S p i r i t !
In a tabernacle not made with hands, I bow before the
s a c r e d a r k and vow to keep Thy commandments.
Heavenly F a t h e r , in a n invisible church built of
devotion g r a n i t e , r e c e i v e Thou my humble h e a r t offerings,
daily renewed by p r a y e r .
- - F r o m "Whispers f r o m Eternity"
PRAYER
Heavenly F a t h e r , i n Thy univ e r s a l temple of silence we a r e singing
unto Thee a c h o r u s of many-voiced
religions. T e a c h u s t o bow to Thee,
manifesting i n all c h u r c h e s and t e m p l e s
e r e c t e d i n Thine honor.
WHAT IS THE BEST RELIGION?
Most people who follow a v a r i e t y of teachings stick to none. T h e i r
choices a r e usually influenced by c u r i o s i t y and imitation, r a t h e r than by any
logical r e a s o n o r necessity. Such students like to l i s t e n perpetually to new
ideas f r o m new p e r s o n a l i t i e s , without e v e r making a p e r s o n a l effort to a s s i m ilate the ideas. They m a y be compared to one who s e t s out to r e a c h a certain
destination, but b e c o m e s s o enamored with walking that he w a n d e r s h e r e and
t h e r e , forgetting all about h i s goal.
Some students a r e led by c u r i o s i t y to adopt a p a r t i c u l a r spiritual path,
hoping to r e a c h the destination of truth and wisdom; but they often become
sidetracked by t h e i r insatiable curiosity. A s they keep trying new ways f o r
the t h r i l l of a change, they n e v e r r e a c h t h e i r goal. These people a r e i n t e re s t e d in listening to s p i r i t u a l truths, but not in making the e f f o r t to apply
those t r u t h s in a c t u a l life and to r e a l i z e them through experience, within the
Self.
Superficial s e e k e r s f a i l to get anywhere because they d o not s e p a r a t e the
k e r n e l of t r u t h f r o m the chaff of untested beliefs. They imagine they understand the t r u t h of different teachings, without even trying to feel the joyous
experience that c o m e s through Self- realization of truth.
Real students a r e satisfied only when they can r e a l i z e t r u t h within thems e l v e s as a d i r e c t , p e r s o n a l experience. The difference between c u r i o s i t y
s e e k e r s and r e a l s e e k e r s i s that the f o r m e r always seek new imaginary s a t i s factions o r " thrills" f r o m t h e i r studies. This seeming t h i r s t f o r knowledge
i s a n indication, m o r e o.ften than not, that such p e r s o n s a r e actually satisfied
with m e r e t h e o r i e s . Real s e e k e r s t e s t and c o m p a r e until they find applicable
t r u t h s that i n c r e a s e t h e i r realization.
e
CHANGEABLE ENTHUSIASTS
What i s the b e s t way to find a t r u e (and hence soul- satisfying) r e l i g i o n ?
Let us draw our conclusions f r o m the following illustration:
When a dietitian eloquently expounds the wonderful r e s u l t s a p a r t i c u l a r
s y s t e m of diet will produce, Mr. John (who r e p r e s e n t s the a v e r a g e enthusia s t i c but changeable faddist) is inclined to be v e r y much i m p r e s s e d . But if
Mr. John continually puts off trying out that s y s t e m of diet, he naturally
l o s e s i n t e r e s t in it a s soon a s the l e c t u r e s e r i e s i s over. But l a t e r on, when
another dietitian v i s i t s town, Mr. John i s e a g e r to listen to him, because he
r e m e m b e r s the s e n s e of e n t h u s i a s m and imaginary stimulation he felt while
listening to the previous l e c t u r e s about a s y s t e m of dietetics.
The chances a r e that once the second dietitian leaves town, Mr. John
will not t r y out h i s s y s t e m of d i e t e i t h e r . Or p e r h a p s M r . John t r i e s it f o r
a little while, and then falls back into h i s old habit of eating h a m sandwiches
made with white b r e a d , instead of cheese o r egg sandwiches made with wholewheat b r e a d , a s might have been suggested by the dietitian. Mr. John, being
impelled by the theoretical d e s i r e to live right, thus develops the habit of
listening to a l l the new dietitians that come to town, without e v e r following
any of their instructions.
Mr. John a l s o develops the habit of going only to dietitians whose n a m e s
and teachings a r e new to him-- no m a t t e r what t h e i r value. He, of c o u r s e ,
thinks he i s s m a r t and that he has "outgrown 1' the b e s t principles of dietetics
p r e s c r i b e d by the f i r s t dietitian-- even though such principles m a y have been
b e t t e r than the ones that have m o r e recently a r o u s e d h i s enthusiasm. He
imagines he knows a g r e a t d e a l about the various s y s t e m s of d i e t e t i c s just
because he h a s listened to various disconnected l e c t u r e s on the subject. So
long a s listening to new p r i n c i p l e s of d i e t e t i c s produces the d e s i r e and the
n e c e s s a r y action to work them out in daily life, s o long i s it good f o r a p e r son to l i s t e n to such l e c t u r e r s ; but e v e r y "Mr. John" should r e m e m b e r he
cannot follow all the s y s t e m s of d i e t a t the s a m e t i m e , and that he should not
d i s c a r d a good s y s t e m for a l e s s e r s y s t e m of food science just because the
l a t t e r happens to be new to him.
SEEK- - THEN CHOOSE THE BEST
@
The foregoing p r i n c i p l e s a l s o apply to religion. Some students who have
only theoretically t r i e d different teachings a r e s t i l l seeking, instead of applying in their l i v e s the b e s t teachings they have found. They believe that they
"know" a l l the principles just because they have heard them once, o r because
they put into p r a c t i c e a few of the principles f o r a little while. Such p e r s o n s
may be c l a s s e d a s c u r i o s i t y s e e k e r s , and so long a s they maintain this shallow approach they will never taste the b l i s s of Self- realization. Accepting
the shadow f o r the substance, they a r e like p e r s o n s who a r e satisfied mere1.y
by listening to descriptions of orange blossom honey, given by different p r o d u c e r s of the product, without e v e r tasting the honey itself.
Some people want to swallow e v e r y variety of food that i s a t hand, without giving the body a chance to a s s i m i l a t e any of it. This does not revitalize
the s y s t e m , it m e r e l y produces indigestion. Likewise, there a r e s c r i p t u r a l
students who love to swallow good ideas without making them a p a r t of their
lives. Naturally, they suffer f r o m theoretical indigestion. One who has
nothing to e a t must seek anything a t hand in o r d e r to satisfy his hunger; but
when one h a s a c c e s s to various kinds of food, he should discriminate a s to
what is the best kind of food.
Also, if you a r e spiritually hungry and you do not find the right teacher
--one who h a s attained Self- realization through t r u e spiritual experience- then you a r e justified, in the beginning, in trying to know truth through select
books and l e c t u r e s . But when you have experienced a little awakening, you
will become increasingly hungry. At the s a m e time you will find that your
s o u r c e s of spiritual food have multiplied. Then you should select carefully,
f r o m among the many teachings, that s y s t e m best adapted to your needs--and
stick to it.
Remember, if you a r e anxious to get to New York f r o m Los Angeles, you
do not spend half a lifetime trying out different kinds of conveyances such a s
bullock c a r t s , h o r s e s and c a r r i a g e s , ships, automobiles, slow o r f a s t a i r planes; and in investigating the different long and s h o r t routes. You select
the s h o r t e s t route and pick the safest and f a s t e s t conveyance available, and
use these to r e a c h your destination.
I s any business m o r e urgent than that of reaching, through Self- realization, the Source of all life? Then forsake habit-imposed theological beliefs
that have proven to be blind alleys leading nowhere. You cannot ride in the
f a s t airplane of Self- realization and in the old theological bullock c a r t a t the
s a m e time, any m o r e than you could follow two contradictory, dogmatic,
theological routes a t the same time. The b e s t way l i e s in selecting the shorte s t route: the best technique of meditation. If you deeply, joyously, and continuously practice the techniques contained in these Lessons, without deviating
f r o m these methods of practice, you will be taking the f a s t e s t "airplane" to
God.
Many s e e k e r s fail to find Truth because they lose themselves in the
f o r e s t of theology, moving f r o m one thicket of theory to another until they
feel utterly bewildered. P r o v e that you a r e a true s e e k e r by determining
now, f r o m the v e r y beginning, that you will give careful, p r a c t i c a l attention
to the techniques and principles you have judiciously selected; and that with
the help of your chosen teacher, o r guru, you will keep on learning and p r a c ticing until you a r e able to s e e the r e s u l t s in yourself. The guru's help i s
important, f o r while you m a y find t r u e religious principles expressed in good
@
books, you c a n never r e a l i z e their full meaning until you s e e t h e m manifested
in the life of a n enlightened t e a c h e r . Such a g u r u can help you when you a r e
attuned to him, even though you a r e not in h i s p r e s e n c e .
Now you a r e just s t a r t i n g on your journey toward the goal of Self- realization. P e r s e v e r e ; and when you f e e l a growing satisfaction, a n e v e r i n c r e a s ing peace, wisdom, and a s s u r a n c e f r o m within, you will begin to r e a l i z e that
the b e s t religion c o n s i s t s in ,your continuousl~yp r o g r e s s i n g perception of your
constantly growing inner happiness, felt in meditation.
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Have you found T r u t h ? T r u e religion l i e s in conscious communion with
God. The p r a c t i c e of religion should give you the joy of feeling God-consciousne s s . Concentrate on experiencing God's love, not on " miraculous" visions
o r demonstrations. Merge your consciousness into God- consciousness.
Once you have found God, He will tell you a l l that you need to know.
The s e c r e t of t r u e religion l i e s in the cave of stillness, in the cave of
wisdom, in the cave of the spiritual eye. By concentration on the point
between the eyebrows and by delving into the depths of silence, one c a n find
a n s w e r s to a l l the religious q u e r i e s of the h e a r t .
AFFIRMATION
I worship the one God honored
on the a l t a r s of a l l religious faiths.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realizationwill blossom forth from thy soulful study"
3
S-1 P - 3 - A
s Copyright 1954,1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1982,1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Riahts Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
HOW TO MEDITATE
(Basic instructions, with a n e x e r c i s e in visualization)
INTRODUCTION
a
Meditation i s the science of reuniting the soul with Spirit.
The soul, descending f r o m God into flesh, manifests i t s
cor,sciousness and life f o r c e through seven c h a k r a s , o r c e n t e r s of light, in
m a n ' s c e r e b r o s p i n a l a x i s . (These a r e the "seven s t a r s " and "seven churches"
spoken of by St. John in the little-understood book of Revelation in the Bible.)
Encased in the bodily prison, the soul consciousness and life f o r c e become
identified with the physical vehicle and i t s m o r t a l limitations. Scientific meditation awakens the soul consciousness in the seven c e r e b r o s p i n a l c e n t e r s . In
a state of divine recollectedness, the soul intuitively r e a l i z e s its i m m o r t a l
nature and origin. -The v a r i o u s p r o g r e s s i v e s t a t e s of ~ o u awakening
l
are
accompanied by a n e v e r increasing a c c e s s i o n of inner peace and joy. In the
m o s t exalted s t a t e s , soul and Spirit become reunited in e c s t a t i c , blissful
communion, o r samadhi.
By meditation, then, we connect the little joy of the soul with the v a s t joy
of the Spirit. Meditation should not be confused with o r d i n a r y concentration.
Concentration c o n s i s t s in freeing the attention f r o m d i s t r a c t i o n s and in focusing it on any thought in which one m a y be interested. Meditation i s that spec i a l f o r m of concentration in which the attention has been liberated f r o m r e s t l e s s n e s s and i s focused on God. Meditation i s concentration used to know God.
One of the f i r s t r e q u i s i t e s f o r meditation i s c o r r e c t p o s t u r e .
The spine should be e r e c t . When the devotee i s seeking to d i r e c t
h i s mind and life f o r c e upward through the c e r e b r o s p i n a l a x i s to the c e n t e r s
of higher consciousness in the brain, he should avoid s t r i c t u r e o r pinching of
the spinal n e r v e s caused by i m p r o p e r posture.
POSTURE
Those p e r s o n s whose l e g s a r e supple m a y p r e f e r to meditate sitting c r o s s legged on a cushion on the floor, o r on a f i r m bed. However, P a r a m a h a n s a
Yogananda recommended f o r m o s t W e s t e r n e r s the following meditation pose:
Sit on a s t r a i g h t a r m l e s s c h a i r with the f e e t r e s t i n g flat on the floor.
Hold spine e r e c t , abdomen in, c h e s t out, shoulders back, chin p a r a l l e l to the
.
1
Self- Realization Fellow ship technique: How to Meditate
ground. The hands, with p a l m s upturned, should r e s t on the l e g s a t the
juncture of the thighs and the abdominal region to p r e v e n t the body f r o m bending f o r w a r d . The meditation c h a i r she-uld be of comfortable height, otherwise there i s a tendency to allow the t o r s o to lean forward o r backward. If
the c o r r e c t p o s t u r e h a s been a s s u m e d , the body will be stable y e t relaxed,
s o that it i s e a s i l y possible to r e m a i n completely still, without moving a muscle.
Each of the foregoing d e t a i l s i s a contributing f a c t o r toward the chief
a i m of the meditation p o s t u r e - - a n e r e c t spine, held stable without s t r a i n o r
tension f o r the duration of the meditation period. Lf, because of bad habits
of posture o r congenital defects of p o s t u r e , you experience difficulty o r d i s comfort in maintaining the specified positions of feet, hands, shoulders,
chest, and abdomen, make whatever commonsense adjustments a r e n e c e s s a r y
to your individual need; but s t r i v e always toward accomplishing the ideal post u r e recommended by P a r a m a h a n s a Y ogananda.
When you a r e established in the meditation pose, inhale slowly and deepl y (through the n o s t r i l s ) to a count of 20; hold the b r e a t h to a count of 20;
exhale slowly (through the mouth ) t o a c ount of 20. P r a c t i c e this six to
twelve t i m e s . (A s h o r t e r count may be used, provided i t i s the s a m e count in
e a c h of the t h r e e p a r t s . ) Then inhale, tensing the whole body and clenching
the f i s t s . Relax all the body p a r t s a t once and, a s you d o so, expel the b r e a t h
through the mouth in a double exhalation, "huh, huh. I ' Repeat this p r a c t i c e
six t i m e s . Then f o r g e t the breath. Let i t flow in and out naturally, of i t s
own a c c o r d , a s in o r d i n a r y breathing.
With the eyelids half closed ( o r completely closed, if this i s m o r e c o m fortable to y o u ) , look upward, focusing the gaze and the attention as though
looking out through a point between the eyebrows. (A p e r s o n deep in concentration often "knits" h i s brows a t this spot. ) Do not c r o s s the e y e s o r s t r a i n
them; the upward gaze c o m e s naturally when one i s relaxed and c a l m l y concentrated. What i s important i s fixing the whole attention a t the point between
the eyebrows. This i s the C h r i s t Consciousness c e n t e r , the s e a t of the single
eye spoken of by Christ: "The light of the body i s the eye: if therefore thine
eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light" (Matthew 6:22). When the
purpose of meditation i s fulfilled, the devotee finds h i s consciousness automatically concentrated a t the s p i r i t u a l eye, and he experiences, according to
h i s inner s p i r i t u a l capacity, a state of joyous divine union with Spirit.
-
Making a steadfast effort, the beginner m a y in time p e r c e i v e light, o r
even s e e the s p i r i t u a l eye of t h r e e c o l o r s - - a reflection of the a c t u a l luminous
eye in the medulla oblongata ( a t t k b a s e of the skull where i t joins the n e c k ) .
This single eye of light reflected in the forehead i s the a s t r a l eye of intuitive
omnipresent perception. It takes deep concentration and c a l m n e s s to behold
the spiritual eye; a golden halo surrounding a c i r c l e of blue, in the c e n t e r of
which palpitates a five-pointed white s t a r . Those who d o s e e the s p i r i t u a l eye
Self-Realization Fellowship technique: How to Meditate
should s t r i v e to penetrate it by d e e p e r concentration and by devoted p r a y e r
to God. The depth of c a l m n e s s and concentration n e c e s s a r y f o r this a r e
naturally developed through steady p r a c t i c e of the scientific SRF techniques
of concentration and meditation ( L e s s o n s 21 and 2 9 ) .
Whether you s e e the light of the spiritual eye o r not, however, you should
continue to concentrate a t the C h r i s t Consciousness c e n t e r between the eyeb r o w s , praying deeply to God and His g r e a t saints. In the language of your
h e a r t invoke t h e i r p r e s e n c e and their blessings. A good p r a c t i c e is to take
a n affirmation o r a p r a y e r f r o m the L e s s o n s , o r f r o m P a r a m a h a n s a Yoganandaji's " Whispers f r o m Eternity" o r "Metaphysical Meditations, " and
spiritualize it with your own devotional yearning. Silently chant and p r a y to
God, keeping the attention a t the point between the eyebrows, until you feel
God's response a s c a l m , d e e p peace and inner joy.
Divine consciousness is omnipre sent. In o r d e r to attune
o n e ' s consciousness to it, i t i s n e c e s s a r y f i r s t to expand
the mind by meditation on some a s p e c t of God's infinite nature. Visualization
i s not realization; but visualization i s a n effective aid in deepening one's concentration, which i s e s s e n t i a l f o r the deep med itation that yields realization.
The following e x e r c i s e in visualization and mental expansion given by P a r a m a hansa Yogananda will be found helpful in p r e p a r i n g the mind to p r a c t i c e the
scientific techniques of meditation that a r e given in l a t e r Lessons:
VISUALIZATION
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-
_____.-__
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"Sit upright. F o c u s your gaze and your mind a t the C h r i s t Consciousness
c e n t e r between the eyebrows. F i l l your h e a r t with joy. Behold! the sphere
of d a r k n e s s that you s e e with closed e y e s i s becoming a sphere of light and
joy. This sphere i s enlarging. Now it i s bigger than your body. Go on
expanding the s p h e r e of joy and light. Your home and everyone in it a r e p r e s ent in the s p h e r e of light that you a r e beholding. Go on expanding it until you
s e e your whole city in this s p h e r e of light and joy. E v e r increasing, the
s p h e r e of light and joy is encompassing the e n t i r e United States, and s t i l l it is
expanding, including Europe, Asia, the world! See the world bathed in the
light of this peaceful s p h e r e of joy. The e a r t h a p p e a r s a s a little ball moving
in the v a s t sphere of light and joy. The s p h e r e i s becoming even l a r g e r ; s e e !
o u r p l a n e t a r y and s t e l l a r system, the Milky Way, and island galaxies, like
little bubbles, a r e floating in it.
'Expand the sphere of light and joy within you, in which a l l things a r e moving, glimmering like the lights of a city. Meditate on and t r y to be one with
that joy. God i s joy, and we m u s t find Him through joy. The s c r i p t u r e s say:
'Thou a r t That. ' Your Self i s one with this v a s t s p h e r e of light that i s your
F a t h e r . You a r e this s p h e r e of light and joy! Meditate on that. You have no
boundaries- - eternity above, below, everywhere. In this e t e r n a l s p h e r e of
light and joy a l l things a r e moving. Mentally affirm: 'In me worlds a r e
floating like bubbles. I and my F a t h e r a r e One.
'
Self-Realization Fellowship technique: How to Meditate
4
"Now open your e y e s . Look a t the body and s e e how little it i s ! Close
your e y e s and r e a l i z e again that you a r e not the'body. You a r e the e t e r n a l
s p h e r e of light and joy in which all things have their being. Go on meditating,
mentally affirming: 'I a m the c o s m i c sphere of light, of joy, of love, in
which worlds and u n i v e r s e s a r e floating like bubbles. My F a t h e r i s this c o s m i c s p h e r e of light; m y F a t h e r and I a r e One. I a m not the body; I a m the
e t e r n a l s p h e r e of light. Aum. Aum. Amen. ' I '
( P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda cautioned devotees against the e r r o n e o u s
thought, "I a m God. I ' One should r e a l i z e , r a t h e r , "God h a s become myself. I f
The soul i s like a wave on the s e a - b o s o m of Spirit. The soul wave i s one
with the Sea, but the wave i s not the Sea. )
Through daily p r a c t i c e of the foregoing instructions, you can p r e p a r e
yourself f o r the p r a c t i c e of the basic techniques of concentration and meditation that a r e given in l a t e r Self-Realization Fellow ship Lessons. These
scientific techniques will enable you to dive e v e r m o r e deeply in the g r e a t
ocean of God's p r e s e n c e . We a l l e x i s t a t this v e r y moment in that ocean of
Spirit; but only by steadfast, devoted, scientific meditation m a y we conscious
l y p e r c e i v e that we a r e individualized soul waves on the v a s t ocean of God's
bliss.
The meditation period should l a s t a t l e a s t thirty minutes in the morning
and t h i r t y minutes a t night. The longer you s i t , enjoying the s t a t e of meditative c a l m , the f a s t e r you will p r o g r e s s spiritually. C a r r y into your daily
activities the c a l m n e s s you f e e l in meditation; that c a l m n e s s will help you to
bring harmony and happiness into e v e r y d e p a r t m e n t of your life.
Unending joy awaits the s i n c e r e truth s e e k e r who conscientiousl~ymedit a t e s e a c h day. Through the g r a c e of God, through the blessings of the Mast e r s , and through your own devotional effort you can achieve the s t a t e of
divine joy experienced by all s a i n t s that have become established in the Lord
(that have become consciously a w a r e of their soul unity with S p i r i t ) .
KEY POINTS
1. Set aside a r e g u l a r time and place f o r your daily p r a c t i c e s of the
s p i r i t u a l techniques taught by Self-Realization Fellowship. T r y to find a quiet
place where you can be f r e e f r o m outside d i s t r a c t i o n s and thus be able to conc e n t r a t e with m o r e intensity. If possible, n e v e r use that place f o r any other
purpose than meditation. Thus you will impregnate the spot with spiritual
vibrations that will help you to make e a c h d a y ' s meditation d e e p e r than the
meditation of the preceding day. You may have there a s m a l l a l t a r with the
p i c t u r e s of C h r i s t , K r ishna, and the Gurus of Self-Realization Fellowship.
2 . Always begin and end your meditation with a p r a y e r , such a s : "Heavenl y F a t h e r , J e s u s C h r i s t , Bhagavan Krishna, Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, S r i
Self-Realization Fellowship technique: How to Meditate
5
Yukteswarji, Guru P r e c e p t o r P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda, s a i n t s of all religions,
I bow to you a l l . F r e e m y life f r o m a l l obstacles of delusion, and lead m e t o
Thy s h o r e s of fulfillment. I ' O r , "May Thy love shine f o r e v e r on the sanctua r y of m y devotion, and may I be able to awaken Thy love in a l l h e a r t s .
3 . E a r l y morning, upon a r i s i n g , and the period just before r e t i r i n g a t
night a r e excellent t i m e s f o r meditation. Do not t r y to meditate just a f t e r
eating. Wait a t l e a s t a n hour if possible. The kind of food one e a t s a l s o h a s
a definite bearing on one's health o r ill health, not only of the body but of the
mind. Be s u r e the d i e t includes a n abundance of f r e s h vegetables and f r u i t s .
E a t nuts, c h e e s e , e g g s , and vegetable proteins in p r e f e r e n c e to meat. F r u i t s
a r e the m ~ s spiritually
t
beneficial of a l l foods.
4. It i s good to use a woolen blanket o r s i l k cloth ( o r both, with the silk
on top) to cover your meditation seat. Drape the cloth over the back of the
c h a i r if a c h a i r i s used, and place one end of the cloth on the floor under your
feet. The cloth helps to insulate the body f r o m subtle e a r t h c u r r e n t s . Their
magnetic downward pull toward m a t e r i a l perceptions i s undesirable f o r the
meditating devotee. The yogis have found, a l s o , that facing E a s t (the d i r e c tion f r o m which subtle spiritual s o l a r c u r r e n t s a r e always flowing) i s helpful
in meditation.
5. Bathing h a s a cleansing effect not only on the body but a l s o on the
mind, and i s t h e r e f o r ~ a ~ n e f i c i a l p ~ a ~before-mextation.
tZe
Bathing opens
-
-
f
the p o r e s allowing toxins to e s c a p e ; it a l s o helps to d i s t r i b u t e life e n e r g y
evenly throughout the body, quieting the n e r v e s and inducing c a l m n e s s . One
should a l s o take a "mental bath" before meditation: put a s i d e all w o r r i e s and
p r o b l e m s . Completely give to God the time you have s e t a s i d e f o r meditation.
Concentrate on one of H i s infinite a s p e c t s - - P e a c e , Joy, Wisdom, Love, Light,
Beauty- - or on a p e r s o n a l a s p e c t , such as that of the ever-loving, all-forgiving
Divine Mother. Many devotees find inspiration by meditating on divine i n c a r nations of God such a s C h r i s t and the M a s t e r s . Reading a devotional p a s s a g e
f r o m " Whispers f r o m Eternity" o r "Metaphysical Meditations" o r singing a
devotional song f r o m "Cosmic Chants" helps to uplift the mind. Meditation
in itself i s a n unequaled "spiritual bath 1 - - a cleansing and rejuvenation of
body, mind, and soul.
6 . P r a c t i c e of the Self-Realization Fellowship Energization E x e r c i s e s - and a l s o c e r t a i n yoga a s a n a s (body p o s t u r e s ) - - is beneficial in preparing the
body for deep meditation. The life f o r c e s in the body a r e harmonized by these
relaxing and calming methods, and one's attention i s f r e e d f r o m a c h e s and
pains and f r o m the drowsiness o r r e s t l e s s n e s s that keep the mind s e n s e bound
and body conscious.
Be r e g u l a r in your meditations (whether they be deep, o r , in the beginning, r e s t l e s s ). Be p e r s i s t e n t if you would a t t r a c t God's attention. R e m e mb e r that meditation should be practiced with devotion, with r e a l love f o r God.
Self- R e a l i z a t i o n Fellowship technique: How to Meditate
6
P a r a m a h a n s a j i h a s s a i d that love f o r God m e a n s c r a v i n g f o r God. He cannot
r e s i s t the m a g n e t i c a t t r a c t i o n of human soul yearning. Meditation techniques
h e l p you to awaken and whet t h a t divine c r a v i n g which will take you to the
heights of r e a l i z a t i o n , of soul union with God-Bliss. Resolve that you will
n e v e r give up until He c o m e s to you. Whether you r e a l i z e i t o r not, He i s
listening to the c r y of your h e a r t . In His own t i m e He will bestow the s u p r e m e
gift of Himself.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S-1 P - 4
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
FRIENDSHIP
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
I s friendship the weaving of the red s t r i n g s of two h e a r t s ?
I s it the blending of two minds into a spacious one- mind?
I s it the spouting of love founts t o g e t h e r - T o strengthen the r u s h of love on droughty souls ?
I s it the one r o s e grown 'twixt twin mind- branchlets
Of one compassionate s t e m ?
I s it the one thinking in two bodies?
-- - - T r i e n d s h i p i s no biz, fruitful, holy- -
When two s e p a r a t e souls m a r c h in difference
Yet in h a r m o n y , agreeing and disagreeing,
Growing, improving d i v e r s e l y ,
With one common longing to find solace in t r u e p l e a s u r e .
When n e ' e r the l o v e r s e e k s
Self-comfort a t the c o s t of the one beloved,
Then, in that g a r d e n of s e l f l e s s n e s s
F r a g r a n t friendship perfectly flowers.
Ah, friendship! Flowering, heaven- born plant!
Nurtured a r t thou in the soil of m e a s u r e l e s s love,
In the seeking of s o u l - p r o g r e s s together
By two who would smooth the way each f o r the other.
And thou a r t watered by attention of affection
And t e n d e r dews of inner and outer sweetness
Of the i n m o s t , s e l f l e s s h e a r t ' s devotion.
Ah, friendship! Where thy soul-born f l o w e r s f a l l - T h e r e on that s a c r e d shrine of f r a g r a n c e - The F r i e n d of a l l F r i e n d s c r a v e s t o come and to r e m a i n !
PRAYER
Divine Mother, I behold Thee a s the only F r i e n d , helping m e , encouraging m e through a l l my f r i e n d s .
FRIENDSHIP
F r i e n d s h i p i s God's love shining through the e y e s of your
loved o n e s , calling you home t o drink His n e c t a r of e t e r nal unity. F r i e n d s h i p i s God's t r u m p e t c a l l , bidding the
soul d e s t r o y the p a r t i t i o n s of ego consciousness that s e p a r a t e it f r o m a l l other
souls and f r o m Him. T r u e friendship unites two souls so completely that they
r e f l e c t the unity of S p i r i t and i t s divine qualities.
WHAT IS TRUE
FRIENDSHIP?
T r u e f r i e n d s h i p i s broad and inclusive. Selfish attachment t o a single individual, excluding a l l o t h e r s , inhibits the development of divine friendship.
Extend the boundaries of the glowing kingdom of your love, gradually including
your family, your neighbors, your community, your country, a l l c o u n t r i e s a l l living sentient c r e a t u r e s . Be a l s o a c o s m i c f r i e n d , imbued with kindness
and affection f o r a l l God's c r e a t i o n , scattering love everywhere. Such i s the
example s e t by a l l a v a t a r s and saints. Such was the example s e t by C h r i s t ,
by Swami Shankara, and by Babaji, L a h i r i Mahasaya, and Swami S r i Yukteswar.
-
Consider no one a s t r a n g e r . L e a r n t o f e e l that everybody i s akin t o you.
F a m i l y love i s m e r e l y one of the f i r s t e x e r c i s e s in the Divine T e a c h e r ' s c o u r s e
i n f r i e n d l i n e s s , intended t o p r e p a r e your h e a r t f o r all- inclusive divine love.
Realize that the s a m e lifeblood i s circulating i n the veins of a l l r a c e s . How
m a y anyone d a r e t o hate any other human being, of whatever r a c e , when God
l i v e s and breathes i n a l l ? We a r e A m e r i c a n s o r Hindus, o r other nationalities,
f o r just a few y e a r s , but we a r e God's children f o r e v e r . The soul cannot be
confined within man- made boundaries. I t s nationality i s Spirit; i t s country i s
Omnipresence.
ATTRACTING FRIENDS
It i s not n e c e s s a r y to know and love a l l human beings
and other c r e a t u r e s p e r sonally and intimately. All
you need do i s t o be ready a t a l l t i m e s t o shed the light of friendly s e r v i c e over
a l l living c r e a t u r e s whom you happen to m e e t . This attitude r e q u i r e s constant
m e n t a l effort and p r e p a r e d n e s s ; in o t h e r w o r d s , unselfishness. The sun shines
equally on diamond and c h a r c o a l , but the f o r m e r h a s developed qualities that
enable it t o r e f l e c t the sunlight brilliantly, while the l a t t e r i s unable t o r e f l e c t
the sunlight. Emulate the diamond i n your dealings with people. Brightly r e flect the light of God's love.
T o have f r i e n d s , you m u s t manifest friendliness. If you open the door t o
t h e magnetic power of f r i e n d s h i p , souls of like vibrations will be a t t r a c t e d t o
you. The m o r e friendly you become toward a l l , the g r e a t e r will be the number
of your r e a l f r i e n d s . When p e r f e c t friendship e x i s t s e i t h e r between two h e a r t s
o r within a group of h e a r t s i n a spiritual relationship, such friendship p e r f e c t s
each individual. The h e a r t purified by friendship provides an open door to unity.
Tnrough it you should invite o t h e r souls to e n t e r the t e m p l e of brotherhood- those who love you, and even those who love you not.
F r i e n d s h i p should not be influenced by the r e l a t i v e positions of people. It
may and should exist between l o v e r s , employer and employee, t e a c h e r and pupil, p a r e n t s and children, and o t h e r s . God's effort t o unite s t r i f e- t o r n humanity m a n i f e s t s itself within e a c h h e a r t a s t h e friendship instinct.
SERVICE TO FRIENDS
T r u e friendship c o n s i s t s in being mutually useful in
offering o n e ' s friend good c h e e r in d i s t r e s s , s y m pathy in s o r r o w , advice i n t r o u b l e , and m a t e r i a l help in t i m e s of r e a l need.
F r i e n d s h i p c o n s i s t s i n rejoicing in t h e good fortune of o n e ' s f r i e n d s and i n s y mpathizing with t h e m in a d v e r s i t y . One who h a s given h i s friendship to another
gladly f o r e g o e s selfish p l e a s u r e s o r s e l f- i n t e r e s t f o r the sake of h i s f r i e n d ' s
happiness, without consciousness of 10ss o r s a c r i f i c e , and without counting the
c o s t . Jealousy i s self- love and death t o friendship. Human love and friendship
have t h e i r b a s i s in s e r v i c e on the physical, o r m e n t a l , o r business plane. They
a r e conditional and may be s h o r t -lived. Blind friendship between selfish and
unt hinking p e r sons m a y end suddenly in blind h a t r e d . Divine love h a s i t s foundation in s e r v i c e on the s p i r i t u a l and intuitional planes, and i s unconditional and
everlasting.
- -/
___^__.
--I---
The g r e a t e r the mutual s e r v i c e , the d e e p e r t h e friendship. Why does J e s u s
have such a wide following? Because h e , like o t h e r g r e a t m a s t e r s , excelled in
s e r v i c e t o humanity. Hence t o a t t r a c t f r i e n d s , one m u s t p o s s e s s the qualities
of a r e a l friend.
Help your f r i e n d by being a m e n t a l , a e s t h e t i c , and s p i r i t u a l inspiration t o
him. Never be s a r c a s t i c t o a friend. Do not f l a t t e r h i m u n l e s s i t i s t o e n c o u r a g e him. Do not a g r e e with h i m when he i s wrong. One who f e e l s r e a l f r i e n d ship cannot witne s s with indifference h i s f r i e n d ' s indulgence in h a r m f u l pleas u r e s . T h i s d o e s not m e a n one should pick a q u a r r e l . Suggest mentally, g r i f
your advice i s a s k e d , give it gently and lovingly. Unwise p e r s o n s argue.
F r i e n d s d i s c u s s t h e i r differences.
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
The s e c r e t of C h r i s t ' s strength lay in h i s love f o r a l l ,
even h i s enemies. F a r b e t t e r t o conquer by love the
h e a r t of a p e r s o n who h a t e s you than t o vanquish h i m by vindictive f o r c e . To the
o r d i n a r y m a n such a doctrine s e e m s a b s u r d . His f i r s t impulse i s to r e t u r n two
s l a p s f o r t h e one he h a s received- - and t o add a kick f o r good m e a s u r e ! Why
should you love your e n e m y ? In o r d e r that you may bring the healing r a y s of
your love into h i s d a r k , h a t r e d- s t r i c k e n h e a r t . When friendship i s so r e l e a s e d ,
it can behold itself a s p u r e golden love. Thus will the f l a m e of your love burn
away the p a r t i t i o n s of h a t r e d and m i s e r y that s e p a r a t e your soul f r o m other s d s ,
and that s e p a r a t e a l l unenlightened souls f r o m the vast s e a of Infinite Love.
P r a c t i c e loving those who do not love you. F e e l for those who do not f e e l
f o r you. Be generous to those who a r e generous only t o themselves. If you heap
hatred upon your enemy, neither he n o r you will be able t o perceive the inherent
beauty of your soul. Avoid doing anything that brings h a r m t o yourself o r to
another. If you a r e self-indulgent, o r if you encourage a friend in h i s vices, you
a r e an enemy disguised a s a friend. Be t r u e t o yourself and t o o t h e r s , and you
will gain the friendship of God. Once you make your love felt in other people, it
will expand until it becomes the one Cosmic Love that flows through a l l h e a r t s .
T h e r e a r e people who do not t r u s t anyone, and who utterly doubt the possi bility of e v e r having t r u e friends. Some, in fact, actually boast that they get
along without friends. But those who fail to be friendly d i s r e g a r d the divine law
of Self-expansion, by which alone the soul evolves and r e t u r n s t o Spirit.
If humility and apologies on your p a r t will bring out the good qualities of a
p e r s o n who considers himself your enemy, by a l l m e a n s apologize when n e c e s s a r y . The p e r s o n who can.do t h i s h a s attained a definite spiritual development,
f o r it takes c h a r a c t e r to be able to apologize graciously and sincerely. It i s the
consciousness of h i s own inferiority that m a k e s a man hide behind a display of
pride. Do not, however, encourage a wrongdoer by being too humble and apologetic. You need not fawn on your enemy, just silently love him. Silently be of
s e r v i c e t o h i m whenever he i s in need, f o r love i s r e a l only when it i s useful
and e x p r e s s e s itself through action. Thus m a n m a y rend the veils of hatred
and of narrow- mindedness that hide God f r o m h i s sight.
You m a y ask: "How can I l e a r n t o love my e n e m i e s ? I a m not strong
enough to do that. " My answer i s this: "Constant communion with the Infinite
by SRF methods of meditation fills one with divine love, which alone enables
one t o love o n e ' s enemies.
Always r e m e m b e r that you need the inspiration of better company--of those
m o r e highly evolved than your self -to keep constantly improving. And you should
a l s o s h a r e your own goodness with people of inferior qualities who need your
help.. A saint once said: "Good company i s of paramount importance, a s it influences your reason and will, which, b y repetitions of good thoughts and actions,
f o r m good habits. I '
-
FRIENDS OF PAST
INCARNATIONS
Make every effort to rediscover your friends of past
incarnations, whom you m a y recognize through f a m i l i a r
physical, mental, and spiritual qualities. T r y t o r e s u m e
such friendships, begun in a preceding incarnation, and perfect them into divine
friendship.
One may come in daily contact with some people and yet not feel in sympathy with them. You have t o adapt yourself t o such p e r sons and l e a r n to love
them. But t h e r e a r e o t h e r s with whom you f e e l instantaneously sympathetic a t
f i r s t meeting; it s e e m s a s though you have always known them. This indicates
that they a r e your friends of previous incarnations. Do not neglect them,
but strengthen the friendship existing between you. Always be on t h e lookout f o r
f r i e n d s of p a s t i n c a r n a t i o n s , by being c a l m within when you m e e t o t h e r s ; m e n t a l
r e s t l e s s n e s s and inattention m a y p r e v e n t your recognizing such f r i e n d s . Not
infrequently s u c h old f r i e n d s a r e v e r y n e a r you, d r a w n into the o r b i t of your life
by the f r i e n d s h i p born i n the d i m , d i s t a n t p a s t . They constitute y o u r shining
collection of s o u l - s t a r s . Add to i t constantly and s e e k in t h e s e bright galaxies
to behold the one G r e a t F r i e n d smiling a t you radiantly and c l e a r l y . It i s God
who c o m e s to you i n the guise of a t r u e and noble friend t o s e r v e , i n s p i r e , and
guide you.
Each human being h a s h i s own conception of what c o n s t i t u t e s physical and
m e n t a l beauty. What s e e m s ugly t o one m a y a p p e a r beautiful t o a n o t h e r . Looking a t a crowd, you like s o m e f a c e s instantly; o t h e r s do not a t t r a c t you. The
i m m e d i a t e a t t r a c t i o n of y o u r mind t o the i n n e r and outer f e a t u r e s of a n individual
i s your f i r s t indication t h a t you have found a friend of the past. Your d e a r ones
whom you loved before a r e d r a w n toward you by a p r e n a t a l s e n s e of friendship.
Do not be deceived by physical beauty. Ask yourself whether o r not t h e e x p r e s s i o n of a f a c e , the m a n n e r of walking, everything about a p a r t i c u l a r p e r s o n
a p p e a l s to you. S o m e t i m e s overeating and lack of e x e r c i s e m a y sufficiently
change the f e a t u r e s of a friend of f o r m e r l i v e s so t h a t he e s c a p e s y o u r recognition. But a n unattractive body m a y h a r b o r the soul of a r e a l f r i e n d . S o m e t i m e s
a beautiful woman f a l l s i n love with a homely m a n , o r a handsome m a n with a
m n , m x h g t a t h e _ h ~ i n fgr i
e
n
~
n
f
a~n.--_
_ __ ~
T h e r e f o r e t o be s u r e that your e y e s have not deceived you with r e g a r d to physical
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of a p e r s o n whom you s u r m i s e m a y be a f o r m e r f r i e n d , a s c e r t a i n
whether you a r e mentally and spiritually congenial. Guard y o u r self against being
prejudiced by l i t t l e p e c u l i a r i t i e s . Delve deeply into t h a t p e r s o n ' s mind i n o r d e r
t o find out whether your t a s t e s and inclinations e s s e n t i a l l y a g r e e . Seek your
f r i e n d s of p a s t i n c a r n a t i o n s i n o r d e r that you m a y continue y o u r friendship with
t h e m in t h i s l i f e , and p e r f e c t it into divine friendship. One lifetime i s not always
sufficient t o achieve the perfection of unconditional divine love between f r i e n d s .
Ugliness of disposition and s e l f i s h n e s s d r i v e away a l l f r i e n d s of f o r m e r
i n c a r n a t i o n s , w h e r e a s f r i e n d l i n e s s d r a w s t h e m toward you. T h e r e f o r e be r e a d y
always t o m e e t t h e m half-way. Never mind i f one o r two f r i e n d s p r o v e f a l s e and
deceive you, f o r o t h e r s t h a t a r e t r u e will bring you many blessings.
DIVINE FRIENDSHIP
F r i e n d s h i p i s the u n i v e r s a l s p i r i t u a l a t t r a c t i o n t h a t u n i t e s
s o u l s in the bond of divine love. It m a y m a n i f e s t i t s e l f
e i t h e r in two o r in many p e r s o n s . The S p i r i t was one. By t h e law of duality it
became two- - positive and negative. Then, by the law of infinity applied to the
law of relativity, it became many. Now the One i n the many is endeavoring t o
unite the many and make t h e m One. T h i s effort of S p i r i t to unify many souls into
One works through o u r e m o t i o n s , intelligence, intuition, and finds its g r e a t e s t
e x p r e s s i o n through friendship. When divine friendship r e i g n s s u p r e m e i n the
t e m p l e of your h e a r t , your soul will m e r g e with the v a s t C o s m i c Soul, leaving f a r
behind the confining bonds that s e p a r a t e d it f r o m a l l of God's animate and inanimate creation.
~
When you behold- - a s s e m b l e d a l l a t once beneath the canopy of your perfected
u n i v e r s a l friendship- - the souls of the p a s t , p r e s e n t , and f u t u r e , then the friendship- thir s t of your h e a r t will be quenched f o r e v e r . Then God's c r e a t i o n will ring
with the emancipating song of all- difference -dissolving c e l e s t i a l friendship. Then
the Divine F r i e n d will rejoice t o see you c o m e Home a f t e r your evolutional wand e r i n g s and roamings through the pathways of incarnations. Then He and you
will m e r g e i n the b l i s s of e t e r n a l friendship.
Only mutual effort t o build wisdom and s p i r i t u a l and intuitive understanding
c a n bind two souls by the laws of e v e r l a s t i n g , u n i v e r s a l divine love. When t r u e
friendship e x i s t s between two souls and they seek s p i r i t u a l love and God's love
t o g e t h e r , when t h e i r only wish i s t o be of s e r v i c e t o each o t h e r , t h e i r friendship
p r o d u c e s the f l a m e of Spirit. Through perfected divine friendship, mutually
seeking s p i r i t u a l perfection, they find the one G r e a t F r i e n d .
No m a n who f a i l s to i n s p i r e confidence in other h e a r t s , and who i s unable t o
extend the kingdom of h i s love and f r i e n d l i n e s s into o t h e r s o u l - t e r r i t o r i e s , c a n
hope t o expand h i s consciousness into Cosmic Consciousness. If you cannot conq u e r human h e a r t s , you cannot conquer the Cosmic H e a r t of God. All t h i s m a y
s e e m v e r y complicated, but when you touch the Infinite, your difficulties will
m e l t away. Divine love will c o m e to you. Beautiful intuitive e x p e r i e n c e s of
u n i v e r s a l f r i e n d l i n e s s will play like fountains in your mind.
Keep in mind t h i s p r a y e r :
"0 Divine F r i e n d , l e t those who a r e m y own come unto me. Finding
t h e m , may I p e r f e c t our friendship, and find friendship with a l l ; thus m a y
I find Thee. "
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Making o t h e r s happy, through kindness of speech
and s i n c e r i t y of right advice, i s a sign of t r u e
g r e a t n e s s . To h u r t another soul by s a r c a s t i c w o r d s , looks, o r suggestions, is
despicable. S a r c a s m d r a w s out t h e rebellious s p i r i t and a n g e r in the wrongdoer.
Loving suggestions bring out repentance in him. Repentance c o n s i s t s i n t h o r oughly understanding o n e ' s own e r r o r and in abandoning it.
F r i e n d s h i p i s p u r e by nature. When you have a lily in your hands, how c a n
you c r u s h i t ? When you love a p e r s o n d e a r l y , how can you h u r t h i m , even though
he m a y be w r o n g ? Divine love i s unlimited and infinite. When two o r m o r e p e r sons a r e f r i e n d s always, no m a t t e r what happens, that i s a n e x p r e s s i o n 'of divine
love, o r divine friend ship.
AFFIRMATION
Today I will forgive a l l those who e v e r offended m e , and I will
give m y love t o a l l t h i r s t y h e a r t s - - b o t h to those who love m e and to
those who do not love me.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
o Copyrlsht 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
U
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
WE ARE PART OF THY CHANGELESS BEING
By Paramahansa Yogananda
0 S p i r i t , w e t o s s and dance on t h e waves of Thy crea t i o n . Make u s r e a l i z e Thy p r e s e n c e b e n e a t h t h e waves of
i l l u s i o n . 0 S p i r i t , d i v e r t our eyes w i t h i n t o s e e t h e v a s t n e s s of Thy g l o r y b e h i n d a l l a p p e a r a n c e s .
0 Beloved I m m o r t a l i t y , t e a c h u s t o b e h o l d Thy v a s t n e s s ,
Thy c h a n g e l e s s n e s s , b e h i n d a l l t h i n g s , t h a t w e may p e r c e i v e
b u t a- s p a.r-t -.of Thy- - o u r s e l v e s , n o t a s p a r t of t h e change,
c h a n g e l e s s Being.
-
We s h e d o u r t e a r s of l i g h t t h r o u g h t h e e y e s of s t a r s a t
t h e f e e t o f t h e b l u e . F a t h e r , r e c e i v e o u r g a t h e r e d t e a r s of
l i g h t t o wash Thy f e e t of i m m o r t a l i t y . W e a r e Thy c h i l d r e n ;
Thou a r t o u r s : make u s r e a l i z e t h i s t r u t h . From t h e i n c e n s e
v a s e of o u r h e a r t s w e o f f e r u n t o Thee t h e f r a g r a n c e of o u r
l o v e . May we n o t become e n t h r a l l e d by p a s s i n g d e s i r e s , b u t
be awakened t o Thy g l o r y . May w e d i s s o l v e t h i s dream o f
d e l u s i o n and b e h o l d Thee: t h e o n l y R e a l i t y . Make u s immortal
s t a r s i n t h e firmament of Thy Being.
Good w i l l u n t o a l l r e l i g i o n s ; peace u n t o a l l p e o p l e ;
peace u n t o a l l n a t i o n s ; peace u n t o a l l c r e a t u r e s ; p e a c e u n t o
a l l t h a t l i v e s . F a t h e r , Mother, F r i e n d , Beloved God, rec h a r g e o u r b e i n g s w i t h Thy power; r e c h a r g e o u r minds w i t h
Thine e f f i c i e n c y ; r e c h a r g e o u r s o u l s w i t h Thine e v e r l a s t i n g
wisdom. May we c a s t away a l l f e e l i n g s of i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h
t h e l i m i t a t i o n s of t h e body. I n e v e r y c e l l of o u r b e i n g may
we f e e l Thy joy and t h e peace o f m e d i t a t i o n .
--
PRAYER
/
0 S p i r i t , t e a c h m e t o h e a l t h e body by r e c h a r g i n g it
w i t h Thy cosmic energy; t o h e a l t h e mind by c o n c e n t r a t i o n and
s m i l e s ; and t o f r e e t h e s o u l from i g n o r a n c e by m e d i t a t i o n born i n t u i t i o n .
THE ART OF ENERGIZATION -- P a r t 1
P h y s i c a l change, such a s t h e body undergoes i n d i s e a s e
o r d e a t h , does n o t mean a n n i h i l a t i o n . I t means c e r t a i n
changes of motion t h a t w e human b e i n g s sometimes f e a r
and d i s l i k e . The n a t u r e of m a t t e r i s change. The
nature of S p i r i t i s changelessness.
PHYSICAL BODY
IS CONSTANTLY
CHANGING
The m i l l i o n s of t i n y c e l l s t h a t make up o u r f l e s h and bones a r e
f u l l of l i f e and a c t i v i t y ; t h e human body, which l o o k s s o compact and
s o l i d , i s i n f a c t n o t h i n g b u t a bundle of motions, o f f o r c e s w h i r l i n g
t o g e t h e r i n u l t r a r a p i d motion. I n o r d e r t o keep t h e a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e
b o d i l y c e l l s i n motion c e r t a i n e x t e r n a l f a c t o r s a r e n e c e s s a r y :
1.
2.
3.
4.
t h e u l t r a v i o l e t r a y s i n sunshine;
oxygen;
n o u r i s h i n g food;
p u r e l i q u i d s , such a s w a t e r and f r u i t j u i c e s .
But, more i m p o r t a n t , t h e body's l i v i n g c e l l s a r e c r e a t e d and e n e r g i z e d i n t e r n a l l y by t h o u g h t s and by b i o l o g i c a l f o r c e s . From a n i n n e r
s p i r i t u a l s o u r c e t h e v a r i o u s chemical, m o l e c u l a r , atomic, and o t h e r mot i o n s of t h e b o d i l y c e l l s a r e c o n s t a n t l y f l o o d e d w i t h s u b t l e r r e j u v e n a t i n g motions o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s , s u b c o n s c i o u s n e s s , s u p e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s ,
C h r i s t Consciousness, and Cosmic Consciousness. The v i t a l s p a r k s of
i n t e l l i g e n t energy t h a t c o n s t i t u t e l i f e a r e b u t condensed t h o u g h t s of
God. Without t h e s e v i t a l s p a r k s of l i f e , t h e e x t e r n a l s o u r c e s of b o d i l y
energy a r e of no a v a i l i n m a i n t a i n i n g l i f e i n t h e body.
The importance of depending more and more upon t h e l i m i t l e s s s u p p l y
o f energy a v a i l a b l e from t h e i n n e r s o u r c e of Cosmic Consciousness, and
less upon o t h e r s o u r c e s o f b o d i l y energy, now becomes c l e a r . H e a l t h f u l
food i s n e c e s s a r y , b u t e a t i n g a l l t h e t i m e w i l l o n l y make t h e body grow
o l d more q u i c k l y . The o n l y way t o keep t h e body r e a l l y r e j u v e n a t e d i s
t o u n i t e human c o n s c i o u s n e s s and Cosmic Consciousness t h r o u g h meditat i o n . Avoid any s u g g e s t i o n t o t h e mind o f human l i m i t a t i o n s , s i c k n e s s ,
o l d age, d e a t h . I n s t e a d one s h o u l d c o n s t a n t l y i m p r e s s t h e mind w i t h
this truth:
"1 am t h e I n f i n i t e t h a t h a s become t h e body.
The body,
a s a manifestation of S p i r i t , is t h e ever- youthful S p i r i t . "
@
The f i r s t p r o c e s s i n e n e r g i z i n g t h e body i s t o supply it with t h e
b a s i c elements of food chemicals t h a t it needs; p l u s sunshine from
r e g u l a r sunbaths ( a half- hour sunbath t w i c e a week, o r p r e f e r a b l y t e n
minutes every d a y ) , and s u f f i c i e n t oxygen from r e g u l a r proper b r e a t h i n g .
The f o l l o w i n g e x e r c i s e w i l l be found b e n e f i c i a l :
BREATHING EXERCISE
While walking, a s one should do every day, i n h a l e , counting
one t o twelve. Hold t h e b r e a t h twelve counts; t h e n exhale,
counting one t o twelve. Do t h i s twenty- four t i m e s every time
you a r e out walking.
O r d i n a r i l y , people c o n c e n t r a t e only upon food, a i r , and sunshine t o
keep t h e body well, b u t a time may come when h e a l t h f a i l s i n s p i t e of an
abundant supply of t h e s e e x t e r n a l sources of l i f e . The r e a l i z a t i o n t h e n
comes t h a t t h i s body- battery must a l s o be recharged by t h e i n n e r s o u r c e .
Bread ( i . e . , food) a l o n e does not support l i f e . I f it d i d , one
could p u t food i n t o t h e body of a dead man, l a y him out i n t h e sun, and
expect him t o come t o l i f e . The Power t h a t c r e a t e s l i f e , t h a t e n a b l e s
t h e body t o convert food and a i r i n t o energy -- That i s t h e d i r e c t
source of l i f e .
The l i f e of an automobile b a t t e r y depends not merely upon d i s t i l l e d
water i n d i r e c t l y s u p p l i e d from o u t s i d e , b u t upon t h e v i b r a t i n g e l e c t r i c
c u r r e n t flowing i n t o it through t h e mouth of t h e w i r e s from t h e engine.
-
- - --
-
-
--
-
A
-
-
-
--
-
- -
-+
S i m i l a r l y , man's body- battery does not l i v e s o l e l y by means of
i n d i r e c t o u t e r s o u r c e s -- food, oxygen, l i q u i d s , sunshine -- b u t by t h e
d i r e c t i n n e r source of t h e w i l l , which causes v i b r a t i n g l i f e c u r r e n t
from t h e i n v i s i b l e dynamo of Cosmic Energy t o flow i n t o t h e body through
t h e medulla oblongata, t h e "mouth of God." (The medulla i s l o c a t e d a t
t h e base of t h e b r a i n , where t h e back of t h e s k u l l j o i n s t h e neck.)
I t i s e l e c t r i c i t y t h a t changes t h e d i s t i l l e d water i n t o t h e f o r c e
t h a t r e c h a r g e s an automobile b a t t e r y . I t i s t h e l i f e energy t h a t conv e r t s oxygen, s o l i d s , and l i q u i d s i n t o t h e f o r c e t h a t keeps u s a l i v e .
I t i s t h e same l i f e energy t h a t made s o l i d s and l i q u i d s what t h e y a r e ;
when we put them i n t o our stomachs t h e y must a g a i n be converted i n t o
energy b e f o r e t h e y a r e of any u s e t o t h e body. And when t h e energy t h a t
i s i n them i s taken o u t , it i s l i f e energy t h a t f o r c e s t h e r e s i d u e of
t h i s mass of waste m a t e r i a l out of t h e body through t h e pores, i n t e s t i n e s , and kidneys. J u s t a s d i s t i l l e d water ( t h e o u t e r source of sustenance) a l o n e w i l l not s u s t a i n l i f e i n t h e automobile b a t t e r y o r b r i n g
l i f e back t o t h e b a t t e r y a f t e r it i s dead, s o oxygen, s o l i d s , l i q u i d s ,
and sunshine a l o n e w i l l not h e l p a dead body- battery. The body must
a l s o have l i f e energy.
The medulla oblongata i s t h e o r i g i n a l p o i n t of
i n t a k e of t h e l i f e f o r c e a s it comes from God.
The medulla oblongata i s c a l l e d t h e "mouth of Godw
because t h a t i s where God " breathes" l i f e f o r c e i n t o man. Do not con-
GOD, THE O R I G I N A L
SOURCE OF ENERGY
fuse t h i s w i t h t h e Bible passage t h a t reads:
"God. ..breathed i n t o h i s n o s t r i l s t h e breath of l i f e ; and man
became a l i v i n g soul1' (Genesis 2 : 7 )
.
An explanation of t h e foregoing verse i s given i n t h e Lessons on
Genesis.
Of a l l t h e body p a r t s only t h e medulla oblongata cannot be operated
upon by t h e surgeon. Why? Because it i s t h e center of a l l t h e centers
of l i f e i n t h e brain and spine. I t i s t h e one center through which t h e
l i f e force e n t e r s t h e body. The heart, brain, and cervical, dorsal,
lumbar, s a c r a l , and coccygeal centers of t h e spine a r e minor centers,
acting merely a s d i s t r i b u t o r s of t h a t l i f e force they receive through
t h e medulla oblongata.
Science has proved t h a t everything i s being
constantly recharged by cosmic energy. The
human body i s surrounded by a halo of conscious
cosmic energy. The medulla oblongata i s the antenna of t h e bodily receiving s t a t i o n t h a t receives t h e radiographed cosmic energy from Cosmic
Consciousness through t h e bodily radio operator -- w i l l . Just as man
can use t h e i n v i s i b l e vibratory waves of radio t o control f a r d i s t a n t
ships on t h e sea, so God, through vibrations of H i s i n t e l l i g e n t cosmic
energy, supplies our bodies w i t h l i f e force without any v i s i b l e connection.
HOW TO RECHARGE
THE BODY WITH ENERGY
God created t h e o r i g i n a l cosmic vibration or energy which, once
s t a r t e d , became perpetual; and by wireless w i l l power we can draw upon
it and bring it i n t o t h e body through t h e medulla oblongata. T h i s
cosmic energy, t h e same energy out of which we and everything e l s e i n
t h e universe were created, surrounds and permeates a l l creation, a l l t h e
time. I t e n t e r s t h e body through t h e I1mouth of God" (medulla oblongata)
and i s t h e i n v i s i b l e "word" t h a t sustains a l l l i f e .
We can learn t o l i v e more and more by t h a t e t e r n a l supply of cosmic
energy which i s always a l l about us, and thus ever a v a i l a b l e t o us f o r
recharging t h e body with v i t a l i t y . One may use the knowledge gained
from these i n s t r u c t i o n s t o make t h e body f i t i n every way. A body t h a t
i s f r e e from disease and weakness presents l e s s resistance t o t h e medi t a t i o n methods and p r a c t i c e s by which Self- realization is attained, and
by which t h e human consciousness, a s well as t h e body, i s r a i s e d t o t h e
fatigueless s t a t e .
Self- realization may be and sometimes i s a t t a i n e d even by people
who a r e struggling with sick and otherwise imperfect bodies; but it
cannot be a t t a i n e d unless one can concentrate and meditate uninterruptedly upon God. Since it i s d i f f i c u l t t o concentrate and meditate
while t h e aches and pains of t h e body continually have t h e a t t e n t i o n of
t h e mind, t h e path t o Self- realization is made much e a s i e r i f t h e imperf e c t i o n s of t h e body a r e eliminated and i f t h e operation of i t s funct i o n s a r e s o harmoniously arranged t h a t t h e mind need not a t any time
be i n t e r r u p t e d i n m e d i t a t i o n because of t h e demands of t h e p h y s i c a l
body.
By c o n s t a n t l y holding t h e p e a c e f u l a f t e r e f f e c t s of m e d i t a t i o n i n
mind; by b e l i e v i n g i n e t e r n a l l i f e i n s t e a d of t h e i l l u s o r y changes we
behold i n t h i s l i f e ; and by f e e l i n g t h e ocean of immortal B l i s s (God)
underlying t h e changeable waves of experiences of p a s t l i v e s , and t h e
waves of p e r c e p t i o n s of childhood, youth, and age i n t h i s l i f e , we can
b r i n g about not only t h e p e r p e t u a l l y youthful consciousness of t h e s o u l ,
but a l s o maintain youthfulness of body, i f s o d e s i r e d . When t h e body i s
found t o be, not i s o l a t e d from S p i r i t , but a number of r i s i n g and f a l l i n g waves of v i b r a t i n g c u r r e n t s i n t h e ocean of Cosmic Consciousness, we
may implant i n t h e body t h e p e r p e t u a l l y r e j u v e n a t i n g power of S p i r i t .
SELF-REALIZATION DEFINED
S e l f - r e a l i z a t i o n i s t h e knowing -- i n body, mind, and s o u l -t h a t we a r e one with t h e omnipresence of God; t h a t we do not
have t o pray t h a t it come t o us, t h a t we a r e not merely n e a r
it a t a l l times, but t h a t God's omnipresence i s our omnipresence; t h a t we a r e j u s t a s much a p a r t of H i m now a s we e v e r
w i l l be. A l l we have t o do i s improve our knowing.
S e l f - r e a l i z a t i o n means knowledge of one's own s o u l and of i t s
oneness with t h e F a t h e r .
--
- So l o r n -as it dwells on the m a t U m e human-cansciousness-_-cannot encompass t h e u n i v e r s a l C h r i s t Consciousness no m a t t e r how
d e s i r o u s it may be of doing s o . By p r a c t i c e of t h e s c i e n t i f i c conc e n t r a t i o n and m e d i t a t i o n techniques t a u g h t i n t h e S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n
Fellowship Lessons, t h e s i n c e r e s t u d e n t can i n c r e a s e and r e f i n e t h e
r e c e p t i v i t y of h i s consciousness s o t h a t he may u l t i m a t e l y p e r c e i v e t h e
C h r i s t Consciousness u n i v e r s a l l y p r e s e n t i n every atom of c r e a t i o n .
S t . John r e f e r r e d t o t h i s expansion of t h e human consciousness t o
r e c e i v e t h e d i v i n e when he d e c l a r e d of C h r i s t :
"But a s many a s r e c e i v e d him, t o them gave he power t o
become t h e sons of God, even t o them t h a t b e l i e v e on h i s
name" ( S t . John 1: 1 2 )
.
Thus, according t o t h e Bible, a l l men may d i s c o v e r t h e i r a c t u a l
oneness with C h r i s t Consciousness. By i n t u i t i v e S e l f - r e a l i z a t i o n , o r
knowledge of h i s own s o u l , man becomes aware of h i s oneness with t h e
C h r i s t Consciousness. Those who a t t a i n t h e h i g h e s t S e l f - r e a l i z a t i o n
know without any doubt t h a t t h e y a r e " t h e sons of God."
-
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
H e a l t h and s t r e n g t h a r e n o t synonymous terms. A p e r s o n may have
c u l t i v a t e d g r e a t s t r e n g t h i n h i s limbs o r i n c e r t a i n muscles by t h e u s e
of mechanical a p p l i a n c e s , b u t s t i l l h e may n o t have good h e a l t h . The
h e a l t h y a c t i o n of t h e l u n g s and stomach, f o r example, i s f a r more import a n t t h a n abnormal s t r e n g t h i n t h e arms, legs, o r back. S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n
F e l l o w s h i p Lessons f a i t h f u l l y p r a c t i c e d w i l l be found t o be a s u r e and
e f f e c t i v e combatant a g a i n s t b o d i l y d i s e a s e s and inharmonious c o n d i t i o n s
o f t h e mind, a c t i n g as a h e a l i n g balm f o r nervous a f f l i c t i o n s and abnormalities. With t h e a i d of t h e s e Lessons, t h e g e n e r a l v i t a l i t y can be
d e f i n i t e l y raised, r e s u l t i n g i n a wonderful development of t i s s u e s t r e n g t h
and n e r v e v i g o r , and t h e r e b y i n s u r i n g l o n g e r l i f e . Memory and b r a i n power
may a l s o be i n c r e a s e d t h r o u g h g r e a t e r b l o o d s u p p l y . These Lessons a l s o
t e a c h how t o s e n d t h e c u r a t i v e energy c o n s c i o u s l y t o any d i s e a s e d body
part.
AFFIRMATION
0 E t e r n a l Energy! awaken w i t h i n m e c o n s c i o u s
w i l l , c o n s c i o u s v i t a l i t y , c o n s c i o u s h e a l t h , cons c i o u s r e a l i z a t i o n . Good w i l l t o a l l , v i t a l i t y t o
a l l , good h e a l t h t o a l l , r e a l i z a t i o n t o a l l ! 0
E t e r n a l Youth of body and mind, a b i d e i n m e f o r e v e r and f o r e v e r .
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Riahts Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
RECEIVE THE FERVOR OF OUR SOULS
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Divine F a t h e r , bless our thoughts that they m a y
remind u s of Thy b l i s s , bless our feelings that they
m a y f e e l Thee alone, bless our d e s i r e s that they may
seek Thee alone, and bless our ambitions t h a t we
m a y be ambitious only f o r Thee. Thou a r t the n e c t a r
which our souls seek.
-
May we f e e l Thy vibrations, and feeling t h e m
may we r e m a i n awakened. We offer our humble
p r a y e r s f o r a new p r o s p e r i t y in Thee, a new cons c i o u s n e s s in T h e e , a new m e n t a l power within.
B l e s s a l l who have helped to spread Thy m e s s a g e ,
Thy living f i r e on e a r t h . Be Thou manifest within
them. Receive the blossoms of our h e a r t s , the f e r v o r
of our souls. Thou a r t our One F a t h e r , seated on the
throne of our united h e a r t s . Receive the offering of
our devotion. B l e s s u s a l l , d e s t r o y a l l b a r r i e r s .
Ignite our ignorance, e s t a b l i s h Thy light e v e r m o r e .
PRAYER
Help m e , 0 S p i r i t , t o l e a r n t o live m o r e and m o r e
by d i r e c t c o s m i c energy and l e s s and l e s s by food. Being
e n e r g y , burning i n the bulb of the s e n s e s , I r e c h a r g e m y self with Thy c o s m i c energy.
THE ART O F ENERGIZATION--Part 2
The physical body i s a bundle of motions, a combination
of c e l l s composed of moving m o l e c u l e s , which in t u r n a r e
made u p of whirling a t o m s , composed of p r o t o n s , e l e c t r o n s ,
neutrons, p o s i t r o n s , and m e s o n s , whirling in the r e l a t i v ely i m m e n s e space within each a t o m .
The s e minute, semi- intelligent f o r m s
a r e manife stations of s p a r k s of thought f r o m the Infinite Intelligence, God.
PHYSICAL BODY
A BUNDLE
OF MOTIONS
Underlying the c h e m i c a l motion in c e l l s a r e dancing waves of m o l e c u l a r
motion, beneath which s u r g e waves of atomic motion. Below the atomic l a y e r
a r e waves of electronic and protonic motion, hiding in t u r n bright waves of dancing s p a r k s , the vital f o r c e s . Underlying t h e s e e x p r e s s i o n s of life energy a r e
waves of sensation, and d e e p e r s t i l l a r e waves of thought, feeling, and will f o r c e .
Hidden a t the v e r y bottom of a l l t h e s e waves of v a r i e d motions of life i s the ego.
Ego i s soul i n t h e delusive s t a t e of being
identified with the physical body.
Although the body a p p e a r s t o be a solid m a s s of limited proportions, occupying but a s m a l l a r e a of s p a c e , the c e l l s that compose the body a r e manifestations
of a v a s t ocean of molecular waves. The m o l e c u l a r waves of the body a r e m a n i festations of the s t i l l g r e a t e r ocean of atomic waves. Atomic waves a r e m a n i fe stations of the i m m e n s e ocean of e l e c t r o n s , protons and other atomic p a r t i c l e s .
The waves of pzotons, e l e c t r o n s , e t c . , a r e manifestations of v a s t e r oceans of
vital f o r c e . The vital f o r c e (or life e n e r g y ) i s a manifestation of the m e a s u r e l e s s p o w e r s of a l l f o r m s of s ~ b ~ o n s c i o ~ s ns~u ps esr,c o n s c i o u s n e s s , C h r i s t Cons c i o u s n e s s , and Cosmic Consciousness.
As a manifestation of c h e m i c a l motion the body a p p e a r s s m a l l , but since
t h e s e c h e m i c a l motions of the bodily c e l l s a r e actually condensed waves of C o s m i c Consciousness, the body i s potentially v a s t and omnipre sent.
T i s s u e is t h e g e n e r a l name f o r a l l the different c e l l u l a r groupings of which
body o r g a n s a r e composed. The s a m e invisible f o r c e that m a k e s t i s s u e s of some
c e l l s s o a r r a n g e s other c e l l s a s t o f o r m h a r d bones, wonderfully worked into a
s k e l e t a l f r a m e around which f l e s h c a n c l q ; a n d o t h e r s f o r m the bloodstream.
It i s s t r a n g e that the body h a s to be kept alive by e x t e r n a l f o r c e s of food,
c h e m i c a l s , and sunshine, instead of simply being flooded with vitality f r o m the
i n n e r s o u r c e of Cosmic Consciousness. But the body, being a m a s s of c e l l u l a r
motion, cannot live without motion; i t s c e l l s have t o be kept s t i r r e d with life by
e x t e r n a l food f o r c e s , and kept dancing with vitality d e r i v e d f r o m the i n t e r n a l
Source.
POWER OF W1L.L
Concentration on the m u s c l e s , a s i n the p r a c t i c e of m e c h a n i c a l physical e x e r c i s e s , t e n d s t o m a k e one think of h i m self a s a p h y s i c a l being only. Self - Realization Fellowship i n s t r u c t i o n s teach the
science of concentrating on the i n n e r life energy and will power and t h u s awakening o n e ' s c onsciousness of h i s subtle s p i r i t u a l nature. Strength come s f r o m
within; not f r o m the m u s c l e s . Life i s sustained f r o m the p o w e r s within; it d o e s
not depend solely upon food o r e x e r c i s e .
Example:
A dead m a n a r t i f i c a l l y m a d e t o e x e r c i s e with dumbbells
d o e s not become strong; n o r d o e s stuffing h i s stomach
with food bring h i m back t o l i f e , because life e n e r g y i s
absent.
Self- Realization Fellowship i n s t r u c t i o n s t e a c h one t o spiritualize the body-t o p e r c e i v e it a s a reflection of Spirit and to think of oneself a s the divine life
e n e r g y t h a t s u s t a i n s the body, r a t h e r than a s a m e r e physical vehicle consisting
of bones and m u s c l e s of a c e r t a i n v o h r m e x m ? werght. YcrwiiHse-----energy can be made t o p e r m e a t e the body by tension, and how i t c a n be withdrawn
f r o m the body by relaxation.
Life e n e r g y i s expended in a l l p r o c e s s e s of thought, feeling, and physical
activity. Self - Realization Fellowship technique s , when p r a c t i c e d c o r r e c t l y ,
replenish the e n e r g y by tapping i t s s o u r c e , the medulla oblongata; life e n e r g y
c a n be continually supplied t o the body f r o m t h i s s o u r c e by stimulating the medull a oblongata c e n t e r with conscious will. The power of will bridges the gulf
between the life energy i n the body and the C o s m i c Energy surrounding it. By
keeping i n touch with the C o s m i c Source of life e n e r g y it i s possible t o work without fatigue.
All o u r l i m b s and m u s c l e s a r e moved by the e x e r c i s e of will and life energy.
The flow of life energy into the s e n s o r y n e r v e s i s c a u s e d by divine will and o u r
own will t o g e t h e r ; the flow of life energy into the m o t o r n e r v e s i s c a u s e d by o u r
own will.
ALWAYS REMEMBER:
The g r e a t e r the e x e r t i o n of the will, the g r e a t e r
the flow of life energy into a p a r t i c u l a r body p a r t .
When a n g r y , human beings and a n i m a l s manifest a b n o r m a l strength. No
physiological improvement of the m u s c l e f i b e r s i s possible i n such a s h o r t t i m e .
The sudden a c c e s s i o n of s t r e n g t h c o m e s f r o m the will. Anger s t i m u l a t e s the will,
and t h u s c a u s e s a n e x t r a flow of strength- giving energy into the m u s c l e s and
o t h e r body p a r t s .
Most physical c u l t u r e s y s t e m s a r e m e c h a n i c a l and do not take into account
the foregoing f a c t s . E x e r c i s e s t h a t m a k e u s e only of the unconscious m e c h a n i c a l
will a r e m e r e l y " muscle bumping. " Such e x e r c i s e s do not c a u s e a sufficient
flow of life energy into the m u s c l e s and t i s s u e s t o be m o r e than t e m p o r a r i l y beneficial. By following the teaching s of Self -Realization Fellowship you c a n l e a r n
how t o vitalize e v e r y body c e l l .
Relaxation m e a n s the r e l e a s e of the energy and c o n s c i o u s n e s s t h a t have been
employed e i t h e r by t h e body a s a whole o r by s o m e of i t s p a r t s during m e n t a l o r
physical activity. Man r e c e i v e s sensations coming f r o m out side stimulation
through h i s e y e s , e a r s , n o s e , tongue, and skin s u r f a c e by m e a n s of i m p u l s e s
t h a t t r a v e l through the s e n s o r y n e r v e s . He responds to sensations by sending
e n e r g y out through the m o t o r n e r v e s , which c a u s e s tension o r contraction of the
muscles.
to send e n e r g y t o any m u s c l e . Lift your right
Tension r e s u l t s when you &l
a r m . What p o w e r s have you used in lifting the a r m ? "Will power, " you say.
But suppose your a r m w e r e p a r a l y z e d ; your w
& to lift it would s t i l l be p r e s e n t ,
but you would be unable to r a i s e that a r m . Why? Because t h e e n e r g y could not
then flow f r e e l y through the n e r v e s into the m u s c l e s of the a r m , t r a n s m u t i n g the
command of your will into action. If the a r m w e r e healed, you would again be
able to lift it by will power.
Now d r o p your right a r m t o your side again. F e e l it throbbing with energy.
But c a n you lift it again without using will p o w e r ? No ! It i s c l e a r f r o m t h i s
simple e x p e r i m e n t t h a t both e n e r g y a n d will power a r e r e q u i r e d in the movement
of any p a r t of t h e body.
R a i s e your right a r m in f r o n t of you, with the p a l m of the
hand t u r n e d upward, until it i s shoulder high and p a r a l l e l t o the
ground. C l o s e your left hand in a f i s t and place it on the upturned p a l m of the right hand, p r e s s i n g downward a s if your
left hand weighed five pounds. R e s i s t t h i s p r e s s u r e by tensing the right a r m .
Now i n c r e a s e the p r e s s u r e of t h e left hand t o t e n pounds. Will t o hold it with the
right hand, and i n c r e a s e the tension in the right a r m by willing to send m o r e
energy t h e r e . Now i n c r e a s e the p r e s s u r e of the left hand t o fifteen pounds. Relax
and d r o p your a r m s a t y o u r sides.
ENERGY AND
WILL POWER
(Experiment)
Now p r a c t i c e t h i s weight-lifting e x e r c i s e mentally
without any p r e s s u r e of the hand o r the u s e of
weights: f i r s t lift your right a r m , with p a l m of the hand upturned, p a r a l l e l t o the
ground, a s i n the f i r s t e x p e r i m e n t . Hold it t h e r e . Realize that a c e r t a i n amount
of will and energy is holding your a r m in t h i s position. If you take away the will
power f r o m the uplifted r i g h t a r m , the a r m will f a l l , d r a w n by g r a v i t y , and will
hang a t your side. The s a m e thing would happen if the n e r v e s of the a r m w e r e
ANOTHER EXPERIMENT
suddenly s e v e r e d , o r p a r a l y z e d , o r if the e n e r g y i n the a r m w e r e withdrawn.
Now t e n s e y o u r u p r a i s e d a r m a s m u c h a s would be r e q u i r e d t o hold a n i m a g i n a r y
weight of five pounds; t e n s e m o r e s t r o n g l y , a s if the i m a g i n a r y weight w e r e t e n
pounds; fifteen pounds. R e l a x the a r m and l e t i t d r o p t o y o u r s i d e .
-
It i s n e c e s s a r y t o w i l l t o hold e i t h e r a n a c t u a l o r a n i m a g i n a r y weight of
five pounds, and t h e a m o u n t of e n e r g y r e q u i r e d t o hold t h a t weight i n c r e a s e s
a c c o r d i n g l y . When you will t o hold a n i n c r e a s e d weight you a u t o m a t i c a l l y
i n c r e a s e your will p o w e r , and the a m o u n t of e n e r g y s e n t t o the a r m , in o r d e r t o
hold t h e g r e a t e r weight.
T h e r e f o r e we e x p e r i e n c e weight a c c o r d i n g t o t h e d e g r e e of will power and
the amount of e n e r g y t h a t we spend i n lifting it. The e x p e r i m e n t of lifting i m a g i nary weights p r o v e s t h a t a n a c t of w i l l p r o d u c e s a c t u a l e n e r g y i n a body p a r t , a n d ,
i n s o doing, p r o d u c e s t e n s i o n (i. e. , c o n t r a c t i o n of t h e m u s c l e s ) i n t h a t p a r t .
If one t o u c h e s t h e two p o l e s of a n e l e c t r i c b a t t e r y , h i s h a n d s will be e n e r gized and t e n s e d . If one d r i n k s m i l k o r e a t s food when t i r e d , h e w i l l f e e l s o m e
e n e r g y i n h i s body. In e i t h e r c a s e , one h a s p r o d u c e d t h i s e n e r g y t h r o u g h s o m e
outward m a t e r i a l agency introduced into t h e body.
But i n t e n s i n g o r e n e r g i z i n g t h e a r m , o r any body p a r t , with will, a s i n t h e
foregoing e x p e r i m e n t s , one p r o d u c e s e n e r g y i n t h a t p a r t i c u l a r body p a r t p u r e l y
- by t h e power&
o n s c i mn
i a r T 1 3 L Byi?magYnTnZ t%aT- oriEG--GeZXEin~e ne r gy
t o h i s r i g h t a r m he m a y s u c c e e d i n sending a faint c u r r e n t t h e r e ; but i t i s only
by w i l l power t h a t one c a n send a p e r c e p t i b l e a m o u n t of e n e r g y . By energizing
t h r o u g h t e n s i o n , t h e g r e a t link between c o n s c i o u s n e s s , will, and t h e body i s
found. By willing t o e n e r g i z e the right a r m , f o r e x a m p l e we:
1) a r o u s e e n e r g y f e l t a s p o w e r ,
2 ) c r e a t e t e n s i o n in the m u s c l e s .
T h i s shows t h a t c o n s c i o u s n e s s (will) i s t h e p r i m e f a c t o r i n c r e a t i n g c h a n g e s in
t h e flow of e n e r g y t o m u s c l e s o r t o any body p a r t s . Also, i n lifting weights by
w i l l p o w e r , t h e i m p o r t a n t r e l a t i o n between w i l l and e n e r g y i s found.
THOUGHTS T O L I V E B Y
The m o t i o n o r e n e r g y o r life f o r c e within you i s t h a t which h e a l s . The only
p u r p o s e of e x t e r n a l p h y s i c a l m e t h o d s i s t o r o u s e t h i s life e n e r g y . S e l f - R e a l i z a tion F e l l o w s h i p L e s s o n s t e a c h you how t o r o u s e by w i l l t h e l i f e e n e r g y (life f o r c e )
t h a t c r e a t e s e v e r y p a r t , e v e r y o r g a n , of t h e body.
T h e link between t h e mind and f l e s h i s supplied by the life f o r c e . When, by
w i l l p o w e r , you c a n c o n t a c t t h a t dynamic p o w e r , a steady c u r r e n t w i l l go t h r o u g h
your h a n d s and e y e s , and you w i l l say:
-
"Oh, I thought that this little body contained only a fragile
little l i f e , easily crushed by s t o r m o r accident; but now I realize
that beneath t h i s life i s the Cosmic Life. I'
'
These SRF Lessons teach you how to contact Cosmic Life; when you a r e
attuned t o the Cosmic Life you will never t i r e because you will feel, beneath
your energy, the ocean of God's cosmic energy. The g r e a t e s t method i s t o
tap that energy directly f r o m the inner source and not through the artificial
stimuli of medicines, emotion and so on. Then you can say:
"Right beneath the flesh i s a tremendous c u r r e n t . I forgot
i t , but now, by digging with the pickax of Self- realization, I have
discovered that life f o r c e again. I and my F a t h e r a r e One. I
a m not the flesh. I a m the charge of divine electricity that
p e r m e a t e s this body. "
AFFIRMAT ION
I a m youthful; I a m youth.
I a m healthy; I a m health.
I a m strong; I a m strength.
I a m i m m o r t a l ; I a m immortality.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
S-1 P-7
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
INITIATE US WITH THINE ETERNAL ABUNDANCE
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Heavenly F a t h e r , Thou a r t our c o s m i c house of supply.
B l e s s us a l l that we may manifest Thy blessings in our
health, in our mental a s p i r a t i o n s , and in our soul e x p r e s sions. Thou a r t the life in the s t a r s , Thou a r t the e n e r g y
in the atom. Heavenly F a t h e r , teach us to c h a r g e ours e l v e s with Thine unlimited power, with Thine unlimited
.-w isirorn, and with Thine unlimited o r iginaTity. F o r g i v e us
our t r a n s g r e s s i o n s , our willful wanderings in the land of
e r r o r . Bring us to the right path. Show u s that Thou a r t
the s u p r e m e s o u r c e of health; show us that Thou a r t the
ocean of life; show us that Thou a r t the fountainhead of a l l
wisdom. Shake away our ignorance; shake away our d i s e a s e s ;
shake away a l l our suffering. Let the flood of Thy wisdom
c a r r y away the d r o s s that i s within us.
T e a r away the veil that hides Thy face f r o m us. Come
a s a burning light, come a s the g l o r y in the s t a r s , come a s
the i m m o r t a l power of our thoughts. F a t h e r , we will never
be satisfied with anything except Thee. We want Thy guidance, Thy s t r e n g t h , Thy counsel in everything. A s often as
we think wrongly, l e t Thy whisper in the temple of silence
guide u s to the right path, which l e a d s to Thee.
Come, F a t h e r , come ! Initiate us in Thy c r e a t i v e power
of e t e r n a l abundance.
- --
-
PRAYER
O conscious Cosmic Energy, it i s Thou who dost d i r e c t l y sustain
m y body. Solid, liquid, and gaseous foods a r e converted and spiritualized into e n e r g y by Thy c o s m i c energy. Therefore it i s Thy c o s m i c
e n e r g y that supports m y body.
THE ART O F ENERGIZATION- - P a r t 3
All t r u e s c r i p t u r e s have a threefold meaning, because they a r e intended to
benefit mankind on the t h r e e planes of human existence: the m a t e r i a l , the m e n tal, and the s p i r i t u a l . The s c r i p t u r e s a r e indeed divine wells whose wisdomw a t e r s m a n m a y d r a w to quench h i s threefold t h i r s t f o r m a t e r i a l , mental, and
spiritual fulfillment.
P h y s i c a l well-being i s not n e c e s s a r i l y a p r e r e q u i s i t e f o r spiritual p e r f e c tion. It i s d e s i r a b l e , however, because it i s m o r e difficult to m a k e t h e effort t o
achieve s p i r i t u a l perfection when physical inharmonies a r e p r e s e n t . The a s p i r ing devotee who i s not well physically m a y become discouraged, because it i s
not e a s y to concentrate o r to meditate uninterruptedly upon God when bodily
a c h e s and pains a r e clamoring f o r attention.
A body that i s relaxed and c a l m conduces to mental p e a c e , which i s n e c e s s a r y f o r meditation, the s p i r i t u a l a r t of communing with God. Therefore one of
the f i r s t s t e p s in a balanced p r o g r a m of s p i r i t u a l development i s relaxation of
the mind and body--that i s , the calming of the activities of the h e a r t , lungs, c i r culatory s y s t e m ; and of the r e s t l e s s movements of the m u s c l e s stimulated by
nerve impulses f r o m the brain. By reducing the amount of e n e r g y expended in
r e s t l e s s (and often unproductive ) m u s c u l a r and mental activity, relaxation f r e e s
e n e r g y to be used f o r the highest and m o s t constructive purpose: concentration
on the Divine Indweller.
IMPORTANCE O F
R E LAXATION, AND
TESTS O F PHYSICAL
RE LAXATION
Sometime when you a r e sitting o r lying down and feeling completely relaxed, with the b r e a t h expelled make
this test: Have someone lift your hands o r f e e t a little
way and then d r o p them. If your l i m b s fall with a thud,
without even a n involuntary effort on your p a r t to lower
them gradually, you a r e relaxed. If any m u s c l e i s unconsciously willed to become
energized or tensed, you do not have p e r f e c t relaxation.
Relaxation of the m u s c l e s and limbs helps to reduce motion--and hence to
reduce the n o r m a l p r o c e s s e s of c e l l d e c a y in the physical body. When by tension
the bodily c e l l s a r e kept active, that i s , in motion, the c e l l s d e t e r i o r a t e with
w e a r and m u s t be replaced. By p e r f e c t relaxation, c e s s a t i o n of motion in the
bodily c e l l s i s achieved. When t h e r e i s no activity t h e r e i s no w e a r ; the c e l l s
r e m a i n in a state of suspended animation, sustained d i r e c t l y by the c o s m i c
e n e r g y flowing into the body through the medulla oblongata.
You have attained mental relaxation when you c a n control the
flow of thought f o r any length of time d e s i r e d ; and when you
c a n a t will f r e e the consciousness f r o m a w a r e n e s s of the body,
and a t will r e s u m e body consciousness. When you c a n r e m a i n
c a l m a t a l l t i m e s in spite of s e v e r e t r i a l s , and when you a r e s e c u r e in undying
faith in God and guru, you a r e t r u l y mentally relaxed.
TESTS O F
MENTAL
RELAXATION
FIVE STAGES O F MENTAL RELAXATION
a
a
1.
Most people a r e s o r e s t l e s s a l l the time that they cannot close their
e y e s and hold the eyeballs still, o r keep the body motionless, o r conc e n t r a t e upon one thing a t a time even f o r a little while; yet peace and
c a l m concentration a r e a t t r i b u t e s of m a n ' s soul, of h i s t r u e nature.
Most people have developed a second n a t u r e , which i s " r e s t l e s s a l l the
time without e v e r being restful; " This i s the f i r s t stage.
2.
By p r a c t i c e of meditation, the foregoing p e r s o n who i s a l l the time mentally r e s t l e s s succeeds in becoming "once in a g r e a t while r e s t f u l ,
although r e s t l e s s m o s t of the t i m e . " This is the second stage.
3.
- F u r t h e r p r a c t i c e of concentration and meditation enables the student to
develop c a l m n e s s to a point where he i s "able to attain r e s t f u l n e s s
e a s i l y but i s s t i l l e a s i l y made r e s t l e s s b,y events o r environment. "
4.
By d e e p e r p r a c t i c e of concentration and meditation and by higher l e s s o n s
such a s c a n be learned only f r o m a true guru- preceptor, the student
r e a c h e s the fourth stage, in which he i s " restful m o s t of the time, and
r e s t l e s s only once in a while. " This i s the opposite of the second stage.
By scientific meditation, it is possible to r e v e r s e one's nature f r o m
r e s tle s sne s s to calmne s s .
5.
By the p r a c t i c e of the highest meditation methods given by a t r u e gurup r e c e p t o r o r God-realized teacher,* the student a t l a s t becomes one
with God in samadhi, a state of pure b l i s s in which the devotee f e e l s
that he, his a c t of meditation, and God--the Object of meditation-- have
become One. This i s the fifth and l a s t stage of relaxation and Selfrealization, in which the devotee i s " restful a l l the time without e v e r
becoming r e s t l e s s . " It i s the r e v e r s e of the f i r s t s t a g e , and can be
attained only by being able to e n t e r the state of samadhi a t will, any
time, anywhere.
-- -
-
* i . e . , methods such as a r e taught in these Lessons by P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda.
SPECIAL KINDS O F RELAXATION
1.
Imperfect Muscular Relaxation.
Most people a r e p a r t i a l l y tensed even during p e r i o d s of seeming
relaxation. The e n e r g y and consciousness a r e p a r t l y , o r i m p e rfectly, withdrawn f r o m c e r t a i n m u s c l e s , l i m b s , and o r g a n s , but
not f r o m the five s e n s e s of touch, t a s t e , s m e l l , hearing, and
sight. This m a y be t e r m e d imperfect m u s c u l a r relaxation. The
body cannot thrive in such a state of continual p a r t i a l tension
because it is fatiguing.
2.
P a r t i a l Muscular Relaxation.
Throwing the b r e a t h out (exhaling completely ) and remaining without b r e a t h a s long a s one c a n do s o comfortably, c a l m s the action
of the lungs and diaphragm and slows the h e a r t action, thereby
helping to remove the g r e a t e r amount of motion and d e t e r i o r a t i o n
f r o m the active internal organs of the b0d.y. When the l i m b s , lungs,
and d i a p h r a g m a r e inactive, and the h e a r t is p a r t i a l l y c a l m , the
body is in a state of a l m o s t p e r f e c t m u s c u l a r and motor relaxation.
3.
Unconscious Sensorv-Motor Relaxation.
In s l e e p the consciousness and life e n e r g y a r e involuntarily
switched off f r o m the m u s c l e s and the inner organs; f r o m the bulbs
of the five s e n s e s ; f r o m the motor n e r v e s ; and p a r t i a l l y f r o m the
h e a r t , lungs, and diaphragm. This is called unconscious s e n s o r y m o t o r relaxation.
4.
Conscious Sensory-Motor Relaxation.
By studious p r a c t i c e of meditation and concentration techniques f o r
a number of y e a r s , one can voluntarily withdraw e n e r g y and mind
f r o m the s e n s e s and m u s c l e s while s t i l l remaining conscious.
Unconscious P e r f e c t Sensory- Motor- Organic Relaxation.
Death i s unconscious, p e r f e c t , sensory- motor- organic relaxation.
It i s the forced switching off of the consciousness and life c u r r e n t
f r o m the e n t i r e body: l i m b s , m u s c l e s , s e n s e s , o r g a n s , h e a r t ,
spine, and s o forth. J u s t a s the e l e c t r i c i t y r e t i r e s into the dynamo
when a bulb is broken, s o when the body completely stops activity,
the life c u r r e n t and consciousness r e t u r n to the dynamo of Cosmic
E n e r g y and Cosmic Consciousness. A s long a s the w i r e s to a c e r tain point a r e not destroyed, a broken bulb a t the end of them can
be replaced by a new bulb, and the light can be switched on again.
In the s a m e way, a s long a s the w i r e s of e a r t h l y d e s i r e running out
of the dynamo of Spirit r e m a i n undestroyed and connected with the
e a r t h and i t s a t t r a c t i o n s , a s often a s one body bulb b r e a k s (goes
out a t d e a t h ) , it i s n e c e s s a r y to replace it with a new body bulb.
But when a l l the w i r e s of e a r t h l y d e s i r e a r e cut, then r e i n c a r n a tion of the s p i r i t u a l c u ~ r e n in
t a bulb of f l e s h c e a s e s , even a s the
d e s t r u c t i o n of c e r t a i n e l e c t r i c a l w i r e s would c a u s e a l l c u r r e n t to
withdraw into the dynamo and would prevent the c u r r e n t ' s flowing
again into a bulb. Death signifies t h e complete d e s t r u c t i o n of the
body bulb, but not of the d e s i r e w i r e s behind it.
6.
Conscious Sensory-Motor- Organic Relaxation.
Conscious sensory- motor- organic relaxation c o n s i s t s in the switching off and on a t will of the life c u r r e n t and the consciousness in
the l i m b s , m u s c l e s , inner organs, lungs, diaphragm, and e s p e c i a l l y in the h e a r t and spine. This s u p e r i o r , conscious relaxation,
g o v e r n e d by the brake of c a l m n e s s , i s to be taught soon in another
S R F Lesson.
.---
The six f o r m s of relaxation just d e s c r i b e d c a n be illustrated by the v a r i o u s
s t a g e s of light that m a y be produced in a bulb attached to a dimming a p p a r a t u s - bright, l e s s bright, d i m , m o r e d i m , b a ~ e l yvisible. The various s t a g e s of
relaxation r e p r e s e n t the withdrawing, o r dimming, of the consciousness and life
ur r e n t ~ m m t ~ T a T l 5 3 i X
b oe d ~ . - - K E i T b o ~ CivTtt
t I Z S -in r unning, the b%dy
bulb i s fully and brightly ablaze with life. In imperfect relaxation, it i s s e m i illumined with life. In p e r f e c t muscular relaxation the life light is l e s s bright.
In s l e e p the life light i s d i m and c a l m . In meditation, the life light i s a faint
glow. In conscious t r a n c e , the life e n e r g y r e t i r e s f r o m the body bulb, but i s
ready to be switched on again a t will. In death the body bulb i s broken, but in
conscious s e n s o r y - m o t o r relaxation one l e a r n s to switch off consciousness and
life c u r r e n t f r o m the body bulb and to switch them on again a t will. This power
gives victory over death.
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The body i s sustained by will power and energy. If they w e r e taken away
you would die. Will power b r i n g s e n e r g y f r o m the outer c o s m i c s o u r c e into the
inner storage b a t t e r y of the body- -the medulla oblongata. By will that e n e r g y
m a y be d i r e c t e d to any p a r t of the body. The g r e a t e r the will, the g r e a t e r the
flow of e n e r g y into a body p a r t . E n e r g y i s the " missing link" between the body
and the mind.
@
A nervous will i s a mechanical will, drawing e n e r g y f r o m the bodily s t o r e house in the b r a i n and dissipating it without conscious direction. S R F students
a r e taught to visualize the body a s divided into twenty p a r t s ( a s e a c h p a r t h a s a
different s e t of t i s s u e s ) ; and to d i r e c t energy, by will, to each p a r t individually.
The alternating tension called f o r in S R F e x e r c i s e s i s not m u s c u l a r control, but
a recharging of the m u s c l e s with the e n e r g y d r a w n f r o m the outer cosmic s o u r c e
by the power of will. If you l e a r n to utilize this energy that is constantly flowing in you, you will never f e e l tired. SRF e x e r c i s e s help you to feel and cont r o l that e n e r g y in the body.
Too often we write out checks of e n e r g y and do not replace e n e r g y funds.
If we write out checks and keep on putting money in the bank, our account will
always show a balance in our favor, and we will not m i s s what we spend. But
if we keep on writing checks and do not deposit m o r e funds in our bank account,
it will soon be overdrawn. So it i s with the body. If we w r i t e out checks of
energy and do not put back any m o r e energy, we will become weak. But if we
replenish our bodies with energy, we will never feel tired. Nothing can heal but
life force. The whole purpose of t r u e e x e r c i s e i s to awaken the inner s o u r c e of
energy which we have ignored throughout our lives. How to awaken that inner
s o u r c e ? By sending life e n e r g y into the body by will power.
AFFIRMATION
Daily I will t r y to realize that
Thou, 0 God, a r t the power that keeps
m e healthy, p r o s p e r o u s , and seeking
spiritual truth.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
s Co~vriaht1956 bv SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
TEACH US TO DIVE D E E P IN MEDITATION
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Heavenly C h r i s t , r e s u r r e c t us in Thy consciousness.
May we r e a l i z e Thy v a s t n e s s within and without. As Thou
didst r e s u r r e c t Thyself into the infinity of Spirit, may we
a r i s e f r o m the tomb of ignorance into the v a s t light of wisdom. May our souls awaken in Thee. Thou a r t p r e s e n t in
the l i l i e s and the s t a r s . Awaken, Thou, our a s p i r a t i o n s .
0 C h r i s t ! be Thou the p o l e s t a r of our shipwrecked thoughts.
Teach us to dive d e e p e r and d e e p e r in the ocean of meditation. If by one o r two o r many divings we d o not find the
p e a r l s of Thy contact, m a y we not s a y that the ocean of meditation does not contain Thee; m a y we find fault with the lack
of depth and p e r s i s t e n c e in our meditations. Teach u s to
dive d e e p e r and d e e p e r in the e c s t a s y of meditation until we
find Thee.
0 Spirit, templed in the s k i e s , templed in our souls and
in o u r thoughts, receive the joy of our souls ! Open the g a t e s
of wisdom. Destroy the d a r k n e s s that veils our vision. Make
u s r e a l i z e that Thou a r t e v e r ours. Recharge our bodies with
Thy power and our souls with Thy b l i s s !
PRAYER
Divine Mother, teach m e to recharge my body, mind and
soul with Thine unlimited, all-healing light which i s within m e .
THE ART O F ENERGIZATION--Part 4
(Review Lessons 5, 6 and 7 t o pick up again the thread of thought on this
important subject and to improve your understanding of the principles of the
Technique of Energization to be given in this Lesson. )
Food contains a limited amount of life energy; hence
the body can e x t r a c t f r o m it some strength. But if
the internal bodily supply of life energy i s exhausted,
food i s of no use. A c e r t a i n amount of energy i s stored in the muscles, bones,
m a r r o w , blood, and t i s s u e s of the body, as in a storage battery. The supply
of energy in the body p a r t s depends upon the oxygen and food chemicals taken
into the body, and upon the amount of energy drawn in through the medulla
oblongata. We want healthy m u s c l e s , blood, tissues, and s o on, but good
health d o e s not r e s u l t f r o m the e x e r c i s e and energization of m u s c l e s alone.
The c e l l s in e v e r y body p a r t m u s t be energized. Therefore we should daily
apply scientific methods of recharging the body with energy f r o m the inexhausti ble inner s o u r c e . To teach a method of recharging a l l the bodily c e l l s by
tapping this inner source i s the purpose of the p r e s e n t s e r i e s of l e s s o n s on
the a r t of energization.
ENERGY FROM THE
INNER SOURCE
-
To r e f r e s h your mind regarding the principle of energization of the bodily
c e l l s , p e r f o r m this little experiment: lift up your a r m , then d r o p it. What
lifted your a r m ? Will power and energy. You cannot lift your a r m by will
power alone. It r e q u i r e s both will and energy. The a r m can be lifted only
when will power c a u s e s sufficient energy to flow into that bodily p a r t to lift
its weight.
Lift your a r m again. What i s holding it up ? Will power and energy. If
you do not use will power to keep it up, it will drop. O r , if the energy i s
somehow c u t off, the a r m will d r o p to your side again. Will power and e n e r gy a r e both necessary. Will power i s the switch that controls the flow of
e n e r g y . The g r e a t e r the c o n c e n t r a t i o n of will, the g r e a t e r the flow of e n e r gy t o a p a r t i c u l a r body p a r t . The following e x e r c i s e will f u r t h e r i l l u s t r a t e
the connection between will p o w e r and e n e r g y .
MECHANICAL AND VOLUNTARY MOVEMENTS O F MUSCLES COMPARED
Example A
1.
2.
3.
Extend the r i g h t a r m in f r o n t of you.
P l a c e the l e f t hand upon the b i c e p s m u s c l e of the r i g h t a r m .
Bend the r i g h t a r m a t the elbow, o b s e r v i n g the a u t o m a t i c c o n t r a c t i o n
of the b i c e p s through the m e c h a n i c a l movement. Note that the
a c t i o n of the will i s in the bending of the a r m and not in the c o n t r a c tion of the m u s c l e .
Ekample B
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Relax the r i g h t a r m , s o that i t hangs loosely a t the s i d e .
With the l e f t hand lightly g r a s p the b i c e p s m u s c l e of the r i g h t a r m .
C l o s e the e y e s .
Then, without bending the r i g h t a r m a t the elbow, c o n t r a c t the b i c e p s
slowly t o the m a x i m u m , using y o u r will.
Sense the tensing of the b i c e p s m u s c l e a s a r e s u l t of the e x e r t i o n- of
y o u r will, but p e r m i t no m e c h a n i c a l m o v e m e n t of the a r m .
Relax slowly.
Note that t h i s c o n t r a c t i o n of the b i c e p s m u s c l e (if done s u c c e s s f u l l y )
r e s u l t s f r o m d i r e c t a c t i o n of the will on the m u s c l e . (If you a r e not a b l e to
c o n t r a c t t h i s m u s c l e of the u p p e r a r m , m a k e the e x p e r i m a n t with the f o r e a r m ,
whose m u s c l e s s o m e people find e a s i e r t o t e n s e a t will. )
Tension r e s u l t s when e n e r g y i s s e n t by will p o w e r
to a n y m u s c l e . T h e r e a r e varying d e g r e e s of
tension, depending upon the amount of e n e r g y d i r e c t e d to the m u s c l e . F o r the p u r p o s e of explaining Self- Realization F e l l o w s h i p
r e c h a r g i n g techniques, we s h a l l r e f e r b r o a d l y to t h r e e d e g r e e s of tension: low,
m e d i u m , and high.
SCIENTIFIC TENSION
AND RELAXATION
LOW i n d i c a t e s a s m a l l a m o u n t of e n e r g y ;
MEDIUM, m o r e e n e r g y ; and
HIGH m e a n s a.s m u c h e n e r g y as p o s s i b l e .
The withdrawal of e n e r g y f r o m the m u s c l e s i s c9lled r e l a x a t i o n . T h i s too m a y
be c o n s i d e r e d to have t h r e e s t a t e s o r d e g r e e s , f r o m p a r t i a l to c o m p l e t e r e l a x ation.
In o r d e r t o t e n s e one m u s t f i r s t be r e l a x e d .
However, a p o p u l a r concep-
tion of relaxation involves movement. A p e r s o n who i s asked to relax usuall y shifts h i s l i m b s about-- in effect, t e n s e s them--and then thinks he i s physically relaxed. But even a s a n automobile standing with the engine running
b u r n s energy, s o a l s o many p e r s o n s , even though they m a y be sleeping, sitting, or lying down, a r e actually p a r t l y tensed (low, medium, o r high)
according t o the d e g r e e of t h e i r mental nervousness; they a r e thus burning
e n e r g y even when t h e i r bodies a r e apparently a t r e s t . When we move our
a r m o r any p a r t of the body to relax it, and keep on moving it, we a r e not
relaxing (i. e . , withdrawing e n e r g y f r o m it), but a r e r e a l l y tensing (i. e . ,
sending e n e r g y t o ) it instead.
Sit on a c h a i r . Tense the whole body, then r e l a x , taking
c a r e t o keep the body motionless. Bend forward with a r m s
down and, clasping your hands together, hold a n i m a g i n a r y
c o r d tied to an imaginary weight of 25 pounds. Will to l i f t
the 25 pounds, sending enough e n e r g y and will power to
r a i s e i t one inch f r o m the floor; tense the hands f i r s t and then add to t h e i r
strength that of the tensed f o r e a r m s . Add the power of the tensed upper a r m s ,
then that of the tensed chest, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, legs, and feet. The
"weight t1 f e e l s v e r y heavy, but gradually tense h a r d e r and continue lifting i t
higher- tw o inches, six inches, twelve inches. Now lower the imaginary
weight to the floor, feeling the tension leave a l l the body p a r t s . Sit back on
your c h a i r , relaxed and motionless.
EXERCISE IN
GENERAL
TENSION AND
RELAXATION
-
The b e s t way to know the e x a c t amount of e n e r g y required to lift a n imagi n a r y weight of 2 5 pounds ( o r any amount) i s actually to lift s o m e thing that
weighs that much. Relax a f t e r doing s o ; then t r y to employ the s a m e amount
of tension to lift a n i m a g i n a r y object of equal weight. T r y increasing the
weight to 30, then to 40 pounds; thus increasing the amount of tension, and
hence the amount of e n e r g y in the body p a r t s used in lifting.
RELAXING
EXERCISE
Dogs and c a t s s t r e t c h and r e l a x upon awakening, but man s t r i p s
h i s m u s c l e g e a r s b y jumping out of bed, suddenly throwing the
body into action in r e s p o n s e to a n a l a r m clock o r telephone bell.
At whatever h o u r of the morning the consciousness f i r s t awakens in the body,
r e m a i n lying on the back, with e y e s closed, and p r a c t i c e the following e x e r cise:
THINK O F THE BODY AS DIVIDED INTO THESE TWENTY MAJOR P A R T S
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Left foot
Right foot
Left calf
Right calf
Left thigh
Right thigh
Left buttock
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Right buttock
Lower abdomen
Upper abdomen and
stomach
Left forearm
Right forearm
Left upper arm
Right upper arm
Left chest
16. Right chest
17. Left of neck
18. Right of neck
19. Front of neck
20. Back of neck
14.
15.
Tense simultaneously a l l these twenty body p a r t s . Hold the tension f o r
a count of t h r e e ; then quickly r e l a x and exhale. F e e l the e n e r g y and will
power slipping away f r o m the body a s you relax. Remain p e r f e c t l y still,
without moving any m u s c l e s ; and, f o r a s long a s you c a n comfortably d o so,
without taking another b r e a t h . F e e l a s relaxed a s a j e l l y f i s h - -without any
a w a r e n e s s of bones and f l e s h - - a s long a s you like.
We now come to the technique of recharging the body-battery, by which
one m a y d r a w m o r e and m o r e life- sustaining e n e r g y f r o m the e t h e r , and thus
depend l e s s and l e s s upon solids, liquids, sunshine, and g a s e s , f o r sustenance.
THE TECHNIQUE O F ENERGIZATION
INDIVIDUAL TENSION AND RELAXATION
1.
Gently and individually tense and r e l a x e a c h of the twenty body
p a r t s , mentally saying, "My children, wake up! "
CUMULATIVE TENSION AND RELAXATION
a
1.
P l a c e the attention on the instep of the left foot.
2.
Slowly t e n s e the left fom--low, m e m u m , and high--drawing
the t o e s under.
3.
Continuing to hold the tension a t high in the left foot, tense the
right foot in the s a m e m a n n e r ; proceed upward until e a c h of the
twenty body p a r t s has been tensed f r o m low to medium to high.
Hold the tension in each body p a r t a s you move on in slow,
rhythmic s u c c e s s i o n to the next p a r t .
left foot
right foot
left calf
right calf
left thigh
right thigh
l e f t buttock
r i g h t buttock
lower abdomen (contract below navel)
upper abdomen and stomach
(contract above the navel)
a
4.
left f o r e a r m
right f o r e a r m
left upper a r m
right upper a r m
left c h e s t
right c h e s t
left of neck
right of neck
front of neck
back of neck
Gently and simultaneously i n c r e a s e the tension in a l l twenty body
p a r t s and then vibrate the whole body, holding the b r e a t h for a
count of six and maintaining high tension in a l l twenty body p a r t s .
Observe whether a l l the p a r t s a r e tensed.
5.
Exhale, and slowly relax the entire chain of tensed parts, moving
in reverse order from the neck to the feet. When performing this
exercise in sitting o r standing position, upon exhalation simultaneously drop the chin to the chest and relax the front, back, left and
right sides of the neck. Then go on relaxing, one part a t a time;
maintain the tension in each body part until its "turn"tobe relaxed.
If, while relaxing the parts above the waist, you find that you have
also unintentionally relaxed the parts below the waist, then simultaneously tense these p a r t s again and then relax them one by one.
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
1.
You can do this exercise in a sitting, reclining, o r standing position.
When standing, of course, you have to keep certain muscles of the
feet, calves, thighs, spine, and neck engaged and tensed in order to
hold the body upright. Therefore it i s good to practice this exercise
a t least once before rising in the morning, a s the tensing of the
p a r t s while in a supine position i s accomplished entirely a s a conscious act of will. Then practice it twice in a standing position.
2.
Always practice very slowly, with closed eyes.
3.
Do not tense o r relax quickly and jerkily, but gradually.
4.
Tense low only, any diseased or weak body part.
5.
By exhaling or throwing the breath out--with a short, then a long
exhalation, "huh, huhhhtt--you relax the lungs, diaphragm, and
abdomen.
6.
Any time you feel tired or nervous, tense the whole body gently;
then quickly exhale and relax- -that is, withdraw the energy, consciousness, and active will power from the body; then remain still,
enjoying the calmness of the body.
7.
To heal any body p a r t , gently tense and relax that part. Then tense
low and hold that tension, counting one to ten mentally, electrocuting
the disease by bombarding and recharging that body p a r t with energy.
Then relax. Repeat ten times, three times a day, o r a s often a s you
desire. Practice healing of any body part while lying down.
Master by faithful and regular practice this highly practical Technique
of Energization, for your own knowledge and benefit. Each step of the SelfRealization Fellowship exercises will give definite, satisfactory, and invigorating results in body and mind that you can experience for yourself if you
a r e r e g u l a r , faithful, attentive, and c o r r e c t in your p r a c t i c e .
In a supplement to this Lesson, 8-A, you will be given a n outline of
thirty-eight Recharging E x e r c i s e s , including the foregoing Technique of E n e r gization, to be p r a c t i c e d night and morning. It i s possible to p e r f o r m the
e n t i r e routine in approximately fifteen minutes, allowing up to five unhurried
p r a c t i c e s of each e x e r c i s e . This routine i s practiced morning and evening
by all d i s c i p l e s of SRF h e a d q u a r t e r s and other colonies, p r i o r to meditation.
THOUGHTS TO LIVE B Y
God i s infinite omnipresence. He i s p r e s e n t equally in wisdom- sparkling
diamond souls and in charcoal mentalities d a r k with ignorance. It i s because
God has given m e n independence to choose between e r r o r and t r u t h that s o m e
people keep t h e i r minds t r a n s p a r e n t with the purity of knowledge and love,
while o t h e r s keep t h e i r mental houses d a r k with dogma and inharmony. God
h a s endowed m a n with His own power of liberty: we may shut God out, o r
through meditation, logic, and right actions in the struggle of l i k , r e c e i v e
Him.
--
That some people know l e s s about God than o t h e r s i s not due to God's
i n g treflow-oOfAis-pow e r th r ougT m a n ,-Fut-to m a n 5 llo t all ow ing the
L o r d ' s light to p a s s through him. People who a r e s t r i c k e n with the d i s e a s e
of ignorance--the c o s m i c delusion of s e p a r a t e n e s s f r o m God--may be healed
by contacting the C h r i s t Consciousness (the Son o r Intelligence of the F a t h e r
p r e s e n t in e v e r y a t o m of c r e a t i o n ) by scientific meditation, devotion, and
faith.
~~f
AFFIRMATION
O Prodigious P o w e r , I a m renewed
and strengthened by Thine inexhaustible
life-giving energy.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S-1 P-8-A
o Copyright 1954,1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1982,1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
I
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
EXPLANATION AND PRACTICE OF ENERGIZATION EXERCISES
~
The p r i n c i p l e s of t h e Energization E x e r c i s e s were discovered i n 1916 by
Paramahansa Yogananda. He t h e n developed t h i s series o f e x e r c i s e s f o r t h e
all- round well- being o f t h e body, i n s t r u c t i n g a l l S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n i s t s t o
p r a c t i c e them f a i t h f u l l y every morning and n i g h t as a p a r t of t h e i r r e g u l a r
s p i r i t u a l routine.
The primary purpose o f t h e s e e x e r c i s e s is t o r e c h a r g e t h e body b a t t e r y
w i t h cosmic energy. This e x e r c i s e s t h e body, s t r e n g t h e n s t h e muscles, and
p u r i f i e s t h e bloodstream. These a r e n o t o r d i n a r y p h y s i c a l e x e r c i s e s . They
a r e a s p i r i t u a l technique
a form o f pranayama, o r l i f e - f o r c e c o n t r o l .
These e x e r c i s e s a r e i m p o r t a n t t o your s p i r i t u a l r o u t i n e o f m e d i t a t i o n , f o r
they not only help t o keep t h e body i n a s t a t e of h e a l t h and calmness t h a t
is conducive t o m e d i t a t i o n , b u t they a l s o h e l p you t o a t t a i n conscious
c o n t r o l o f t h e l i f e force. When you have mastered t h e technique of cons c i o u s l i f e - f o r c e c o n t r o l , t h e r e s t l e s s n e s s and s e n s e p e r c e p t i o n s o f t h e
body w i l l cease t o be o b s t a c l e s to t h e a t t a i n m e n t o f t h e h i g h e r m e d i t a t i v e
states.
--
@
To o b t a i n maximum r e s u l t s , each e x e r c i s e should be performed w i t h
deepest a t t e n t i o n and w i l l power. Keep t h e eyes c l o s e d and focused upward
a t t h e C h r i s t Consciousness c e n t e r between t h e eyebrows. This c e n t e r is t h e
p o l a r o p p o s i t e o f t h e medulla c e n t e r a t t h e base o f t h e b r a i n . The C h r i s t
c e n t e r is t h e c e n t e r of w i l l i n man. The medulla is t h e p r i n c i p a l p o i n t o f
e n t r y o f cosmic energy i n t o t h e body. W i l l is t h e power t h a t o p e r a t e s t h e
f l o o d g a t e o f t h e medulla. By keeping t h e e y e s focused a t t h e C h r i s t c e n t e r ,
and v i s u a l i z i n g t h e cosmic energy flowing i n t o t h e body through t h e medulla,
a d i r e c t connection is maintained between t h e w i l l and t h e flow of l i f e
energy.
Visualize t h e cosmic energy e n t e r i n g t h e body through t h e medulla
oblongata, and d i r e c t it, by t h e power o f your w i l l , t o t h e body p a r t t h a t
you are e x e r c i s i n g . Concentrate t h e energy on t h e c e n t r a l p o r t i o n of t h a t
body p a r t .
The Energization E x e r c i s e s should be p r a c t i c e d o u t s i d e i n t h e f r e s h
a i r , o r a t l e a s t b e f o r e an open window. Do t h e s e e x e r c i s e s s l o w l y w i t h deep
c o n c e n t r a t i o n ! It is f a r more b e n e f i c i a l t o p r a c t i c e each e x e r c i s e corr e c t l y a few times i n t h i s manner t h a n t o p r a c t i c e it many times q u i c k l y and
absentmindedly.
It is a l s o i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e e x e r c i s e s be p r a c t i c e d i n t h e o r d e r
given. Paramahansa Yogananda's i n s t r u c t i o n was unequivocal on t h e s e t h r e e
p o i n t s concerning t h e e x e r c i s e s :
t i o n , and i n t h e c o r r e c t order.
Practice them u n h u r r i e d l y , w i t h concentra-
Any o f t h e s e e x e r c i s e s may be p r a c t i c e d more t h a n t h e number o f times
s p e c i f i e d . I n i n c r e a s i n g t h e number o f p r a c t i c e s , however, t a k e care n o t t o
l a p s e i n t o h u r r i e d performance. You may a l s o p r a c t i c e any o r a l l of t h e
e x e r c i s e s more t h a n twice a day, i f d e s i r e d , t o h e l p r e l i e v e f a t i g u e o r
o t h e r b o d i l y inharmonies.
Once you have memorized t h e r o u t i n e , it should not t a k e more t h a n
f i f t e e n minutes t o perform a l l t h i r t y - e i g h t e x e r c i s e s , a l l o w i n g t h e sugg e s t e d number o f p r a c t i c e s o f each one. & t h i s t i m i n g you w i l l know i f you
are performing them t o o fast o r t o o slow.
I n t e n s i n g a body p a r t , always remember t o start w i t h a low degree o f
t e n s i o n , p r o g r e s s i n g t o medium, and f i n a l l y t o high t e n s i o n ; r e l a x from high
t o medium t o low.
Never t e n s e w i t h a q u i c k o r jerky motion.
Never e x e r t t e n s i o n t o t h e p o i n t o f s t r a i n o r discomfort.
It is not necessary t o hold "highn t e n s i o n l o n g e r than t h r e e seconds a t
a time.
Use only
t e n s i o n on any d i s e a s e d o r weak body p a r t .
Any i n s t r u c t i o n t o " i n h a l e twiceff s i g n i f i e s i n h a l a t i o n , through t h e
n o s t r i l s , o f one s h o r t and one long breath. I n s t r u c t i o n t o "exhale twiceIr
s i g n i f i e s e x h a l a t i o n , through t h e mouth, of one s h o r t and one long b r e a t h ,
thus: "huh, huhhhhh." I1Huhw is not a spoken word b u t an a s p i r a t e sound,
l i k e a s i g h b u t w i t h more force. The e x p r e s s i o n "double b r e a t h i n g n means t o
i n h a l e and e x h a l e c o n t i n u o u s l y i n t h e manner j u s t described.
Where no s p e c i a l i n s t r u c t i o n is given f o r b r e a t h i n g , one should b r e a t h e
calmly and n a t u r a l l y , w i t h o u t any a t t e m p t t o synchronize t h e b r e a t h i n g w i t h
t h e t e n s i o n and r e l a x a t i o n .
It is recommended that, s t a r t i n g w i t h E x e r c i s e 1 and proceeding i n t h e
o r d e r g i v e n , you l e a r n and p r a c t i c e as many e x e r c i s e s as you can w i t h i n
f i f t e e n t o twenty minutes. Each day add one o r a few new e x e r c i s e s t o t h o s e
a l r e a d y l e a r n e d (keeping t h e p e r i o d of study and p r a c t i c e t o f i f t e e n o r
twenty minutes) u n t i l a l l e x e r c i s e s have been l e a r n e d and included i n your
morning and evening r o u t i n e .
SPECIAL NOTE:
If f o r any reason you cannot perform t h e a c t u a l movements
of an e x e r c i s e , you should, n e v e r t h e l e s s , w i t h c l o s e d eyes,
m e n t a l l y p r a c t i c e t h e e x e r c i s e . F e e l t h a t you are sending t h e energy t o
t h a t body p a r t j u s t as though you were a c t u a l l y going through t h e p h y s i c a l
motions o f doing so.
ENERGIZATION EXERCISES
Always begin w i t h one of Paramahansa Yogananda's p r a y e r s f o r r e c h a r g i n g
body, mind, and s o u l , such a s t h e following:
\
"Heavenly F a t h e r , it is Thou who dosb d i r e c t l y s u s t a i n my body. Awaken
w i t h i n me conscious w i l l , conscious h e a l t h , conscious v i t a l i t y , conscious
r e a l i z a t i o n . 0 E t e r n a l Youth of body and mind, a b i d e i n me f o r e v e r and
forever
."
Double- Breathing E x e r c i s e (With Tension) ( r e p e a t 3-5 t i m e s )
Stand erect. Raise arms u n t i l they are s t r e t c h e d o u t h o r i z o n t a l l y a t
t h e s i d e s , p a r a l l e l t o t h e ground. Keeping arms s t r a i g h t and a t shoulder
h e i g h t , b r i n g them forward i n an arc u n t i l t h e palms touch i n f r o n t o f you.
During t h i s forward motion o f t h e arms, e x h a l e t h e b r e a t h t w i c e through t h e
mouth ("huh, huhhhhhtl) i n a slow, r e l a x e d manner, and s l i g h t l y bend t h e
knees. The body should feel r e l a x e d . Hold t o a count o f t h r e e .
1.
Now c l o s e t h e fists and i n h a l e twice w h i l e s l o w l y drawing t h e r a i s e d
arms o u t t o t h e s i d e s a s i n t h e beginning p o s i t i o n . Simultaneously w i t h t h e
opening o u t o f t h e arms, t e n s e c o n s e c u t i v e l y t h e s e body p a r t s : feet,
c a l v e s , t h i g h s , b u t t o c k s , lower abdomen, upper abdomen and stomach, arms,
c h e s t , neck, and head, i n a continuous upward wave o f t e n s i o n , u n t i l t h e
i n h a l a t i o n is complete, t h e arms are f u l l y extended sideways, and t h e e n t i r e
body is tensed. Hold t o t h e count o f t h r e e .
Sweep arms forward u n t i l t h e palms touch, e x h a l i n g t w i c e as b e f o r e ,
r e l a x i n g a l l tensed body p a r t s i n r e v e r s e o r d e r from head t o feet, and
bending t h e knees s l i g h t l y .
SPECIAL NOTE:
forth.
I n t h i s e x e r c i s e , t e n s e and r e l a x body p a r t s on both l e f t
and r i g h t s i d e s t o g e t h e r , a s both feet, both c a l v e s , and s o
Do not bend t h e elbows; keep t h e arms s t r a i g h t .
Leu Recharuinq ( r e p e a t 3-5 times w i t h each l e g )
Ehlance t h e weight on t h e r i g h t foot. Bend l e f t knee s o t h a t l e f t f o o t
is r a i s e d o f f t h e f l o o r . Tense t h e l e f t l e g , c o n c e n t r a t i n g t e n s i o n p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e c a l f . Then swing leg (from knee down only) s l o w . 1 ~forward and
backward. Relax t h e muscle t e n s i o n momentarily a t t h e forward and backward
end o f each swing, r e t a i n i n g o n l y enough t e n s i o n i n t h e backward swing t o
hold t h e l e g up. After p r a c t i c i n g t h r e e t o f i v e times, p r a c t i c e t h e succeeding e x e r c i s e (Ankle Rotation). Then w i t h t h e r i g h t l e g r e p e a t t h e Leg
Recharging Exercise, f o l l o w e d by a n k l e r o t a t i o n .
2.
Ankle Rotation ( r o t a t e 5 times i n each d i r e c t i o n )
Balancing t h e weight on t h e r i g h t f o o t , t e n s e t h e l e f t a n k l e and r o t a t e
t h a t f o o t s l o w l y i n a c i r c u l a r motion, f i v e times i n one d i r e c t i o n , t h e n
f i v e times i n t h e o t h e r . Do t h e same w i t h r i g h t a n k l e after p r a c t i c i n g
Exercise 2 with t h a t leg,
3.
4.
Calf and Forearm, Thigh and Upper A r m Recharginq ( 3 times w i t h l e f t arm
and leg; 3 times w i t h r i g h t arm and l e g ; 3 times w i t h b o t h arms and l e g s )
Place t h e w e i g h t o f t h e body on t h e r i g h t f o o t w i t h t h e l e f t f o o t
l i g h t l y r e s t i n g on t h e f l o o r , extended a l i t t l e f o r w a r d and t o t h e l e f t .
Tense t h e l e f t f o r e a r m and t h e l e f t calf t o g e t h e r ; t h e n r e l a x . Tense t h e
l e f t t h i g h and t h e upper arm t o g e t h e r ; t h e n r e l a x . T h i s c o u n t s as one
p r a c t i c e . After t h r e e p r a c t i c e s , s h i f t t h e w e i g h t t o t h e l e f t f o o t and
t e n s e t h e r i g h t calf and t h e forearm; r e l a x . Tense t h e r i g h t t h i g h and t h e
upper a r m ; r e l a x . Repeat t h r e e times. Then t e n s e b o t h c a l v e s and b o t h
forearms s i m u l t a n e o u s l y ; r e l a x . Tense b o t h t h i g h s and b o t h upper arms
s i m u l t a n e o u s l y ; r e l a x . Repeat t h r e e times.
Chest and .&lttock R e c h a r ~ i n g( r e p e a t 3 times, each s i d e )
Tense t h e l e f t c h e s t and t h e l e f t b u t t o c k t o g e t h e r ; r e l a x . Tense t h e
r i g h t c h e s t and t h e r i g h t b u t t o c k t o g e t h e r ; r e l a x . Continue, a l t e r n a t i n g
r i g h t and l e f t s i d e s , u n t i l you have p r a c t i c e d t h r e e times on e a c h s i d e .
5.
6.
Three- Part Pack Recharging ( r e p e a t 3-5 times)
Tense and r e l a x t h e muscles o f t h e back a l o n g t h e s p i n e : first t h o s e of
t h e lumbar r e g i o n , o p p o s i t e t h e n a v e l ; t h e n t h o s e between t h e s h o u l d e r
b l a d e s ; t h e n t h o s e on t o p o f t h e shoulders. I n t h i s c o n s e c u t i v e o r d e r ,
t e n s e and r e l a x first t h e l e f t , t h e n t h e r i g h t s i d e o f each set of muscles.
To do t h i s you may have t o move t h e body and s h o u l d e r s s l i ~ h t l yt o i s o l a t e
t h e muscles on each s i d e o f t h e spine.
7.
Shoulder R o t a t i o n (3- 5 times i n each d i r e c t i o n )
P l a c e t h e f i n g e r s o f t h e l e f t hand on t h e l e f t s h o u l d e r , r i g h t f i n g e r s
on t h e r i g h t s h o u l d e r , elbows extended o u t t o t h e s i d e s . S t a r t i n g from t h i s
p o s i t i o n , s i m u l t a n e o u s l y move a r m s , s h o u l d e r s , and s h o u l d e r b l a d e s upward,
f o r w a r d , and around i n a s wide a c i r c l e as p o s s i b l e , t h r e e t o f i v e times
f o r w a r d and t h r e e t o f i v e times backward.
8.
Throat Recharging ( r e p e a t 3 t i m e s )
Without r a i s i n g t h e c h i n , t e n s e s i m u l t a n e o u s l y a l l t h e muscles of t h e
t h r o a t : t h e f r o n t , t h e l e f t and r i g h t s i d e s ; r e l a x .
Tense s i m u l t a n e o u s l y t h e l e f t - f r o n t and t h e l e f t - s i d e muscles o f t h e
t h r o a t; r e l a x .
Tense s i m u l t a n e o u s l y t h e r i g h t - f r o n t and t h e r i g h t - s i d e muscles; r e l a x .
Repeat i n t h i s c o n s e c u t i v e o r d e r u n t i l you have performed each phase of
t h e e x e r c i s e t h r e e times. Conclude w i t h an a d d i t i o n a l performance o f phase
one.
Neck R e c h a r ~ i n q( r e p e a t 3-5 times)
Lower t h e head s o t h a t t h e c h i n rests on t h e c h e s t . Then, t e n s i n g neck
and t h r o a t muscles, p u l l t h e c h i n upward a g a i n s t t h e t e n s i o n u n t i l t h e head
is t i l t e d back. Completely r e l a x t h e t e n s i o n s o t h a t t h e head f a l l s forward
of its own weight and t h e c h i n d r o p s q u i c k l y back t o t h e c h e s t . The f a l l i n g
motion o f t h e head w i l l c u l m i n a t e i n a s l i g h t j e r k as t h e neck r e a c h e s
maximum f o r w a r d p o s i t i o n .
9.
0
a
10. Neck Adjustment ( r o t a t e 3-5 times each way)
Exert low t e n s i o n i n t h e muscles o f t h e t h r o a t and neck. While maint a i n i n g t h i s t e n s i o n , s l o w l y r o t a t e t h e head on t h e neck t h r e e t o f i v e times
i n one d i r e c t i o n , then t h r e e t o f i v e times i n t h e o t h e r . Relax t h e t e n s i o n
and r o t a t e t h e head a couple of times i n each d i r e c t i o n .
11
. S p i n a l Adjustment (6-8 times)
Bend t h e elbows s o f o r e a r m s are a l m o s t p a r a l l e l t o t h e ground, keeping
t h e upper a r m s c l o s e t o t h e body. With a q u i c k j e r k , t w i s t t h e upper p a r t
o f t h e body t o t h e 'left and t h e h i p s t o t h e r i g h t . Then t w i s t t h e upper
trunk t o t h e r i g h t , h i p s t o t h e l e f t . (A t w i s t i n one d i r e c t i o n c o u n t s a s
o n e time.)
12. S p i n a l Rotation ( 5 times i n each d i r e c t i o n )
Stand w i t h t h e legs s l i g h t l y tensed and t h e feet t w e l v e t o f o u r t e e n
i n c h e s a p a r t . Place t h e hands a t t h e waist. Concentrate on t e n s i n g t h e
muscles o f t h e back a l o n g t h e spine. Now bend t h e trunk s l i g h t l y forward,
m a i n t a i n i n g t h e t e n s i o n a l o n g t h e s p i n e , and r o t a t e t h e t o r s o above t h e
waist f i v e times i n one d i r e c t i o n , f i v e times i n t h e o t h e r . Do n o t move
h i p s ; r o t a t e s p i n e from t h e waist up only; keep t h e s p i n e above t h e waist
straight.
a
13. S p i n a l S t r e t c h i n g ( S i d e t o S i d e ) (3-5 times)
I n t h e same p o s i t i o n as t h e S p i n a l R o t a t i o n Exercise, w i t h muscles a l o n g
t h e s p i n e t e n s e d , hands a t waist, s l o w l y sway t h e t o r s o above t h e waist,
first t o one s i d e t h e n t o t h e o t h e r side. Bend t h e s p i n e as far as you can --_
w i t h o u t moving t h e hips.
14. S p i n a l Adjustment (Forward and b c k w a r d )
Stand w i t h t h e feet s l i g h t l y a p a r t . With t h e fingers of t h e l e f t hand
placed on t h e l e f t s i d e o f t h e s p i n e near t h e base o r coccyx, and t h e
fingers o f t h e r i g h t hand s i m i l a r l y placed on t h e r i g h t s i d e , i n c l i n e t h e
t r u n k forward s l i g h t l y . Now bend t h e t r u n k g e n t l y backward, s i m u l t a n e o u s l y
pushing t h e lower s p i n e forward w i t h t h e f i n g e r s , a r c h i n g t h e back and
r i s i n g s l i g h t l y o f f t h e heels. Repeat, moving t h e f i n g e r s a l i t t l e h i g h e r
up t h e back. Continue u n t i l you have gone as far up t h e s p i n e as you can
reach.
15. S p i n a l Twistinq (6-8 times)
Stand w i t h feet a p a r t , legs s t r a i g h t , and s p i n e tensed. Raise t h e arms
forward t o s h o u l d e r l e v e l . Clench t h e fists; t e n s e t h e arms; and s l o w l y
swing them first t o t h e l e f t and then t o t h e r i g h t , p i v o t i n g a t t h e waist,
s o t h a t you t w i s t t h e trunk above t h e waist only. The movement should be
smooth and r h y t h m i c a l , not jerky. Palms o f t h e fist face downward throughout t h i s exercise.
A s t h e l e f t arm sweeps backward, t h e r i g h t arm should f o l l o w t h e arc,
bending a t t h e elbow s o t h a t t h e r i g h t fist touches t h e l e f t s h o u l d e r when
t h e l e f t arm r e a c h e s t h e end o f i t s backward swing. Relax t e n s i o n moment a r i l y ; t h e n t e n s e and t w i s t t o t h e r i g h t , t h e l e f t fist touching t h e r i g h t
shoulder. Relax a g a i n momentarily. The head should t u r n , f o l l o w i n g
-
t h e a r c o f t h e o u t s t r e t c h e d arm i n its backward sweep.
d i r e c t i o n c o u n t s as one time.)
( A t w i s t i n one
16. Memory S t i m u l a t i n g E x e r c i s e ( s e v e r a l t i m e s )
b i s k l y r a p t h e e n t i r e s k u l l w i t h t h e knuckles. C o n c e n t r a t e deeply on
each r a p and feel that i t is s t i m u l a t i n g and awakening t h e b r a i n cells.
E x c e l l e n t f o r improving t h e m e n t a l and nerve responses.
17. S c a l p Massaging
Holding t h e f i n g e r t i p s f i r m l y on t h e s c a l p s o t h a t t h e f i n g e r s do n o t
s l i p on t h e hair, move t h e s c a l p w i t h a r o t a r y motion. Do t h i s o v e r t h e
e n t i r e s c a l p . This e x e r c i s e w i l l l o o s e n muscular t e n s i o n i n t h e s c a l p and
s t i m u l a t e blood c i r c u l a t i o n t h e r e .
,
18. Medulla Oblongata Massaging ( r e p e a t 2-3 t i m e s )
Place t h e first t h r e e f i n g e r s of each hand on t h e medulla o b l o n g a t a , a t
t h e base o f t h e s k u l l . P r e s s i n g f i r m l y a g a i n s t t h e medulla, move t h e f i n g e r s i n a s m a l l c i r c l e , t h r e e times i n one d i r e c t i o n , t h e n t h r e e times i n
t h e o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n . With t h e t h r o a t and head t e n s e d a s i n t h e Neck
Recharging E x e r c i s e , draw t h e head backward. Then r e l a x and push t h e head
forward w i t h t h e f i n g e r s s o t h a t t h e c h i n drops q u i c k l y ( b u t g e n t l y ) t o t h e
chest.
19. Biceps re char gin^ (each arm, a l t e r n a t e l y , 3 t i m e s )
Clasp t h e hands o v e r t h e head
you may l e t them r e s t on t o p o f t h e
head if you wish
and a l t e r n a t e l y t e n s e and r e l a x t h e b i c e p s i n each arm.
--
--
20. Four- Part Body Recharging ( a l l f o u r s t e p s 1 o r 2 t i m e s )
Refer t o Lesson 8 f o r Technique o f E n e r g i z a t i o n o f t h e t w e n t y body p a r t s
and v a r i a t i o n s i n its p r a c t i c e .
( 1 ) I n h a l e deeply one s h o r t and one long b r e a t h , and s i m u l t a n e o u s l y and
s l o w l y e x e r t t e n s i o n from low t o h i g h degree i n a l l body p a r t s . V i b r a t e
w i t h energy f o r t h r e e seconds. Throw t h e b r e a t h o u t i n one s h o r t and
one l o n g e x h a l a t i o n and s i m u l t a n e o u s l y and s l o w l y r e l a x . F e e l t h e energy
c o u r s i n g through t h e e n t i r e body.
(2) Tense and r e l a x each o f t h e twenty body p a r t s i n d i v i d u a l l y .
Take about
f o u r seconds t o t e n s e and r e l a x each i n d i v i d u a l p a r t , i n t h e f o l l o w i n g
order:
-- l e f t f o o t , r i g h t f o o t
11,12 -- l e f t f o r e a r m , r i g h t forearm
-- l e f t c a l f , r i g h t calf
13,14 -- l e f t upper arm, r i g h t upper arm
-- l e f t t h i g h , r i g h t t h i g h
15,16 -- l e f t c h e s t , r i g h t c h e s t
-- l e f t b u t t o c k , r i g h t b u t t o c k 17,18 -- l e f t s i d e o f neck, r i g h t
- lower abdomen, upper
s i d e o f neck
19,20 -- f r o n t of neck, back o f neck
abdomen and stomach
1,2
3,4
5,6
7,8
9,10
(3) Tense c o n s e c u t i v e l y each o f t h e t w e n t y body p a r t s (from number 1 t o 20),
h o l d i n g t h e t e n s i o n i n each one a s you p r o g r e s s , u n t i l t h e whole body is
tensed. ( T h i s s h o u l d t a k e a b o u t t e n seconds.)
A s you begin t h e tens i o n , s i m u l t a n e o u s l y b e g i n a slow i n h a l a t i o n . If you have n o t t a k e n
i n a l l t h e a i r your l u n g s can hold, w i t h o u t undue s t r a i n , by t h e time
a l l p a r t s a r e tensed, c o n t i n u e t o i n h a l e t o capacity. The body should
be tensed s o t h a t it l i t e r a l l y v i b r a t e s w i t h energy. Hold t e n s i o n and
b r e a t h , and v i b r a t e f o r t h r e e seconds. Proceed a t once t o s t e p f o u r .
(4) Exhale t h e b r e a t h q u i c k l y , and s i m u l t a n e o u s l y r e l a x t h e four p a r t s o f
t h e neck and drop t h e c h i n t o t h e chest. But continue t o m a i n t a i n
t e n s i o n throughout t h e rest o f t h e body. Then r e l a x t h e o t h e r body
p a r t s i n d i v i d u a l l y , i n r e v e r s e sequence (from 16 t o 11, u n t i l t h e whole
body is relaxed. Remember t o r e l a x one p a r t a t a time: Maintain t h e
t e n s i o n i n each body p a r t u n t i l i t s "turnw t o be relaxed. If, w h i l e
r e l a x i n g t h e p a r t s above t h e waist, you f i n d t h a t you have a l s o unint e n t i o n a l l y r e l a x e d t h e p a r t s below t h e waist, t h e n simultaneously t e n s e
t h e s e p a r t s a g a i n , and then r e l a x them one by one. The e n t i r e r e l a x a t i o n should be complete i n t e n seconds. After t h e upper body p a r t s have
been r e l a x e d , t h e head may be s l o w l y l i f t e d t o normal u p r i g h t p o s i t i o n
as t h e lower body p a r t s a r e relaxed.
(Additional note: This e x e r c i s e can be p r a c t i c e d any a d d i t i o n a l number
of t i m e s throughout t h e day, i n a s i t t i n g , r e c l i n i n g , o r s t a n d i n g posit i o n . When s t a n d i n g , of course, you have t o keep c e r t a i n muscles of t h e
feet, c a l v e s , t h i g h s , s p i n e , and neck engaged and tensed i n o r d e r t o
hold t h e body upright. Therefore, i t is a l s o good t o p r a c t i c e t h i s
e x e r c i s e a t least once before r i s i n g i n t h e morning, as t h e t e n s i n g o f
t h e p a r t s w h i l e i n a supine p o s i t i o n i s accomplished e n t i r e l y as a cons c i o u s a c t o f w i l l . T h b is t h e b e s t way t o awaken your body i n t h e
morning and set it i n ''gearw f o r t h e day's a c t i v i t y . )
@
21
. A r m Recharging Up and Down) 3-5 times)
(
(
Keeping elbows a t s i d e s , r a i s e both forearms w i t h t e n s i o n as though
l i f t i n g weights, u n t i l fists are a t shoulder l e v e l . Relax momentarily;
t e n s e again; and l e t t h e imaginary weights down. Relax and r e p e a t . The
e x e r c i s e is performed a s though r h y t h m i c a l l y l i f t i n g and lowering weights.
Palms o f fists should f a c e each other.
22. Double-Breathing E x e r c i s e (Elbows Touching) (3-5 t i m e s )
With a r m s o u t s t r e t c h e d sideways a t shoulder l e v e l , and with elbows bent
so that t h e forearms a r e perpendicular t o t h e ground, b r i n g arms forward
with a sweeping motion s o t h a t elbows, forearms, and fists meet. A t t h e
same time, e x h a l e t w i c e , r e l a x i n g t h e body and s l i g h t l y bending t h e knees.
Hold t o t h e count of t h r e e . I n h a l e twice and t e n s e t h e twenty body p a r t s i n
upward o r d e r (as i n E x e r c i s e 11, a t t h e same time b r i n g i n g t h e bent arms t o
t h e s t a r t i n g p o s i t i o n . Hold t o t h e count of t h r e e . Exhale t w i c e and r e l a x
t h e twenty body p a r t s i n r e v e r s e o r d e r w h i l e b r i n g i n g f o r e a r m s t o g e t h e r i n
t h e f r o n t a g a i n , and s l i g h t l y bending t h e knees. Hold t o t h e count of
three. Remember t o keep t h e s p i n e s t r a i g h t , t h e &bows a t shoulder l e v e l ,
and t h e f o r e a r m s p e r p e n d i c u l a r t o t h e f l o o r a t a l l times during t h i s exerc i s e . Palms of fists a r e toward sides of head i n t e n s i n g p o s i t i o n of t h i s
exercise. Palms of fists f a c e forehead when i n t h e r e l a x i n g p o s i t i o n .
23. Arm Recharging (From Shoulders) (3-5 times)
From a s t a r t i n g p o s i t i o n i n which t h e arms a r e extended sideways a t
s h o u l d e r l e v e l , w i t h t h e elbows b e n t s o t h a t t h e fists are a t e i t h e r s i d e o f
t h e head, e x t e n d t h e f o r e a r m s outward t o t h e s i d e , w i t h t e n s i o n , keeping t h e
upper a r m s a t s h o u l d e r l e v e l . Relax t e n s i o n momentarily. Then t e n s e arms
and draw them back to s t a r t i n g p o s i t i o n ; r e l a x t e n s i o n . T h i s e x e r c i s e
should b e done as though t h e arms were a l t e r n a t e l y p u l l i n g and pushing heavy
w e i g h t s toward and away from t h e s i d e s o f t h e head. Palms o f fists f a c e upward i n t h e extended p o s i t i o n , and downward when at, t h e s i d e s o f t h e head.
24. A r m R o t a t i o n (Small C i r c l e s ) ( s e v e r a l times i n each d i r e c t i o n )
Extend t h e a r m s f u l l y t o t h e s i d e s a t s h o u l d e r l e v e l . Clench t h e fists
t i g h t l y , and t e n s e t h e whole a r m . F i s t s should b e t u r n e d s o t h a t t h e palms
a r e upward. Continuously add t o t h i s t e n s i o n as you r o t a t e t h e arms from
t h e s h o u l d e r i n small c i r c l e s s e v e r a l times. Relax t e n s i o n momentarily.
Then r o t a t e i n t h e o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n s e v e r a l times, w i t h i n c r e a s i n g
tension.
25. A r m Recharging (From Forehead1 ( 3-5 t i m e s )
With upper arms o u t s t r e t c h e d i n f r o n t o f t h e body a t s h o u l d e r l e v e l , and
elbows bent s o t h a t t h e fists are l i g h t l y t o u c h i n g t h e forehead, t e n s e t h e
a r m s and e x t e n d them forward. Relax momentarily; t h e n t e n s e and b r i n g them
back t o t h e head as i n t h e s t a r t i n g p o s i t i o n . Relax momentarily; t h e n
r e p e a t . T h i s is done as though a l t e r n a t e l y p u l l i n g and pushing a heavy
w e i g h t t o and from t h e forehead. Palms o f fists s h o u l d b e f a c i n g each o t h e r
throughout t h i s e x e r c i s e .
26. Four- Part F i n ~ e rR e c h a r ~ i n q( s e v e r a l times i n each p o s i t i o n )
With arms s t r a i g h t down a t s i d e s , t e n s e t h e f i n g e r s and, keeping t h e
t e n s i o n , r a p i d l y open and c l o s e t h e fists. Repeat same w i t h arms extended
t o t h e s i d e s a t s h o u l d e r l e v e l , palms t u r n e d downward. Repeat w i t h arms
s t r a i g h t o u t i n f r o n t a t s h o u l d e r l e v e l , palms t u r n e d downward. Repeat w i t h
a r m s r a i s e d above t h e head, palms f a c i n g forward.
27. Four- Part A r m Recharging (3-5 t i m e s )
Start w i t h a r m s down a t s i d e s . With t e n s i o n i n t h e arms, bend a t elbows
s o t h a t fists come up t o t h e c h e s t ; reduce t e n s i o n ; t h e n i n c r e a s e a g a i n ,
e x t e n d i n g arms t o t h e s i d e a t s h o u l d e r h e i g h t ; r e d u c e t e n s i o n ; e x e r t t e n s i o n
a g a i n t o draw fists back t o t h e c h e s t ; reduce t e n s i o n ; t h e n e x e r t t e n s i o n
a g a i n and t h r u s t arms f o r w a r d a t c h e s t h e i g h t ; reduce t e n s i o n ; e x e r t t e n s i o n
a g a i n a s you b r i n g fists back t o t h e c h e s t , and r e d u c e t e n s i o n ; f i n a l l y ,
extend t h e a r m s upward o v e r t h e . h e a d , s t r e t c h i n g up on t h e t o e s and t e n s i n g
t h e whole body, and s i m u l t a n e o u s l y i n h a l i n g twice. Relax t e n s i o n and e x h a l e
t w i c e a s fists are lowered first t o c h e s t and t h e n t o s t a r t i n g p o s i t i o n a t
t h e s i d e s . Palms o f fists f a c e downward when arms extended from s i d e s and
i n f r o n t , f o r w a r d when a r m s extended o v e r head.
28. A r m R a i s i n g w i t h Double W e a t h i n g (3- 5 times each arm, a l t e r n a t e l y )
Without bending t h e elbows, t e n s e t h e arm and swing it f o r w a r d and up
u n t i l p e r p e n d i c u l a r t o t h e f l o o r , i n h a l i n g twice and r i s i n g on t h e t o e s a t
t h e same time. Exhale i n a double e x h a l a t i o n and p u t h e e l s back on f l o o r as
a r m is r e l a x e d and brought down i n a forward motion. A l t e r n a t e w i t h t h e
l e f t and t h e r i g h t arm.
29. L a t e r a l S t r e t c h i n p , (3-5 times each s i d e , a l t e r n a t e l y )
S t r e t c h t r u n k t o t h e l e f t as f a r as p o s s i b l e , b r i n g i n g r i g h t arm
s t r a i g h t up t o t h e s i d e o f t h e head and s t r e t c h i n g l e f t arm down as f a r a s
p o s s i b l e a t t h e s i d e o f t h e l e f t knee as you bend i n t h a t d i r e c t i o n . Then
s t r e t c h t o t h e r i g h t s i d e i n t h e same manner, w i t h t h e l e f t arm up by t h e
head and t h e r i g h t hand down by t h e r i g h t knee. A l t e r n a t e t h e l e f t and
r i g h t stretch.
30. Walking- in- Place ( r e p e a t 25-50 times)
L i f t t h e feet a l t e r n a t e l y , a s i n marching ( o n l y g r e a t l y e x a g g e r a t e d ) ,
t e n s i n g t h e whole l e g , i n c l u d i n g t h e t h i g h m u s c l e s i n back. A t t h e same
time, t e n s e t h e a r m on t h e o p p o s i t e s i d e and b r i n g t h e fist up t o t h e c h e s t .
Then e x t e n d t h e a r m s t r a i g h t down and r e l a x as t h e l e g i s r e l a x e d and set
down a g a i n . T h i s e x e r c i s e is t o b e done i n one p l a c e , as i n "marking time."
31. Running- in- Place ( r e p e a t 25-50 t i m e s )
Run i n p l a c e w i t h a l i g h t , s p r i n g y s t e p b u t e x a g g e r a t e t h e motion by
b r i n g i n g t h e h e e l s up i n back s o as t o s t r i k e t h e b u t t o c k s . Run on t h e
b a l l s o f t h e f e e t s o as t o a v o i d j a r r i n g t h e body. Try t o m a i n t a i n a
n a t u r a l rhythm. A r m s , w i t h e l b o w s b e n t , s h o u l d r e m a i n i n s t a t i o n a r y
position.
32. F e n c i n g E x e r c i s e (3- 5 times e a c h s i d e , a l t e r n a t e l y )
Bend arms a t t h e e l b o w s s o fists are on t h e c h e s t . Tense l e f t l e g and
s t e p f o r w a r d w i t h it a b o u t t e n t o f o u r t e e n i n c h e s ahead o f t h e r i g h t f o o t ;
t h e l e f t k n e e s h o u l d b e s1ip:htJy bmL K e e p the righf;leg
t e n s e d w i t h t h e h e e l f l a t on t h e f l o o r . S i m u l t a n e o u s l y , ttcof
t h e r i g h t hand and t e n s e t h e r i g h t arm and e x t e n d t h e a r m s t r a i g h t o u t from
t h e c h e s t , e x h a l i n g twice. There s h o u l d a l s o b e a g r e a t amount of t e n s i o n
i n t h e c h e s t . S l o w l y r e l a x t e n s i o n as t h e f o o t and arm are b r o u g h t back t o
t h e s t a r t i n g p o s i t i o n , and i n h a l e twice. Repeat a l t e r n a t e l y w i t h t h e opp o s i t e f o o t and arm. A t a l l times d u r i n g t h i s e x e r c i s e t h e s p i n e and head
s h o u l d b e e r e c t , p e r p e n d i c u l a r t o t h e f l o o r . When t h e arm i s t h r u s t f o r ward, t h e w r i s t and arm s h o u l d b e i n a s t r a i g h t l i n e , n o t b e n t ; and t h e palm
o f t h e r i g h t fist s h o u l d b e t u r n e d t o w a r d t h e l e f t , and t h e palm o f t h e l e f t
fist t o w a r d t h e r i g h t . I n o t h e r words, t h e f i s t s h o u l d b e t u r n e d n e i t h e r up
n o r down.
33. A r m R o t a t i o n ( L a r g e Circles) ( 3 times i n e a c h d i r e c t i o n )
With a r m s hanging s t r a i g h t down a t t h e s i d e s , c l e n c h fists, t e n s e arms,
and r o t a t e a r m s i n a c i r c u l a r motion. F i r s t b r i n g them f o r w a r d and up, as
i f making t h e first p a r t o f a l a r g e circle, i n c r e a s i n g t h e t e n s i o n till t h e y
are d i r e c t l y overhead. Then b e g i n t o r e l a x them s l o w l y as t h e y a r e b r o u g h t
down as far b e h i n d t h e t r u n k as p o s s i b l e , c o m p l e t i n g t h e circle. After
t h r e e times, r o t a t e i n t h e o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n .
34. Stomach E x e r c i s e (5-10 t i m e s )
T h i s e x e r c i s e o f f e r s a i d i n stomach t r o u b l e s of a g e n e r a l n a t u r e , s u c h
as i n d i g e s t i o n and c o n s t i p a t i o n . P l a c e feet a b o u t t e n i n c h e s a p a r t . I n c l i n e t h e t r u n k f o r w a r d , k e e p i n g t h e s p i n e s t r a i g h t b u t a t a n a n g l e . Bend
t h e k n e e s s l i g h t l y . P l a c e most o f t h e w e i g h t o f t h e t o r s o on t h e hands,
which s h o u l d b e r e s t i n g w i t h t h e palmb f l a t on t h e t h i g h s , a t o r a l i t t l e
below the junction o f t h e t h i g h and abdomen. Exhale b r e a t h t w i c e and, w i t h out i n h a l i n g , draw t h e abdomen and stomach i n and upward ( t h i s motion i s
a s s i s t e d by the p a r t i a l vacuum i n t h e c h e s t cavity). Force t h e abdomen and
stomach out g e n t l y and slowly. Draw i n and f o r c e out again. Take another
breath; exhale and repeat. With p r a c t i c e , you may i n c r e a s e from two t o t e n
t h e number o f times t h e abdomen and stomach a r e drawn slowly i n and pushed
o u t without t a k i n g another breath. kt do not hold t h e b r e a t h t o t h e p o i n t
of discomfort !
-
Never p r a c t i c e t h i s e x e r c i s e with a f u l l stomach. Always w a i t two hours
or more a f t e r eating, or p r a c t i c e before eating. Women should not p r a c t i c e
t h i s e x e r c i s e during pregnancy.
35. Repeat Exercise One:
times
Double-Breathing Exercise (With Tension) (3-5
36. Repeat Exercise Two and Three:
times each)
Leg Recharging and Ankle Rotation (3-5
37. Leg Rotation (3-5 times i n each d i r e c t i o n with each leg)
Stand with t h e weight on t h e r i g h t foot. Keeping t h e l e f t l e g s t r a i g h t ,
swing i t o u t i n f r o n t , t o t h e l e f t , t o t h e r e a r , and back t o t h e s t a r t i n g
p o s i t i o n , i n a counterclockwise c i r c l e , t h r e e t o f i v e times. Then r o t a t e
t h e same leg t h r e e t o f i v e times i n a l a r g e clockwise c i r c l e . S h i f t t h e
weight to t h e l e f t foot. Holding t h e r i g h t leg s t r a i g h t , swing it i n a
l a r g e clockwise c i r c l e ; then r e v e r s e d i r e c t i o n t o a counterclockwise
rotation.
38. Double-Breathing Exercise (Without Tension) (3-5 times)
Exhaling twice t o expel a l l t h e breath, extend t h e arms (without tension) s t r a i g h t forward from shoulders, hands open and f i n g e r s extended.
Hold t h e b r e a t h out t o t h e count of twelve, or f o r a s long a s is comfortable. Concentrate t h e mind on calmness and on freedom from breath. Then
i n h a l e twice, taking i n a l l t h e b r e a t h you can hold without s t r a i n i n g ;
simultaneously, bend arms a t t h e elbows t o bring hands back t o t h e shoulders. Hold again t o t h e count of twelve, o r f o r a s long a s is comfortable,
again f e e l i n g the g r e a t calmness t h a t comes w i t h c e s s a t i o n o f breath. Neit h e r t h e t o r s o nor t h e limbs should be tensed i n t h i s e x e r c i s e , except i n s o f a r a s it is necessary t o maintain an e r e c t posture with t h e arms extended.
These Exercises should be p r a c t i c e d every morning and n i g h t , p r e f e r a b l y j u s t
before your meditation period.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
@ Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California90065
PARAMAHANSiA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOFI MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
MY LOVE TOLD ME TO LOVE THEE ALONE
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
A s w i n t e r c a m e with i t s g a r m e n t of cold lily f l a k e s ,
My d e s i r e s f o r s u m m e r joys w e r e dulled
And I w a s told to s e e k the w a r m t h of Thy h e a r t .
A s spring c a m e dancing, decked with m y r i a d f l o w e r s
And sprinkled with wild p e r f u m e s ,
It told m e t o love Thee.
-
S u m m e r c a m e singing through l e a v e s and swishing through pines,
Yr-,-&o
singsf Thee,---.
--- .
- -.-"
Even the soft- hearted sod c a r e s s e d m y h a s t y footsteps
And cautioned t h e m tenderly to approach Tny t e m p l e e v e r y w h e r e .
- - a
.s--.---2.-LA.r
And the f r a g r a n c e told m e t o follow i t s t r a i l
T o Thy s e c r e t c l o i s t e r in the f o r e s t of pollen.
And the b i r d s told m e I should t r y t o sing of Thee a s they w e r e doing.
And the b r e e z e , blowing o v e r the l a k e ,
Roused the r i p p l e s of m y devotion to play o v e r Thy bosom.
And with the bowed blades of g r a s s I l e a r n e d t o bow m y head to Thee.
The incense told m e how f r a g r a n t Thou a r t
And t h a t I should m a k e m y h e a r t perpetually burn with sweet- scented goodness
Before Thy throne everywhere.
.
The m u t e , downtrodden, uncomplaining little stone s
Told m e t o behold Thee in those people
Who t r y to t r e a d upon m y happiness.
And the foolish forgotten y e a r s told m e
T o send a m e s s a g e of love encased i n e v e r y second.
And e v e r y thought told m e t o seek Thy hiding place in t h e i r h e a r t s .
And m y love told m e t o love a l l things in T h e e ,
And m y love whispered t o m e t o love Thee alone.
PRAYER
0 S p i r i t , t e a c h m e to r e l a x and c a s t a s i d e a l l m e n t a l
burdens, allowing Thee t o e x p r e s s through m e a s p e r f e c t
health, p e a c e , love, and wisdom.
THE ART O F ENERGIZATION--Part 5
MENTAL RELAXATION
Mental relaxation should signify complete m e n t a l
r e s t . One m a y achieve t h i s by practicing going
t o s l e e p a t will. Relax the body and think of the d r o w s i n e s s you usually f e e l
just before you f a l l a s l e e p . Then t r y actually to reproduce t h a t state. Use
imagination, not will, t o do t h i s . Most people do not r e l a x even while they
sleep. T h e i r minds a r e r e s t l e s s ; hence they d r e a m . T h e r e f o r e conscious m e n t a l relaxation i s better than relaxation that i s the byproduct of p a s s i v e physical
relaxation, o r sleep. In conscious m e n t a l relaxation one c a n e i t h e r d r e a m o r
k e e p d r e a m s off h i s m e n t a l moving p i c t u r e s c r e e n , a s he chooses.
No m a t t e r how busy we a r e , we should not f o r g e t now and then t o f r e e o u r
minds c ompletely f r o m w o r r i e s and a l l duties. They should simply be d i s m i s s e d f r o m the mind. We w e r e not m a d e f o r t h e m ; they w e r e m a d e by u s . We
should not allow t h e m t o t o r t u r e u s . When beset by overwhelming m e n t a l t r i a l s
o r w o r r i e s one should t r y t o f a l l a s l e e p . If he c a n d o t h a t , he will find upon
awakening t h a t the m e n t a l tension h a s been r e l i e v e d , and t h a t the w o r r y h a s
loosened i t s g r i p . We need to r e m i n d o u r s e l v e s a t such t i m e s t h a t even if we
died, the e a r t h would continue t o follow i t s o r b i t , and business would be c a r r i e d on a s u s u a l ; s o why w o r r y ? When we take o u r s e l v e s too s e r i o u s l y , death
c o m e s along t o mock u s and remind u s of the brevity of m a t e r i a l life and i t s
dutie s.
Mental relaxation c o n s i s t s in t h e ability t o f r e e the attention a t will f r o m
nagging w o r r i e s o v e r p a s t and p r e s e n t difficulties; f r o m constant c o n s c i o u s n e s s
of duty, d r e a d of acc;dents, and o t h e r haunting f e a r s ; f r o m g r e e d , p a s s i o n , e v i l
o r disturbing thoughts and attachments. M a s t e r y i n m e n t a l relaxation come s
with faithful p r a c t i c e i n f r e e i n g the mind of a l l thoughts a t will and then keeping
the attention fixed on the peace and contentment within. One c a n then d i v e r t the
attention f r o m w o r r y t o peace through meditation.
Hence, the devotee who a s p i r e s t o develop uniformly and steadily in s p i r i tuality should always c a l m the mind with t h e p r a c t i c e of concentration, k e e p the
b r e a t h quiet by p r o p e r breathing e x e r c i s e s , p r e s e r v e the vital e s s e n c e by selfcontrol, avoid temptation by mixing only with good company, and k e e p the body
quiet and not in p e r p e t u a l motion and r e s t l e s s n e s s .
Everyone needs to l e t go of h i s w o r r i e s and e n t e r into absolute silence e v e r y
morning and night. At such t i m e s one should f i r s t t r y to r e m a i n f o r one minute
a t a t i m e without thinking negatively, fixing the mind on the peace within,
especially i f w o r r i e d . Then t r y to r e m a i n f o r s e v e r a l m i n u t e s with a quiet
mind. Following t h a t , think of s o m e happy incident; dwell on it and visualize
i t ; mentally go through some pleasant experience o v e r and o v e r again until you
have forgotten your w o r r i e s entirely.
J u s t a s t h e r e a r e d e g r e e s of physical relaxation, s o t h e r e a r e d e g r e e s of
m e n t a l and m e t a p h y s i c a l relaxation. The t e r m "metaphysical" i s u s e d h e r e t o
indicate those s t a t e s which go beyond the physical and m e n t a l r e a l m s .
Metaphysical o r s u p e r - r e l a x a t i o n c onsists in f r e e i n g the human consciousn e s s e n t i r e l y f r o m i t s identification with the physical body, money, p o s s e s s i o n s ,
n a m e , f a m e , f a m i l y , country, the world, and the human r a c e and i t s habits.
Metaphysical relaxation m e a n s disengaging your attention by d e g r e e s f r o m consc iousnes s , subconsciousness, the s e m i s u p e r c o n s c i o u s state f e l t a f t e r m e d i t a tion, and C h r i s t Consciousness; and in identifying yourself completely with C o s m i c Consciousness.
Metaphysical relaxation t h e r e f o r e c o n s i s t s i n r e l e a s i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s f r o m
the delusion of duality and t r u l y r e s t i n g the mind by keeping it identified with
o n e ' s own r e a l n a t u r e : unity with Spirit. Man h a s hypnotized himself into thinki n g &a( 1Kie a human being, &-sin
r e a l i t y he is one-with G d - - ----- - - --PHYSICAL RELAXATION
When practicing the energization techniques one
may feel, p e r h a p s f o r the f i r s t t i m e , the d i f f e r ence between f l e s h and energy. With the tension of a l l body p a r t s , energy i s
furnished t o e v e r y body p a r t . In the subsequent relaxation, simultaneous with
the throwing out of the b r e a t h , relaxation i s given to e v e r y body p a r t .
When, a f t e r tensing the whole body, one r e l a x e s and exhales the b r e a t h , h e
should c a s t away a l l r e s t l e s s thoughts, concentrating the attention on God-peace;
he should r e m a i n without negative thought a s long a s possible, and without inhaling a s long a s no d i s c o m f o r t i s experienced.
We should not jump out of bed suddenly upon awakening i n the morning, but
r a t h e r go through the routine of energizing the body while s t i l l i n bed;
Close the eyes. T e n s e the whole body slowly and then r e l a x ,
giving a l l the body p a r t s a breakfast of energy. T e n s e and r e l a x
gradually; do not j e r k . Then g e t up and r e p e a t the routine twice
in a standing position.
After one h a s l e a r n e d how to c o n c e n t r a t e , he will be able to withdraw e n e r gy f r o m the body in t h i s way and t o consciously d i r e c t it toward the higher c e n t e r s in the spine and brain w h e r e a w a r e n e s s of God's p r e s e n c e m a y be realized.
T h e r e i s no g r e a t e r method of relaxation than that which i s taught in t h e s e
L e s s o n s . Whenever one i s t i r e d o r w o r r i e d , he should t e n s e and r e l a x the
whole body; throw the breath out; r e m a i n without e i t h e r breath o r r e s t l e s s
thought f o r a few m o m e n t s ; and he will soon become c a l m . However, when
t h e r e i s only slight cont raction of the m u s c l e s , tension i s not completely
removed upon the r e l e a s e of contraction. It i s important to t e n s e Ifhigh" and
then r e l a x i n o r d e r t o have p e r f e c t relaxation.
SCIENTIFIC TENSION AND RELAXATION
It i s possible t o distinguish t h r e e d e g r e e s of tension by trying the following
exercise:
R a i s e the right a r m f o r w a r d , p a r a l l e l to t h e f l o o r ; gently g r a s p t h e
right f o r e a r m just below the elbow with the f i n g e r s of the left hand.
Then slightly t e n s e and r e l a x the right f o r e a r m by closing the right
hand into a f i s t and then opening the f i n g e r s again. Now, hold the
right f o r e a r m s t i l l , with drooping palm and f i n g e r s , and s e n s e the
following d e g r e e s of tension:
1.
LOW TENSION.
P a r t l y c l o s e the f i n g e r s of the right hand; note
the low tension of the m u s c l e s in the f o r e a r m .
2.
MEDIUM TENSION.
Close the f i n g e r s half way.
T h i s c r e a t e s medium tension.
3.
HIGH TENSION.
Close the f i n g e r s tightly.
T h i s c r e a t e s high tension.
(It i s possible, but m o r e difficult, to t e n s e the f o r e a r m o r the
u p p e r a r m without closing the f i n g e r s . It i s a l s o possible t o
t e n s e a l m o s t any m u s c l e in the body individually, by application
of Self -Realization Fellowship methods. )
Now d r o p the right a r m to the side. T e n s e i t with will ( a s i n point t h r e e
above), and keep the e y e s closed. Open the f i n g e r s a l i t t l e ; then open
the f i n g e r s halfway; then open the hand and l e t the f i n g e r s r e l a x ; when
completely relaxed l e t t h e hand droop.
In t h i s experiment one c a n experience t h r e e d e g r e e s of relaxation, ending
with complete relaxation of those m u s c l e s . F e e l the g r a d u a l withdrawal of
energy and the loosening of the m u s c l e s during relaxation.
While one i s relaxing t h e f o r e a r m o r upper a r m , he should be s u r e t o l e t
the a r m hang loosely by h i s side, and not lift i t up. Should one t e n s e and then
r e l a x with the a r m r a i s e d , he d o e s not achieve p e r f e c t m u s c u l a r relaxation,
because i n lifting t h e a r m he h a s had t o t e n s e , o r c o n t r a c t , t h e m u s c l e s that
r a i s e the a r m .
T r y the foregoing e x e r c i s e with any p a r t of the body, while lying on o n e ' s
back on a f i r m bed, o r on a blanket on the floor. T h e s e e x e r c i s e s m a y be
p r a c t i c e d e i t h e r standing up o r lying down, to become c a l m and t o gain g r e a t
strength. Strength i s valuable, of c o u r s e , but above a l l , c a l m n e s s i s n e c e s s a r y t o enable u s t o l e a r n concentration and meditation. Without concentration
and meditation, Self- realization i s impossible.
P h y s i c a l and m e n t a l relaxation m a y be v e r y successfully accomplished by
practicing the above e x e r c i s e s while lying on a blanket on the f l o o r , e a r l y i n
the morning a f t e r the bath.
When performing such e x e r c i s e s , k e e p the mird on the medulla oblongata,
and imagine the energy flowing into the body through the medulla and f r o m
thence t o e v e r y p a r t of the body. The medulla oblongata o r "mouth of God"
i s located a t the base of the brain. By keeping o n e ' s mind t h u s fixed upon the
medulla, he will soon l e a r n t o d r a w i n e n e r g y f r o m the e t h e r and send it t o a l l
p a r t s of h i s body a t will, without the physical p r o c e s s of tensing and relaxing.
A MEDITATION:
-
SPREADING THE R I P P L E S O F PEACE
F i x y o u r mind a t the point between the eye brows w h e r e the
s p i r i t u a l eye glows like a s h o r e l e s s lake of peace. Watch the e t e r n a l
c i r c l e of rippling peace around you. T h e m o r e intently you watch, the
m o r e you will f e e l the wavelets of peace extending f r o m your eyebrows
to y o u r f o r e h e a d , f r o m y o u r forehead t o y o u r h e a r t , and on t o e v e r y
c e l l i n your body. Now the r i p p l e s of peace have left the banks of your
body and peace i s flooding o v e r the v a s t t e r r i t o r y of your mind. Now
the flood of peace overflows the boundaries of your mind and m o v e s
on in infinite d i r e c t i o n s a l l around you, everywhere. Meditate, dwell
on t h i s and f e e l it.
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The t e m p l e of God i s within your soul. E n t e r into t h i s q u i e t n e s s and s i t
t h e r e in meditation with the light of intuition burning on the a l t a r . T h e r e i s no
r e s t l e s s n e s s , no searching o r striving t h e r e . Come into the silence of solitude, and the vibration t h e r e will talk t o you with the voice of God, and you will
know t h a t the invisible h a s become visible and the u n r e a l h a s become r e a l .
Realize t h a t a l l power t o think, t o speak, and t o a c t , c o m e s f r o m God, and
t h a t He i s with you now, guiding and inspiring you. As soon a s you actually
r e a l i z e that, a f l a s h of illumination will c o m e and f e a r will leave you. Somet i m e s that power of God c o m e s like an ocean, and s u r g e s through your being
in g r e a t boundless waves, sweeping away a l l obstacles of doubt. T h e r e is a
Power that will light your way t o health, happiness, peace, and s u c c e s s , if
you will but t u r n toward that Light.
You m u s t always be guided by that divine power, which i s unfailing. As I
perceive, so may you perceive; a s I behold, s o m a y you behold the ethereal
power that flows through you, through your speech, your brain, your c e l l s ,
your thoughts. Every thought is a tube, a channel through which the divine
light i s passing. Open your h e a r t , that the Divine Flood may p a s s through
you.
AFFIRMATION
I a m calmly active. I a m actively calm.
I a m a P r i n c e of P e a c e sitting on the throne
of poise, directing the kingdom of activity.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful studv'
A
S-1 P- 10
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
IN THE NIGHTLY GARDEN O F DREAMS
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
t- ., _-_
a
.
_
In the nightly g a r d e n of m y d r e a m s grow many bloss,oms:- t h e r a r e s t f- l-o w e r s of m
- y fancy..-T
-h e r e , w a r m e d
.,-I_
the a s t r a l d r e a m - l i g h t , unopened buds of e a r t h l y hopes audaciously s p r e a d p e t a l s of fulfillment.
A
A
In the d r e a m glow I spy s p e c t e r s of beloved forgotten
f a c e s ; and s p r i t e s of d e a r , dead f e e l i n g s , long buried i n the
s o i l of subconsciousness. All a r i s e in shining robes. At
the t r u m p e t c a l l of d r e a m a n g e l s I behold the r e s u r r e c t i o n
of a l l p a s t experiences.
L o r d , Thou h a s t given u s f r e e d o m t o f o r g e t o u r daily
t r o u b l e s by nightly v i s i t s t o d r e a m l a n d . May we e s c a p e
f r o m m o r t a l s o r r o w s f o r e v e r by awakening in Thee.
- - F r o m " Whispers f r o m Eternity"
__
-_
I
PRAYER
0 C r e a t o r of All! in the g a r d e n of Thy d r e a m s l e t m e be a radiant
f l o w e r . Or m a y I be a tiny s t a r , held on the t i m e l e s s t h r e a d of Thy
love a s a twinkling bead in the v a s t necklace of Thy heavens.
Or give m e the highest honor: the humble s t place within Thy h e a r t .
T h e r e I would behold the c r e a t i o n of the noblest visions of life.
THE PHENOMENA O F DREAMS
Most people d r e a m a t night, but few take t h e i r jumbled d r e a m s s e r i o u s l y .
The g r e a t e s t l e s s o n d r e a m l a n d h a s t o offer i s t h a t we m u s t not take o u r e a r t h l y
e x p e r i e n c e s too s e r i o u s l y e i t h e r , f o r they a r e nothing but a s e r i e s of v a s t
d r e a m m o v i e s shown t o u s t o e n t e r t a i n u s . The Heavenly F a t h e r m e a n t t o e n t e r t a i n and educate u s , His i m m o r t a l c h i l d r e n , with a v a r i e t y of e a r t h l y m o v i e s .
We m u s t behold c o m e d i e s , t r a g e d i e s , and n e w s r e e l s of l i f e ' s movies with a n
e n t e r t a i n e d , joyous attitude, and l e a r n f r o m t h e m without being overcome by
t h e i r emotional impact.
In the d r e a m l a n d we f o r g e t o u r n a m e s , bodies, nationalities, p o s s e s s i o n s ,
and o u r f r a i l t i e s . We unconsciously enjoy the g r e a t f r e e d o m t h a t i s native t o the
soul. We m u s t cultivate a s i m i l a r but conscious a w a r e n e s s of soul f r e e d o m ;
we m u s t r e a l i z e the t r u t h that t h e soul i s not permanently attached t o i t s p r e s e n t
bodily and world environment, s e x , o r r a c e , but i s o m n i p r e s e n t , e t e r n a l , f r e e
of any limitation.
God " froze" His thoughts into substance, and by m a y a o r c o s m i c illusion
He c a u s e s u s t o p e r c e i v e His d r e a m of the c o s m o s , with i t s v a r i o u s s e n s a t i o n s ,
a s tangible and r e a l . It i s m a y a that k e e p s u s f r o m realizing that the u n i v e r s e
i s c o n s t r u c t e d of mind stuff and that it h a s no m o r e r e a l i t y than do o u r d r e a m s ,
which we recognize, upon awakening f r o m t h e m , a s c r e a t i o n s of o u r own minds.
God h a s given the soul and mind the power t o m a t e r i a l i z e thoughts in the
d r e a m l a n d ; t o c r e a t e , i n the s a m e way t h a t He d o e s , a m i n i a t u r e c o s m o s . T h e
phenomena of d r e a m s show t h a t we employ the i n s t r u m e n t of the mind t o r e p r o duce a n exact and r e a l i s t i c copy of t h i s world and of the e x p e r i e n c e s of mundane
life. God i s showing u s , in o u r d r e a m s , t h a t we, being H i s c h i l d r e n , c a n c r e a t e substance out of thought, even a s He does.
In the d r e a m l a n d the soul becomes f r e e t o c r e a t e a c o s m o s a f t e r i t s own
fancy. It c a n move i n a new body, in a new world; enjoy i c e c r e a m o r hot t e a ;
live in t h e hot S a h a r a d e s e r t o r in the bleak regions of Alaska, o r in t h e heights
of the Himalayas. In d r e a m l a n d the soul c a n m a s q u e r a d e a s a poor m a n o r a
king; it c a n s a t i s f y a l l i t s unfulfilled e a r t h l y d e s i r e s by m a t e r i a l i z i n g t h e m into
d r e a m e x p e r i e n c e s . H e r e the soul c a n c r e a t e , if it will, a p e r f e c t world, f r e e
f r o m poverty, s i c k n e s s , wickedness, and i g n o ~ a n c e . H e r e it c a n be a p a r t of anything i t thinks it cannot be in i t s e a r t h l y life. H e r e the soul c a n p e r c e i v e the birth
of a baby o r the death of a man. H e r e i t c a n c r y o r s m i l e , h e a r songs, s m e l l
f l o w e r s , touch, feel, think, r e a s o n , meditate, and p e r f o r m e v e r y aciivity, even
a s it d o e s in t h i s e a r t h l y life.
J u s t a s we find t h i s variety- filled d r e a m life i n t e r e s t i n g , without believing
in i t s actuality, so we m u s t prove o u r s e l v e s t o be God's i m m o r t a l children, who
c a n l e a r n f r o m and be entertained by the c o s m i c m o v i e s , without forgetting that
they a r e t e m p o r a r y and delusive. We m u s t prove o u r s e l v e s t o be t r u e sons of
God by appreciating t h e l e s s o n s of the c o s m i c movies without losing the unchangeable joyous poise of o u r inner beings--our souls--which a r e t r u e reflections of
i m m o r t a l , unchangeable God.
All d r e a m s have s o m e significance even though a l l d r e a m s
a r e not t r u e . F o r even "meaningless" d r e a m s a r e reflections
of d i s o r d e r e d , p u r p o s e l e s s thinking. In f a c t , a l l d r e a m s signify the s t a t e of o n e ' s consciousness. The worldly man h a s worldly d r e a m s . The
active m a n h a s d r e a m s of activity. The evil m a n h a s d r e a m s of evil. Imaginative people have fanciful d r e a m s . Matter -of - fact people have d r e a m s of daily
activities. The p e r s o n who i s filled with w o r r y and f e a r h a s nightmares- - which
should w a r n h i m t o change h i s attitude l e s t he a t t r a c t the objects of h i s w o r r y o r
fear, not cmly t h r o u g h h i s - c o m f u t r s thuughts; b u t aalm t ~ u g h ~ p o - w
tions of h i s subconscious thoughts. The one whose thoughts dwell too much on
sexual m a t t e r s h a s d r e a m s of s e x , which signify that h e m u s t make conscious
effort t o dislodge t h e s e acquired conscious and subconscious s e x i m p u l s e s f r o m
the conscious and subconscious minds. Subconscious o p t i m i s m brings forth
comedy d r e a m s . Subconscious p e s s i m i s m t u r n s out tragedy d r e a m f i l m s . Do
not t r y to decipher the meaning of e v e r y d r e a m - - j u s t r e m e m b e r that it probably
symbolizes your m e n t a l o r physical s t a t e ; hence you m u s t adjust your waking
thought and actions i f you would c l a r i f y o r improve your d r e a m s .
SIGNIFICANCE
OF DREAMS
I
e-
You m a y a s k : "What about prophetic and warning d r e a m s ? Many people
have had t r u e d r e a m s and visions. " This subject, a s well a s the meaning of some
d r e a m symbols that show o n e ' s s t a t e of s p i r i t u a l development, will be dealt with
a t g r e a t e r length in Step 2 of the SRF L e s s o n s .
DREAM ON THE L A P
OF IMMORTALITY
If you have faith i n your relationship with the Infinite,
through contact i n deep meditation, you will know that
whether o r not n a t u r e s h a t t e r s your body, you a r e
s t i l l on the lap of that Infinite Assurance. R e s u r r e c t yourself f r o m the consciousn e s s of u s e l e s s human habits and changing human thoughts. Live e v e r y second
in the consciousness that you a r e i m m o r t a l ; thoughts and habits change, only
your soul will live f o r e v e r . T h i s i s not said t o frighten you, but t o quicken your
understanding, t o quicken your e f f o r t s , so that you will not keep the e v e r new
bliss of your soul buried under t e m p o r a r y f a l s e satisfactions.
e
We have no r e a l existence a s c r e a t u r e s made of m a t t e r . The body you s e e
i s nothing but m a t e r i a l i z e d e l e c t r i c i t y . How c a n e l e c t r i c i t y be s i c k ? It i s a
delusion of t h i s d r e a m world, but simply saying that it i s a delusion i s not enough.
If, in a d r e a m , you see a wall and you see your head s t r i k e the wall, you will
have a broken skull.. i n your d r e a m . Self-Realization Fellowship t e a c h e s that
i t i s only by coming i n contact with God that one s e e s that the u n i v e r s e and the
body a r e nothing but condensed e l e c t r i c i t y , thoughts o r vibrations of God "frozen"
into v a r i o u s f o r m s . Science h a s said that e l e c t r i c i t y i s nothing but energy. That
energy i s f r o z e n Cosmic Consciousness. We m u s t not c a l l it simply "Mind";
that t e r m i s too limited i n i t s connotations. It i s Cosmic Consciousness that
m a k e s u s s e n s e different things; which enables u s t o haye consciousness of m a t t e r
a s well a s consciousness of Spirit.
.
R e s u r r e c t y o u r soul f r o m d r e a m s of f r a i l t i e s . R e s u r r e c t your soul i n e t e r n a l wisdom. What i s the method? It includes many things: relaxation, selfc ontr 01, right d i e t , fortitude, a n undaunted attitude of mind, r e g u l a r meditation
with p r a c t i c e of scientific concentration and meditation principles. You may f a i l
a t f i r s t , but do not acknowledge defeat. To acknowledge defeat i s g r e a t e r defeat.
You have unlimited power; you m u s t cultivate that g r e a t power.
Meditation i s the g r e a t e s t way of r e s u r r e c t i n g your soul f r o m the bondage of
t h e body and f r o m a l l your t r i a l s . Meditate a t the f e e t of the Infinite. L e a r n to
s a t u r a t e yourself with Him. Your t r i a l s may be heavy, may be g r e a t , but the
g r e a t e s t enemy of yourself i s yourself. You a r e i m m o r t a l ; your t r i a l s a r e m o r t a l . They a r e changeable; you a r e unchangeable. You c a n unleash infinite powers
and s h a t t e r your finite t r i a l s . R e s u r r e c t yourself f r o m weakness, ignorance,
c o n s c i o u s n e s s of d i s e a s e , and above a l l , f r o m the clutches of undesirable habits
that be s e t your life.
Neither the d r e a m of l i f e n o r the d r e a m of death i s lasting. Your l a s t s l e e p
i n t h i s body will be d r e a m l e s s ; n i g h t m a r e s and your beautiful d r e a m s of e a r t h l y
l i f e will bid f a r e w e l l , a t l e a s t f o r a time. Then, a f t e r a s h o r t r e s t on the downy
bed of blissful oblivion, you will wake up in another d r e a m of another life, in a '
new e a r t h l y setting, o r even on another planet. Then again you will be deluded
into thinking that you a r e awake when you a r e s t i l l dreaming. Alas, t h i s delusive
sleeping and waking in d r e a m s will continue until m a n knows that he c a n really
awaken only i n God.
As in our d r e a m i n g we divide o u r minds into thoughts of many things, such a s
m i n d s , mountains, souls, sky, and s t a r s , and make e v e r y picture out of the t i s sue of fancy, s o God h a s c r e a t e d i n His d r e a m i n g mind a s t a r - c h e c k e r e d savanna
of the blue, a planetary family which includes the e a r t h and i t s c r e a t u r e s , laughing, c r,ying, living, dying.
May God make u s f e a r l e s s by letting u s know that we a r e waking and d r e a m ing in H i m , and that we a r e His a l l - p r o t e c t e d , e v e r happy Self. Let u s unite o u r
evanescent l i v e s with His i m p e r i s h a b l e Life. Let u s blend o u r flickering happin e s s , which s t a l e s so quickly, into His enduring, e v e r new Bliss.
THOUGHTS T O REMEMBER
D r e a m s c a n be consc iously induced by relaxing and visualizing while looking
intently at the point between the eyebrows. P e r h a p s you d o not know t h a t t h e r e
i s anything beyond the s t a t e of d a r k n e s s . You c a n n e v e r believe u n l e s s you have
experienced it yourself.
Do not be d i s c o u r a g e d if a d r e a m d o e s not c o m e f o r a long t i m e , f o r it will
finally c o m e if you p e r s i s t . S o m e t i m e s you d r e a m things t h a t l a t e r you do not
r e c a l l . T h e r e a s o n one d o e s not r e m e m b e r d r e a m s is t h a t the p r o c e s s of awakening withdraws t h e life energy f r o m the subconscious mind, w h e r e t h e d r e a m h a s
been going on, and errploys the life energy t o vivify only the waking c o n s c i o u s n e s s
of the brain.
Many students on the s p i r i t u a l path, striving t o go f r o m the conscious t o t h e
superconscious s t a t e , become s i d e t r a c t e d in the subconscious. They get caught
in the movieland of d r e a m s , and become satisfied. As you take y o u r attention
away f r o m the motion p i c t u r e of s e n s o r y e x p e r i e n c e s , do not l o s e yourself in the
movieland of d r e a m s . P a s s by and r a c e toward the Infinite Spirit.
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T H E MOUSE THAT BECAME A TIGER
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T h e holy city of B e n a r e s in India is encompassed by a d a r k f o r e s t inhabited
by wild a n i m a l s . In the depths of t h i s deep jungle w a s a beautiful h e r m i t a g e in
which lived a God-knowing saint. T h i s holy m a n , who p o s s e s s e d g r e a t wisdom
and many m i r a c u l o u s p o w e r s , had no one n e a r t o h i m in t h i s world except a
l i t t l e pet mouse.
Many p i l g r i m s and d i s c i p l e s braved the d a n g e r s of f e r o c i o u s t i g e r s and o t h e r
wild b e a s t s of the f o r e s t i n o r d e r t o v i s i t the g r e a t m a s t e r , bringing with t h e m
offerings of f r u i t s and flowers. (A disciple n e v e r g o e s empty-handed t o h i s
m a s t e r , who, a s God's agent, g i v e s h i m p r i c e l e s s s p i r i t u a l t r e a s u r e s . ) E v e r y one who c a m e t o v i s i t t h e saint m a r v e l l e d at the g r e a t f r i e n d s h i p between h i m and
the m o u s e , and enjoyed throwing tidbits t o h i s pet.
One day while a group of students w a s visiting the g r e a t m a s t e r in h i s secluded h e r m i t a g e , the m o u s e , c h a s e d by a c a t , r a n squeaking t o the feet of the s a g e
f o r protection. Before the wondering g a z e of h i s students, the saint changed
the l i t t l e trembling m o u s e into a huge, f e r o c i o u s c a t ! The metamorphosed
m o u s e henceforth went f e a r l e s s l y in the company of c a t s without being m o l e s t e d ,
and w a s quite happy in i t s new f o r m except when one of the d i s c i p l e s "who knew
h i m when" would r e f e r t o h i m a s the s a i n t ' s "glorified mouse- cat. "
Sometime l a t e r the s a m e group of students w a s visiting the m a s t e r again
when the m o u s e - c a t w a s pursued by wild jungle dogs. Meowing loudly, it c a m e
a t top speed to the f e e t of the sage who exclaimed: "Be thou a wild dog. " The
astonished students saw the m o u s e - c a t change into a dog before t h e i r eyes. And
g r e a t was the bewilderment of the wild d o g s , who made a disappointed r e t i r e ment. The mouse -dog eventually became better acquainted and even friendly
with other wild dogs, playing and eating with t h e m with a scornful s e n s e of super
iority to l e s s e r c r e a t u r e s .
On another occasion, students who had seen the two preceding m i r a c l e s
w e r e studying with the m a s t e r . In the m i d s t of the l e s s o n they w e r e dismayed
t o s e e a full-grown Royal Bengal t i g e r chasing the mouse-dog, who was racing
a s u s u a l f o r s h e l t e r a t the feet of the sage. But the m a s t e r , once again using
h i s m i r a c u l o u s p o w e r s , stopped the t i g e r in h i s t r a c k s . Speaking t o h i s pet, the
saint said: "Mr. Mouse, it i s foolish f o r m e to go on constantly having t o p r o t e c t you f r o m your enemies. Henceforth, be thou a t i g e r . " The students, once
they had r e c o v e r e d f r o m t h e i r f i r s t f e a r , began t o laugh and e x c l a i m , "Look a t
the s a i n t ' s f i e r c e t i g e r ! He i s only a glorified mouse. "
As t i r m went by and v i s i t o r s t o the h e r m i t a g e found out that the f e a r some
t i g e r patrolling the place was only a mouse uplifted t o tigerhood through one of
the s a i n t ' s m i r a c l e s , they frequently made disparaging r e m a r k s about the m o u s e t i g e r . Newcomers would be told by older d i s c i p l e s , "Don't be nervous. That i s
not really a t i g e r . It i s only a mouse glorified into a t i g e r by the M a s t e r . "
The mouse that had become a t i g e r t i r e d of t h i s popular affront and he
thought: "If only I could kill the saint, then the c a u s e of my discomfiture would
be removed. " Thinking t h i s , the m o u s e - t i g e r sprang t o k i l l the sage. Instantly
perceiving the motive of h i s ungrateful pet, the sage loudly commanded: "Be
thou a m o u s e again! " and lo, the roaring t i g e r became once m o r e a squeaking
mouse.
D e a r f r i e n d , n e v e r f o r g e t that by using God-given power you may change
yourself f r o m a little human m o u s e , squeaking with f a i l u r e and f e a r , into a
brave t i g e r of m a t e r i a l , m e n t a l , and s p i r i t u a l s u c c e s s . But do not f o r g e t a l s o
that if you become antagonistic t o that power you may change again f r o m a t i g e r
of s u c c e s s to a m i s e r a b l e mouse of f a i l u r e . Concentrate well on the duties you
a r e performing, but always, in the background of your mind, hum a silent devotional song of love to your beloved Heavenly F a t h e r , r e m e m b e r i n g that a l l your
a b i l i t i e s a r e gifts f r o m Him.
AFFIRMATION
My d r e a m s of perfection a r e bridges that c a r r y m e into the
r e a l m of p u r e i d e a s .
Self-Rea lization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
o Co~vriaM1956 bv SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ cowright
renew& 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue. Los Anaeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Riehts Resewed (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
THE DIVINE GYPSY
By Paramahansa Yogananda
I will be a gypsy-Roam, r o a m , and roam.
I will sing a song that none has sung !
I will sing to the sky,
I will sing to the winds,
I'll sing to m y red clouds!
I'll roam, r o a m , and r o a m - King of the lands through which 1 roam.
5
By day, the shady t r e e s will be m y tent,
At night, the s t a r s shall be
My candles, twinkling in the firmament;
And I will call the moon to be m y lamp
And light m y s i l v e r , skyey camp.
I will be a gypsy-Roam, roam, and roam.
I will e a t the food that chance may bring;
I will drink f r o m crystal sparkling spring;
I will doff m y cap and off will go,
Like a wayward brook of long ago;
I will roll o'er the g r e e n
And scatter the joy of a l l m y h e a r t
To birds, leaves, winds, hills- -then depart
To s t r a n g e r and stranger lands, f r o m E a s t to West.
Oh! I will be a gypsy-Roam, roam, and roam!
But always, when I lay me down to r e s t ,
I'll sing to Thee m y gypsy p r a y e r ,
And find Thee, always, everywhere.
PRAYER
0 Divine Mother, I often heard Thy
gentle voice saying: "Come home, " but
it was drowned in the noises of the wild
c r a v i n g s of many lives. Now I have f o r saken the jostling c r o w d s of d e s i r e s . In
the solitude of m y mind, my devotion is
bursting t o h e a r Thy voice again.
PLAIN LIVING AND GOD- THINKING
Do you r e a l i z e how you spend your life? V e r y few of us know how much
we can put into life if we use it properly, wisely, and economically. F i r s t ,
let us economize o u r time- - lifetimes ebb away before we wake up, and that
is why we do not r e a l i z e the value of the i m m o r t a l time God has given u s .
Too much time i s spent in rushing, in getting nowhere. Very few of us stop,
think, and t r y to find out what life can give us. Most people do not think a t
a l l - - t h e y just e a t , sleep, and die.
It i s important to differentiate between your needs and your wants. Your
needs a r e few, while your wants can be limitless. In o r d e r to find f r e e d o m
and B l i s s , m i n i s t e r only to your needs. Stop creating l i m i t l e s s wants and
pursuing the will-o'-the-wisp of false happiness. The m o r e you depend upon
conditions outside yourself f o r happiness, the l e s s happiness you will e x p e r i ence.
Fostering d e s i r e f o r luxuries i s a s u r e way to increase m i s e r y . Do not
be a slave of things o r possessions. Boil down even your needs to a minimum. Spend your time in s e a r c h of lasting happiness o r Bliss. The unchangeable, i m m o r t a l soul i s hidden behind the s c r e e n of your consciousness, on
which a r e painted a t various t i m e s d a r k p i c t u r e s of d i s e a s e , failure, death,
and s o forth. Lift the veil of illusive change and be established in your
i m m o r t a l nature. Enthrone your fickle consciousness on the changelessness
and c a l m n e s s within you, which is the throne of God; then let your soul manifest Bliss night and day.
Happiness can be s e c u r e d by the e x e r c i s e of self -control, by cultivating
habits of plain living and high thinking, and by spending l e s s money, even
though earning m o r e than enough to provide f o r e x t r a things. Make a n effort
to e a r n m o r e s o that you c a n be the m e a n s of helping o t h e r s to h e l p t h e m s e l v e s : t h e r e is a n unwritten law that he who helps o t h e r s to abundance and
happiness always will be helped in r e t u r n , and he will become m o r e and m o r e
p r o s p e r o u s and happy. This is a n infallible law of happiness. Is it not b e t t e r
to live s i m p l y and to grow r e a l l y r i c h - - i n S p i r i t ?
TRUE DESIRELESSNESS
The s o u l ' s nature is B l i s s , a lasting inner s t a t e
of e v e r new, e v e r changing joy that e t e r n a l l y
bestows B l i s s that does not fade. One who h a s been m a d e blissful by this joy
of the soul, finds that the Bliss e n d u r e s , e v e n when he is passing through
t r i a l s of physical suffering o r death. D e s i r e l e s s n e s s is not a negation of joy,
but the finding of fulfillment of a l l d e s i r e s in the a l l - s a t i s f y i n g joy of God.
You m u s t a t t a i n s e l f - c o n t r o l in o r d e r to r e g a i n the e t e r n a l h e r i t a g e of
all- fulfillment !ying within your soul. F i r s t , by meditation, give your soul
the opportunity to m a n i f e s t B l i s s , and then, constantly living in this s t a t e ,
do your duty to your body and mind and the world. You need not give up your
ambitions and become negative; on the c o n t r a r y , let the e v e r l a s t i n g joy,
which is your r e a l n a t u r e , help yo11 to r e a l i z e a l l your noble ambitions.
Enjoy noble e x p e r i e n c e s with the joy of God. P e r f o r m r e a l duties with divine
joy.
You a r e i m m o r t a l and a r e endowed with e t e r n a l joy. Never forget this
--Curitrg your ptaydEZh changeable m o i - t a t ? S e . T h i s world Ts but a - s t a g e on
which you play your p a r t s under the d i r e c t i o n of the Divine Stage Manager.
P l a y them well, whether they a r e t r a g i c o r c o m i c , always r e m e m b e r i n g that
your r e a l n a t u r e is e t e r n a l B l i s s , and nothing e l s e . The one thing that will
n e v e r leave you, once you t r a n s c e n d a l l unstable m e n t a l s t a t e s , i s the joy of
your soul.
The usual conception of God is that He is s u p e r h ~ ~ m a n ,
infinite, o m n i p r e s e n t , and o m n i s c i e n t ; but in this g e n e r a l
conception t h e r e a r e m a n y v a r i a t i o n s . Whatever conception we have of God,
if it does not influence o u r daily conduct, if o u r e v e r y d a y life does not find
a n i n s p i r a t i o n f r o m it, and if i t i s not found to be u n i v e r s a l l y n e c e s s a r y , then
that conception i s u s e l e s s . If God is not conceived in such a way that we c a n not do without Him in the s a t i s f a c t i o n of a want, in o u r dealings with people,
when e a r n i n g money, in reading a book, in passing a n examination, in the
doing of the m o s t trifling o r the h i g h e s t d u t i e s , then it is plain that we have
not felt any connection between God and life. God m a y be infinite, o m n i p r e s
e n t , o m n i s c i e n t , p e r s o n a l , and m e r c i f u l , but t h e s e conceptions a r e not sufficiently compelling to make us t r y to know God. We have no imtnediate and
p r a c t i c a l use f o r those conceptions in o u r busy lives.
WHAT IS GOD?
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We r e a d about God in the v a r i o u s s c r i p t u r e s . We h e a r of His p r e s e n c e
and l i s t e n to His p r a i s e in the s e r m o n s of r e l i g i o u s m e n and s a i n t s . We
i m a g i n e Him behind the v e i l s of the beauty of n a t u r e . We think about His
existence through the logic within us. But a l l of these windows, through
which we t r y to s e e God, a r e fitted with a n opaque g l a s s of uncertain inference
drawn f r o m untested, unscrutinized data.
We cannot have full o r d i r e c t knowledge of God through the l i m i t e d powe r s of the intellect, which give only a p a r t i a l and i n d i r e c t view of things. To
view a thing intellectually i s to view it by being a p a r t f r o m it. Intuition i s
the d i r e c t g r a s p of truth, seeing it by being one with it. It i s by intuition
that God c o n s c i o u s n e s s i s realized. God i s Bliss. He i s e v e r existent. When
we wish f o r e t e r n a l B l i s s , o r God, we a l s o wish f o r e t e r n a l , i m m o r t a l ,
unchangeable, e v e r conscious existence.
It m u s t be r e m e m b e r e d that to seek God does not give us any excuse to
neglect the v a r i o u s physical, mental, and s p i r i t u a l battles of life. On the
o t h e r hand, the climbing s p i r i t u a l a s p i r a n t m u s t l e a r n to conquer moods,
habits, d e s i r e s , and s o on, in o r d e r to f r e e the temple of life f r o m the d a r k n e s s of ignorance and the weakness of d i s e a s e , s o that God's p e r f e c t p r e s e n c e
m a y be perceived. As a houseful of jewels cannot be s e e n in the d a r k , s o the
p r e s e n c e of God cannot be p e r c e i v e d while the d a r k n e s s of ignorance, o v e r powering d i s e a s e , o r mental inharmony p r e v a i l s .
To know God i s to love Him. Knowledge of God p r e c e d e s the ability to love Him. At l e a s t , we m u s t have
s o m e little conception of what He r e a l l y is. We a r e told "He i s love, " but we
know only human love; how then can we conceive that wondrous divine love
that m a k e s a l l mankind f r e e ? Wood, stones, a n i m a l s - - a l l things a r e but
different manifestations of God with varying r a t e s of vibration. O u r own f e e l ings m a y be a n e x p r e s s i o n of God, but they a r e not God. The wave m a y be
a manifestation of the ocean, but the wave c a n n o t be c a l l e d the ocean. Is
e l e c t r i c i t y God? No, f o r we cannot switch Him on o r off. He i s e v e r burning Cosmic Spirit.
HOW TO KNOW GOD
Do you r e a l l y know the Supreme Being? Have you s e e n H i m ? Some
people say: "He dwells in everything, I ' o t h e r s say: "He i s omnipresent. "
Yet s p a c e alone i s not God.
When m y M a s t e r a s k e d me: "What i s God?" I said: "God i s Spirit. I '
When he asked: "What i s S p i r i t ? " I answered: "Spirit i s Infinite Intelligence. "
"Yes, I ' he s a i d , "but Infinite Intelligence i s God, so ,you s e e you a r e talking
and reasoning in c i r c l e s , and in that way you will n e v e r get anywhere. "
Substituting different n a m e s f o r God does not define Him. Similarly, the
Bible s a y s : "The Word was God. " But, what i s the Word?
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In the s a m e way, when you a r e a s k e d to define w a t e r , you ma,y say: "It
i s H@, o r aqua, o r r a i n , o r ice, I ' and t r y to define it that way. If you r e a l l y
know what God i s , then you c a n define Him s a t i s f a c t o r i l y to a new i n q u i r e r ,
but when you t r y to analyze o r define God without knowing Him, you only give
your ideas about God. What is God? That was one of the questions I thought
I was s u r e of until I found that I could not make a s a t i s f a c t o r y explanation.
But f r o m m y M a s t e r ' s explanation I r e a l l y l e a r n e d about God, and found Him
f o r myself. God has been a r e a l i t y to me e v e r since.
FORCE AND
CONTRCLLING
INTELLIGENCE
T h e r e a r e twc elemental f a c t o r s in this universe: f i r s t ,
f o r c e , and second intelligence, controlling that fo rce.
You cannot mention any one thing that does not have intelligence. The human body i s simply a combination of e l e m e n t s that can be found a l m o s t anywhere in n a t u r e ' s r e a l m . Unless intelligence i s in it, it i s only a combination of these e l e m e n t s , and nothing mo re.
With intelligence added, it becomes a live and thinking being. Can intelligence
come out of nothing? Is it not reasonable to suppose that somewhere t h e r e i s
some s o r t of factory that produces that intelligence? We humans a r e only one
of the many products of that f a c t o r y of Cosmic Intelligence.
God is that invisible f a c t o r y of intelligence that c r e a t e s , gives birth to,
and harmoniously develops a l l manifested things.
Why do the s e a s o n s come on t i m e ? Why do we have hunger in the body
and food s o u r c e s on this e a r t h to satisfy that hunger? If there w e r e no Cosmic Intelligence, we might have hunger but no food. Throughout the universe
- - i n spite of the many mischievous p r a n k s of n a t u r e - - t h e r e always s e e m s to
--be a rhythm, and alt t h i ~ i g saye pruducts of the one factory of the One AllRuling Intelligence. But even when we say this, s t i l l we do not define that
Intelligence. Here i s the explanation:
God i s that S u ~ r e m eIntelligence which governs evervthine!
Some people do not r e a l i z e that there is a difference between f o r c e and
intelligence. E l e c t r i c i t y i s a f o r c e , but unless we put it into a lamp, it c a n not give a light that c a n be used. Intelligence puts it into the lamp. All the
f o r c e s of n a t u r e cannot satisfactorily work by themselves w ithout the guidance
of intelligence. The Cosmic F a c t o r y of Intelligence works in a coordinated
way. Steam has power to make things move and f i r e converts w a t e r into
s t e a m . These a r e only two of n a t u r e ' s f o r c e s , but they, of themselves, in
t h e i r unharnessed natural s t a t e , do not accomplish anything importantly use ful; but when h a r n e s s e d by intelligence, and d i r e c t e d rightly, they c a n be
made of g r e a t s e r v i c e to mankind. The e a r t h and the whole universe s e e m ingly have been placed on a routine so that human life is made possible. This
c o s m i c schedule, "The rhythm of the s p h e r e s , I' is the product of Divine
Intelligence.
The s u r e s t sign that God e x i s t s i s the increasing heart- bursting joy f e l t
in meditation. When your mind is f r e e f r o m prejudice; when narrow- mindedn e s s vanishes; when you unreservedly sympathize with everyone; when you
h e a r the voice of God in the c h o r u s of c h u r c h e s , temples, t a b e r n a c l e s , and
m o s q u e s ; when you realize that life i s a joyous battle of duty but a t the s a m e
time only a passing d r e a m ; and above a l l , when you become increasingly
intoxicated with the joy of meditation, and in making o t h e r s happy by bestowing on them your divine peace- - then you will know that God i s with you
always and that you a r e in Him.
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Let us live simply outside, and be supremely happy within. Let us l e a r n
to build inner mansions of wisdom in the unfading g a r d e n of peace that blooms
with the million-hued b l o s s o m s of beautiful soul qualities.
Let us "get r i c h quick" by acquiring the incomparable wealth of soulpeace, and become peace - millionaire s . Let us live in our Self- created
p a r a d i s e , which l i e s buried in our fancy; and l e t us bring the living God of
pure joy onto the a l t a r of our h e a r t s and worship Him t h e r e with flowers of
deathless devotion.
Let u s l e a r n to love God a s the joy felt in meditation. Let us choose
only good paths of action on which we can r a c e to the goal of Self-realization.
Let us think of God a s we t r a v e l on o u r l i f e ' s path and finish a l l p r o g r e s s i v e
actions.
Let us a s k God to be with us when we, by our own will, choose good
actions. We should think of God before we e a t body-nourishing food; we
should think of Him while we a r e eating it. Then when we a r e finished e a t ing, we should think of God.
We should change our c e n t e r of consciousness f r o m m a t e r i a l d e s i r e s to
a d e s i r e f o r God. We should a s k God to make o u r peace, silence, joy and
meditation His a l t a r s , where o u r souls may m e e t and commune with Him in
the Holy of Holies.
Let o u r p r a y e r be: make my understanding the temple of Thy guidance.
THE DISCONTENTED MAN- - P a r t 1
Once there was a devout, rich bachelor, by the name of John, who
thought he was f r e e and happy in e v e r y way except f o r h i s indigestion. He
t r i e d everything, but h i s money could not buy a r e m e d y f o r h i s chronic a i l ment. At the age of seventy, when John lay dying f r o m an attack of acute
indigestion, he inwardly prayed: " Lord God, if I a m to be born again, I
shall be a happy m a n in m y next life if I a m given a strong, healthy body free
f r o m indigestion.
I shall not c a r e then whether I have r i c h e s o r not. ' I
An angel of God a p p e a r e d in a vision while John was dying, and whisp e r e d : "In thy next incarnation thy p r a y e r shall be granted according to the
sovereign command of the Most High. I '
When John r e i n c a r n a t e d , he was born in a v e r y poor family. F r o m
infancy h i s body was a s strong a s a Sandow's. The e a r l y death of his parents
added to the a c u t e n e s s of his poverty. J o h n ' s " inheritance" was a strong
body with a gnawing hunger; he did not have enough money to buy sufficient
food to appease its demands. However, according to the latent wishes of h i s
p a s t incarnation, John often thought to himself: " Lord, I a m thankful to have
a d i s e a s e l e s s , strong body; it d o e s n ' t m a t t e r that I have s o little money. I t
Y e a r s p a s s e d , but no m a t t e r what he did, he was never able to provide a d e quate sustenance f o r h i s husky body.
At l a s t , a s John l a y dying of starvation, he prayed: "Lord, I have had
enough of m u s c l e s ! What use a r e they if I have no money to buy food to keep
them s t r o n g ? Lord, if I m u s t be born again, p l e a s e give me m o n e y a n d
health and I shall be happy. "
The angel of the Lord again granted John's wishes, and in h i s third
incarnation he was born a wealthy, -strong-bodied
man.- P.
As the
y e a r s passed, -- -- -- -- -- - - ---. -- - - --"I
have
everything;
I
a
m
happy.
"
But
l
a
t e r be g an-to
he often said to himself:
add: " Just the s a m e , I feel that health and money a r e u s e l e s s without some one to s h a r e them with. " So a s he lay dying of old age, brokenheartedly he
prayed: " Lord, if I m u s t be born again, do not make life so m i s e r a b l y lonely, but in addition to health and wealth give m e a wife. "
-
The angel of the L o r d , a s usual, granted the wish of this devout, lawabiding man. In the fourth incarnation he was born r i c h , v e r y healthy, and
in due time c a m e to m a r r y a handsome but nagging, jealous wife. Our
f r i e n d p a s s e d h i s life virtually h e r p r i s o n e r . As he again l a y dying, f r o m
age and nervous debility caused by the constant nagging of h i s jealous wife,
John prayed: " Lord, in the next life I want, in addition to p r o s p e r i t y and
health, only a good wife. "
The angel of the Lord again granted John's wish; in the fifth incarnation
he was born healthy and wealthy, and finally c a m e to wed a good, faithful,
meek wife, who a g r e e d with h i m in everything. After two y e a r s , a t the a c m e
of m a t r i m o n i a l happiness, h i s beloved wife died. John was g r i e f - s t r icken
and p a s s e d his life like a monk, constantly worshiping the gloves, shoes,
and o t h e r p o s s e s s i o n s of his l o s t good wife.
(To be continued)
AFFIRMATION
I will m a k e a bonfire of a l l my d e s i r e s for
m a t e r i a l p o s s e s s i o n s and b u r n them in t h e one
g r e a t e v e r - i n c r e a s i n g f l a m e of d e s i r e that s e e k s
only to know Thee.
I
SEq-&Eal)iza
tion y~I)I)Ow5/;i;~2
D e a r SRF Student:
P a r a m a h a n s a Y ogananda often s t r e s s e d the s p i r i t u a l value of group e n deavor in meditation. Such effort i s helpful t o a l l devotees, and i s especially
important f o r beginners on t h e path of meditation. P a r a m a h a n s a j i said:
"The s p i r i t u a l power gained f r o m group meditation i s like a hedge around
the t e n d e r plant of your s p i r i t u a l realization, protecting i t f r o m i t s e n e m i e s :
l a z i n e s s , doubt, p r o c r a s t i n a t i o n , and worldliness. " He u r g e d students to
attend SRF s e r v i c e s a s often a s possible a s a m e a n s of hastening and bolstering their spiritual progress.
You will find l i s t e d in t h e D i r e c t o r y of "Self-Realization Magazine"
complete information f o r Self -Realization Fellowship T e m p l e s i n California
and Arizona. Also shown a r e c i t i e s throughout t h e world in which SRF
Centers and S R F Meditation Groups m e e t r e g u l a r l y f o r group activities.
If one of t h e s e t e m p l e s o r groups i s n e a r your home, you a r e cordially invited to attend t h e meetings. F o r full information (not shown in t h e m a g a zine d i r e c t o r y f o r g r o u p s ) , p l e a s e w r i t e d i r e c t t o SRF Mother C e n t e r .
The p r i m a r y activity of SRF groups i s silent meditation with p r a c t i c e
of SRF Yoga techniques l e a r n e d in SRF L e s s o n s study a t home. Some groups
a l s o offer s e r v i c e s in which special readings f o r the week a r e p r e s e n t e d
f r o m selected writings of P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda, along with s h o r t e r p e r i ods of group meditation.
God b l e s s you with steady threefold p r o g r e s s of body, mind, and soul.
In divine friendship,
bwd
SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
Center ~ e ~ a r t d e n t
P. S. Beginning meditation groups a l s o m e e t in s o m e c i t i e s not listed in t h e
d i r e c t o r y of "Self-Realization Magazine. ' I If you find no listing f o r your city,
you a r e welcome t o inquire by m a i l o r telephone concerning a possible local
meditation group.
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: 3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065 Cable Selfreal, Tel: (213) 2 2 5 2 4 7 1
The Reverend Mother Daya Mata. President
In India: Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
s Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
s Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
7
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
DIVINE LOVE
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
0 Love, thou a r t the mystic echo f r o m the c a v e r n s of h e a r t ,
And the inaudible voice of feeling.
Thou a r t the unseen c h a r m e r of souls.
Thou a r t the fountain flowing f r o m the bosom of friendship.
Thou a r t the Divine Cupid, enticing mystic souls
To p i e r c e the h e a r t of a l l living things.
Thou a r t the silent language of souls,
And the invisible ink that l o v e r s use
To write l e t t e r s on the pages of their h e a r t s .
Thou a r t the m o t h e r of a l l affections,
And in Thy b r e a s t throbs the h e a r t of God.
Love i s the silent conversation between two h e a r t s ,
And it i s the c a l l of God to a l l c r e a t u r e s ,
Animate and inanimate,
To r e t u r n to His house of Oneness.
Love i s the heartbeat of a l l life,
And the angel of incarnation.
Love i s born in the garden of soul p r o g r e s s ,
And it sleeps behind the d a r k n e s s of outer attachments.
It i s the oldest and the sweetest n e c t a r ,
P r e s e r v e d in the bottles of h e a r t s .
Love i s the light that dissolves a l l walls
Between souls, f a m i l i e s , and nations.
Love i s the unfading blossom of pure friendship
In the garden of both young and m a t u r e souls.
Love i s the door to heaven, the completed songs of souls.
PRAYER
1 come to Thee with the song of my s m i l e s .
Whatever t r e a s u r e s lie in the s e c r e t safe of my
soul, 1 have brought eagerly t o Thee. I have
brought a l l the honey f r o m the hive of my h e a r t .
Whatsoever i s mine, that a l s o i s Thine. I'he
t a p e r of my happiness will m e r g e with Thy blaze
of B l i s s .
CONTROL O F YOUR EMOTIONS IS THE KEY TO HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
The teaching presented in the SRF Lessons i s a comprehensive s y s t e m
- - a method to bring the individual into complete and balanced harmony with
the g r e a t plan of the universe. T h e r e a r e many f o r c e s a t work seeking to
d e s t r o y this balance, to produce d i s e a s e , f e a r , poverty, failure, and unhappi ness.
These f o r c e s attack the individual to upset his physical, mental, and
spiritual balance. The g r e a t s e c r e t of m a s t e r i n g these f o r c e s was known f o r
a g e s by the g r e a t Hindu s a i n t s , and it enabled them to live f a r beyond the
usual t e r m of life in p e r f e c t youthfulness of body and mind, and in perfect
s p i r i t u a l harmony.
The r e a r e only two ways to travel in life: one leads to happiness and the
o t h e r to sorrow. There i s no m y s t e r y about life; it i s v e r y simple in spite
of i t s apparent complexities. You should look a t life unmasked, in the m i r r o r of your experiences. View time and space a s they come to you in the
f o r m of p r o b l e m s , experiences, and relations. Look a t the perpetual c u r r e n t of emotions and thoughts that a r i s e within you. Go into the h e a r t of your
a s p i r a t i o n s , d r e a m s , hopes, and d e s p a i r s . Dive deep into the mute cravings
of your inner self. Life i s manifesting itself through a l l these channels and
demanding that you seek understanding with your highest intelligence, wisdom, love, and vision.
Sorrow h a s no being of i t s own. It has no objective existence, but a r i s e s
r a t h e r in the subjective nature of the s u f f e r e r . Constantly you a f f i r m s o r r o w ,
t h e r e f o r e i t exists. Deny it in your mind and it will e x i s t no longer. This
a s s e r t i o n of the Self i s what I c a l l the h e r o in man. It i s his divine o r e s s e n tial nature. Ln o r d e r to acquire freedom f r o m sorrow, man m u s t a s s e r t his
heroic self in a l l his daily activities. Sorrow i s not necessary f o r the p r o g r e s s i v e m a r c h of life, although the birth of joy seemingly c o m e s out of pain.
In our relative existence it is evident that the conditions and circumstances
surrounding life a r e conducive either to sorrow o r to happiness, a s if in
their very nature they were e ither desirable o r undesirable. The root of
sorrow l i e s in the dearth of heroism and courage in the character of the a v e r age man. When the heroic element i s lacking in the mental makeup of a p e r son, his mind becomes susceptible to the threat of a l l passing sorrows.
Mental conquest brings happiness into life, but sorrow a r i s e s out of mental
defeat. As long a s the conqueror in man i s awake, no sorrow can c a s t its
shadow over the threshold of his heart.
RISE ABOVE
CIRCUMSTANCES
T e a r s and sighs on the battlefield of life a r e the liquid
cowardice of weak minds. Those *o give up the fight
become prisoners within the walls of their own ignorance. Life i s worth nothing if it i s not a continuous overcoming of problems.
Each problem that waits for a solution a t your hand i s a religious duty imposed
upon you by life itself. Any escape f r o m problems, physical o r mental, is an
escape f r o m life, a s there c a n be no life that is not full of problems. E s s e n tially, conditions a r e neither good nor bad; they a r e always neutral, seeming
to be either depressing or encouraging because of the sad o r bright attitude of
the mind of the individual concerned with them. When a person mentally s inks
below the level of circurnstancels, he s u r r e n d e r s himself to the influence of
bad times, ill luck, and sorrow. If he r i s e s above circumstances by the heroic courage that i s in him, all conditions of life, however dark and threatening,
will be like a blanket of m i s t that will disappear with the warm glance of the
sun. The sorrows of the ordinary person do not a r i s e out of the conditions of
life; they a r e not inherent in the conditions. They a r e born out of the weaknesses and infirmities of the human mind and the effects of human experiences.
Awaken the victor in yourself, arouse the sleeping hero in yourself, and lo !
no sorrow will ever again overwhelm you.
Ignorant people, like some animals, do not heed the lessons that accompany pain and pleasure. Most people live a life checkered with sadness and
sorrow. They do not avoid the actions that lead to suffering, and do not follow the ways that lead to happiness. Then there a r e people who a r e o v e r sensitive to sorrow and happiness. Such persons a r e usually extremely
crushed by sorrow and overwhelmed by joy, thus losing their mental balance.
There a r e very few people who, even after burning their fingers in the f i r e of
ignorance, l e a r n to avoid misery-making acts. People wish to be happy, and
yet most of them never make the effort to adopt the course of action that leads
to happiness. Lacking imagination, they keep rolling down the hill of life,
only mentally wishing to climb the peak of happiness, until something t e r r i ble happens to arouse them f r o m their nightmare of folly. Usually it i s only
then, if their enthusiasm f o r happiness survives the c r a s h to the bottom of
unhappiness, that they wake up.
DO NOT POISON
PEACE BY ANGER
Anger defeats the very purpose for which it i s aroused.
Anger i s not a n antidote f o r anger. A strong wrath may
cause another to s u p p r e s s h i s weaker wrath, but it will never kill that weaker
wrath. When you a r e angry, s a y nothing. Knowing it i s a d i s e a s e , like the
coming of a cold, b r e a k i t up by mental w a r m baths consisting of thinking of
those with whom you c a n n e v e r be angry, no m a t t e r how they behave. If your
emotion i s too violent, take a cold shower, o r put a piece of ice on the medulla
oblongata and the t e m p l e s just above the e a r s , and on the forehead, especially
between the eyebrows, and on the top of the head.
Anger gives b i r t h to jealousy, h a t r e d , spite, revengefulness, destructive
instinct, wild ideas, b r a i n p a r a l y s i s , and t e m p o r a r y insanity--any of which
may lead to h o r r i b l e c r i m e s . It i s poison to peace and c a l m n e s s . It i s
poison to understanding. Anger i s a m a n n e r of misunderstanding. To conquer
o t h e r s by a n g e r i s the meth6d o f fools, f o r a n g e r only r o u s e s m o r e wrath in
the enemy and thus m a k e s h i m a s t r o n g e r and m o r e powerful opponent. A
righteous demonstration of a n g e r to a v e r t evil without causing h a r m i s s o m e t i m e s productive of good. Blind, uncontrolled a n g e r i s revengeful, spiteful;
it only i n c r e a s e s the evil that you wish to destroy. Be indifferent to those who
s e e m to enjoy making you angry.
When a n g e r c o m e s , s e t your machinery of c a l m n e s s in motion to manuf a c t u r e the antidotes of peace, love, and forgiveness which banish anger.
Think of love, and reflect that even a s you do not want o t h e r s to be angry with
you, neither do you wish o t h e r s to feel your ugly a n g e r . When you become
C h r i s t- l i k e and look upon a l l humanity a s little b r o t h e r s hurting one another
("for they know not what they d o " ) , you cannot feel angry with anyone. Ignorance i s the m o t h e r of a l l a n g e r .
Develop metaphysical r e a s o n and d e s t r o y anger. Look upon the a n g e r a r o u s i n g agent a s a child of God; think of him a s a little five- year- old baby
b r o t h e r who p e r h a p s h a s unwittingly stabbed you. You should not f e e l a d e s i r e
to s t a b this little b r o t h e r in r e t u r n . Mentally d e s t r o y anger by saying: "I
will not poison m y peace with a n g e r ; I will not d i s t u r b m y habitual joy-giving
c a l m n e s s with wrath. "
OVERCOMING FEAR
S e c r e t f e a r c r e a t e s tension and anxiety, and brings
ultimate collapse. We must have faith in o u r ability,
and hope in the triumph of a righteous cause. If we do not p o s s e s s these quali t i e s , we m u s t c r e a t e them in o u r own minds through concentration. This can
be accomplished by d e t e r m i n e d and long -continued p r a c t i c e . Fortunately, we
can s t a r t practicing any time and any place, concentrating upon developing
those good qualities in which we a r e defective. If we a r e lacking in will powe r , let us concentrate upon that, and through conscious effort we shall be able
to c r e a t e s t r o n g will power in o u r s e l v e s . If we want to relieve o u r s e l v e s of
f e a r , we should meditate upon courage, and in due time we shall be f r e e d
f r o m the bondage of f e a r . Through concentration and meditation we make o u r s e l v e s powerful. This new power enables us to focus o u r attention upon one
point a t a time, and continual p r a c t i c e f o r an extended period will enable us
to concentrate o u r e n e r g y upon a single p r o b l e m o r a single responsibility
without any effort. It will become second nature to u s . P o s s e s s e d with this
new quality, we shall succeed in o u r l i f e ' s undertakings, whether spiritual o r
material.
As soon a s the s o l d i e r s of wrong thoughts r a l l y to attack your inner
peace, it i s time to wake up the soul s o l d i e r s of light, honesty, self- control,
and d e s i r e f o r good things, and to wage furious battle. It r e s t s with you
whether you want g r e e d , s e n s e s l a v e r y , a n g e r , h a t r e d , revengefulness,
w o r r i e s , o r inharmonies to rule your life, o r whether you will let the divine
s o l d i e r s of self - control, c a l m n e s s , love, forgiveness, p e a c e , and harmony
govern your mental kingdom. Drive away those rebel s e n s e habits that have
brought m i s e r y to the e m p i r e of your peace. Be king o v e r yourself, letting
the s o l d i e r s of goodness and good habits rule the kingdom of your mind.
Then happiness will r e i g n within you f o r e v e r .
You m u s t p o s s e s s courage, faith, and hope. Courage i s needed to fight
against d r e a d e d f e a r . We have said before that f e a r d e s t r o y s life. There
a r e many people who will not even attempt to work because they a r e d e s p e r ately a f r a i d of not succeeding. They feel that they a r e not competent enough
to do the work, and thus m e e t failure even before starting. The BhagavadGita d e s c r i b e s how Arjuna, a t f i r s t overwhelmed with f e a r of losing courage
on the battlefield, b r a c e s up and p e r f o r m s h i s s a c r e d duty.
-
-
-
Always know that e v e r y day i s a f r e s h opportunity on the p a r t of the
human ego to p e r f o r m m o r e and m o r e exploits of h e r o i s m . Meet everybody
and e v e r y c i r c u m s t a n c e on the battlefield of life with the courage of a h e r o
and the s m i l e of a conqueror. Whatever c o m e s your way and needs attention
m u s t be considered a s a duty. Duty i s not imposed upon m a n by some s u p e r i
o r power. It i s the inherent urge of life toward p r o g r e s s i o n ; t h e r e f o r e , duty
is action that needs c a r e . Neglect of duty i s a s o u r c e of evil that c a n be
avoided by wisdom.
Avoid associating with those who a r e always complaining
about life. They m a y ruin your newly awakened s p i r i t uality, which i s like a tender plant growing within ,you. Avoid such people
and t r y to be always happy, no m a t t e r how you a r e situated. God will n e v e r
r e v e a l Himself to you unless you a r e contented and happy. You m u s t s a t u r a t e everything with the thought of God. Realize that a l l that e x i s t s i s cent e r e d in God.
A L L IS IN GOD
Be silent and c a l m e v e r y night f o r a t l e a s t half a n hour, p r e f e r a b l y much
longer, before you r e t i r e , and again in the morning before starting the d a y ' s
activity. This will produce a n undaunted, unbreakable inner habit of happin e s s that will make you able to m e e t a l l the trying situations of the everyday
battle of life. With that unchangeable happiness within, go about seeking to
fulfill the demands of your daily needs. Seek happiness m o r e and m o r e in
y o u r mind, and l e s s and l e s s in the d e s i r e to acquire things. Be so happy
in your mind that nothing that c o m e s c a n possibly make you unhappy. Then
you can get along withor~tthings that you have been accustomed to. Be happy
because you know that you have acquired the power not to be negative, and
because you know, too, that you can acquire a t will whatever you need, and
that you will never again become s o m a t e r i a l - m i n d e d that you will f o r g e t your
inner happiness, even though you should become a millionaire.
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
Unselfishness d r a w s everybody, including o n e ' s own self, into the c i r c l e
of brothe rhood. It brings many h a r v e s t s - - r e t u r n s e r v i c e f r o m o t h e r s , selfexpansion, divine sympathy, lasting happiness, and Self-realization.
Feeling the s o r r o w s of o t h e r s in o r d e r to help f r e e them f r o m f u r t h e r
s u f f e r i n g , seeking happiness in the joy of o t h e r s , and constantly trying to
satisfy the needs of bigger and bigger groups of people, i s what you might
c a l l being "sacredly selfish. I ' The m a n of s a c r e d s e l f i s h n e s s counts a l l h i s
e a r t h l y l o s s e s a s d e l i b e r a t e l y brought about by himself f o r the good of o t h e r s ,
and f o r h i s own g r e a t and ultimate gain. He lives to love h i s b r e t h r e n , f o r
he knows that they a r e a l l the children of the One God. His e n t i r e selfishn e s s i s s a c r e d f o r whenever he thinks, not of the s m a l l body and mind of
o r d i n a r y understanding, but of the needs of a l l bodies and minds within the
range of h i s acquaintance o r influence, h i s self then becomes one with the
Self of all. He becomes the mind and feelings of a l l c r e a t u r e s . So when he
does anything f o r himself, he can only do that which i s good f o r all. He who
c o n s i d e r s himself a s one whose body and limbs c o n s i s t of a l l humanity and
a l l c r e a t u r e s , he i s the one who certainly finds the universal, all-pervading
Spirit in himself.
THE DISCGNTENTED MAN--Part 2
Finally, having reached a ripe old age, o u r friend John lay dying and he
prayed: "Lord, if I have to be born on e a r t h again, do g r a n t m e , in addition
to health and wealth, a long-lived good wife. " An angel of the Lord a p p e a r e d
in a vision and answered: "Your p r a y e r will be granted. I '
In his sixth incarnation John was not only wealthy and healthy, but he had
a long-lived good wife. They celebrated t h e i r s i l v e r wedding a n n i v e r s a r y in
happiness. One day John's m a l e s e c r e t a r y died; John decided to engage a
p r e t t y nineteen- year -old g i r l s e c r e t a r y .
John became madly infatuated with h i s new employee.
He thought: "My
good wife m u s t not know about this. I love h e r with a l l my h e a r t , and I would
never d r e a m of divorcing h e r ; but a l a s , she h a s grown old and homely, and
the face of m y young s e c r e t a r y i s beautiful and f r e s h a s a lily. " Infatuation
got the upper hand. Eventually he did divorce h i s wife in o r d e r to m a r r y the
young g i r l . His new bride lived with John until she had s e c u r e d m o s t of h i s
fortune; then she left h i m f o r a younger man.
-
Broken in s p i r i t , John p r a y e d in deep meditation f o r a vision of the Lord,
who obliged h i m by appearing in a m a j e s t i c f o r m enveloped in golden light.
The Lord said: "John, a t the end of the f i r s t incarnation in which you had
found your way to hlle by p r a y e r , you a s k e d to be c u r e d of indigestion; so in
the next incarnation I granted you a strong body, but not the wealth that you
had enjoyed in the previous life. Yo11 soon t i r e d of health without the money
to buy plenty of food, so in the following incarnation I gave you both health
and wealth. Then, lonely, you p r a y e d f o r a wife.
"The fourth incarnation brought you health, r i c h e s , and a wife; but she
nagged you, and so you prayed f o r a good wife next time. In the fifth i n c a r n a tion I granted you a good wife, and wealth, and health; but a f t e r two y e a r s of
m a r r i a g e your good wife died. Then you said you would be happy if you could
only have a good long-lived wife in addition to health and plenty of money.
But w h a t a n e s t of trouble you have made f o r yourself, trying by these differe n t ways-to-make yourself
happy
in this delusion-ridden
of Mine! Now
-- -e a r t h
-. -- ---- te 11 Me, what do yo11 want n e x t ? "
-
-
John r e v e r e n t l y a n s w e r e d : " Lord, I want nothing but constant a w a r e n e s s
of Thee ! It doesn't m a t t e r whether I a m rich o r p o o r , healthy o r unhealthy,
m a r r i e d o r single, on e a r t h o r in heaven, so long a s Thou dost teach m e Thy
way to be happy everywhere Thou dost place m e , in any c i r c u m s t a n c e of life.
Henceforth I will use m y own f r e e will to do Thy will alone. I'
God replied: "My son, your answer p l e a s e s Me. This e a r t h i s but a
movie house to which I s e n t a l l m y i m m o r t a l children to be entertained and
to e n t e r t a i n , to play in ever-changing d r a m a s of life with a blissful attitude
of divine detachment. It g r i e v e s Me to find that m o s t of My c h i l d r e n forget
that the t r a g e d i e s and c o m e d i e s of life a r e only My u n r e a l d r e a m - p l a y s ; thus
they t a r n i s h t h e i r joy with e a r t h l y d e s i r e s . You can never find changeless,
i m m o r t a l happiness in My m o r t a l , ever-changing e a r t h l y land. Do not build
the mansion of your happiness upon the t r e a c h e r o u s quicksand of m a t e r i a l
existence. Lf you want to be perenially happy, look within; play your role in
the world a s I, the D i r e c t o r , instruct you--not a s you want to i m p r o v i s e ,
muddling up My d r a m a ! Then you will know that you only d r e a m e d that you
were unhappy and that you d e s i r e d e a r t h l y things. Know now that you a r e My
ever- happy, e v e r - p e r f e c t , e v e r - s a t i s f i e d child, wanting naught of this i m p e r fect, clissatisfying, delusive e a r t h but to fulfill joyfully My plan f o r you h e r e . "
AFFIRMATION
I a m the r e s i s t l e s s f i r e of s m i l e s . I shall fan myself with the
b r e e z e of God-Joy and shall blaze m y way through the d a r k n e s s of
a l l minds. My s m i l e s will b e a r His s m i l e s , and whoever m e e t s
me will catch m y divine joy. I shall s t r e w f r a g r a n t purifying t o r c h e s
of s m i l e s in a l l h e a r t s .
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
a
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
o Co~vriaht1956 bv SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o ~ob;rightrenewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANOA, Founder
All Riahts Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Anpeles, California 90065
GOD! GOD ! GOD!
By P a r a m a h a n s a Y ogananda
F r o m the depths of s l u m b e r ,
A s I a s c e n d the s p i r a l stairway of wakefulness,
I w h i s p e r:
God! God! God!
Thou a r t the food, and when I break m y f a s t
Of nightly separation f r o m T h e e ,
I t a s t e T h e e , and mentally say:
God! God! God!
No m a t t e r w h e r e I go, the spotlight of m y mind
E v e r k e e p s turning on T h e e ;
And in the battle din of activity, m y silent w a r - c r y i s e v e r :
God! God! God!
When boisterous s t o r m s of t r i a l s s h r i e k
And w o r r i e s howl a t m e ,
I will drown their n o i s e s , loudly chanting:
God! God! God!
When m y mind weaves d r e a m s
With t h r e a d s of m e m o r i e s ,
On that magic cloth I do e m b o s s :
God! God! God!
E v e r y night, in t i m e of d e e p e s t s l e e p ,
My peace d r e a m s and c a l l s : Joy! Joy! Joy!
And m y joy c o m e s singing e v e r m o r e :
God! God! God!
In waking, eating, working, d r e a m i n g , sleeping,
Serving , meditating, chanting, divinely loving,
My soul constantly h u m s , unheard by any:
God! God! God!
PRAYER
Teach m e , 0 God, t o sow the s e e d s of wisdom, health,
p r o s p e r i t y , and happiness in the g a r d e n of my life.
DESTROY DEPRESSION BY SUBSTITUTING PROSPERITY
According t o the law of God and of C h r i s t i a n brotherhood, t h i s e a r t h w a s
meant t o provide the s h e l t e r and supply of a l l mankind; the wealth of m i n e s
and other r e s o u r c e s was to be distributed equally to those performing equal
l a b o r s . And God established the law of divine birthright: that a l l m e n and
women a r e made i n H i s image, hence a r e essentially divine; and that a l l nations a r e of one blood, being descendants of common p a r e n t s , Adam and Eve.
I£ you believe i n t h i s fundamental relationship, i f you f e e l love f o r a l l the
w o r l d ' s inhabitants a s f o r your own family, recognizing no inner d i f f e r e n c e
between any of the outwardly different nationalities, then you a r e establishing
a legitimate a s t r a l right t o your s h a r e of e a r t h ' s capital.
Those who seek p r o s p e r i t y f o r t h e m s e l v e s alone a r e i n t h e end bound to
become poor, o r t o suffer f r o m m e n t a l inharmony; but those who consider
the whole world a s t h e i r home, and who really c a r e and work f o r group o r
world p r o s p e r i t y , activate a s t r a l f o r c e s that lead t h e m ultimately t o the place
w h e r e they c a n find t h e individual p r o s p e r i t y that is legitimately t h e i r s . This
i s a s u r e and s e c r e t law. Whether one p r o s p e r s i s not dependent solely upon
o n e ' s c r e a t i v e ability, but a l s o upon h i s p a s t actions, and on h i s p r e s e n t eff o r t s t o activate the a s t r a l law of c a u s e and effect. If mankind a s a whole behaved unselfishly, the power of that law would distribute p r o s p e r i t y equally t o
a l l m e n , without exception. Those who by potent good thoughts and actions
r o u s e t h i s a s t r a l power t o c r e a t e positive p r o s p e r i t y succeed w h e r e v e r they
go, whether they a r e in p r o s p e r o u s o r p o v e r t y - s t r i c k e n environments. T h e r e f o r e , seek p r o s p e r i t y not solely f o r your self and your family but f o r a wider
group: your f r i e n d s , your country, the whole world.
Eschew t h e d e s i r e f o r luxury. L e a r n t o u s e l e s s expensive things in a n
a r t i s t i c way, with faith in t h e t r u t h that you a r e a child of God and t h a t a s such
you have a l l the F a t h e r ' s r i c h e s , a l l the wealth of the e a r t h behind you. When
by meditation you r e l e a s e your consciousness f r o m i t s preoccupation with hum a n limitations and r e a l i z e yourself t o be t r u l y a son of God, you will know
a l s o that whatever God h a s , you have.
Most people live a l m o s t mechanically, unconscious of any
ideal o r plan of life. They c o m e on e a r t h , struggle f o r a
living, then leave the s h o r e s of mortality without knowing
why they c a m e h e r e o r what t h e i r duties r e a l l y w e r e . No m a t t e r what one
c o n s i d e r s t o be the goal of life, i t i s obvious that m a n ' s existence i s so u n d e r YOUR GOAL
IN L I F E
mined with i m m e d i a t e m a t e r i a l needs that he m u s t struggle t o satisfy them.
The believer and the d i s b e l i e v e r in God m u s t work h a r d to provide food.
T h e r e f o r e it i s important that m a n should concentrate upon taking c a r e of h i s
r e a l needs and not c r e a t e additional burdens f o r himself by trying t o fulfill
u s e l e s s d e s i r e s f o r e x t r a things.
Do not wander a i m l e s s l y , lost in the jungle of life, your happiness continuously bleeding away f r o m t h o r n p r i c k s of new d e s i r e s . You m u s t d e t e r m i n e
the goal of your life, and find the s h o r t e s t road that c a n lead you t h e r e . Do
not t r a v e l unknown r o a d s , picking up new t r o u b l e s . Too m u c h ambition of
the wrong kind i s just a s bad a s too much p a s s i v e contentment. As human
beings, we have been endowed with needs and we m u s t m e e t t h e i r demands.
As m a n i s a physical, m e n t a l , and s p i r i t u a l being, he m u s t look a f t e r h i s a l l round w e l f a r e , avoiding overdevelopment of one side. To p o s s e s s wonderful
health and good appetite, with no money to maintain that health and t o satisfy
that hunger i s agonizing. To have plenty of money and chronic indigestion i s
deplorable. To have robust health, and abundant wealth, and e n d l e s s trouble
with oneself and o t h e r s , i s pitiable. To have health, wealth, and m e n t a l efficiency, but lack peace and a knowledge of the u l t i m a t e t r u t h i s u s e l e s s , d i s turbing, and dissatisfying.
Assuming that the goal of m a t e r i a l life i s m a x i m u m efficiency, p e a c e , health, and s u c c e s s , what i s the s u r e s t
way to p r o s p e r i t y ? P r o s p e r i t y d o e s not c o n s i s t just in
making money; it a l s o c o n s i s t s in acquiring the m e n t a l
efficiency by which one m a y uniformly a c q u i r e health, wealth, wisdom, and
p e a c e , a t will. G r e a t wealth d o e s not n e c e s s a r i l y bring health, peace o r
efficiency; but a c q u i r e m e n t of efficiency and peace a r e bound t o bring a p r o p e r
ly balanced m a t e r i a l s u c c e s s . Most people develop m e n t a l efficiency a s a byproduct of t h e i r e f f o r t s f o r m a t e r i a l s u c c e s s ; but very few people r e a l i z e t h a t
although money i s made t o give happiness, happiness cannot be found if in
o r d e r to a c q u i r e it one develops an insatiable, soul- corroding d e s i r e f o r
money.
EFFICIENCY
THROUGH
c ONCENTRATION
Mental efficiency depends upon development of concentration. One should
know the scientific method of concentration by which he m a y disengage h i s
attention f r o m objects of d i s t r a c t i o n and f o c u s it upon one thing a t a t i m e . By
the power of concentration, m a n c a n u s e t h e untold power of mind t o a c c o m plish t h a t which he d e s i r e s , and he c a n guard a l l d o o r s through which f a i l u r e
m a y e n t e r . All men of s u c c e s s have been m e n of g r e a t concentration, m e n
who could dive deeply into t h e i r p r o b l e m s and come up with the p e a r l s of right
solutions. Most people a r e suffocated by d i s t r a c t i o n and a r e unable t o f i s h out
the p e a r l s of s u c c e s s .
In concentrating upon h i s little physical needs m a n often f o r g e t s h i s g r e a t e r need of developing m e n t a l efficiency in everything, and of acquiring divine
contentment. Man i s so busy multiplying t h e conditions of h i s physical c o m f o r t
that he c o n s i d e r s many u n n e c e s s a r y things a s a n e s s e n t i a l p a r t of h i s e x i s t ence.
The m a n of powerful concentration should a s k God t o d i r e c t h i s focused
mind to the right place f o r s u c c e s s that i s rightfully h i s . P a s s i v e people
want God t o do a l l the work; egotists a s c r i b e a l l t h e i r s u c c e s s to t h e m s e l v e s .
P a s s i v e people do not u s e the power of God residing i n t h e i r intelligence.
Egotists, although they m a y u s e t h e i r God-given intelligence, f a i l t o a s k , and
r e c e i v e , God's direction a s t o where and how the intelligence should be used.
I can blame i n e r t i a a s the c a u s e of f a i l u r e in t h e f i r s t instance; but it h u r t s
m e t o s e e intelligent e g o t i s t s f a i l a f t e r making a r e a l and well-thought-out
effort.
However, even a m a n of concentration and power m a y dive deep into the
s e a of p r o b l e m s and s t i l l not find the p e a r l of s u c c e s s . T h e r e a r e many p e r sons of powerful concentration, who do not know where t o s t r i k e s u c c e s s ; and
many brilliant people with efficient m i n d s have s t a r v e d , o r have had only m e a g e r s u c c e s s . This i s w h e r e another f a c t o r i n acquiring p r o s p e r i t y c o m e s into consideration.
All p r o s p e r i t y i s m e a s u r e d out t o m a n according t o the law of c a u s e and
effect, which governs not only this life but a l l p a s t l i v e s . That i s why intelligent people m a y be born poor o r unhealthy, and a mentally m e d i o c r e p e r s o n
may be born healthy and wealthy. All m e n w e r e originally sons of God m a d e
in H i s image having f r e e choice and equal power of accomplishment. But by
m i s u s e of h i s God-given r e a s o n and will power, m a n h a s fallen under the cont r o l of the n a t u r a l law of c a u s e and effect of action ( k a r m a ) and h a s t h e r e b y
limited h i s f r e e d o m t o m a k e a s u c c e s s of life. A m a n ' s s u c c e s s depends not
only upon h i s intelligence and efficiency but upon the nature of h i s p a s t actions.
However, t h e r e i s a way t o overcome t h e unfavorable r e s u l t s of past actions.
The c a u s e s of f a i l u r e m u s t be destroyed and a new c a u s e f o r s u c c e s s s e t in
motion.
GOD'S WILL
AND YOUR WILL
Mentally broadcast t h i s t r u t h : "My F a t h e r and I a r e One"
- - until you f e e l His overpowering, a l l - solacing bliss.
When t h i s happens, you have made the contact. Then aff i r m your c e l e s t i a l right by praying: " F a t h e r , I a m Thy child. I will r e a s o n ,
I will will, I will a c t , but guide Thou m y r e a s o n , will and activity t o the right
thing that I should do i n o r d e r t o a c q u i r e health, wealth, peace, and wisdom. ' I
Q
F e e l t h e p r e s e n c e of God f i r s t ; then u s e your will and act. With His
guidance you will be s u r e t o h a r n e s s your will and activity t o the right goal.
cg
J
GOD--THE REAL
SOURCE OF OUR
PROSPERITY
God i s the s e c r e t s o u r c e of a l l m e n t a l power, peace,
and p r o s p e r i t y . Why u s e the limited i m p r a c t i c a l hum a n method of gaining p r o s p e r i t y ? By visualizing p r o s perity o r by affirmatibn, you may strengthen your subconscious mind, which in t u r n m a y encourage your conscious mind; but that
is a l l that visualization alone c a n do. The conscious mind s t i l l h a s t o achieve
t h e succe s s , and m a y be hindered by t h e unfavorable working of t h e law of
c a u s e and effect. The conscious mind alone cannot initiate a new c a u s e t h a t
will bring positive s u c c e s s i n any direction; but when the human mind attunes
itself t o God, i n t h e s t a t e of superconsciousness, it can be s u r e of s u c c e s s ;
f o r the superconscious mind is i n tune with the unlimited power of God, and i s
t h e r e f o r e able t o c r e a t e a new c a u s e of s u c c e s s .
THE SECRET WAY TO PROSPERITY
The s u r e s t way t o p r o s p e r i t y l i e s i n establishing f i r s t your o n e n e s s with
God and a f t e r w a r d claiming a divine s o n ' s s h a r e . You m u s t make the blissful
union with God f i r s t by r e g u l a r , e v e r deepening meditation e a c h day, a c c o r d ing t o the Self-Realization Fellowship techniques. When you achieve that a t tunement, your s t a t u s will be changed f r o m that of a m o r t a l beggar t o that of
a divine son and you will automatically gain what you need. The omnipresent
F a t h e r knows a l l the needs of a t r u e son.
If i n t h i s way t h e poor win v i c t o r i e s i n the struggle t o satisfy the demands
of r e a l n e c e s s i t i e s , they r e c e i v e c ontentment and m a y live and die rich. That
is r e a l p r o s p e r i t y . But t o live without contentment and die spiritually poor i n
spite of m a t e r i a l r i c h e s i s r e a l poverty. Maintain a p r o s p e r o u s attitude by
smiling, no m a t t e r what happens. Do not be a f r a i d t o s e l l the bonds of s m i l e s
- GKeh t h Z G i Z r T T e ~ l i a p f i ~ n ~
sG
S S7 0 X K e e p smiling *bile pIaKnTiig a n d acting
f o r s u c c e s s , and your s m i l e s will fetch p r i c e l e s s t r e a s u r e i n the end. Wise,
p e r s e v e r i n g activity with unfading s m i l e s brings s u r e s u c c e s s .
-
I
PRAYER FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE AND PROSPERITY
Many p e r s o n s have dived into the ocean of Thine abundance again and
again t o seek the p e a r l s of opulence, power, and wisdom; but only a few d i v e r s
have found them. These few p e r s o n s have p r a i s e d the wondrous r i c h e s of Thy
s e a because they dived well and found t h e s e c r e t t r e a s u r e nook. Those who
dived i n t h e wrong p l a c e s blamed Thy blue brine of abundance f o r being devoid
of t h e m o s t d e s i r e d t r e a s u r e s . Many p e r s o n s p e r i s h diving i n Thy t r e a s u r e
s e a , being devoured by m o n s t e r s of s e l f i s h n e s s , g r e e d , f a i t h l e s s n e s s , doubt,
i d l e n e s s , and skepticism.
Heavenly F a t h e r , I will not s a y that Thine ocean of everything i s empty,
f o r Thou wilt show m e that t h e fault is with m y diving. I will put on the diving
a p p a r e l of faith, power, and fortitude, and Thou wilt d i r e c t m y mind t o dive
i n t h e right place, w h e r e Thy bounty i s hidden.
SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
@
R e a l s u c c e s s d o e s not p e r i s h with t h i s e a r t h l y life. Your s u c c e s s is conditioned by the law of c a u s e and effect and by your environment. J e s u s said:
"Seek ye f i r s t the kingdom of God and a l l things shall be added unto you. I '
When you seek s u c c e s s by the m a t e r i a l way, you a r e governed by the law of
c a u s e and effect, but when you have communion with God f i r s t , then s u c c e s s
i s given t o you in innumerable ways both subtle and m a t e r i a l . C o m p a r e the
lives of s a i n t s and o t h e r s who have lived with God, t o the l i v e s of nonspiritua1 people. The saints have everything because they have God.
Do not c r y because of lowly position while you a r e on e a r t h , nor beg f o r
an improvement i n it. In the l a s t a n a l y s i s everybody will go to sleep in the
cold e a r t h . E v e r y cent m u s t be left behind by the millionaire. All c h i l d r e n
of God a r e equal. Don't d e s i r e things just because your f r i e n d s have them.
If i t i s money o r health you a r e seeking, depending upon God i s the s u r e s t way
to obtain them. When you d e s e r v e t h e m , you will get them.
S u c c e s s m u s t always c o m e f r o m God. The world c a n give you just so
m u c h and no m o r e . But God c a n give you health, p r o s p e r i t y , and wisdom
without limit. Gold i s not made by m a n , but by God. Man only m a k e s the
stamp. All things c o m e f r o m God. Not a g r a i n of c o r n o r wheat, o r a d o l l a r ,
i s made by m a n , but by God. Why should you look to m a n f o r p r o s p e r i t y and
health and happiness. Why not go to the Source of life, without whose power
you cannot live.
Everything e l s e h a s limited power, but God h a s unlimited power. Seek
s u c c e s s f r o m the Source that c a n give to you unfailingly. F o r fifty y e a r s you
may t r y to make a million d o l l a r s , and then l o s e it. Do not go that way. Why
go the way of limitation? Seek the way that c a n n e v e r fail.
God m a y take away something f r o m you so that you will c e a s e being i m m e r s e d in m a t t e r and seek Him; then when you seek Him, you will find that
which you lost. I s n ' t i t g r e a t e r to sweep the s t r e e t s with God in your h e a r t - working through you--than to be a millionaire riding in a Rolls Royce, with a
c a n c e r gnawing a t your stomach and your e n t i r e being c e n t e r e d on your wealth?
The conscious state i s m a r k e d by r e s t l e s s n e s s and attachment. When you
a r e g r e e d y , your ego i s c e n t e r e d on the palate, and it i s the s a m e with the
o t h e r s e n s e s . That i s why the saints say: " P o s s e s s i o n i s not a sin, but t o be
p o s s e s s e d by p o s s e s s i o n s i s wrong. I ' You have to detach your ego f r o m i t s
attachment t o the s e n s e s : "I m i s s my coffee; I feel nervous. " That i s what
attachment doe s .
AFFIRMATION
Since our thoughts and w o r d s a r e the s e e d s that will
bring f o r t h our h a r v e s t of the f u t u r e , I will begin today t o
f i l l my consciousness with the i d e a s of abundance.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
S-1 P-14
s Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
FOR THEE I WAS MADE
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
I was made f o r Thee alone. I was made f o r dropping flowers
of devotion gently a t Thy f e e t on the a l t a r of the morning.
My hands w e r e made to s e r v e Thee willingly; to r e m a i n folded
in adoration, waiting f o r Thy coming; and when Thou
comest, to bathe Thy feet with m y t e a r s .
My
-- voice w a s made to sing T h y glory.
My feet w e r e made to seek Thy temples everywhere.
My e y e s w e r e made a chalice to hold Thy burning love and the
wisdom falling f r o m Thy n a t u r e ' s hands.
My e a r s w e r e made to catch the music of Thy footsteps echoing
through the halls of space, and to h e a r Thy divine melodies
flowing through a l l h e a r t - t r a c t s of devotion.
My lips w e r e made to breathe forth Thy p r a i s e s and Thine
intoxicating inspirations.
My love w a s made to throw incandescent searchlight f l a m e s to
find Thee hidden in the f o r e s t of m y d e s i r e s .
My h e a r t was made to respond to Thy call alone.
My soul was made to be the channel through which Thy love
might flow uninterruptedly into all t h i r s t y souls.
PRAYER
0 Divine Sculptor, c h i s e l
Thou m y life t o Thy design.
HUMBLENESS VERSUS EGOTISM
Analyze your thoughts and s e e on what throne of consciousness your ego
i s seated; what kind of consciousness i s predominant in your mind. A r e your
thoughts c e n t e r e d around yourself, o r on o t h e r s ? If the f o r m e r , your selfish
egotism d r i v e s wise men and truth away f r o m you. T r y to be humble instead
of egotistical and through the magnetism of humbleness a t t r a c t the protecting
p r e s e n c e of f r i e n d s , s a i n t s , and God.
Humbleness i s a f e r t i l e valley of consciousness where the r a i n of God's
wisdom f a l l s fruitfully. As on a mountain peak no r a i n can gather, s o a l s o
on an upthrust ego no w a t e r s of knowledge can collect. Egotism shuts the door
of r e c ipience through which knowledge e n t e r s . Humbleness opens the p o r t a l s
wide and bids a l l wisdom come within. Egotism i s a n obvious ugliness w r i t ten on the face of the egotist, and r e p e l s people; where.as humbleness i s a
f r a g r a n c e that m a k e s the b e a r e r sweetly a t t r a c t i v e to all. Egotism i s born
of an inferiority complex, which m a y appear a s a so- called s u p e r i o r i t y complex, w h e r e a s humbleness i s born of wisdom o r knowledge of one's t r u e Self.
E g o t i s m r e f u s e s to investigate truth, w h e r e a s humbleness i s always
r e a d y to l e a r n . Egotism s l a p s wisdom in the face; humbleness e n t r e a t s the
lotus f e e t of truth to e n t e r the innermost sanctum of the soul. Egotism
r e v e a l s i t s s m a l l n e s s by ineffectually trying to make o t h e r s f e e l s m a l l . Humb l e n e s s i s the manifestation of a n understanding h e a r t , and s e t s a n example
of g r e a t n e s s f o r o t h e r s to follow. Egotism i s the brittle imitation a r m o r of
deluded s o u l s , while humbleness i s the inner costume of saints. Egotism
r e p e l s f r i e n d s and truth; humbleness a t t r a c t s f r i e n d s and understanding. The
egotist, like a n e m p t y v e s s e l , makes much noise, w h e r e a s the humble m a n
is like a c a s k filled with the p r e c i o u s wine of wisdom.
Man in h i s e g o t i s m r e v e a l s a limitation of knowledge; w h e r e a s God, who
i s a l l wisdom, i s humble and n e v e r egotistical, because He knows everything.
@
Humbleness i s magnetic and i s a d i s t r i b u t o r of happiness, and invites the a l l protecting wisdom of t r u e f r i e n d s and God. The egotist shuts God out, d a r i n g
to think much of himself while ignoring the omnipresence of God. The humble
p e r s o n knows that t h e r e c a n be no one g r e a t e r than God, and t h e r e f o r e he
d r a w s God to himself through the f r a g r a n c e of h i s humility.
The egotistical m a n h a s plenty of t i m e to speak to o t h e r s of h i s importance because he i s not busy performing outstanding d e e d s , but the r e a l l y
g r e a t m a n i s humble because he i s s o busy doing r e m a r k a b l e things that he
h a s no t i m e to speak of his g r e a t n e s s . The egotistical m a n watches some of
h i s qualities s o gloatingly that he f o r g e t s to a c q u i r e m o r e good qualities; in
f a c t he m a n a g e s to be satisfied with h i s s m a l l attainments by making them
look big to himself. Consequently he d o e s not p r o g r e s s . Humbleness belongs
to the g r e a t , who do not stand a p a r t and exultingly watch over their greatness.
J e s u s said that the l e a s t , o r the m o s t humble one, i s the g r e a t e s t in the kingdom of God.
If you want to be loved, s t a r t loving o t h e r s who need
your love. If you expect o t h e r s to be honest with you,
t h e n s t a r t b e i n g honest yourself.
Ifyoudonotwant
o t h e r s t o be wicked, then you m u s t avoid doing evil yourself. If you want
o t h e r s to sympathize with you, s t a r t showing sympathy to those around you.
If you w-ant to be r e s p e c t e d , you m u s t l e a r n to be r e s p e c t f u l t o everyone, both
young and old. If you want a display of peace f r o m others, you m u s t be peacel
ful yourself. If you want o t h e r s to be religious, s t a r t being s p i r ~ t u a yourself. R e m e m b e r , whatever you want o t h e r s to be, f i r s t be that yourself,
then you will find o t h e r s responding in like m a n n e r to you.
YOU WILL REAP
WHAT YOU SOW
If you can discover and face your own faults without developing a n inferiority complex, and if you can keep busy c o r r e c t i n g yourself, then you will be
using your time m o r e profitably than if you spent it in just wishing o t h e r s to
be b e t t e r . Your good example will d o m o r e to change o t h e r s than your wishing, your w r a t h , o r your words.
As a rule only the small- minded persons, and m e n and women who a r e
ostentatious over just a little knowledge,are offensively and dangerously egotistical. Such p r i d e not only offends w i s e r people, it l e a d s the egotist himself to h i s doom; through h i s own shortsightedness he becomes entangled in
difficulties and f a i l u r e s .
The law of s e r v i c e to o t h e r s i s secondary and
c o r o l l a r y to the law of s e l f- i n t e r e s t o r selfp r e s e r v a t i o n , which m a y be termed " selfishness. " No sane m a n e v e r d o e s
anything without a r e a s o n .
No action i s performed without r e f e r e n c e to
a d i r e c t o r indirect thought which i s selfish. Giving s e r v i c e i s indispensable to receiving s e r v i c e ; t h e r e f o r e , to s e r v e o t h e r s by giving financial,
mental, o r m o r a l help i s to find self- satisfaction. You c a n prove that
LAW O F SERVICE
s e r v i c e is not wholly unselfish by a s k i n g yourself this question: If you knew
beyond a doubt that by s e r v i c e to o t h e r s your own s o u l would be l o s t r a t h e r
than s t r e n g t h e n e d , would you s e r v e ? If J e s u s had f e l t that by s a c r i f i c i n g his
life on the a l t a r of ignorance h e would d i s p l e a s e God, would h e have a c t e d a s
he d i d ? No! He knew that although he had to l o s e the body he w a s gaining h i s
F a t h e r ' s f a v o r a n d e m a n c i p a t i n g h i s own s o u l . Such i m m o r t a l s o n s of God,
a n d a l l m a r t y r s a n d s a i n t s , m a k e a good inves t m e n t- - t h e y spend the little
m o r t a l body to gain i m m o r t a l life.
One i m p o r t a n t thing you have to do is r e s u r r e c t
your c o n s c i o u s n e s s f r o m the e n v i r o n m e n t of ignor a n c e . You m u s t b l a m e yourself f o r e n v i r o n m e n tal troubles which you have been c r e a t i n g , consciously o r unconsciously, s o m e w h e r e , s o m e t i m e in the p a s t . F r e e yourself f r o m a l l n e u r o s e s o r c o m p l e x e s .
What a r e you a f r a i d o f ? You a r e n e i t h e r a m a n n o r a woman. You a r e not
what you think you a r e ; you a r e a n i m m o r t a l . But be not i m m o r t a l l y identified
with human h a b i t s , b e c a u s e they a r e your d e a d l i e s t e n e m i e s . E v e n in c r u c i fixion J e s u s could k e e p h i s loving attitude a n d s a y : " F a t h e r , forgive them,
f o r they know not what they do. " So m u s t you f o r g i v e your t r i a l s a n d say: "My
soul is being r e s u r r e c t e d ; m y power t o o v e r c o m e i s g r e a t e r than a l l the o p p r e s sion of m y t r i a l s , b e c a u s e I a m a child of God."
RESURRECT YOUR
CONSCIOUSNESS
R e s u r r e c t your soul f r o m d r e a m s of f r a i l t i e s into the light of e t e r n a l w i s dom. What i s the m e t h o d ? Meditation, e x e r c i s e , r e l a x a t i o n , s e l f - c o n t r o l ,
r i g h t diet, f o r t i t u d e , a n d a n undaunted a t t i t u d e of mind. Do not acknowledge
defeat. T o acknowledge i t b r i n g s g r e a t e r defeat. You have unlimited p o w e r ;
you m u s t cultivate that p o w e r - - t h a t i s a l l , Meditation i s the way to r e s u r r e c t
your soul f r o m the bondage of the body a n d a l l your t r i a l s . Meditate a t the f e e t
of the Infinite. L e a r n to s a t u r a t e yourself with God. Your t r i a l s m a y be g r e a t ,
but your g r e a t e s t e n e m y is y o u r s e l f- - y o u r ego. Your r e a l Self is i m m o r t a l ;
your t r i a l s a r e m o r t a l . T h e y a r e changeable, but you a r e unchangeable. You
c a n unleash e t e r n a l p o w e r s t o s h a t t e r your t r i a l s . When you r e c e i v e , o r r e a l ize by m e d i t a t i o n the o m n i p r e s e n c e of God, you can develop your m e n t a l
p o w e r s by s e r i o u s application. Your m e n t a l p o w e r s will then expand a n d your
c u p of r e a l i z a t i o n will be big enough to hold the ocean of knowledge.
EGO'S FAILURE
Man's a t t a c h m e n t to m a t t e r keeps the soul confined to
the body p r i s o n a n d p r e v e n t s it f r o m finding f r e e d o m in
God-- in the r e a l m of e t e r n a l B l i s s . The e g o a t t e m p t s to s a t i s f y through m a t e r i a l channels the s o u l ' s c o n s t a n t , insatiable longing f o r Cod. F a r f r o m
a c c o m p l i s h i n g its objective, e g o - d r i v e n s e n s e g r a t i f i c a t i o n only i n c r e a s e s
m a n ' s m i s e r y . The s o u l ' s hunger c a n n e v e r be a p p e a s e d by indulging the
s e n s e s . When m a n r e a l i z e s this a n d m a s t e r s h i s e g o - - t h a t i s , when he
a c h i e v e s s e l f - c o n t r o l - - l i f e b e c o m e s g l o r i f i e d b y God- Bliss while he is s t i l l
in the f l e s h . Then i n s t e a d of being e n s l a v e d by m a t e r i a l d e s i r e s a n d appe t i t e s , h i s a t t e n t i o n is t r a n s f e r r e d to the h e a r t of O m n i p r e s e n c e , r e s t i n g
T h e r e f o r e v e r in the hidden joy in everything.
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
An inferiority complex i s born of a s e c r e t a w a r e n e s s of r e a l o r imagined
weaknesses. In trying to compensate f o r such weaknesses, a p e r s o n m a y
build a n a r m o r of false pride, and exhibit an inflated ego. Then those who do
not understand the r e a l cause of such a n attitude m a y s a y the p e r s o n h a s a
superiority complex. Both manifestations of h i s inner inharmony a r e d e s t r u c tive to Self-development. Both a r e fostered by imagination and by ignoring
facts, while neither belongs to the true, all- powerful nature of the soul.
Found your self-confidence upon actual achievements plus the knowledge that
your r e a l Self (the soul) c a n never be " inferior" in any way, then you will be
f r e e f r o m all complexes.
A SAINT WHO CHOSE A KING AS HIS SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Long ago there lived a g r e a t sage named Byasa. He was the w r i t e r of
the g r e a t e s t Hindu s c r i p t u r e , the Bhagavad-Gita. By his g r e a t spiritual
power h e invoked a saintly soul t o e n t e r the womb of h i s wife. As the baby
-- g , . r e w - ~ + t k e ~ B he
, . taught-the unhornxhild the s e c r e t s of t h e s c r i p t u r e s
through the subconscious mind of the mother. This baby, when born, w a s
named Shuka Deva. Because of his prenatal training he proved to be a m o s t
unusual child. At the age of seven h e was already v e r s e d in the difficult
Hindu s c r i p t u r e s and was r e a d y to renounce the world and seek a t r u e master.
In India it i s c u s t o m a r y f o r a devotee to seek out spiritual t e a c h e r s until
he finds the one whom he recognizes a s h i s own God-chosen m a s t e r o r guru.
The novice, through inner fitful urgings, r e c e i v e s l e s s o n s f r o m various
s o u r c e s ; but when h i s spiritual a r d o r becomes v e r y g r e a t , God sends h i m a
guru. God u s e s the divine soul-vehicle of the guru a s His m e s s e n g e r o r
instrument to bring the novice back to his spiritual home in Omnipresence.
When Shuka Deva decided t o go in s e a r c h of h i s guru, h i s f a t h e r advised
h i m to go to King Janaka, t h e r u l e r of the province. As Shuka Deva entered
the royal palace he saw the king sitting on a n e m e r a l d - and diamond-studded
golden throne surrounded by c o u r t i e r s and by scantily clad women who w e r e
fbnning him with big palm leaves ( a s is the custom i n India during the hot
season), King Janaka w a s smoking a big oriental pipe. This sight shocked
Shuka Deva; he turned back and started walking briskly out of the palace. He
muttered: "Shame on m y f a t h e r f o r sending m e t o that matter- soaked king!
How could such a worldly m a n be m y t e a c h e r ? "
But King Janaka was both a king and a saint. He w a s in the world, but
not of the world. Highly advanced spiritually, h e could telepathically sense
the thoughts of the fleeing Shuka Deva. The saint-king sent a messenger after
the boy, commanding him to come back. Thus the master and the devotee met.
The king sent his attendants away and a t once entered an absorbing discourse
on God. Four hours passed; Shuka Deva was getting r e s t l e s s and hungry, but
he dared not disturb the God-intoxicated King Janaka.
Amther hour had passed when two messengers arrived, exclaiming:
"Your Majesty, the whole city is on fire ! The flames threaten to spread
toward the palace. Won't you come and supervise the efforts to extinguish
the flames ? I ' The king replied: "I a m too busy discussing the all-protecting
God with m y friend Shuka Deva. I have no time for anything else. Go and
help others to put out the f i r e . "
When another hour had passed, the same two messengers came running
to King Janaka and cried: "Your Majesty, please flee ! The flames have
caught the palace and a r e fast approaching your chamber. " The king answend:
"Never mind! Don't disturb me, for I a m drinking the wine of God with my
friend. Go ! do the beet you can.
Shuka Deva was puzzled by the,kingls attitude, but he tried to remain likewise unaffected by the excitement. A short time later two scorched rnesseng e r s leaped in front of King Janaka, shouting: "Mighty King, behold the
flames approaching your throne! Run! before both of you a r e burned to
death. I ' The king replied: "You both run and save yourselves. I feel too
peaceful in the a r m s of the all- pr otecting God to fear the audacity of destructive flames. " The messengers fled. The flames leaped toward the pile of
books that Shuka Deva had by his side; but the king sat motionless, indifferent.
The alarmed Shuka Deva lost his poise, he half rose f r o m his seat and
began slapping a t the flames in order to save his precious books. King Janaka then smilingly waved his hand andthe f i r e miraculously disappeared.
Shuka Deva, in great awe, sank back to his seat.
The king said calmly: "0 young Shuka Deva, you thought of me a s a
matter-drenched king--but look a t yourself! You forsook the all-protecting
thought of God to protect a pile of books, while I paid no attention to my burning kingdom and palace. God worked this miracle to show you that although
you a r e a renunciant, you a r e more attached to your books than to God, or
than I a m to my kingdom, even though I live in the world instead of a hermitage. " Humbled, the young Shuka Deva then recognized the saint-king to be
his guru-preceptor.
. King Janaka put Shuka Deva through a process of discipline to teach him
the a r t of living in the world without acquiring misery-making attachment to
it. One day the king gave his new disciple two cup-shaped lamps, filled to
the brim with oil. Janaka said: "Hold a lamp on the palm of each hand, and
enter all the gorgeously furnished rooms of the palace. Gome back to me
after you have seen everything; but remember, I will refuse to train you further if you spill a single drop of oil on the carpets. "
King Janaka instructed two messengers to accompany Shuka Deva and to
refill the two lamps with oil a s quickly a s they burned down. It was a hard
test; but, after two hours, Shuka Deva returned triumphantly without having
dropped any oil from the lamps in his hands.
The king said:
Young Shuka Deva, tell me in detail what you saw in each
chamber of my palace. " To this Shuka Deva replied: "Royal Preceptor, my
only accomplishment was that I d i d not spill any oil on your carpets. My
mind was so concentrated on the thought of not dripping oil that I did not
notice anything in the rooms. I '
"'
King Janaka then declared: "I a m disappointed! You have not completely
passed my test. My injunctions were that you should see everything in all the
chambers of my palace and that you should nut drip any oil from the lamps.
Go back with the lamps, and remember, no spilling of the oil while you a r e
looking carefully a t everything about the palace. I '
--
After ten hours, Shuka Deva calmly returned. He had not allowed any oil
to drip, nor was he sweating with excitement a s before. He could answer all
ue s t b s about the contents, however -minute, -0-f all the palace
-chambers.
King Janaka was pleased. "My son, I ' he said gently, "attachment to
possessions, and not possession itself, is the source of misery. In this
world we do not own anything; we a r e only given the use of things. Some have
more to use than others; but remember, the millionaire and the poor man
alike have to leave everything, all possessions, when death comes. One
should not live a one-sided life thinking only of God and neglecting one's
duties in the world--like your concentrating on the oil lamps and not seeing
my palace. But on the second trip you kept your attention principally on the
lamps without spilling oil, and a t the same time thoroughly and minutely saw
everything in the palace. So should you keep your attention on God, not letting a drop of your desire slip away f r o m the lamp of God-revealing wisdom;
and yet devote p a r t of your attention to thoroughly performing the God-given
duties of maintaining yoursell and others given into your charge. 'I
e
This instructive story shows the basis of the world's troubles. Indifference to spiritual matters leads to selfishness and unequal prosperity admidst
plenty, and finally to widespread economic depressions. Hence those who
want the unlimited Divine Power to work for them in business and family
affairs ought to be a s earnest about meditation a s they a r e about earning
money. He who makes it his business to have communion with God f i r s t will
find imperishable inner happiness a s well a s outer material comforts. We
must not be too busy to t r y to realize the presence of God. If God stops our
hearts from beating, we will not have any chance for business success. Since
all our success depends upon powers borrowed from God, we should give
enough time to God-communion.
SRF does not wish to make theological phonographs of its students by con
stantly repeating beautiful phrases. We want to teach you to attain, by the
quickest method, Cosmic Power that you can use in every department of life.
One hour's deep meditation will give you far more power and peace than would
one month's reading of holy books for six hours a day. Try meditation!
b
AFFIRMATION
All my powers a r e but powers borrowed from Thee.
No one is greater than Thou, O my Father. I cease to
live and express without Thy wisdom and strength. Thou
a r t so big; I a m so little. Teach me not to be proud.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
e Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
w'
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Anaeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
THY MAGIC POWER
B.y P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Make m y e y e s behold what Thou d o s t s e e .
Make m y e a r s catch the bursting of Thy voice
In the billows of a l l creation.
Make m y speech the fountain of nectared words
Showered over souls scorched with b i t t e r n e s s .
Make m y l i p s utter naught but the songs
Of Thy love and joy.
I
-
-
" ,
A
- ,
:
,
,
Beloved, work throughzme the work of truth.
Keep m y hands busy serving a l l m y b r o t h e r s .
Keep m y voice f o r e v e r casting seeds of love
F o r Thee on the soil of seeking souls.
Keep m y feet e v e r moving on the pathway
Of right action.
Lead me f r o m d a r k ignorance to Thy light of wisdom,
Lead m e f r o m t e m p o r a r y p l e a s u r e s
To Thine e v e r new joy within.
Make my love Thy love,
That I m a y know a l l thing s a s mine.
F a t h e r , throb through m y h e a r t and make me feel
Sympathy f o r a l l living c r e a t u r e s .
Kindle in me the flame of Thy wisdom
And burn the d a r k f o r e s t of m y mundane d e s i r e s .
Let Thy r e a s o n be the p r e c e p t o r of m y r e a s o n .
Think through m y thoughts,
F o r it i s Thy magic power
Which u s e s m y mind a s Thy mind,
My hands a s Thy hands,
My feet a s Thy feet,
My soul a s Thy s p i r i t to p e r f o r m Thy holy works.
- -
PRAYER
Divine Mother, teach m e to till
the soil of my mind with discipline,
and sow the seeds of good habits.
GOOD AND BAD HABITS
The power of habit r u l e s the day-to-day actions of the a v e r age person. A good many people l e t their whole life go by,
making repeated good r e solutions to improve, without e v e r
succeeding in establishing and following new patterns of action that a r e wholesome. More often than not we find ourselves doing, not what we wish to do,
but what we a r e accustomed to doing. That i s why materially minded people
find it difficult to be spiritually minded even when they t r y hard. Spiritual
people find it s i m i l a r l y difficult to be m a t e r i a l even when associating with
worldly persons. It i s difficult f o r vicious people to be good and kind; it is
just a s unthinkable f o r noble p e r s o n s to behave meanly.
THE POWER
O F HABIT
Habits a r e automatic mental machines installed by man to e x e r c i s e economy in the initial use of w i l l p o w e r and effort required to p e r f o r m specific
actions. Habits make the performance of such actions e a s i e r . Friendly good
habits a r e v e r y helpful in making the performance of difficult good deeds e a s i e r . Evil habits,howc!ver sympathetic, a r e deadly, inasmuch as they a r e dieh a r d s and keep on disturbing the s e n s e s even when strongly commanded to
c e a s e doing so. Bad habits and sin a r e t e m p o r a r y misery- making g r a f t s on
the soul. They m u s t be thrown out some time, a s they a r e not a p a r t of m a n ' s
f r e e nature and therefore cannot be tolerated indefinitely by h i s soul.
Very seldom do we realize that the health, s u c c e s s , and wisdom outlook
of our life e n t i r e l y depends upon the issue of the battle between our good and
bad habits. Henceforth we should not allow our bodily kingdom to be occupied
by bad habits. We should put bad habits to flight by training all our d i v e r s e
good habits in the a r t of victorious psychological warfare.
The soldiers of bad habits and of ill health and negation a r e invigorated
by specific bad actions; whereas the soldiers of good habits become stimulat e d by specific good actions. Do not feed bad habits with bad actions. Starve
them out by self- control.
Feed good habits with good actions.
The h a b i t s that w e r e f o r m e d e a r l i e s t in your life have
kept you quite busy until now; unwelcome habits have perh a p s crowded out many worthwhile activities. The
social world m o v e s on the wheels of c e r t a i n habits. Few people notice whethe r it i s headed f o r the m i r e of petty engagements that choke the p r o g r e s s i v e
activities of life, o r if it perchance is rolling r e c k l e s s l y toward the c h a s m of
s p i r i t u a l ignorance.
INFLUENCE O F
EARLY HABITS
People should be taught f r o m childhood to develop d i s c r i m i n a t i o n b y meditative contact with the s u p e r i o r p l e a s u r e s of p e a c e , harmony, and joy, and
should f o r m s p i r i t u a l habits e a r l y . Since we a r e ruled by habits- - which f o r m
our tendencies, moods, and d e s i r e s - - i f bad habits a r e in the lead our moods
and actions become evil. So, the precedence of good habits i s d e s i r a b l e , a s
they c a n guide our actions and moods to a happy goal.
Wrong habits m a y p r o m i s e a little t e m p o r a r y happiness, but ultimately
they bring m i s e r y and d e s t r o y happiness. People who yield to the temptation
of h a r m f u l habits do not fully r e a l i z e this. Eventually they become s o used
to these h a b i t s that they helplessly d r i f t on, becoming m o r e and m o r e inured
to the subtle t o r t u r e s of continuing t h e i r wrong habits. Finally they r e a c h a
state wher/e the thought of forsaking the poisonous c o m f o r t of t h e i r wrong
habits i s actually shocking. p e r s o n s used to the d a r k n e s s of bad habits natur a l l y hate the light and c o m f o r t of good habits.
. < " - L
2
Undiscriminating a s s o c i a t i o n with the world c r e a t e s
bad habits in you, but the world will not be r e s p o n s i ble f o r your wrong actions springing f r o m those
habits. Then why give a l l your time to the w o r l d ? R e s e r v e a t l e a s t a n hour
a d a y f o r actual soul- inspiring God- realization. Doesn't the Giver of the
world itself--of your family, money, everything- - deserve one twenty-fourth
p a r t of y o u r d a y ?
ENVIRONMENT
AND COMPANIONS
M a t e r i a l habits keep millions of people away f r o m God. People of bad
h a b i t s seek bad company. People of worldly habits s e e k m a t e r i a l l y minded
companions. People of meditative, peaceful habits s e e k the company of
Christlike s a i n t s . T h e r e i s one thing v e r y good about bad habits: s e l d o m d o
they keep t h e i r p r o m i s e s . Bad habits a r e e a s i l y found to be habitual l i a r s and
d e c e i v e r s . That i s why s o u l s c a n n e v e r r e m a i n perpetually in bondage. Neve r condemn the s i n n e r , f o r he knows too well the f e a r s and t o r t u r e s of sin. Do
not drown him in your h a t r e d , but give h i m a chance to have h i s own knocks;
then he will be only too willing to be lifted up.
People do not intentionally t u r n to evil, nor do they r e a l l y enjoy being
evil. They a r e e v i l because they d o not know the g r e a t e r c h a r m of good
habits, and a r e unable to c o m p a r e and s e l e c t the b e s t . Or 'they fall under the
influence of o t h e r s ' opinions, and unconsciously a r e led t o evil. Some people
a r e e v i l owing to the p r e c e d e n c e of e v i l i n t h e i r environment in e a r l y life;
and s o m e people a r e evil because they do not know any b e t t e r . People who
a r e e v i l behave s o because they wrongly think t h a t through e v i l they will get
happiness e a s i l y . People cling t o e v i l because they falsely magnify t h e d r e a d
and t o r t u r e supposed t o be involved i n self- control. People a r e e v i l because
they think they a r e compelled t o be s o by the powerful influence of e v i l ins t i n c t s , o r wrong d e t e r m i n a t i o n s .
SENSE SLAVERY
I£ you a r e a slave t o y o u r s e n s e s , you cannot be happy.
If you a r e a m a s t e r of your d e s i r e s and appetites, you
c a n be a r e a l l y happy p e r s o n . I£ you o v e r e a t against y o u r will; if you wish
anything c o n t r a r y t o y o u r conscience; if you a c t wrongly, f o r c e d by your
s e n s e s , against t h e wish of y o u r i n n e r Self; then you cannot be happy. People
who a r e s l a v e s t o the s e n s e s find t h a t t h e i r e v i l habits c o m p e l t h e m t o do
things which will h u r t them. Stubborn bad habits bludgeon y o u r will power
e v e r y t i m e it t r i e s t o take the lead and guide your thoughts t o the kingdom of
right action. The remedy l i e s i n rescuing your will power f r o m the i m p r i s o n ing power of t h e s e n s e s .
Almost e v e r y soul i s a p r i s o n e r of the s e n s e s . The s o u l ' s attention i s
l u r e d away f r o m i t s i n n e r kingdom in the medulla oblongata, the s p i r i t u a l eye,
and the spinal plexuses, t o t h e o u t e r regions of t h e body, w h e r e g r e e d , t e m p tation, and attachment have t h e i r strongholds. The devotee who wants t o l e a d
King Soul away f r o m the m i s e r y - m a k i n g s l u m s of the s e n s e s finds t h a t he c a n not do s o without a s e v e r e c l a s h between the lurking r o b b e r s of s e n s e a t t a c h m e n t and the s o u l ' s divine s o l d i e r s of wisdom and self- control.
EVIL HABITS CANNOT
HOLD ONE FOREVER
You m u s t c u r e y o u r s e l f of e v i l h a b i t s by cauterizing
t h e m with the opposite good habits. F o r instance,
if you have a bad habit of telling l i e s and by s o doing
have l o s t many f r i e n d s , s t a r t the opposite good habit of telling the t r u t h . It
t a k e s t i m e t o f o r m e i t h e r a good habit o r a bad one. It i s difficult f o r a bad
p e r s o n t o be good, o r f o r a good p e r s o n t o be bad; y e t , r e m e m b e r t h a t once
you become good, it will be n a t u r a l and e a s y f o r you t o be good. Likewise, if
you cultivate a n evil habit, you will be compelled eventually t o be evil, in
spite of y o u r d e s i r e , and you will have t o p r a y : " F a t h e r , m y s p i r i t i s willing,
but m y f l e s h i s weak. " That i s why it i s worthwhile t o cultivate the habit of
being good and happy. People seeking happiness m u s t avoid the influence of
bad h a b i t s which lead t o e v i l actions. Evi 1 actions produce m i s e r y sooner o r
l a t e r . M i s e r y c o r r o d e s body, mind, and soul like a burning a c i d , and cannot
be endured long.
I do not believe t h a t any human being r e a l l y m e a n s t o be evil. The c r i m i n a l d o e s wrong because the r e i s no realization, d e e p i n h i s c o n s c i o u s n e s s , of
the t r u e joy of right living. He i s unable t o s e e how he h u r t s himself through
h i s e r r o r s ; he would not want t o c o m m i t e r r o r if he could r e a l l y understand
the m i s e r y h i s e r r o r s will bring. The sin of a l l sins is ignorance. That i s
why Jesus said: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. " If
the criminal could compare his evil way with the right way of living--by actua l experience--would he still continue to follow evil ? No. We a r e all seeking happ ine s s .
Evil cannot keep man under the influence of e r r o r forever, because he i s
made in the image of God. In the beginning, the spiritual aspirant finds his
soldiers of discrimination guided by the d e s i r e to be good. Later, a s he meditates longer and prays ardently for inner help, he finds that a veteran occult
general--the calm c ~ n v i c t i o nof inborn intuition, or awakening inner light-e m e r g e s f r o m the superconscious to guide the forces of discrimination. The
emergence of this awakening inner light is the result of good habits of the past
The power of habit can be especially advantageous on the
spiritual path. If one i s accustomed to meditating and contacting God, one will greatly d e s i r e to meditate longer and
more often in o r d e r to contact God more frequently. Those
who meditate little, and vaguely feel they may s o m e d a y contact God, find that
their d e s i r e to do so vanishes when they a r e invaded by the powerful habit of
r e s t l e s s n e s s . Likewise, those who a r e accustomed to being calm a t t r a c t
more calmness and serenity, while those who a r e seldom calm find their
~~car~o_yg_~alm
easilydisturbed
n e s s - --,-. when
r es t-l e s-s n-e s--s invades.
_- -_ -_ Deep_
seated unspiritual habits can entirely destroy the power of weak spiritual
habits.
CULTIVATE
SPIRITUAL
HABITS
Habits of thought a r e mental magnets that attract specific things relative
to their kind and quality. Material habits will always bring material results,
and spiritual habits a t t r a c t spiritual results.
Don't let unhealthful ideas float down the s t r e a m of your habit-forming
thoughts. Watch the quality of the books you read. Watch the kind and quality of the people with whom you associate. Watch the influence upon yourself
of family, business associates, and close friends who constantly associate
with you. Many people a r e unsuccessful because their families have infected
them and their subconscious minds with habit-forming, progress- paralyzing,
discouraging thoughts.
When one meditates often and cultivates the taste for peace and contentment, and gradually forsakes indulgence in sense pleasures, he h a s a better
chance for spiritual emancipation. The best way of a l l i s to cultivate the
habit of contacting superior soul pleasures through med itation, immediately
upon awakening. Then, while filled with the superior joy of the soul, you may
enjoy such innocent, h a r m l e s s pleasures of the senses a s eating, meeting
friends, and so on, without any sense attachment. In this way the soul will
spiritualize, or change the quality of, all material enjoyments.
-
The beginner on the spiritual path may take courage f r o m this thought:
no matter how many times one suffers from powerful attacks of sense attractions and restlessness- producing material d e s i r e s , he finds the meditationborn, occult soldiers of his life, and of past lives, coming to his aid. A p e r son who is always r e s t l e s s , and never meditates, thinks that he is all right
because he h a s become accustomed to being a slave of restlessness. However,
a s soon a s he t r i e s to meditate and be calm, he finds resistance fromthe bad
habit of mental fickleness. But after he has formed the habit of meditation,
he learns that when the habit of restlessness t r i e s to usurp the throne of his
consciousness, it finds the new meditation-guard and the awakened occult
soldiers of past lives offering resistance.
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
You a r e the sole creator of good o r bad habits. Therefore till the soil of
your mind with discipline, and sow the seeds of good habits. To replenish
your mind thoroughly with good habits you must be patient in cultivating them,
while you continuously keep weeding out the bad habits.
Distinguish between the soul's lasting happiness and the temporary pleas u r e s of the senses. Strengthen your willpower. Do not be enslaved by bad
habits, but be guided by good habits, formed through cultivating good company
and practicing meditation. Above all, be guided by wisdom. Stay away f r o m
evil by exercising good judgment and discrimination; do not allow yourself to
be compelled by habits. Exercise your power of free choice to adopt the good
in everything.
THE MAN WHO THOUGHT THAT HE WAS PROOF AGAINST TEMPTATION
Mr. J. was a confirmed drunkard, a nuisance to his family and to his
neighbors. One day he met a saint. The experience was so uplifting that he
took a vow to abstain f r o m drinking. He asked his servants to hide his costly
wines in locked boxes and to keep the key, instructing them to serve the wine
only to his friends. Everything went along all right with Mr. J. for some
time because of his joy in the power of his new resolution against drink. F o r
a while he did not feel a t all the gripping lure of the liquor habit.
As time went on, he began to feel wholly proof against temptation to
drink. He asked his servants to leave the key to the wine room with him so
that he could serve the red liquid to his friends himself, Feeling m o r e and
more mental security, he came to the conclusion that it was too much to
bother to go to the cellar to get liquor for his friends; he would keep a few
bottles upstairs in a cupboard.
S e v e r a l d a y s passed without mishap, and M r . J. thought: "Since I a m
proof against the temptation to d r i n k , l e t me look a t the sparkling r e d wine in
the bottle. " So he had the wine d e c a n t e r filled and placed on a table. E v e r y
d a y he looked a t the bottle. Then he thought: "Since I a m absolutely proof
against the temptation, I m a y just a s well enjoy the s m e l l of the wine. "
A few m o r e d a y s p a s s e d by. Then he thought: "Since I a m no longer
bound by the s e n s e of t a s t e and therefore no longer c a r e f o r wine, I will prove
it to myself by taking a mouthful, tasting it, and then spitting it out. I f He did
this. Then he thought: "Since I a m now s o strong , I a m s u r e l y proof against
l i q u o r . T h e r e c a n be no h a r m if I d r i n k once and swallow a l i t t l e . " He tried
this. Then he thought: "Since I have conquered the wine habit, l e t m e take
only one swallow a t a t i m e , a s many t i m e s a s m y unenslaved will d e s i r e s . "
In no time a t a l l he w a s drunk- -and he helplessly kept on drinking e v e r y day,
just as he had done before.
The preceding s t o r y shows how the liquor-drinking habit of Mr. J. was
put down t e m p o r a r i l y by the strong resolution to conquer. But s u c c e s s was
not lasting because M r . J. failed to r e a l i z e that h i s resolution against d r i n k ing liquor had not had enough time to r i p e n into a good habit.
It takes f r o m five to eight y e a r s to substitute a good habit f o r a strong
- - -. --- good
-.habit i s formed,- one-- should
s t a y away
from
bad habit. Until the strong
-- -- --'his f o r m e r evil habit-forming environment o r actions. Our s t o r y shows the
r e s u l t s when one d i s r e g a r d s this law: M r . J. brought h i s wine bottle n e a r
him, and gradually reawakened th'e m e m o r y of the drinking habit, and with it
h i s f o r m e r uncontrollable d e s i r e f o r liquor.
I
-
T h e r e f o r e , to p r e v e n t the nourishment of bad habits, one should get away
f r o m surroundings that encourage him in wrong actions, and, above all, one
should n e v e r d e l i b e r a t e l y bring evil thoughts into the mind. R e s i s t evil
thoughts, which lead one to s e e k evil surroundings.
M r . J. not only made a mistake in bringing liquor s o near him; he a l s o
failed to recognize the psychological weapons that h i s bad habit used to defeat
h i s good resolution. The liquor habit remained unseen, hidden in h i s subconscious mind, s e c r e t l y sending out a r m e d s p i e s of d e s i r e and pleasing thoughts
of taste to p r e p a r e the way for reinvasion. Thus the liquor habit came back
and usurped the f r e e will of M r . J . , enslaving body and soul.
Anyone who has a tendency to live on the misery- producing m a t e r i a l
plane should l e a r n to s t a y away f r o m tempting environments outside and to
c a s t out thoughts of temptation f r o m within. He should surround himself with
the right kind of environment, and keep h i s mind filled with the kind of
thoughts that will produce the good effect h e truly d e s i r e s .
.-A
AFFIRMATION
I f o r m new habits of thinking by seeing
the good everywhere, and in beholding all
things a s the perfect idea of God made manifest.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
S-1 P-16
@ Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHlP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
I
THE ONLY REALITY
I
By Paramahansa Yogananda
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
I take a sacred vow!
Never will I throw my love's gaze
Below the horizon of my constant thought of Thee!
Never will I take down the vision of my lifted eyes
And place it on aught but Thee!
Never will I turn my mind to do anything
Which reminds me not of Thee !
-1 wtlt abhor nightmares of ignorant a c t s . gr
I will love d r e a m s of noble achievements.
I will love all d r e a m s of goodness,
F o r they a r e Thy d r e a m s .
>
--
I may d r e a m many d r e a m s .
But I a m e v e r awake thinking of Thee.
In the sacred f i r e of constant remembrance
Burning on my soul's a l t a r ,
I will e v e r behold Thy face
With my ever watchful eyes of love.
Through Thy grace, I know that health and sickness,
Life and death, a r e but d r e a m s .
When I finish my d r e a m s t o r y of good d r e a m s
And awaken behind the world-painted s c r e e n of delusion,
I shall behold Thee a s the One Reality.
-
>
PRAYER
0 Divine Shepherd of Infinite Perception, r e s c u e the lambkins
of my thoughts, lost in the wilderness of r e s t l e s s n e s s , and lead
t h e m into the fold of silence.
THE ART O F CONCENTRATION AND MEDITATION
The t e r m "meditation" i s some t i m e s used interchangeably with "concentration" in o r d i n a r y speech and writing. Self-Realization Fellowship teachings make this distinction between them:
Concentration i s focusing the mind through i n t e r e s t and determination
on any line of thought.
Meditation i s the application of concentration solely to know God.
In these L e s s o n s the t e r m s " meditate" and "meditation" a r e often used
in a b r o a d e r s e n s e to m e a n the devotee's attempts to s t i l l the mind and
achieve p e r f e c t concentration on God.
These a r e generalizations. The student of Self-Realization L e s s o n s will
l e a r n these f u r t h e r distinctions of the t e r m s :
Real concentration i s one-pointed focusing of the mind on a p a r t i c u l a r
thought by m e a n s of definite scientific methods.
Real meditation i s fociising the scientifically concentrated mind solely
on God, by definite s p i r i t u a l techniques.
Thus the Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration that you will soon l e a r n
will help you to achieve the one-pointed concentration n e c e s s a r y f o r r e a l
meditation. Through faithful p r a c t i c e .yo11 will soon experience g l i m p s e s of
soul a w a r e n e s s and divine peace and joy.
The Om Technique of Meditation that .you will l e a r n l a t e r i s a method for
applying the Hong-Sau concentrated mind on a p a r t i c u l a r a s p e c t of God--as
Om, the Cosmic Sound of Holy Ghost--to experience definite realization of
God's p r e s e n c e in .you and a l l creation.
E v e r y activity r e q u i r e s a c e r t a i n amount of concentration, and no effective action c a n be p e r f o r m e d without deep concentration. Businessmen o r
a r t i s t s o r students in school a s well a s spiritual s e e k e r s m u s t know the a r t
of focusing a l l the powers of attention upon a single point in o r d e r to succeed
in their respective vocations. Concentration denotes f i r s t the withdrawal of
the attention f r o m objects of d i s t r a c t i o n and then focusing of that recalled
attention upon one thing a t a time. The p r i m a r y factor in concentration cons i s t s in withdrawing the attention f r o m a l l diverting objects.
During the p r a c t i c e of c oncentration and meditation, environment i s
e x t r e m e l y important in gaining the best r e s u l t s . T h e r e a r e two kinds of
environment: i n n e r and outer.
Outer environment i s o n e ' s physical surroundings (nois y o r quiet,
and so f o r t h ) , and inner environment i s o n e ' s mental state (distracted o r
serene).
You c a n be mentally r e s t l e s s even while sitting in a v e r y quiet place with
the body motionless and relaxed. It i s therefore n e c e s s a r y to c a l m yourself
interiorly, whether outer conditions a r e suitable o r not, before r e a l concentration can begin. Quiet p l a c e s a r e naturally conducive to inner c a l m n e s s ,
but if you a r e determined, you can r e m a i n inwardly undisturbed r e g a r d l e s s
of any commotion around you. So do not stop concentrating o r meditating
just because you cannot find a peaceful p l a c e ! An inner environment of mental c a l m n e s s despite outer d i s t r a c t i o n s i s the best a l t a r f o r concentration and
meditation.
You can never have a t r u l y happy life both inwardly
and outwardly unless you use the God-given power of
concentration to r e c l a i m the forgotten image of God
within you. Only then can you solve the m y s t e r i e s of life and control destiny.
Through the a r t of meditation one l e a r n s how actually to contact Divine B l i s s
--which is God--by the faithful application of the science of s p i r i t u a l law.
The m a t e r i a l scientist e x p e r i m e n t s with c o s m i c laws in nature to find out the
s e c r e t s of h e r c r e a t i o n ; and the s p i r i t u a l scientist ought to apply h i s divinely
be stowed powers of concentration, meditation, and intuition to investigate the
divine laws by which he m a y l e a r n the s e c r e t s of Spirit.
MEDITATION IS
THE WAY TO GOD
MEDITATION
PLUS ACTIVITY
To s e e k God d o e s not, a s some imagine, relieve one of
the various physical, mental, and s p i r i t u a l duties h e
h a s in this human life; n o r should the s e a r c h f o r God
be used a s a n excuse f o r neglect of one's other responsibilities. In o r d e r to
fulfill b e t t e r h i s e a r t h l y d u t i e s , the climbing s p i r i t u a l a s p i r a n t should l e a r n
to meditate; then he c a n banish d a r k ignorance and weakening d i s e a s e f r o m
the temple of h i s life and perceive t h e r e i n God's p e r f e c t p r e s e n c e .
The living r o o m produces conversation consciousne s s ; the l i b r a r y , reading consc iousne s s ; the bathroom, cleansing consciousness; and the bedroom,
sleeping consciousness. Similarly, a little place used only f o r meditation
produces the divine silence consciousness. A s m a l l r o o m with one o r m o r e
windows, o r a c l o s e t with a window, o r a screened-off c o r n e r , o r any quiet
r o o m that i s n e i t h e r too w a r m n o r too cold, o r a mountaintop o r f o r e s t in the
s u m m e r - - a n y one of these i s suitable f o r meditation. Even when riding in a n
automobile o r t r a i n , o r if you s l e e p in the s a m e r o o m with o t h e r s , you c a n
s t i l l p r a c t i c e meditation while pretending t o be asleep.
WHEN AND WHERE
TO m D I T A T E
If possible, s e l e c t a n o i s e l e s s place. In your s m a l l meditation r o o m o r
screened-off c o r n e r put a s t r a i g h t a r m l e s s c h a i r facing e a s t . This will be
your a s a n , your meditation s e a t . P l a c e on it a woolen blanket so as to c o v e r
the back and the s e a t and r u n down on the floor under your feet. The blanket
m a y be covered with a silk cloth also, if you wish. The silk and wool insulate
your body against e a r t h c u r r e n t s , s o that t h e i r opposite magnetic pull will not
impede the flow of the life c u r r e n t and consciousness which you a r e trying to
draw upward through the spinal c e n t e r s to the higher c e n t e r s of divine cons c i o u s n e s s in the brain.
-
Be s u r e to p r a c t i c e meditation in the e a r l y morning and before going to
bed a t night, to take advantage of c e r t a i n pronounced physiological changes
that take place a t these t i m e s : in the morning, poisons a r e thrown off a s the
body, c a l m and r e f r e s h e d by sleep, a s s u m e s the active s t a t e ; a t night the body
i s again relaxed; the life f o r c e c a n e a s i l y be withdrawn f r o m the s e n s o r y
n e r v e s , and d i r e c t e d into the spine and upward toward the c e n t e r s of Goda w a r e n e s s in the brain.
Don't d r u g yourself with too much s l e e p and thus lose your vitality. Six
h o u r s of s l e e p i s plenty f o r m o s t adults. Wake up a t 5:30 a . m . and meditate.
This time i s suitable because your home and the neighborhood a r e usually
quiet then. Metaphysically this is suitable because the r a y s and vibrations of
the dawn a r e vitalizing and spiritually uplifting. At night, meditate f r o m 9 to
10 o'clock, o r 10 to 11 o'clock, o r 10 to 11:30 o'clock. When everybody e l s e i s
a s l e e p and quiet, you r e m a i n awake in God.
The m o r e sweetening you put in w a t e r , t h e s w e e t e r it becomes. Likewise,
the longer you meditate intensely, t h e g r e a t e r will be y o u r s p i r i t u a l advancement. On Sundays, holidays, and do-nothing loafing d a y s , meditate in the
morning f r o m 6 t o 9 o'clock, and f r o m 9 t o 12 o'clock a t night. R e m e m b e r
that the longer you p r a c t i c e , with intensity, the n e a r e r you will be t o joyous
contact with the silent God. Intensity c o n s i s t s i n making t o d a y ' s meditation
d e e p e r than y e s t e r d a y ' s meditation, and t o m o r r o w ' s d e e p e r than t o d a y ' s !
FOUR RELATED
FORCES
In the p r a c t i c e of concentration, the relation between
b r e a t h , life f c r c e , mind, and vitalfluid ( s e x e n e r g y )
should be known even by the s p i r i t u a l beginner. A
balanced control of these four bodily f o r c e s b r i n g s quick s p i r i t u a l r e s u l t s
without any downfall o r hindrance. In f a c t , e v e r y s p i r i t u a l student can a t t a i n
a concentrated mind just by the single, s e p a r a t e control of any one of the four
bodily f a c t o r s . F o r example, by s t r i c t celibacy alone, one c a n gain g r e a t
mental concentration.
However, the balanced way to Self- realization c o n s i s t s in practicing
e x e r c i s e s and principles that simultaneously control and harmonize breath,
life f o r c e , mind, and vital power. T h e r e f o r e , e v e r y s p i r i t u a l a s p i r a n t should
p r a c t i c e c e r t a i n breathing e x e r c i s e s , special techniques controlling e n e r g y
flowing in the s e n s o r y motor n e r v e s , methods of mental meditation, and princ i p l e s of calmness- producing celibacy ( o r f o r those who a r e m a r r i e d , sexual
m o d e r a t i o n ) . Students who meditate r e g u l a r l y without striving to c a l m the
r e s t l e s s b r e a t h o r control the life f o r c e and vital e s s e n c e , often find i n s u r mountable dlfficulties on the s p i r i t u a l path.
If o n e ' s life force i s r e s t l e s s , he i s n e r v o u s and keeps h i s body in constant motion; then h i s mind is r e s t l e s s , vitality is r e s t l e s s , and breath i s
r e s t l e s s . But if one controls the life f o r c e by spiritual e x e r c i s e s and the
p r a ~ t i c eof c a l m n e s s through meditation, then- -h- i- s mind and vital power a r e
within h i s control.
If the b r e a t h i s r e s t l e s s , a s in running, then the life f o r c e , mind, and
vital e s s e n c e will be r e s t l e s s . On the other hand, if b r e a t h i s made c a l m
and rhythmic by the p r a c t i c e of these L e s s o n s , the life f o r c e , mind, and sexual instincts will be unqer control. Again, if the mind is r e s t l e s s , the life
force through n e r v o u s n e s s and physical d e s i r e becomes r e s t l e s s . Mental
c a l m n e s s is usually attended by c a l m n e r v e s , controlled bodily e n e r g y , and
a w e l l - r e g u l a t e d m o r a l life. L o s s of vitality- -resulting f r o m living too much
on the physical plane- - produces mental dissatisfaction, melancholia, peevishn e s s , n e r v o u s n e s s , and heavy r e s t l e s s breath.
By p r o p e r breathing e x e r c i s e s and by attaining control of breath, one
c a n achieve a state of d e e p concentration. By control of the life f o r c e in the
s e n s o r y m o t o r n e r v e s - -pranayama, a s taught in the higher Self-Realization
Fellowship Lessons- - one c a n withdraw the c u r r e n t s f r o m the s e n s e s and p r e vent disturbing sensations f r o m reaching the brain, thus calming the mind.
By mental concentration and self- control, a s in meditation, one finds the
breath and the life f o r c e automatically calmed, and thus stability i s attained.
The r e a l s p i r i t u a l t e a c h e r knows that the s a f e s t , quickest and b e s t s p i r i tual method f o r the beginner l i e s in learning harmonization of these four bodil y f a c t o r s . Some people p e r f o r m breathing e x e r c i s e s without realizing t h e i r
s p i r i t u a l significance. They m a y grow into good athletes with plenty of lung
power, but that i s all. Others t r y to approach God by controlling the life
force in the body; but, forgetting the divine conception of the a s t r a l technique
--pranayama--the.y s a t i s f y themselves with c e r t a i n mental and a s t r a l powers
and forget God e n t i r e l y . Some t r y to know God by mind-bound meditation, by
imagination only. They s e e false visions for the m o s t p a r t , and a r e impressed
by subconsciously produced hallucinations, f r o z e n images of t h e i r own imagination.
Thus development along any one of these lines alone is limited, onesided, and often fraught with difficulties. Balanced, harmonious development of control of b r e a t h , life energy, mind, and sex instinct brings f a s t e s t
s u c c e s s and r e a l advancement to the s p i r i t u a l a s p i r a n t .
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
Concentration c o n s i s t s of the a r t of focusing one hundred p e r c e n t attention upon one thing a t a t i m e . All effic ient people p o s s e s s some power of
concentration as a by-product of the vocation o r avocation that they follow.
People can r e a s o n without knowing logic, but its study m a k e s them r e a s o n
b e t t e r . Similarly, though they naturally p o s s e s s some power of concentration, they c a n g r e a t l y improve it by conscious knowledge of the a r t of concentration.
G U R U NANAK
,
The life of the g r e a t divine r e f o r m e r , Saint Nanak, w a s like a soothing
dew of heaven manifesting on e a r t h to quench mankind's t h i r s t f o r knowledge.
In c e r t a i n r e s p e c t s Hindus and Moslems have different religious c u s t o m s and
bel:.efs, yet they w e r e soulfully t r e a t e d alike by this g r e a t Saint Nanak, and
they flocked around h i s banner. No spiritual v i c t r o l a o r overtalkative reforme r would e v e r have succeeded. But Guru Nanak lived the life of truth; piety
and virtue w e r e personified in h i s actions. He gave both the Hindus and the
Moslems a chance to behold in manifestation the comforting universalities
underlying the two religions. Guru Nanak, by h i s magnetic power of love and
h i s e x e m p l a r y conduct, dispelled the blind beliefs of h i s heterogeneous followe r s and showed them how to e s t a b l i s h in t h e i r h e a r t s a s e n s e of the Oneness
and Omnipresence of God and the s p i r i t of universal brotherhood.
One day during the s e r v i c e hour in the Mohammedan mosque, instead of
bowing down in front of the a l t a r , Guru Nanak l a y down with h i s feet toward
the a l t a r and h i s head away f r o m it, and feigned sleep. C e r t a i n Mohammedans
who w e r e accustomed to demonstrative e x t e r n a l modes of worship instead of
1
i n n e r concentration upon God beheld through the c o r n e r s of t h e i r squinted
e y e s the audacity of t h i s s t r a n g e m a n , Nanak, who lay down instead of sitting;
who slept instead of praying; and who, above a l l , w a s s a c r i l e g i o u s enough t o
put h i s f e e t , instead of h i s head, toward the a l t a r .
One of the orthodox c o t e r i e upbraided him: " You audacious s i n n e r , take
your feet away f r o m the a l t a r of God. If you don't, your feet will rot. I '
Calmly, Saint Nanak replied: ' P r a y t e l l m e , which way s h a l l I put m y
f e e t t h a t t h e r e i s no a l t a r of God's p r e s e n c e ? I behold Him north, south,
e a s t , and w e s t , above, beneath, within, and without, and a l l around m e . If
you could show m e a place w h e r e God i s not, I would be only too glad t o shift
m y feet t o t h a t place. Your outwardly praying m i n d s a r e roaming o v e r the
h i l l s of r e s t l e s s n e s s . C o r r e c t your indifference t o God. Your h e a d s a r e
toward the a l t a r , but your souls and m i n d s a r e away f r o m God. I a m glad
t h a t even m y f e e t a r e in the all- protecting, all-guiding power of God. "
Unable t o reply t o the M a s t e r ' s admonitions, the orthodox l e a d e r became
even m o r e wrathful. He took hold of the f e e t of Guru Nanak and forcibly
turned t h e m away f r o m the a l t a r . But behold ! a m i r a c l e o c c u r r e d . With the
turning of Nanak's feet f r o m the e a s t t o the w e s t , the a l t a r and the whole t e m ple wall moved accordingly.
----
---
-
-
-
When t h i s happened, the p r i e s t ' s followers demanded t h a t t h e i r l e a d e r be
humble and recognize the g r e a t power of t h i s God-knowing m a n . The whole
company of t h e m lay p r o s t r a t e a t the feet of the M a s t e r Nanak. Then the saint
ble s sed t h e m and said :
"Ye c h i l d r e n of m y Omnipresent F a t h e r , r e a l i z e the p r e s e n c e of God withi n yourself f i r s t , on the best a l t a r - - y o u r h e a r t . And if you find Him t h e r e ,
through t h a t i n n e r window you will soon see God nesting in Omnipresence. To
localize God a t one point i s t o i m p r i s o n Him in w a l l s of finitude. Those who
confine God within the limiting walls of t h e i r own imagination n e v e r find Him.
Those who break the walls of s e n s e experience with the h a m m e r s of a l l dissolving intuitive silence, find God s p r e a d out i n uncaged s p a c e , everywhere.
" Just a s confined w a t e r r u s h e s out in a l l d i r e c t i o n s when the w a l l s holding i t a r e broken, s o a l s o when t h e embankments of bigotry and r e s t l e s s n e s s
a r e broken, t h e consciousne s s of m a n s p r e a d s out and expands into the omnip r e s e n t c o n s c i o u s n e s s of Spirit. 'I
INSPIRATION
Little s o u l - b i r d - o f - p a r a d i s e , get out of the body c a g e , with i t s c a g e b a r s
of s e n s a t i o n . It i s a n o p t i c a l illusion. F o r g e t y o u r l i t t l e c a g e to which you
a r e s o a t t a c h e d . Behold y o u r v a s t kingdom of Light and B l i s s hidden behind
the s h a d e of d a r k n e s s t h a t now s h r o u d s y o u r s p i r i t u a l e y e , e v e n when you have
c l o s e d y o u r p h y s i c a l e y e s . D a i l y s e e i n g the m a t e r i a l sunlight, you a r e blinded and unable t o behold the m a g i c w o r l d of e t e r n a l l y s p r e a d l u m i n o u s e l e c t r o n s
shining behind the d a r k n e s s of c l o s e d e y e s . L i s t e n i n g t o the l i t t l e v i b r a t i o n s
of e a r t h sounds, you have f o r g o t t e n how to f l o a t in the o c e a n of C o s m i c Sound.
AFFIRMATION
I will find Thy p r e s e n c e on the a l t a r
of m y c o n s t a n t p e a c e , and in the joy t h a t
springs f r o m deep meditation.
*
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S - 1 P- 17
@ Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
0 Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
COSMIC CREATION
By P a r a m a h a n s a Y ogananda
When the s p a r k s of c o s m i c c r e a t i o n flew f r o m Thy bosom
of f l a m e , I sang in the c h o r u s of singing lights which heralded
the coming of the worlds. I a m a s p a r k of Thy c o s m i c f i r e .
Thou Sun of Life, a s Thou didst peep into the m o r t a l cups of
mind, filled with molten liquid of vital s p a r k s , Thou w e r t
caught within the golden s m a l l n e s s of human feelings.
In each f r a g i l e , oscillating m i r r o r of f l e s h , I s e e the
r e s t l e s s dance o f Thine 6-mnipfesent power. In the quivering
lake of life, I behold Thine almighty life.
-
Let m e c a l m , by the Christlike c ommand of concentration, the s t o r m s of r e s t l e s s d e s i r e s raging o v e r the limpid
lake of my mind. In the s t i l l lake of my soul, I love to
behold Thine unruffled f a c e of s t i l l n e s s . Break the boundaries
of the little wave of my life, that Thy v a s t n e s s may s p r e a d
over me.
Make m e f e e l that my h e a r t i s throbbing in Thy b r e a s t ,
and that Thou a r t walking through my f e e t , breathing through
my breath, wielding my a r m s of activity, and weaving thoughts
in my brain. Thy sleeping sighs wake when my sighs c r y .
Through Thy playfulness, the bubbles of Thy visions of c r e a t i o n
float in the c h a m b e r of m y delusive sleep.
It i s Thy m e t e o r i c will that c o u r s e s through the s k i e s of
m y will. Make m e f e e l that i t i s Thou who h a s become I. Oh,
make m e Thyself, that I may behold the little bubble of m e ,
floating in Thee !
-
---.
PRAYER
T e a c h m e , 0 S p i r i t , by meditation, t o stop the s t o r m of
breath, m e n t a l r e s t l e s s n e s s , and s e n s o r y d i s t u r b a n c e s raging
in the lake of m y mind.
POPULAR CONCEPTIONS OF CONCENTRATION
T h e r e a r e two kinds of concentration. One kind develops m o r e o r l e s s by
indirection, whena p e r s o n t r i e s to g e t h i s mind off a c e r t a i n thing. The m o r e he
t r i e s not t o think about i t , the m o r e concentrated on it h i s thought becomes.
T h i s i s not r e a l concentration, a s it i s not under the c o n t r o l of the will. Scientific concentration, on the o t h e r hand, enables you t o t h r o w your attention a t will
on the object of concentration and t o hold it t h e r e uninterruptedly f o r a s long a s
you wish. Self - Realization Fellowship t e a c h e s you a scientific method of doing
this.
"Well, I t you m a y s a y , " m a n y people do succeed i n c o n c e n t r a tingoneachproblemasitarises. T h e y k n o w h o w t o k e e p
t h e i r m i n d s on the subject a t hand and shut out a l l extraneous
thoughts, even though they w e r e n e v e r taught t o c o n c e n t r a t e , and have n e v e r seen
Self- Realization Fellowship instructions.
T h i s i s t r u e ; a l l s u c c e s s f u l people
have good p o w e r s of concentration.
SOME ARE
SUCCESSFUL
Then why should such people bother with any "method" of c o n c e n t r a t i o n ?
Because successful people have developed t h i s power of concentration in the p a s t ,
o r in t h i s l i f e , by constant f r i c t i o n with difficult p r o b l e m s . By utilizing t h e i r
previously a c q u i r e d ability scientifically, they c a n i n c r e a s e t h e i r s u c c e s s e s . F o r
instance, one c a n r e a s o n without learning logic, but the c l e a r -thinking m a n who
a d d s logic t o h i s m e n t a l tool - kit h a s a n advantage o v e r the one who knows nothing
ofthe laws pertaining t o f o r m s of reasoning.
The o r d i n a r y s u c c e s s f u l businessman u s e s only about twenty-five p e r c e n t
of h i s p o w e r s of concentration, but the student of Self - Realization Fellowship
c a n develop h i s power of concentration t o one hundred p e r c e n t u s e f u l n e s s and
e x e r t it scientifically. In addition- - and t h i s i s m o s t i m p o r t a n t - - h e will be led
into the a r t of meditation and l e a r n to balance m a t e r i a l s u c c e s s with s p i r i t u a l
success.
By the p r a c t i c e of meditation m a n l e a r n s how t o t h r o w h i s thought concent r a t e d l y upon God and to appeal successfully t o Him t o r e c h a r g e h i s c o n c e n t r a tion with God's p e r f e c t concentration. Only then- -when scientifically a c q u i r e d
human concentration i s c h a r g e d with the concentration of S p i r i t- - c a n man expect
t o accomplish a l l things. T h a t kind of concentration is r e q u i r e d in o r d e r to
d e m o n s t r a t e successfully a command such a s : "0 ye mountains, go into the
depths of the s e a ! "
+,
a
THE RIGHT METHOD OF CONCENTRATION
The Self - Realization Technique of Concentration 'is uniquely scientific,
because it t e a c h e s students how t o r e i n f o r c e the power of the human mind with
the s u p e r c h a r g e d , concentrated c o n s c i o u s n e s s of God. Everyone c a n benefit
f r o m application of the scientific Self-Realization method of God- directed, Godc h a r g e d concentration: the busy housewife; the w o r r y - burdened businessman;
the r e s t l e s s - m i n d e d type whose uncontrolled thoughts m a k e h i m go like a jumping
jack; the devout churchman who i s seeking g r e a t e r knowledge; and the r e a l s p i r i t u a l a s p i r a n t - - the yogi.
Through the voice of silence and peace God t r i e s to speak t o a l l H i s children
in r e s p o n s e to t h e i r p r a y e r s . But His voice i s usually drowned out by rowdy
sensations of touch, s m e l l , t a s t e , hearing, and sight, and by the tumult of s e nsation-and m e m o r y - roused thoughts. Finding t h e devotee ' s attention entangled
in r e s t l e s s n e s s and e n g r o s s e d with the incoming " calls" a t the switchboard of
sensation, G o d ' s voice r e c e d e s into the depths of silence.
0 --
God sadly t u r n s away whenever He finds t h a t H i s temple of concentration h a s
been m a d e a noisy place f o r the money- changers of m a t e r i a l d e s i r e s and s e n s a tions. The C h r i s t l i k e g u r u - p r e c e p t o r (intuition) m u s t c o m e with the whip of
s e l f - c o n t r o l t o d r i v e away the m a t e r i a l l y busy, r e s t l e s s thoughts, and m a k e the
temple of--silence
p l e of God. - -. into a t e mA-
Inequalities in the power of concentration exhibited by v a r i o u s people a r e
reflected in the differing d e g r e e s of s u c c e s s they achieve. Self - Realization
Fellowship t e a c h e s t h a t by powerful concentration the b u s i n e s s m a n c a n i n c r e a s e
h i s s u c c e s s ; the focused power of detached attention m a y s i m i l a r l y be applied t o
making a g r e a t e r s u c c e s s of a home, a n a r t , a p r o f e s s i o n , a c h u r c h , o r in e s t a b lishing a t e m p l e of silence in the soul. It i s wrong, of c o u r s e , to u s e highpowered concentration f o r s e l f - s u c c e s s a t the expense of o t h e r s ; one m u s t know
how t o guide and r e i n f o r c e concentration with the just, u n s e l f i s h , s e r v i c e -giving,
sympathetic, superconcentration of God.
Some p e r s o n s who apply g r e a t concentration to become r i c h a r e satisfied t o
u s e t h e i r high-powered minds f o r gaining m a t e r i a l s u c c e s s , while turning a deaf
e a r t o c r i e s of m i s e r y f r o m o t h e r s . But t h e m a n c h a r g e d with the superconcent r a t i o n of God wants s u c c e s s only when o t h e r s m a y benefit a t the s a m e time. He
t r i e s to s p i r i t u a l i z e the ideal of industry through s e r v i c e , and finds happiness
through making o t h e r s happy. Self - Realization Fellowship t e a c h e s the a r t of
idealistic concentration f o r the good of self and a l l o t h e r s .
•
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Always r e f l e c t your balanced attitude toward o t h e r s . A c a l m p e r s o n h a s h i s
s e n s e s fully identified with the environment in which he p l a c e s himself. A r e s t -
l e s s p e r s o n d o e s not notice anything, consequently h e g e t s into trouble with h i m self and o t h e r s and m i s u n d e r s t a n d s everything. A c a l m p e r son, by the v i r t u e
of h i s s e l f - p o s s e s s i o n , i s a l w a y s a t peace with o t h e r s , always happy, always
c a l m . Never change the c e n t e r of your concentration f r o m c a l m n e s s t o r e s t l e s s n e s s. P e r f o r m a c t i v i t i e s only with concentration.
Many p e r s o n s think t h a t t h e i r actions have to be e i t h e r r e s t l e s s o r slow.
That i s not t r u e . If you k e e p c a l m , with intense concentration, you will p e r f o r m
a l l duties with the c o r r e c t speed. The a r t of t r u e action i s t o be a b l e t o a c t
slowly o r speedily without losing your i n n e r peace. T h e p r o p e r method i s t o
e s t a b l i s h a controlled attitude, wherein you c a n work with peace without losing
your balance.
T h i s d o e s not m e a n t h a t you should be c a l m f o r a while and then l e t your
mind r u n riot. It i s not the p e r s o n who m e d i t a t e s a long t i m e f o r one day and
then d o e s not meditate again f o r s e v e r a l d a y s who becomes s u c c e s s f u l on the
s p i r i t u a l path. T h e p e r s o n who m e d i t a t e s and always holds t o the a f t e r e f f e c t s
of meditation throughout the day i s the one who quickly a p p r o a c h e s t o Godliness
and Cosmic Consciousness. T h e r e a r e thousands of p e r s o n s who a r e m a t e r i a l .
Their m o v e m e n t s a r e of m a t e r i a l i t y . They a r e m a t t e r i n motion. Do not be
like them. Cultivate i n n e r c a l m n e s s and poise.
MADAME BUTTERFLY'S ATTEMPTS AT CONCENTRATION
P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda often told t h i s s t o r y to i l l u s t r a t e what happens when
a p e r s o n with untrained mind s i t s down t o concentrate. He called the p r i n c i p a l
of h i s s t o r y Madame Butterfly- - though m a l e students just a s often have such
e x p e r i e n c e s i n t h e i r unrewarding e f f o r t s a t concentration.
The s c e n e i s Madame B u t t e r f l y ' s living room. The t i m e , the middle of a
cold winter afternoon. Since a l l the housework is done, and i t ' s too d i s m a l t o
go anyplace, o u r f r i e n d h a s s o m e of that " s p a r e t i m e ' ' she's always looking f o r
in o r d e r to p r a c t i c e concentration.
She s i t s down in a straight- backed c h a i r . No sooner h a s h e r body touched
the c h a i r than she exclaims. " This s e a t i s too h a r d ! I should have a pillow. ' I
She finds one the right s i z e and sinks down upon it. Then Madame Butterfly d i s c o v e r s t h a t the c h a i r squeaks. T r a n s f e r r i n g pillow and body t o another c h a i r
she notices a d r a f t , and c l o s e s the window. Next she develops a tendency t o
sneeze. But h e r handkerchief had dropped n e a r the f i r s t c h a i r . H e r handkerchief r e c l a i m e d , Madame contentedly thinks, "Now f o r a delightful dip into the
depths of concentration. "
A few m o m e n t s p a s s , and h e r mind is just beginning t o s e t t l e when the boiling r a d i a t o r begins to bubble. In disgust, she jumps up and roughly choke s the
r a d i a t o r ' s voice.
Once m o r e she s e t t l e s h e r s e l f , righteous indignation increasing the d e t e r mination t o dive deep into meditation. Then, in the a p a r t m e n t next d o o r , s o m e one s t a r t s t o play the piano, accompanied by laughter and loud talking.
Now Madame Butterfly i s both mad and disgusted. She c o n s i d e r s pounding
on the wall, but a f t e r a l l , it i s the middle of the afternoon, and so the neighbors
have a right t o play if they wish. She begins t o l i s t e n and to think: " T h a t ' s
r e a l l y a good piano. I t Our friend then r e c a l l s o t h e r pianos she h a s h e a r d . She
r e m e m b e r s the pleasant d a y s when she was a child and used to dance while h e r
d e a r old grandmother played r u s t i c a i r s popular in h e r own youth. She thinks
s e s c a p a d e s a s a n a t t r a c t i v e young belle.
of some of h e r
And so on and on, until suddenly Madame Butterfly r e m e m b e r s h e r original
purpose of concentration and j e r k s herself f r o m h e r sweet r e v e r i e s . She t r i e s
to a s s u m e the saintly dignity of a v e t e r a n yogi, rebuking h e r body and mind f o r
their restlessness.
She m a k e s a d e s p e r a t e e f f o r t to r e g a t h e r the battered f r a g m e n t s of h e r selfcontrol. H e r e y e s have hardly closed again when the telephone c r o w s out with
impudent, patience- piercing pertinacity. "I will not a n s w e r it ! I ' But the i m p e r might
Butterfly
begins t o doubt h e r wisdom. "It
tinent bell continues. Madame
- ------ -- -- -- -- - -- - - So
she
g
e
t
s
up
and
a
n
s
w
e
r
s
the
phone
only
to
be a n important c a l l , I ' she thinks.
find that someone h a s dialed the wrong number.
->
T h i s o r d e a l o v e r , she m u s t e r s up enough courage t o begin again. But now
h e r head begins to nod. H e r s e n s e of shame a t t h i s i s shoved a s i d e by self-pity
f o r h e r exhausted condition. But forcing herself t o s i t s t r a i g h t , Madame t r i e s
again.
T h i s effort i s diverted by the c l a m o r o u s ringing of the hoarse- voiced d o o r bell. She r e m a i n s s t i l l f o r a few m o m e n t s , but the patience-breaking jangle
goes on until she begins t o think again, "It m u s t be something important. " Once
a t the d o o r , however, Madame Butterfly a s s u m e s a galvanized s m i l e a s she
g r e e t s t h r e e feminine acquaintances, a l l of whom have a m a s t e r 1 s d e g r e e in t h e
a r t of gossiping. Behind the a r t i f i c i a l flower of h e r forced s m i l e o u r friend hides
the stinging wasp of petulance, a s she thinks: "Oh you p e s t s , why couldn't you
have stayed away and l e t m e concentrate ? "
Happily oblivious t o t h i s , the t h r e e v i s i t o r s e n t e r and busy t h e m s e l v e s raking
and prodding in everyone e l s e ' s d i r t h e a p s - - s e c u r e in the knowledge that f o r the
moment t h e r e i s a "keep off" sign on t h e i r own. Madame Butterfly laughs p l e a s antly, and t h r e e h o u r s slip away before she h a s the relief of closing the door
behind t h e s e inordinate gossips.
Automatically she r e s u m e s h e r a t t e m p t s a t concentration. But now h e r
attention i s mobbed by m e m o r i e s of leaky r a d i a t o r s , piano-pounding , telephone
bells, raucous doorbells and gossipy tidbits. Guiltily she h a l t s t h i s m e n t a l
r e s u m e . "What t i m e i s it anyway? I ' Madame looks a t h e r watch, and with a
resigned sigh, r i s e s and s t a r t s t o the kitchen to get supper.
The living r o o m i s empty again. And it might just a s well have remained
s o a l l afternoon, a s f a r a s Madame B u t t e r f l y ' s efforts a t concentration a r e concerned.
The above experience i s not an exaggeration. It i s only a sample of what
happens t o m o s t people when they attempt t o concentrate.
INSPIRATION
It i s good t o r e m e m b e r the following: seek intensely until you find God.
Knock until the d o o r s of all wisdom a r e opened unto you. Believe and a c t
according to your faith, until you know. P r a y until He a n s w e r s . Meditate deepe r and d e e p e r , until you find and f e e l Him a s unending joy. Love H i m until you
f e e l His love. Talk to H i m continuously i n silence until He speaks to you.
R e m e m b e r , the so-called c e r t a i n t i e s of life- such a s money, f a m e , and f r i e n d s
- - a r e r e a l l y the m o s t difficult t o retain. They may slip away any minute. So,
make the i m p e r i s h a b l e so- called unknown, u n c e r t a i n God your own; you will find
H i m m o a t faithful, when all e l s e l e a v e s you beyond the l a s t gate of t h i s life.
-
AFFIR MATION
I will open the only g a t e , the gate of
meditation, that l e a d s t o Thy blessed
presence.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S-1 P - 1 8
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All RigMs Resewed (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
WHERE I FOUND THEE
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
*
-"
I bow t o Thee i n s i l v e r r a y s ;
I d r i n k to Thee i n sunbeams;
I stand i n r e v e r e n c e before T h y mountain m a j e s t y ;
I c l a s p Thine i m a g e reflected i n the lake;
In the voice of t h e echo I h e a r Thy voice;
I e m b r a c e Thee in t h e c a l m c a r e s s of the b r e e z e ;
I bathe i n Thy bubbling fountain of m y bosom.
The explosions of m y p a s s i o n s have died away
And I h e a r Thy w h i s p e r s in t h e pines and in the
Gentle swish of the laughing w a t e r s of the lake.
I listened t o Thy s e r m o n s through t h e voice
Of m y r e a s o n .
I beheld Thee plowing the soil
Of m y soul with t r i a l s ,
And sowing the s e e d s of Thy wisdom t h e r e i n .
E v e r y day I watered the s e e d s sown by T h e e ,
But it w a s only when the sunshine
Of Thy m e r c y c a m e
That those s e e d s sprouted, g r e w , and
Yielded the h a r v e s t of contentment.
Suddenly the w a t e r s , n a t u r e ' s g r e e n c a r p e t s ,
The blue v a s t n e s s overhead, the opaque s t o n e s ,
And m y body, became t r a n s f o r m e d into a v a s t m i r r o r
By t h e m a g i c touch of m y s i l e n c e ,
And I saw myself reflected in everything.
And when i n concentration I looked a t myself,
I became t r a n s p a r e n t - - a n d i n m y t r a n s p a r e n c y
I could not find m e - - b u t only Thee, only Thee.
PRAYER
Div,ine Mother, l e t the magic wand of m y intuition stop the gale
of p a s s i o n s and u n n e c e s s a r y d e s i r e s , and in the ripplele s s lake of m y
mind, l e t m e behold the undistorted reflection of the moon of m y soul,
glistening with t h e light of Thy p r e s e n c e .
DEFINITIONS O F CONCENTRATION
The g r e a t Hindu s a g e , P a t a n j a l i , said t h a t union with Cod i s established
by neutralizing the r e s t l e s s thought- and de s i r e - w a v e s of the consciousness.
T o i l l u s t r a t e : the i m a g e of the moon looks d i s t o r t e d if it i s reflected in the
w a t e r s of a lake whose s u r f a c e i s rippled by the wind; but if t h e wind s u b s i d e s ,
the r i p p l e s vanish and the c l e a r , undistorted, reflected perfection of t h e moon
i s seen. Cod i s reflected a s soul in t h e l a k e s of c o n s c i o u s n e s s in m y r i a d s of
human beings- - just a s the one moon m a y be reflected i n a million lakes. But
because the l a k e s of human attention a r e rippling with sensations and thoughts
c a u s e d by the s t o r m s of b r e a t h and of m e n t a l r e s t l e s s n e s s , the soul- image of
Cod reflected t h e r e i s d i s t o r t e d .
When the Self-Realization Fellowship technique of concentration i s s u c cessfully p r a c t i c e d , the waves of b r e a t h c e a s e , owing t o the r e s t f u l n e s s of the
h e a r t ; then the r i p p l e s of sensations and of r e s t l e s s thoughts vanish f r o m t h e
lake of attention, and the undisturbed reflection of the soul i s seen. P a t a n j a l i
e m p h a s i z e s the negative side of concentration: t h a t a s soon a s the attention i s
f r e e f r o m the objects of d i s t r a c t i o n , it c a n r e v e a l the soul, just a s the r e m o v al of the hand f r o m in f r o n t of the l e n s of a flashlight r e v e a l s the things in
f r o n t of it in the d a r k .
J e s u s said: "If thy hand o r thy foot offend t h e e , c u t t h e m off, and c a s t
t h e m f r o m thee: it i s b e t t e r f o r thee t o e n t e r into life halt o r m a i m e d , r a t h e r
than having two hands o r two feet to be c a s t into e v e r l a s t i n g f i r e . And if thine
eye offend t h e e , pluck it out" (Matthew 18:8, 9).
In t h e s e w o r d s a r e hidden a Biblical definition of concentration. J e s u s
m e a n t t h a t e v e r y devotee m u s t know how t o concentrate and do away with a l l
d i s t r a c t i o n s of sensations such a s touch ("thy hand") and sight ("thine eye").
The devotee m u s t know how t o c a l m the s e n s e s , i. e . , take consciousness away
f r o m t h e m , and how t o withdraw the life f o r c e f r o m the s e n s o r y - m o t o r n e r v e s ,
which a r e the conductors of disturbing sensations. Thus he will know how t o
e n t e r t h e e t e r n a l life, the e v e r conscious, e v e r existing, e v e r new b l i s s of
t h e soul. The life f o r c e in the n e r v e s k e e p s the soul entangled with m e s s a g e s
of sensations f r o m t h e e y e s , e a r s , hands, and s o f o r t h ; but when the life f o r c e
i s plucked f r o m the e y e s and c u t off f r o m the hands, and f r o m all consciousne s s of the body, t h e s o u l ' s attention becomes f r e e d f r o m the d i s t r a c t i n g
m e s s a g e s of t h e s e n s e s . T h e n t h e s o u l b e c o m e s cognizant of i t s divine n a t u r e .
Only t h e n i s a s t a t e of c o m p l e t e c o n c e n t r a t i o n r e a c h e d .
The following i s a psychologically sound and scientific definition of c o n centration:
C o n c e n t r a t i o n i s t h a t p o w e r which one c a n apply negatively t o f r e e
t h e a t t e n t i o n f r o m o b j e c t s of d i s t r a c t i o n , and positively t o p l a c e t h e
a t t e n t i o n on a single i d e a o r object a t a t i m e .
When t h e a t t e n t i o n i s f r e e d f r o m m i n o r d i s t r a c t i o n s , i t m a y be d i r e c t e d t o a c t
p o s i t i v e l y by f o c u s i n g i t s r a y s on any kind of p r o b l e m , o r upon God. It i s all
r i g h t t o s a y t h a t a p e r s o n i s c o n c e n t r a t i n g on how t o m a k e m o r e m o n e y i n busi n e s s , o r t h a t h e i s c o n c e n t r a t i n g on God; but you should not s a y , "He i s m e d i t a t i n g on h i s b u s i n e s s p r o b l e m s . ' I F o r r e a l m e d i t a t i o n , a s taught t o SelfR e a l i z a t i o n s t u d e n t s , i s t h a t specific f o r m of c o n c e n t r a t i o n which i s applied
only t o knowing God.
Many s t u d e n t s t r y ineffectually t o m e d i t a t e , t o think about God, but they
a r e s t i l l hypnotized by r e s t l e s s n e s s and cannot f o r g e t t h e i r s u r r o u n d i n g s . In
o r d e r t o g e t r e s u l t s , one m u s t l e a r n how t o d e t a c h h i s a t t e n t i o n f r o m d i s t r a c t i n g thoughts and s e n s a t i o n s a n d apply i t t o God. No m e d i t a t i o n i s p o s s i b l e
without knowing t h e a r t of c o n c e n t r a t i o n . P r a y e r , chanting, and s i n g i n g all becom'k %-mockery without a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e positive a n d negative f a c t o r s of c o n centration and meditation.
All people need t o know t h e a r t of c o n c e n t r a t i o n i n o r d e r t o g a i n r e a l s u c c e s s , e a c h i n h i s own r e s p e c t i v e path. No one c a n c o n c e n t r a t e deeply upon
God, a r t , b u s i n e s s - - o r anything e l s e - -without f i r s t disengaging h i s a t t e n t i o n
f r o m o u t e r a n d i n n e r d i s t r a c t i o n . Hence a scientific technique of f r e e i n g o n e ' s
a t t e n t i o n f r o m t h e o b j e c t s of d i s t r a c t i o n i s t h e only way t o g e t r e s u l t s . How
h o p e l e s s it i s f o r e i t h e r t h e h o u s e k e e p e r , t h e b u s i n e s s m a n , o r t h e s p i r i t u a l
a s p i r a n t t o t r y t o c o n c e n t r a t e by employing t h e p o p u l a r way of m e n t a l d i v e r s i o n ! T h e student who w i s h e s t o l e a r n r e a l c o n c e n t r a t i o n should begin by
l e a r n i n g two things:
1)
2)
What t h e o b j e c t s of d i s t r a c t i o n a r e .
How t h e a t t e n t i o n c a n be s c i e n t i f i c a l l y switched off f r o m t h e m .
Many m e n and women believe t h a t p r a y e r t a k e s t h e p l a c e of c o n c e n t r a t i o n .
T h i s i s t r u e only when t h e l a w s of p r a y e r a r e followed. Most people who t r y
t o c o n t a c t God do s o u n s c i e n t i f i c a l l y , and hence ineffectively, e i t h e r by blind
devotion o r by i n t e l l e c t u a l investigation. Of c o u r s e , if t h e p r a y e r i s i n t e n s e ,
t h e a t t e n t i o n a u t o m a t i c a l l y d i s e n g a g e s i t s e l f f r o m o b j e c t s of d i s t r a c t i o n and
f o c u s e s i t s e l f upon God; t h e n one h a s t r u e c o n c e n t r a t i o n . But t h e p r o g r a m of
w o r s h i p i n m o s t c a s e s c o n s i s t s i n a v a r i e t y of p h y s i c a l c e r e m o n i e s , s u c h a s
singing h y m n s and l i s t e n i n g t o s e r m o n s ; t h e a t t e n t i o n h a s no opportunity t o go
deep into God-consciousness.
The Heavenly F a t h e r does not r e v e a l Himself t o those who a r e intellectually wise but without devotion; nor t o the emotionally intoxicated, who a r e unable t o r e a s o n c l e a r l y ; but unto those who worship Him "as little children, I '
wholeheartedly and with full attention:
"To those blessed ones who worship Me,
Turning not otherwhere, with minds s e t f a s t ,
I bring a s s u r a n c e of full B l i s s beyond. ' I
- - Bhapavad - Gita
God will c o m e into a l l c h u r c h e s and t e m p l e s if He finds the h e a r t d o o r s of
the devotees within open t o Him, and if genuine soul- inspired concentration o r
meditation gives Him a welcome. God c a n never be bribed by the size of a
church congregation, nor by its wealth, nor by well-planned s e r m o n s . God
v i s i t s only the a l t a r s of h e a r t s that a r e cleansed by t e a r s of devotion and lighted by soul- s t i r r i n g love.
FOUR STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
The fir st state of consciousness i s m a r k e d by complete identification of
the self and its well-being with the struggle f o r and acquirement of m a t e r i a l
and physical satisfactions. Such a p e r s o n d o e s not t r y t o understand the powe r behind h i s brain, without which no gainful o r pleasurable activity c a n be
c a r r i e d on.
The second state i s reached when a p e r s o n , by occasional concentration
on higher things, t r i e s once in a while t o get away f r o m h i s preoccupation with
the s e n s o r y world.
The third state i s reached by deeper concentration; the yogi a r r i v e s a t a
middle point wherein h e enjoys g l i m p s e s of i n n e r Bliss; h i s spiritual and m a t e r i a l tendencies a r e now evenly matched, a s a r e s u l t of steady effort a t concent r a t i o n and of proper schooling in the habits of silent concentration.
The fourth state c o m e s when the consciousness becomes completely identified with the only good o r God, and the yogi goes beyond the oppositional s t a t e s
of good and evil. Awakening in God, the yogi finds that the dual s t a t e s of good
and evil have vanished, just a s sorrowful o r joyous d r e a m e x p e r i e n c e s of d i s e a s e and health, bereavement and fulfillment vanish upon one ' s awakening
f r o m sleep.
PORTRAIT OF AN UNSUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN
He gulps down a n inadequate breakfast, h u r r i e s t o h i s office, and s i t s a t
@
a d e s k l i t t e r e d with p a p e r s t h a t mutely s h r i e k "unfinished business. " He
picks up one o r two l e t t e r s and glances a t t h e m , but before h i s mind h a s f o r m ulated any r e p l i e $ he g l i m p s e s the appointment pad on h i s desk and r e a l i z e s
that he m u s t decide on a c o u r s e of p r o c e d u r e before he t a l k s with M r . Blank.
He t r i e s t o concentrate on t h i s problem. However, h i s mind k e e p s r e v e r t i n g t o the l e t t e r s just put a s i d e , and wants to m u l l over those p r o b l e m s
instead. The din of h i s s e c r e t a r y ' s t y p e w r i t e r annoys him. He shouts a t h e r
t o stop. A moment l a t e r , he r e a l i z e s that she ' s typing on a r u s h a s s i g n m e n t
he gave h e r , so he shouts a t h e r t o go on again.
To c a l m h i m s e l f , he begins smoking h i s a f t e r- b r e a k f a s t c i g a r . T h i s
brings t o mind another problem: he t e l l s himself that he should be f i r m in h i s
d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o quit smoking. Ragged n e r v e s tug a t the sleeve of h i s cons c i e n c e , and finally he d a s h e s the c i g a r into a n a s h t r a y .
At t h i s inopportune moment the s e c r e t a r y brings o v e r a pile of l e t t e r s t o
be signed. The boss, unreasonably u p s e t a t t h e intrusion, a n g r i l y banishes
h e r t o t h e o u t e r office. He t r i e s t o concentrate on h i s p r o b l e m once m o r e ,
but the p i e c e s won't go together. His ineffectual struggle m a k e s h i m sleepy
and he d o z e s off i n disgust a t h i s inability t o work out a solution.
T h i s i s h i s f i r s t comfortable m o m e n t , s o h e quietly d -r i f-t s into deeper
s l u m b e r ~ s e c r e t a r yr e t u r n s , jolting h i m back t o c o n s c i o u s n e s s just i n
t i m e f o r h i s important appointment with M r . Blank. But inasmuch a s he h a s
f a i l e d t o m a p out a plan, he t a l k s haphazardly a l l around the subject, gives
the i m p r e s s i o n that he i s only an ineffectual bluffer, and the d e a l he had hoped
f o r f a l l s through.
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I
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AFFIRMATION
I shall seek t o know Thee f i r s t , l a s t ,
and a l l the t i m e . Finding Thee f i r s t , I
s h a l l find, i n Thee, a l l things t h a t I c r a v e d .
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Seif-reaiization will biossom forth from thy soulful study"
S-1 P-19
@ Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
ie.
THY STATION, JOY
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
F r o m Thy s t a t i o n , JOY, I h e a r d a i l y
Thine ineffable s h r i l l - s o f t tones, d e a r and
familiar
.
,
..
&
,
At f i r s t I t r i e d to tune Thee in f r o m s o f a r ,
f a r a w a ~ _ ~ = y & r o g r a ms e e m e d b-eyond the
-.
r e c e p t i o n of the tiny instrument of m y m i n d . But
a f t e r I had m a d e m a n y fine touches on the d i a l of
meditation, Thou d i d s t c o m e in on sudden e t h e r i c
wings.
Thou w e r t singing a melody of e a r t h ' s goodn e s s and the nobility in a l l h e a r t s .
- - F r o m "Whispers f r o m Eternity"
PRAYER
0 S p i r i t , t e a c h m e t o p r a y with d e e p
c o n c e n t r a t i o n , and t o i m b u e s c i e n t i f i c
m e d i t a t i o n with devotion. May m y h e a r t
d a i l y b e c o m e m o r e p u r e by a l l - s u r r e n d e r ing love f o r T h e e .
T H E ART O F CONCENTRATION
DISTRACTIONS
THAT INVADE
SILENCE
P e o p l e a r e e a g e r l y seeking s u c c e s s o r health; but e v e n
if t h e y gain i t , t h e y a r e r e s t l e s s just t h e s a m e . T h e
s o u l ' s h u n g e r cannot be s a t i s f i e d by m a t e r i a l s u b s t i t u t e s n o r by t h e o l o g i c a l chaff. Some m o d e r n r e l i g i o u s
m o v e m e n t s a r e adopting "going into t h e s i l e n c e " i n t h e i r p r o g r a m of Sunday
w o r s h i p . But "going into t h e s i l e n c e , I ' though it b r i n g s s o m e p e a c e , d o e s
not t e a c h t h e groping s p i r i t u a l a s p i r a n t how t o c o m m u n e with God. "Going
into t h e s i l e n c e , by d i v e r t i n g and silencing thoughts, is only a negative f a c t o r
of c o n c e n t r a t h n and a slow method of e s t a b l i s h i n g God- contact.
The d i f f e r e n c e between spoken p r a y e r and s i l e n c e is c o n s i d e r a b l e : In
audible p r a y e r t h e m i n d i s busy with sounds a n d bodily m o t i o n s , a s well a s
with r e s t l e s s thoughts. I n o r d i n a r y s i l e n c e , t h e m i n d i s kept p a r t i a l l y quieted
by keeping t h e body s t i l l , a n d t h e optic t e l e p h o n e is c u t off by t h e c l o s i n g of
t h e e y e s . But t h e t h o u g h t s within m a y s t i l l r u n wild. S o m e people s u c c e e d
i n silencing t h e i r thoughts f o r a m o m e n t o r two, and g e t a l i t t l e g l i m p s e of t h e
p e a c e f u l f a c e of God t h r o u g h t h i s t e m p o r a r y c r a c k i n t h e w a l l of r e s t l e s s n e s s .
But often a r e a l s e e k e r is confronted by d a r k n e s s , with only a n o c c a s i o n a l
g l i m p s e of p e a c e , which is soon b r o k e n by t h e d i s t u r b a n c e of r e s t l e s s thoughts.
He b e g i n s t o w o n d e r , "Is t h i s all t h e r e is t o God and H i s i n s p i r a t i o n ? I '
When h e o p e n s h i s e y e s and g e t s out of t h i s s t a t e of negative s i l e n c e , at
f i r s t h e is f i l l e d with a new s e n s e of wonder at t h e g l o r y a n d i m m e n s i t y of
sunlight; at t h e m y s t e r i o u s power of e l e c t r i c i t y t h a t c a u s e s t h e t r o l l e y c a r s
t o r u n h i t h e r and yon; at t h e m a r v e l of s k y s c r a p e r s ; at t h e lightning s e a r i n g
t h e sky; a t t h e powerful light of t h e moon. But a s h e e x p e r i e n c e s only a
l i t t l e o c c a s i o n a l p e a c e i n t h e s i l e n c e , h e g r a d u a l l y f i n d s l e s s and l e s s c o n s o lation i n t h e p o w e r s and m a n i f e s t a t i o n s of n a t u r e . Soon h e begins t o belittle
h i s s t r i v i n g s f o r m o r e s p i r i t u a l i t y and h i s i n n e r e x p e r i e n c e s d u r i n g p e r i o d s
of s i l e n c e .
The Cosmic Light, o r Cosmic E n e r g y , the C r e a t o r of a l l f o r c e s , hides
behind the d a r k n e s s a t f i r s t perceived in silence; but those who a r e in the
d a r k n e s s of negative silence do not comprehend that. In these Self-Realization F ~ l l o w s h i pstudies you will l e a r n how to produce scientifically a positive
state of meditative silence, and thus quiet a l l thoughts and sensations. There
a r e higher s t a t e s of concentration, and a s the devotee a s c e n d s to them, one
by one, he c o m e s into higher and higher s p h e r e s of indescribable joys and
uplifting e x p e r i e n c e s and visions. He blissfully r e a l i z e s : "He whom I was
seeking in the cloud- forests of the blue i s h e r e with m e , within me. I
sought Him a s a Power without, only to find that He--the fountain of all
n a t u r e ' s f o r c e s - - e x i s t s within m e . In the silence, just behind the walls of
d a r k n e s s , I adoringly perceive Him. ' I
To p e r c e ive God, one m u s t f i r s t l e a r n the positive and negative f a c t o r s
of silence. It i s n e c e s s a r y to analyze the definite psychophysical e l e m e n t s
of d i s t r a c t i o n that invade silence a s one's attention t r i e s to m a r c h toward i t s
mental objective.
F o r example, a s soon a s you s i t to concentrate upon your
business in the office, your attention i s busy with the noise
of t y p e w r i t e r s and other office equipment, o r with the r o a r
of s t r e e t c a r s and automobiles in the s t r e e t outside, intruding on your consciou
- s
- ne s s through the auditory nerve w i r e s . Touch sensations of comfort
(pleasurable feelings of the flesh such a s after- dinner satisfaction, o r abundant vitality, and s o f o r t h ) o r of discomfort (disagreeable feelings such a s
itches, a c h e s , binding of tight clothing, perspiration, heat, cold, hunger,
and w e a r i n e s s ) pour into the b r a i n through the tactual nerve w i r e s . Or your
attention m a y become preoccupied with the body odors of nearby p e r s o n s , o r
with the f r a g r a n c e of flowers in the room, o r the perfume used by someone
n e a r you- -sensations that keep crowding into your b r a i n through your olfact o r y nerve w i r e s .
SENSATIONS
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A
Or your attention m a y be busy with visual sensations being reported to
your b r a i n through your optic nerve telephones: the sight of your office
furnishings, o r o t h e r s ' apparel. Your attention may be busy with pleasant
o r unpleasant sensations of the palate: the taste of peppermint candy, o r
chewing gum, o r an after- smoking t a s t e , o r the after- sensation of the taste
of cold w a t e r that you may have drunk not long before. So you see that a l l
the while your attention wants to concentrate upon a problem, upon b u s i n e s s ,
o r upon God, it m e e t s with many d i s t r a c t i o n s caused by sensations of sight,
hearing, t a s t e , touch, and s m e l l .
THOUGHTS EVOKED
BY SENSATIONS
But the five kinds of d i s t r a c t i o n s just enumerated
a r e not the only c l a i m s upon your attention. These
sensations give r i s e to thoughts that l u r e the attention away f r o m i t s p u r s u i t of concentration. F o r instance, when you h e a r a
noisy automobile outside the r o o m in which ,you a r e trying to concentrate,
---
you p e r h a p s begin to have thoughts about different m a k e s of c a r s ; o r the
chewing-gum t a s t e in your mouth m a y make you think about the many f l a v o r s
of chewing gum. The f r a g r a n c e of flowers in the r o o m m a y make you think
of the f l o r i s t ' s shop, o r your g r a n d m o t h e r ' s delightful garden. The sight of
your b u s i n e s s office m a y make you think of g r a n d e r offices you have been in;
and seeing the a p p a r e l of the people around, you m a y think of v a r i o u s kinds
of clothes you would like to own.
PAST THOUGHTS
ROUSED BY
PRESENT THOUGHTS
Thus sensations give r i s e to thoughts. F r e s h
thoughts a r i s i n g f r o m sensations may then r o u s e
related thoughts in your subconscious m e m o r y .
F o r instance, the sound of automobiles around
your place m a y not only r o u s e many thoughts about other models of automob i l e s , but these, in t h e i r turn, m a y r o u s e in your consciousness latent
thoughts of how you have d r i v e n many models of c a r s , o r remind you of a bad
accident you had with a c e r t a i n powerful c a r . So your attention g e n e r a l l y
m e e t s f i r s t with s e n s a t i o n s , then with crowds of new thoughts, and finally
with m e m o r y thoughts waking f r o m i h e i r subconscious s l u m b e r .
Distractions- - the e n e m i e s of attention- - a r e threefold:
1.
2.
3.
sensations;
new thoughts roused by sensations;
old m e m o r y thoughts roused by p r e s e n t thoughts.
The minute your attention wishes to m a r c h along the pathway of concentration
toward a definite goal, it i s waylaid by these invisible bandits of distraction.
POPULAR WAY O F
CONCENTRATION
IS DIVERSION
If you should a s k how you can succeed when trying
to concentrate upon a p r o b l e m or upon a Sunday
s e r m o n , m o s t p e r s o n s would tell you to d i v e r t
your mind f r o m the objects of d i s t r a c t i o n . But
this seldom works successfully; f o r whenever you t r y h a r d not to think about
a p a r t i c u l a r thing, your mind p e r v e r s e l y dwells on it.
It i s a l m o s t futile, f o r example, to t r y to d i v e r t your mind f r o m a constantly ringing telephone bell when you a r e trying to concentrate. This i s
because, when the bell r i n g s , the r e p o r t of the sound i s c a r r i e d to the brain
by the life f o r c e in the auditory n e r v e s . Whether you wish to h e a r it o r not,
the bell sound penetrating through your auditory n e r v e s i s bound to r e g i s t e r
in the brain.
Trying to d i v e r t the attention f r o m the disturbing sound of a bell by thinking of something e l s e during the attempt a t concentration i s unscientific.
However, a m a n of habitually intense concentration habits ma,y be able to t u r n
h i s mind deeply enough within s o a s not to h e a r the ringing. The question then
a r i s e s : What physiological changes occur in t h i s m a n to p e r m i t such deep
concentration that he r e a l l y does not h e a r the sound of the telephone bell, a l though its vibration s t r i k e s the tympanum of h i s e a r ?
The logical conclusion i s that there i s a n inseparable relationship between
intelligence (the " operator" of the sense-telephone switchboard in the b r a i n )
and the life f o r c e flowing in the auditory nerve telephones. When the o p e r a t o r
(intelligence) chooses, he can, by diversion o r by scientific relaxation ( a s
taught in these s t u d i e s ) , shut out the sound of the telephone bell so that i t will
not d i s t u r b him. A r e a l telephone o p e r a t o r working a t a switchboard can do
s e v e r a l things to be f r e e f r o m the disturbance of a ringing bell:
1.
She m a y be so busy mentally doing something e l s e that she does not
lidten to the telephonic sound, though it rings in h e r brain, t r a n s m i t ted through h e r auditory nerve wires. Thus by diversion h e r attention
r e m a i n s unaware of the sound.
2.
She can fall a s l e e p before the switchboard; then she will not h e a r the
sound of the bell signaling the m e s s a g e coming through the wires.
3. She may simply switch off the c u r r e n t f r o m the w i r e s and thus p r e vent their transmitting the e l e c t r i c a l impulse that sounds the bell.
-0
I
Similarly, any
p e r s- o--n --may
do s e v e r a l things to prevent hearing the
sound
.
- -of aGlep%%ne bell:
1.
By diversion one can disengage the attention of the intelligence that
takes note of the switchboard signal of his auditory sense telephone.
By this method, however, he does not remove the r e a l cause through
which the disturbing sound of the bell r e a c h e s his brain.
2.
By sleep, o r "unconscioust' s e n s o r y - m u s c u l a r relaxation, one can
prevent the e n t r y of the bell sound into the brain. In the subconscious
state of sleep, the life f o r c e i s relaxed f r o m the m u s c l e s and f r o m
the five sense-telephone w i r e s of touch, smell, taste, sight, and
hearing
.
3. One can scientifically switch off the thoughts and the life force f r o m
the s e n s e s . An explanation of the scientific method of doing this will
follow in Lesson 20, and a special technique of concentration
HongSau
will be given in Lesson 21.
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-
.
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THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
The g r e a t spiritual t e a c h e ~ aof India realized the necessity of discovering psychophysical methods of concentration. Concentration i s a n e x t r e m e l y
importaht f a c t o r in achieving s u c c e s s on any plane. A g r e a t businessman o r
a big social o r s p i r i t u a l r e f o r m e r i s a man of k e e n concentration. By the
concentrated r a y s of h i s attention, developed unconsciously, he b u r n s away
and d e s t r o y s the roots of e v e r y difficulty that comes before him, and thereby
m a k e s a s u c c e s s of his undertakings. But he could be a n even g r e a t e r succ e s s if he knew the a r t of conscious concentration, which would enable h i m
to focus the burning power of attention upon any difficult problem, just a s the
sun's r a y s , concentrated through a magnifying glass, c a n ignite inflamrnable objects beneath it.
MONKEY CONSCIOUSNESS
Tej Bahadur, a young businessman in India, had to spend a considerable
amount of his hard- earned money to go to London to confirm h i s business
transactions. He g r e a t l y d e s i r e d to cut c o s t s , but no m a t t e r how he cut down
h i s overhead he was never satisfied. He was constantly thinking of s c h e m e s
f o r saving money. Though a wealthy businessman, he once even considered
the idea of going to London by working h i s own way as a sailor.
One day when Tej Bahadur was contemplating new ways to p r a c t i c e economy, he fretfully wondered why God had not made h i m f a s t moving like electricity, which t r a v e r s e s v a s t t r a c t s of space in the twinkling of a n eye. J u s t
then a friend of his, who knew a l l about h i s exaggerated notions of economy,
came hurrying toward him and told him excitedly: "Tej Bahadur, come to
the banks of the r i v e r Ganges. I have found a man who can levitate and walk
on water, and who i s willing to teach the method to a worthy student.
Impressed, the wealthy Tej Bahadur said to himself: "Thank God f o r
sending me a levitating tutor. I will a s k him to teach m e how to do it, and
that will save me a l l that money I annually spend on m y European business
trips. 'I
He wended h i s way toward the riverbank, where the levitating teacher was
temporarily encampecl, and asked to be taught the a r t of levitation.
The m a s t e r gave Tej Bahadur the following instruction: "Son, e v e r y
night, d i m the light in your bedroom, lock the d o o r s , and, sitting e r e c t on a
straight chair facing the e a s t , with closed e y e s mentally chant the holy word
of the Cosmic Vibration--Om--for a n hour. At the end of one month you will
be able to r a c e through the a i r over land o r water. "
As the businessman, inwardly wondering about the e x t r e m e simplicity
of the lesson, thanked his t e a c h e r and was about to r e t u r n home, he was
called back by the m a s t e r , who gently cautioned him further: "I forgot to
t e l l you something about the technique of levitation. While you a r e mentally
chanting and concentrating on 'Om, ' be s u r e not to think of a monkey. I '
"That i s simple, I t said the businessman. "Of c o u r s e I won't think of a
monkey. I t After saluting the saint, he returned home.
Evening found Tej Bahadur closing the windows, pulling down the s h a d e s ,
and seating himself in a s t r a i g h t c h a i r in h i s bedroom to p r a c t i c e the technique of levitation. No sooner had he done s o than the f i r s t thought that
s t r u c k h i m was: "I m u s t not think of a monkey! "
Two minutes p a s s e d and s e v e r a l t i m e s T e j Bahadur warned himself
inwardly: "I m u s t not think of a monkey. I '
By the t i m e ten minutes had p a s s e d he had thought of all the different
kinds of monkeys in South A m e r i c a , India, Africa, Sumatra, and s t i l l other
places. T e j Bahadur w a s furious. He willed himself to banish the thoughts
about the monkeys, which w e r e leaping ;n rapid p r o c e s s i o n through the window of h i s h e l p l e s s mind. At the end of a n hour he found himself thinking
With each
succeeding d a y he meditated
faithfully,
of nothing but monkeys.
-- - - - -but, to h i s g r e a t annoyance, he found that he was r e a l l y only frantically t r y ing not to think of the millions of imaginary monkeys that w e r e jumping into
h i s mind.
After a month's concentration upon the forbidden monkeys, Tej Bahadur
r a c e d back to h i s teacher and exclaimed: " Master, take back your l e s s o n on
levitation! You have t a x h t me to meditate upon monkeys instead. Your
method h a s only developed a monkey consciousness in me. "
The saint laughed m e r r i l y . In a voice as soothing as the dew, he advised
h i s pupil: "Son, I only tried to show you how untrained and slavish i s your
mental state of concentration. Unless you l e a r n to make your mind obey you,
you cannot achieve a n y m a t e r i a l s u c c e s s , not to speak of the difficult a r t of
attaining the power of levitation. F i r s t l e a r n to attain mental control; then
use that power to achieve s m a l l things; and when you a r e able to d o that, t r y
f o r bigger and bigger achievements, until ,your inner power becomes developed enough to levitate ,you, o r b e t t e r b,y f a r , to accomplish s p i r i t u a l m i r a c l e s in your consciousness. I '
--
AFFIRMATION
I w i l l expand the l i t t l e bubble of my joy. I will k e e p
puffing a t i t with the b r e a t h of my c o n c e n t r a t i o n until it
s p r e a d s a l l o v e r my f a c e , into m y h e a r t , throughout m y
e n t i r e body and mind, and o v e r the Ocean of Infinity that
i s hidden in my c o n s c i o u s n e s s .
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
o Co~vriaht1956 bv SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Cob;riiht renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
0 DIVINE HART !
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
-
--..
-..
a,--
'
Clad in the h u n t e r ' s g r e e n of selfish d e s i r e s , I
pursued Thee in the f o r e s t of consciousness, 0 Divine
H a r t ! The sound of my loud p r a y e r s s t a r t l e d Thee;
Thou didst swiftly flee. I raced a f t e r Thee; but my
"err-atic c h a s e , t h e k u e and cry of my r e s t l e s s n e s s ,
caused Thee t o r e t r e a t s t i l l f a r t h e r .
Stealthily I c r e p t toward Thee with m y s p e a r of
concentration, but my a i m was unsteady. As Thou
didst bound away I h e a r d in s e c r e t echoes of Thy
footfalls: "Without devotion thou a r t a poor, poor
marksman ! I'
Even when I held f i r m l y m y meditation m i s s i l e ,
Thine echo r e sounded: "I a m beyond thy m e n t a l d a r t ;
I a m beyond ! "
At l a s t , in submissive wisdom I e n t e r e d the
silent cave of s e l f l e s s love. Lo ! Thou, the H a r t
of Heaven, c a m e st willingly within.
- - F r o m "Whispers f r o m Eternity"
PRAYER
Divine Mother, Thou a r t p r e sent just behind o u r p r a y e r s , just
behind the d a r k n e s s , just behind the thoughts of o u r devotion, just
behind o u r h e a r t t h r o b s , just behind o u r brain. B r e a k Thy vow of
silence. Speak t o u s !
***
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS ON CONCENTRATION
During s l u m b e r the life f o r c e i s switched off f r o m the s e n s o r y telephone
r e c e i v e r s of e y e s , palate, n o s e , skin, and e a r s . A sleeping p e r s o n d o e s not
h e a r the telephone bell because t h e sound cannot r e a c h h i s brain. The o p e r a t o r , intelligence, h a s unconsciously switched off t h e auditory n e r v e telephone
along with the o t h e r s . If one c a n s l e e p a t will, t h e r e f o r e , he c a n produce a t
will unconscious s e n s o r y relaxation- - o r the switching off of the life f o r c e f r o m
t h e s e n s e telephones, and thus prevent the n o i s e s f r o m entering h i s brain.
Though s l e e p i s a good method of getting away f r o m constant n o i s e s passing
through the auditory n e r v e s , s t i l l i t i s a n unconscious, p a s s i v e method. One
d o e s not wish t o s l e e p e v e r y t i m e he d e s i r e s t o become really quiet.
Self- Realization Fellowship studies t e a c h a n e a s y but scientific method of
consciously disconnecting the life f o r c e f r o m a l l the five s e n s e telephones s o
t h a t the stimuli, and t h e i r resulting s e n s a t i o n s , do not r e a c h the b r a i n a t all.
If you l e a r n t o switch off the life f o r c e f r o m the five s e n s e telephones with
which your o p e r a t o r , intelligence, i s working, then you really r e m o v e t h e m e d i u m through which s e n s o r y s t i m u l i flow into the brain. The mechanical t e l e phone r e c e i v e s and t r a n s m i t s m e s s a g e s along the s a m e w i r e . But the bodily
house h a s two s e t s of telephones quite s e p a r a t e f r o m e a c h o t h e r i n t h e i r functions. Through the s e n s o r y n e r v e s , o r receiving telephones, the m e s s a g e s of
t a c t u a l , g u s t a t o r y , auditory, olfactory, and optical sensations a r e received int o t h e b r a i n by the o p e r a t o r , intelligence. Another o p e r a t o r , will power,
t r a n s m i t s m e s s a g e s of eye movement, n o s t r i l inflation, e a r movement, o r the
movements of t h e t ongue, o r any m u s c l e s of t h e body, through another s e t of
n e r v e s called t h e m o t o r n e r v e s .
By the s t i l l n e s s of complete m u s c u l a r relaxation- - which n e c e s s i t a t e s
lying down, s o that no m u s c l e s a r e tensed- - one c a n remove the life energy
f r o m t h e m o t o r n e r v e s and t h e i r connecting m u s c l e s . But t h i s withdrawal of
life f o r c e f r o m the m u s c l e s and m o t o r n e r v e s i s not complete s e n s o r y r e l a x ation, f o r the five s e n s e telephones a r e not shut off; one c a n s t i l l s e e , t a s t e ,
h e a r , s m e l l and be conscious of t a c t u a l sensation, even when one i s m u s c u l a r ly relaxed. How i s i t possible, then, t o switch off the life f o r c e f r o m the five
n e r v e telephones scientifically and consciously ? By quieting t h e dynamo of the
h e a r t , which c o n t r o l s the life f o r c e in the s e n s e telephones. In s l e e p , your
h e a r t action slows down, and t h i s helps t o withdraw the life f o r c e f r o m the five
s e n s e telephones, and a l s o f r o m t h e m o t o r n e r v e s . The h e a r t i s t h e dynamo,
o r the l i f e , of t h e m u s c l e s , t h e c e l l s , and t h e five s e n s e telephones.
t h e h e a r t involuntarily s t o p s , we d i e .
When
But t h e y o g i s of India anciently found t h a t i t i s p o s s i b l e by
c a l m n e s s , and a t will, t o switch off t h e e n e r g y f r o m the
h e a r t without c a u s i n g d e a t h ; that one c a n d i e o r live a t
w i l l , and conquer death. When the a v e r a g e m a n d i e s , h i s
body r e m a i n s i n e r t ; h e cannot r e c a l l t o it t h e life f o r c e t h a t h a s fled. But St.
P a u l , like t h e Hindu y o g i s , knew t h a t by l e a r n i n g t o c o n t r o l t h e h e a r t one c a n
" die" daily. "I p r o t e s t by o u r rejoicing which I h a v e in C h r i s t J e s u s o u r L o r d ,
I d i e d a i l y " (I C o r . 15 :31). In o r d e r t o d i e daily, one h a s t o live daily in t h e
c o n s c i o u s n e s s of G o d ' s p r e s e n c e . When one l e a r n s t o live a n d d i e a t will, h e
becomes f r e e f r o m the flesh.
CONTROL T H E
DYNAMO O F
T H E HEART
T h r o u g h t h i s s e r i e s of L e s s o n s you c a n l e a r n t o quiet t h e h e a r t by t h e u s e
of a specific technique (Hong-Sau); and a l s o by giving up w o r r i e s and f e a r s you
c a n c o n t r o l t h e life f o r c e t h a t w o r k s in t h e five s e n s e t e l e p h o n e s . The h e a r t
of a m o u s e i n a m o u s e t r a p b e a t s two t i m e s f a s t e r than u s u a l b e c a u s e of i t s i n t e n s e f e a r . T h e h e a r t s of t h e c a l m Napoleon and t h e Duke of Wellington a r e
s a i d t o have beat only fifty t i m e s p e r m i n u t e . C h i l d r e n ' s h e a r t b e a t s a r e m u c h
f a s t e r t h a n t h o s e of grown people. T h e i r r e s t l e s s n e s s i s t h e c a u s e . T h e i r
s e n s e t e l e p h o n e s a r e a l w a y s busy with outward s t i m u l i . C h i l d r e n find it h a r d
t o quiet t h e m s e l v e s , but a s they a t t a i n adulthood they become c a l m e r , and t h e
head h e a t a - l e s s frequently.
- -.
.- .-- .
-
A
N o r m a l l y t h e h e a r t p u m p s e i g h t e e n t o n s of blood a day. If you w o r r y , you
t r o u b l e the h e a r t , and it b e a t s f a s t e r . The poor o v e r w o r k e d h e a r t , which c a n not even r e s t while i t s owner s l e e p s , i s a much- abused s l a v e . T h e r e f o r e when
i t h a s done enough, i t s a y s : "You h a v e been a bad m a s t e r . Now I quit m y job. I '
As a r e s u l t of y o u r h e a r t ' s r e f u s a l t o w o r k , you have t o d o without t h e whole
m a c h i n e r y of y o u r body.
Do not be f r i g h t e n e d , thinking t h a t you a r e going t o stop your h e a r t b e a t
p e r m a n e n t l y when you p r a c t i c e t h e s e i n s t r u c t i o n s . They a r e not given a s a
convenient m e a n s of suicide. If anyone w i s h e s t o stop t h e h e a r t b e a t and not r e vive i t , h e d o e s not need t o bother t o study t h e s e L e s s o n s , f o r h e c a n m o r e
e a s i l y a c c o m p l i s h h i s p u r p o s e by jumping into a r i v e r .
R e m e m b e r , h o w e v e r , t h a t psychologically a s t a t e of u n c o n s c i o u s n e s s , o r
p a s s i v e s u b c o n s c i o u s n e s s , should be avoided d u r i n g the p r a c t i c e of t h e c o n c e n t r a t i o n technique. A l s o , physiologically, no s t r e n u o u s method of holding t h e
b r e a t h should be u s e d in a n e f f o r t t o stop the h e a r t b e a t u n n a t u r a l l y . It i s a b s o lutely i m p o s s i b l e t o s t o p t h e h e a r t b e a t t h a t way. But by p r a c t i c e of t h e HongSau method d e s c r i b e d i n t h e next L e s s o n , t h e h e a r t b e c o m e s s o r e s t f u l , the
lungs b e c o m e s o f r e e f r o m venous blood, t h a t i t i s u n n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e h e a r t
t o w o r k . Then t h e h e a r t r e s t s b e c a u s e of i t s g r e a t c a l m n e s s and t h e life f o r c e
in t h e five s e n s e t e l e p h o n e s c a n g r a d u a l l y be brought u n d e r c o n t r o l .
CONCENTRATE ON
THESE TRUTHS
The soul, being individualized S p i r i t , c a n manifest
a l l the fulfillment and satisfaction of the Spirit, if
given a chance t o unfold. It i s through long-continued
contact with changeable m a t t e r t h a t m a t e r i a l d e s i r e s a r e developed. D e s i r e
i s a n i m p o s t o r t h a t h a m p e r s and e n c r o a c h e s upon the f r e e d o m of your e v e r joyous soul and l u r e s your ego to dance upon the unstable waves of t h e f o u r fluctuating and short- lived psychological state s which a r e (1) s o r r o w , ( 2 )
f a l s e h a p p i n e s s , ( 3 ) indifference, (4) a deceptive passive peace t h a t c l a i m s
the ego f o r brief i n t e r v a l s , whenever the mind m a n a g e s t o shake off the o t h e r
three.
The mind m u s t be protected f r o m the serfour alternating psychological
s t a t e s . Look a t any f a c e and you will be able t o t e l l whether o r not i t s owner
i s a t the m e r c y of such moods. A p e r s o n ' s face r a r e l y r e m a i n s c a l m while
he i s in t h e g r i p of one of the four unstable m e n t a l s t a t e s .
L e a r n t o swim in the c a l m s e a of unchanging B l i s s before you attempt t o
plunge into the m a e l s t r o m of m a t e r i a l life, which i s the r e a l m of s o r r o w ,
p l e a s u r e , indifference, and deceptive t e m p o r a r y peace.
When t h e ego i s not buffeted by s o r r o w o r happiness, it sinks into the
state of indifference. You c a n look around you and find many f a c e s r e g i s t e r ing t h i s state of boredom. You a s k a n indifferent p e r s o n , "Are you s a d ? "
"Oh no, I ' he r e p l i e s . "Are you happy? I t "No, I t he d r a w l s . "Well then, I ' you
i s the m a t t e r with you? I ' "Oh, I ' m just bored. I '
a s k , "what P r o t e c t t h e soul f r o m the m e n t a l d i s t u r b a n c e s c r e a t e d by the m a d dance
of sorrow- producing d e s i r e . Realize that you do not need m a t e r i a l things,
which c r e a t e only m i s e r y . L e a r n to e s c a p e s l a v e r y t o d e s i r e by searching
within y o u r soul until you find t h e r e t r u e happiness and lasting peace, o r B l i s s .
Thus you will become a "bliss billionaire. I '
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
Build a n inner environment inviolable. P r a c t i c e silence ! I r e m e m b e r
t h e wonderful discipline of t h e g r e a t ones. When we u s e d t o talk and c h a t t e r ,
they would say:
"Go back into your c a s t l e of silence; do not r e c k l e s s l y
slay your i n n e r s p i r i t u a l life by idle talk. Your peace will
ebb away, t o be lost f o r e v e r . I '
T H E PRODIGAL SON
You h a v e w a n d e r e d in t h e w i l d e r n e s s of d i s t r a c t i o n , f a r f r o m y o u r h o m e
of p e a c e . You a r e a p r o d i g a l son. You want t o g o back t o y o u r h o m e of h a p p i n e s s . The F a t h e r i s waiting. Do not p r a y a s a b e g g a r i m p r i s o n e d within
t h e s e l f - e r e c t e d w a l l s of l i m i t a t i o n s . B r e a k t h e w a l l s . T r y t o be a good s o n
i n s t e a d of a t r u a n t son. Your p r a y e r s r e m a i n i m p r i s o n e d within y o u r l i m i t a tions.
When y o u r m e n t a l m i c r o p h o n e of m i n d i s b r o k e n by h a m m e r s of r e s t l e s s n e s s , r e p a i r i t b e f o r e you t r y t o b r o a d c a s t y o u r p r a y e r s . Do not c a s t a i m l e s s
p r a y e r s t o t h e winds. R e p a i r y o u r m i n d - m i c r o p h o n e by t h e s k i l l f u l m e c h a n i c s
of m e d i t a t i o n and t h e n b r o a d c a s t y o u r loving d e m a n d s c l a i m i n g y o u r b i r t h r i g h t
of o p u l e n c e , h e a l t h , and knowledge t h r o u g h y o u r c a l m m i n d - m i c rophone.
Fir s t loudly, t h e n softly, and finally just m e n t a l l y a f f i r m : " F a t h e r , Thou and
I a r e o n e , " u n t i l you f e e l o n e n e s s , not only i n y o u r c o n s c i o u s intelligence o r
s u b c o n s c i o u s i m a g i n a t i o n , but i n the intuitive conviction of y o u r s u p e r c o n s c i o u s
m i n d . Melt t h e w o r d s of t h e a f f i r m a t i o n into intelligent f l a m e s of intuitive p e r ception. T h e n p o u r t h o s e f l a m i n g , soulful a f f i r m a t i o n s into t h e mold of y o u r
c a l m , r e s t f u l , f i r m f a i t h . T h e r e y o u r c r u d e w o r d s w i l l t u r n into a s p a r k l i n g
g a r l a n d of gold- - fit offering t o l a y a t the f e e t of C o s m i c Deity.
When y o u r offering of w o r d s t o u c h e s Infinity; when y o u r m e s s a g e of y e a r n ing -God
after-hei-perly
sent&-h
the m i c r o p h o n e &rneftitat.ion,
t h e n you w i l l f e e l H i s r e s p o n s e coming. H i s r e s p o n s e i s p l a i n , n e v e r indefinite. Hold y o u r m i n d r a d i o tuned with soft t o u c h e s of d e e p e s t devotion, of t h e
g r a n d e s t , m o s t c o n s t a n t love. Then suddenly He m a y b u r s t upon you a s a song
o r a s a C o s m i c Voice; o r a s the f r a g r a n c e of a t r i l l i o n m y s t i c f l o w e r s . He
m a y softly d a n c e on your b u r s t i n g h e a r t , o r He m a y t e l e v i s e H i s m e s s a g e a s a
f i r e - m i s t a u r e o l e , dancing on t h e f l o o r of y o u r vision; o r a m i l l i o n n e c t a r s
m a y invade y o u r p a l a t e , o r a s e x t i l l i o n s e n s a t i o n s and p e r c e p t i o n s of e n d l e s s
t h r i l l s of joy m a y d a n c e on e v e r y s a n c t u m of y o u r body c e l l s , on e v e r y blade
of thought, on e v e r y open a l t a r of y o u r i n s p i r a t i o n .
No m a t t e r what God b r o a d c a s t s , r e m e m b e r t h a t t h e s u r e s t s i g n of H i s
P r e s e n c e i s t h e b u r s t of t h e dawn of p e a c e , which i s t h e f i r s t m e s s e n g e r t o
h e r a l d H i s s e c r e t a p p r o a c h . T h e n p e a c e b u r s t s into m o r e d a z z l i n g l i g h t s of
e n d l e s s joy. T h e n you a r e s u r e t o behold H i m in t h e light of i n c r e a s i n g , e v e r
new, e v e r c h a r m i n g , e v e r e n t e r t a i n i n g joy. T h i s joy i s not a d r e a m of fancy.
You c a n n e v e r bring t h i s m e s s e n g e r u n l e s s you open t h e s e c r e t d o o r of d e e p e s t m e d i t a t i o n . T h r o u g h t h i s m a j e s t i c d o o r of G o d - d r e a m s joy c o m e s , and i n
t h e light of t h i s joy a l o n e c a n you behold t h e Mighty Deity s p r e a d o v e r t h e s k y ey blue v a s t n e s s , i n e v e r y t h i n g .
T h e n , when t h e c o n t a c t i s m a d e t h r o u g h i n c r e a s i n g p e a c e and joy, t e l l
y o u r F a t h e r t h a t you a r e no l o n g e r a p r o d i g a l son. You a r e back h o m e t o t e l l
H i m a g a i n and a g a i n , d e e p l y , with y o u r s u p e r c o n s c i o u s conviction, t h a t you
and He a r e One. You a r e back t o stay in His mansion. Tell Him again and
again, long and deeply. Then when your F a t h e r a c c e p t s your s u p r e m e demand
of o n e n e s s with Him, a s k f o r the l e s s e r t h i n g s - - p r o s p e r i t y , power, o r wisdom o r anything you like, and you will receive them.
INSPIRATlON
C a l m your self within and without. Fill t h e j a r of your body with joy. The
w a t e r of joy s u r r o u n d s your body. You a r e in the ever- living ocean of joy.
Joy i s around your body, joy i s within you. Joy i s in t h e e t h e r , in the s t a r s ,
i n the Milky Way; joy i s i n everything.
You and your F a t h e r a r e One. Your Heavenly F a t h e r i s the joy within
you. The s p i r i t u a l joy and you a r e one. Bliss-God and you a r e One. Omnip r e s e n t joy and you a r e one. You a r e the Absolute Infinite Joy, Consciousn e s s E t e r n a l . You a r e e v e r new joy--ever living. You and the Absolute a r e
One. You and the ever new joy a r e one.
Today I will worship God in deep silence,
and will wait t o h e a r His a n s w e r through m y
increasing peace of meditation.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ cobright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Anoeles. California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Riohts Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
YOU WERE H I D I N G FROM H I M
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Forsake t h e t i p s y dance of f o r g e t f u l n e s s ! Be s o b e r e d
by t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t you must not n e g l e c t t o honor t h e
S i l e n t Guest i n your temple. F o r g i v e your enemies b u t n o t
y o u r s e l f -- t h e g r e a t e s t enemy o f your own S e l f , who f o r g e t s
t o b e f r i e n d your Best F r i e n d w a i t i n g i n t h e temporary p a r l o r
of your l i f e .
The l i g h t of l i f e i s waning, a n d d a r k n e s s i s approach,
.
- i n g f a s t . Kindle t h e -u n -e x t i n g u i s h a b l e lamp of l o v e , t h a t by
i t s l i g h t you may b e h o l d Him when t h e c h i m e r i c a l gloom of
d e a t h throws i t s c u r t a i n of d a r k n e s s around you.
You were away and H e was h e r e i n your h e a r t , always
w a i t i n g a n d w a i t i n g f o r you, and now you come whining t h a t
you have been w a i t i n g f o r Him. It i s you who have been h i d i n g from H i m . And now t h a t you have found Him, you must l o s e
s i g h t of H i m no more i n t h e self- woven cocoon of your own unknowing. Open your error- drunken e y e s a n d b e h o l d t h e l i g h t ,
t a p p i n g a t t h e g a t e s o f your c l o s e d e y e l i d s . Open t h e i n n e r
e y e of s i l e n c e ! Behold H i m s p r e a d a l l o v e r your b e i n g . P u l l
o f f t h e v e i l o f sorrow, a n d f i n d H i s b l i s s f u l p r e s e n c e . Remove t h e s e l f - c r e a t e d d a r k n e s s of d e l u s i o n a n d b e h o l d Him
r i g h t w i t h i n your bosom.
You r a n away from your a l l - c o n t a i n i n g soul-home t o
s t a y i n t h e d a r k h o v e l of e v a n e s c e n t p l e a s u r e . Now come a n d
behold your home o f a l l - f u l f i l l m e n t w i t h i n you. H e h a s n o t
been h i d i n g from you -- you have e v e r been h i d i n g from H i m !
.,
.
.
PRAYER
0 Father, t e a c h me t o r e a l i z e Thy nearness behind t h e voice of
my p r a y e r . Teach me t o b r e a t h e Thy b r e a t h i n my own b r e a t h i n g .
THE TECHNIQUE OF CONCENTRATION
It i s necessary t o keep t h e a t t e n t i o n f r e e from d i s t r a c t i o n d u r i n g concent r a t i o n . The mind of t h e average person i s r e s t l e s s , even when he makes a r e a l
e f f o r t t o c o n c e n t r a t e . Try as he w i l l t o keep h i s a t t e n t i o n focused on one obj e c t of thought, h i s mind s l i p s away and " concentrates" on e v e r y t h i n g e l s e imagi n a b l e . When t h e a t t e n t i o n t h u s becomes enslaved unconsciously by o b j e c t s of
d i s t r a c t i o n , e f f o r t s a t c o n c e n t r a t i o n bear meager f r u i t
.
BREATH AND
LIFE FORCE
This SRF Lesson d e a l s with t h e s c i e n t i f i c approach t o God:
harmonizing b r e a t h , l i f e f o r c e , and mind t o achieve onep o i n t e d c o n c e n t r a t i o n on Him.
C o n t r o l l i n g t h e l i f e f o r c e i n t h e body enables t h e yogi t o switch o f f t h e
c u r r e n t from t h e sensory nerve telephones, t h u s making it impossible f o r d i s t u r b i n g s e n s a t i o n s t o reach t h e b r a i n and d i s t r a c t t h e a t t e n t i o n from i t s march
toward t h e Divine Goal.
Breath i s not l i f e , but it i s necessary t o o r d i n a r y p h y s i c a l e x i s t e n c e because dark venous blood has t o be p u r i f i e d by oxygen. Breath i s t h e c o r d t h a t
t i e s t h e s o u l t o t h e p h y s i c a l body. One who can l i v e without b r e a t h can f r e e
h i s s o u l from s l a v e r y t o t h e b r e a t h and hence from imprisonment i n t h e body.
Because of t h e v i t a l l i n k between b r e a t h and l i f e f o r c e , many persons
t h i n k t h a t pranayama -- l i f e - f o r c e c o n t r o l -- c o n s i s t s i n holding t h e b r e a t h
f o r long p e r i o d s . This i s u n t r u e . The mortal b r e a t h t h a t b i n d s t h e s o u l t o t h e
body cannot be made t o s t o p by f o r c i b l y holding it i n t h e lungs, which i s dangerous. Rather by stopping decay ( t h e normal process of c e l l u l a r breakdown) i n
t h e system, and by developing calmness and p r a c t i c i n g s p i r i t u a l e x e r c i s e s such
a s Hong-Sau, yogis achieve t h e b r e a t h l e s s s t a t e i n a n a t u r a l way. It i s l i f e
f o r c e t h a t governs b r e a t h , h e a r t b e a t , sensory impressions, and motor responses
-- a l l t h e f u n c t i o n s of the' body. Pranayama means c o n t r o l of t h a t l i f e f o r c e ,
and hence c o n t r o l over a l l t h e f u n c t i o n s of t h e body.
The f i r s t f u n c t i o n of l i f e f o r c e i n t h e body i s t o supply
energy d i r e c t l y t o t h e b r a i n . The a l l - s u r r o u n d i n g Cosmic
Energy e n t e r s t h e b r a i n through t h e medulla oblongata. From
t h e medulla, l i f e energy i s a l s o t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e h e a r t , lungs, diaphragm -t o every organ and every c e l l i n t h e body. L i f e f o r c e i s t h e e l e c t r i c power
t h a t d i r e c t l y e n e r g i z e s t h e c e l l s and keeps them f u n c t i o n i n g i n a l i v i n g way.
Flowing i n t o t h e body through t h e medulla, l i f e f o r c e keeps t h e body b a t t e r y
FUNCTION OF
LIFE FORCE
c h a r g e d w i t h l i f e . B r e a t h , food, and s u n s h i n e a r e merely s u b s i d i a r y s o u r c e s of
energy; t h e i r breakdown by t h e a c t i v a t i n g l i f e f o r c e creates a d d i t i o n a l elect r i c a l power f o r t h e body b a t t e r y .
I f t h e b a t t e r y i n a n automobile h a s gone dead, it c a n b e r e a c t i v a t e d o n l y
by newly c h a r g i n g it w i t h e l e c t r i c i t y from a n o u t s i d e s o u r c e . S i m i l a r l y , a
dead body b a t t e r y c a n b e r e v i v e d o n l y by a f r e s h c h a r g e of l i f e f o r c e from t h e
cosmic s o u r c e . It i s u s e l e s s t o f i l l t h e stomach o f a dead p e r s o n w i t h food, o r
t o pump oxygen i n t o h i s l u n g s ; f o o d a n d oxygen s u s t a i n l i f e o n l y i f l i f e f o r c e
i s a l r e a d y a c t i v e l y p r e s e n t i n t h e body.
A s t o r a g e b a t t e r y c o u l d b e u s e d i n d e f i n i t e l y i f r e c h a r g e d by e l e c t r i c i t y ,
and i f t h e p h y s i c a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of i t s p o s i t i v e and n e g a t i v e p l a t e s and t h e
e l e c t r o l y t e d i d n o t change. S i m i l a r l y , by h i g h e r t r a i n i n g t h e body may b e sust a i n e d by t h e i n t e l l i g e n t l i f e f o r c e a l o n e , which acts a s t h e r e c h a r g i n g e l e c t r i c i t y a n d a l s o p r e v e n t s t h e d e t e r i o r a t i o n of t h e p h y s i c a l p r o p e r t i e s of t h e
body b a t t e r y .
The f a c t t h a t human b e i n g s a n d a n i m a l s i n s t a t e s of suspended a n i m a t i o n
c a n m a i n t a i n l i f e i n d e f i n i t e l y by s p i n a l and m e n t a l energy, shows t h a t l i f e
f o r c e i t s e l f i s t h e o n l y e s s e n t i a l t o s u s t a i n i n g l i f e . Hindu s a i n t s have been
b u r i e d a l i v e b e n e a t h t h e ground f o r as l o n g a s s e v e r a l months -- even y e a r s -w i t h o u t f o o d o r oxygen, and a f t e r d i s i n t e r m e n t have r e g a i n e d c o n s c i o u s n e s s and
. . -resomed nbrmal l i f e .
I n m o r t a l e x i s t e n c e , however, t h e l i f e energy i n t h e body, i n s t e a d of
drawing d i r e c t l y upon i t s s o u r c e -- t h e i n e x h a u s t i b l e Cosmic Energy -- d i s t i l l s
e n e r g y from f o o d , a n d t h u s comes t o depend on b e i n g s u s t a i n e d by f o o d . But food
i s n o t t h e c a u s e of t h e p r e s e n c e of l i f e f o r c e i n t h e body; it i s merely one of
t h e c o n d i t i o n s by which m o r t a l l i f e e x i s t s .
Without l i g h t , r e a d i n g a book i s i m p o s s i b l e ; b u t t h e r e a d i n g matter i s
n o t c a u s e d by t h e l i g h t . Likewise, w i t h o u t food, e x i s t e n c e i s o r d i n a r i l y i m p o s s i b l e ; y e t f o o d i s n o t t h e c a u s e t h a t c r e a t e s l i f e . Through t h e h a b i t of i n c a r n a t i o n s t h e body h a s become u s e d t o depending upon f o o d a n d b r e a t h t o maint a i n l i f e . The more t h e body i s t r a i n e d t o l i v e by l i f e f o r c e , t h e less it need
depend upon f o o d a n d oxygen.
The f u n c t i o n of b r e a t h i s t o s u p p l y oxygen t o t h e body.
B r e a t h i n d i r e c t l y s u p p l i e s energy t o t h e body by t h e explos i o n o f oxygen i n t o atoms of l i f e f o r c e . P a s s i n g t h r o u g h t h e
w a l l s of t h e l u n g s i n t o t h e b l o o d stream, oxygen changes d a r k , w a s t e - c a r r y i n g
venous b l o o d i n t o v i t a l i z i n g r e d a r t e r i a l b l o o d .
THE FUNCTION
OF BREATH
The g r e a t e r t h e amount of venous b l o o d , t h e g r e a t e r t h e n e c e s s i t y f o r
b r e a t h . I f t h e r e i s no venous b l o o d i n t h e body ( a s i n suspended a n i m a t i o n
when, t h r o u g h t h e p r e v e n t i o n o f w a s t e - c r e a t i n g a c t i v i t y o f b o d i l y t i s s u e s , cons c i o u s rest i s g i v e n t o t h e b o d i l y cells) t h e r e i s no n e c e s s i t y f o r b r e a t h i n g .
For t h i s r e a s o n t h e Hindu masters t a u g h t c o n t r o l of t h e l i f e f o r c e i n t h e h e a r t
by stopping c e l l u l a r d e t e r i o r a t i o n i n t h e body, producing t h e r e s u l t a n t breathless state.
When one a r r e s t s c e l l decay -- t h e cause t h a t c r e a t e s venous blood -- t h e
functioning of t h e h e a r t becomes unnecessary f o r t h e t i m e being. Yogis accomp l i s h t h i s by e a t i n g only pure foods t h a t produce l i t t l e waste i n t h e body, and
by p r a c t i c i n g s c i e n t i f i c s p i r i t u a l methods of c a l m i n g t h e physical and mental
processes -- methods such a s t h e SRF Recharging Exercises and concentration
techniques.
The prevention of c e l l decay i n t h e t i s s u e s
means t h a t t h e h e a r t does not have t o pump imp u r i t i e s - l a d e n venous blood i n t o t h e lungs f o r
cleansing; nor t o send oxygen-laden red blood t o
feed t h e bodily t i s s u e s . When t h e d e t e r i o r a t i n g process i n t h e body i s t h u s
h a l t e d , and t h e r e i s no venous blood t o be pumped i n t o t h e lungs, t h e h e a r t becomes n a t u r a l l y and completely calm.
CALMNESS OF HEART AND
BREATH NECESSARY FOR
PERFECT CONCENTRATION
The yogi who has t h u s calmed t h e h e a r t a l s o f i n d s t h a t t h e absence of
venous blood i n t h e lungs, and t h e s t a t e of suspended animation of t h e bodily
t i s s u e s , makes superfluous t h e absorption of oxygen from t h e a i r i n t o t h e blood
stream. Breathing simply becomes unnecessary.
The Hong-Sau Technique enables i t s p r a c t i t i o n e r s t o
solve t h e mystery of b r e a t h by doing away with b r e a t h .
that
Only those who properly r e g u l a t e t h e b r e a t h
i s , a r e a b l e t o do without b r e a t h a t w i l l by p r a c t i c e of a s c i e n t i f i c technique
such a s Hong-Sau -- can a t t a i n S e l f - r e a l i z a t i o n . I f you can do without breath,
you can c o n t r o l bodily l i f e , prolong it, and rise beyond it t o s o u l awareness i n
t h i s l i f e . To do without b r e a t h i s t o e x i s t comfortably without f e e l i n g any
need t o breathe; going without b r e a t h does not mean f o r c i n g o r suppressing a i r
i n t h e lungs.
BREATHLESSNESS
IS DEATHLESSNESS
--
Watching t h e b r e a t h i s t h e preliminary s t e p i n c o n t r o l l i n g it; then t h e
consciousness gradually r e a l i z e s i t s e l f a s d i s t i n c t f r o m t h e involuntary
bodily function of breathing, and s e p a r a t e s i t s e l f f r o m t h e breathing function.
The yogi who has gained breath- control i s then a b l e t o recognize t h a t consciousness i s t h e only t h i n g t h a t i s r e a l about h i s e x i s t e n c e . By t r a i n i n g h i s consciousness according t o t h e method t o be described i n t h i s Lesson, t h e student
begins t o r e a l i z e t h a t h i s l i f e i s not dependent upon bodily functions, and
t h a t h i s r e a l n a t u r e i s s p i r i t u a l and immortal. Thus he understands t h e delus i v e nature of ego consciousness which causes us e r r o n e o u s l y t o i d e n t i f y ours e l v e s with t h e body i n s t e a d of r e a l i z i n g t h e d i v i n e nature of our being:
satchitanan& -- e t e r n a l e x i s t e n c e (sat),e t e r n a l consciousness ( c h i t ) , etern a l joy (ananda)
-
.
"Man (man s body b a t t e r y ) s h a l l not l i v e (cannot be
sustained) by bread alone (by s o l i d and l i q u i d food
and oxygen only), but by every word ( u n i t of l i f e
f
THE BIBLE AND
THE HINDU
SCRIPTURES AGREE
i)
energy) t h a t proceedeth out of (pours f o r t h from) t h e mouth of God (the medulla
oblongata a t t h e base of t h e s k u l l i n t h e back of t h e head, through which cosmic
energy descends i n t o t h e body) " (Matthew 4 : 4 )
The l i f e energy t h a t transforms
food i n t o energy i s t h e r e a l sustainer of l i f e . According t o t h e Hindu script u r e s , t h e food of t h e f u t u r e w i l l be almost s o l e l y t h i s l i f e energy from t h e
cosmos. When man's body, mind, and soul b a t t e r i e s run down, they w i l l be recharged d i r e c t l y by cosmic energy.
.
The following important r e s u l t s follow upon attainment of t h e breathless
s t a t e:
1. The h e a r t calms down and switches off energy from t h e f i v e sense
telephones, thus helping concentration.
2 . The noise of t h e bodily machinery i s stopped.
3 . The process of c e l l u l a r decay i n t h e i n t e r n a l organs i s stopped.
4 . One r e a l i z e s t h a t t h e body l i v e s by cosmic energy coming through
t h e medulla oblongata.
5 . One l e a r n s t o l i v e by Cosmic Consciousness and not by "bread" o r
breath alone.
6 . The soul i s released from bodily bondage and breath s l a v e r y .
I
This Lesson teaches you how t o switch t h e l i f e current i n
t h e body bulb off or on a t w i l l , and how t o bring about perfect -relaxation; - Inattenti-on daring t h e p r a c t i c e of these
exercises brings on sleep. Concentrated a t t e n t i o n w i l l bring a t i n g l i n g sense
of divine l i f e t o every body c e l l .
PREPARATION
FOR -PRACTICE- .
.
I
-
d
When p r a c t i c i n g t h i s technique of concentration, it i s a good idea t o s i t
on a straight- backed chair with a woolen blanket placed over i t . The blanket
should run down under t h e f e e t , i n s u l a t i n g t h e body from e a r t h l y magnetic influences and disturbances. Face e a s t and s i t e r e c t , without touching your
spine t o t h e back of t h e c h a i r . Always keep t h e spine and head i n a s t r a i g h t
v e r t i c a l l i n e during p r a c t i c e . The body should be relaxed, with t h e hands r e s t ing palms upward on t h e thighs.
-
With eyelids completely closed, o r half closed,
focus your gaze a t t h e s e a t of t h e s p i r i t u a l eye, between t h e eyebrows. Fromthat center of calmness
and concentration, mentally watch (be aware o f ) t h e natural flow of your breath
coming i n and going o u t . Do not i n any way use mental w i l l o r force t o draw
your breath i n or t o send it out. T r y t o f e e l a s detached about it a s you would
i f you were merely observing someone e l s e 1 s breathing.
HONG-SAU TECHNIQUE
OF CONCENTRATION
@
A s t h e breath comes i n , mentally chant "Hong" (rhymes with song), a t t h e
same time move t h e index finger of your r i g h t hand toward t h e palm. A s t h e
breath goes out, mentally chant "Sau" (rhymes with saw) and move t h e index f i n ger away from t h e palm.
The movement of t h e index finger i s only t o help you t o d i f f e r e n t i a t e in-
h a l a t i o n from e x h a l a t i o n , as w e a r e o r d i n a r i l y n o t accustomed t o n o t i c i n g which
i s t a k i n g p l a c e . I f you have no d i f f i c u l t y i n m e n t a l l y d i f f e r e n t i a t i n g i n h a l a t i o n and e x h a l a t i o n , o r i n c h a n t i n g t h e r i g h t word w i t h each (llHongllw i t h i n h a l a t i o n , "Sau" w i t h e x h a l a t i o n ) , t h e movement of t h e i n d e x f i n g e r i s u n n e c e s s a r y .
There s h o u l d b e no movement of t h e tongue as you m e n t a l l y c h a n t t h e words
"Hong" a n d "Sau. "
Every sound i n t h e u n i v e r s e h a s a d i f f e r e n t m e n t a l correspondence and ment a l e f f e c t . "Hong" and llSau" are two s a c r e d S a n s k r i t c h a n t words t h a t have a v i b r a t o r y c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e incoming a n d o u t g o i n g b r e a t h . The m e n t a l r e p e t i t i o n of "Hong" w i t h t h e i n h a l i n g b r e a t h and of "Sau" w i t h t h e e x h a l i n g b r e a t h
h a s a markedly calming m e n t a l e f f e c t and t h u s h e l p s t h e s t u d e n t t o c o n c e n t r a t e
i n t h i s e x e r c i s e of watching t h e incoming and o u t g o i n g b r e a t h .
By c o r r e c t , c o n t i n u e d p r a c t i c e you w i l l feel a g r e a t calmness; g r a d u a l l y
you w i l l r e a l i z e your t r u e i d e n t i t y as s o u l , s u p e r i o r t o a n d e x i s t i n g independ e n t l y o f your p h y s i c a l body.
P r a c t i c e t h i s Hong-Sau Technique d u r i n g your d a i l y
morning a n d e v e n i n g m e d i t a t i o n p e r i o d . I n a d d i t i o n ,
you may a l s o p r a c t i c e it d u r i n g l e i s u r e p e r i o d s , o r
when you a r e t r a v e l i n g i n a b u s o r streetcar, o r whene v e r you a r e s i t t i n g anywhere d o i n g n o t h i n g else. When p r a c t i c i n g Hong-Sau i n
p u b l i c , do s o w i t h o u t moving t h e f i n g e r o r c l o s i n g t h e e y e s o r f i x i n g t h e g a z e
between t h e eyebrows (which might a t t r a c t t h e a t t e n t i o n o f p e o p l e around you! ) ;
j u s t watch t h e b r e a t h and m e n t a l l y c h a n t "Hong" w i t h e a c h i n h a l a t i o n a n d "Sau"
w i t h e a c h e x h a l a t i o n . Keep t h e e y e s open, g a z i n g calmly a h e a d a t some p a r t i c u l a r p o i n t . Restless movements of t h e e y e s reflect t h e r e s t l e s s n e s s of t h e
t h o u g h t s i n t h e mind; a n d i f t h e e y e s are g a z i n g a b o u t t a k i n g i n v a r i o u s o b j e c t s
o r s c e n e s , t h e s e s i g h t p e r c e p t i o n s g i v e r i s e t o f u r t h e r restless t h o u g h t s .
HONG-SAU MAY BE
PRACTICED
ANYTIME
I n l e i s u r e moments, you may even l i e down on your back, i f you wish, and
p r a c t i c e Hong-Sau, though i n t h e s u p i n e p o s i t i o n one i s more s u s c e p t i b l e t o
f a l l i n g a s l e e p . A s a g e n e r a l r u l e , however, Hong-Sau s h o u l d b e p r a c t i c e d i n
t h e correct upright meditation posture.
There a r e f o u r p e r i o d s d u r i n g e a c h day t h a t
have a v i b r a t o r y correspondence w i t h t h e f o u r
s e a s o n s o f t h e y e a r ; e a r l y morning i s s p r i n g ,
noon i s s u m e r , e a r l y e v e n i n g i s autumn, and midnight i s w i n t e r . Four changes
t a k e p l a c e i n t h e body d u r i n g t h e s e f o u r magnetic s e a s o n s of t h e day. The SRF
e x e r c i s e s a n d t e c h n i q u e s n e u t r a l i z e t h e e f f e c t s on t h e body of t h e f o u r changi n g p e r i o d s by v i t a l i z i n g and m a g n e t i z i n g t h e body w i t h l i f e c u r r e n t s a n d w i t h
Cosmic Consciousness. These c u r r e n t s a r r e s t change and suspend t h e d e c a y i n g
p r o c e s s i n t h e cells.
BEST TIME TO PRACTICE
CONCENTRATION TECHNIQUE
T h e r e f o r e it i s b e s t t o p r a c t i c e t h i s c h a n g e l e s s n e s s - p r o d u c i n g t e c h n i q u e
(Hong-Sau) a t t h e s e f o u r p e r i o d s of t h e day t o o b t a i n s a t i s f a c t o r y s c i e n t i f i c
r e s u l t s . M e d i t a t e b e t w e e n 5 a n d 6 a . m . , 1 1 a n d 1 2 a.m., 5 a n d 6 p . m . , a n d 1 0
and 12 p.m. ( o r between 11 and 12 p . m . ) .
The p u r p o s e of Hong-Sau p r a c t i c e i s t o g a i n c o n s c i o u s p a s s i v i t y , and t o
f r e e t h e a t t e n t i o n from s e n s e e n t a n g l e m e n t s . Under t h e s p e l l of maya -- cosmic
d e l u s i o n -- man i d e n t i f i e s h i m s e l f w i t h t h e p h y s i c a l body, which l i v e s i n and
r e q u i r e s t h e atmosphere of a i r , j u s t a s a f i s h needs t h e environment of w a t e r .
B r e a t h i s t h e c o r d t h a t b i n d s t h e s o u l t o t h e body. When man l e a r n s t o rise
above t h e need f o r b r e a t h , h e a s c e n d s i n t o t h e c e l e s t i a l r e a l m s of a n g e l s .
A s h e watches t h e c o u r s e of t h e incoming and o u t g o i n g b r e a t h , t h e y o g i
f i n d s t h a t h i s b r e a t h n a t u r a l l y slows down and calms t h e r e l a t i v e l y v i o l e n t act i o n o f t h e h e a r t , l u n g s , and diaphragm.
The most overworked organ i n t h e body i s t h e h e a r t , which
pumps a b o u t e i g h t e e n t o n s of b l o o d a day a n d h a s no rest
a t n i g h t a s t h e o t h e r o r g a n s have. The Hong-Sau Techn i q u e i s a s c i e n t i f i c method f o r r e s t i n g t h e h e a r t . I t s p r a c t i c e t h u s i n creases l o n g e v i t y and l i b e r a t e s a tremendous amount of l i f e c u r r e n t , which i s
d i s t r i b u t e d a l l o v e r t h e body, r e c h a r g i n g , r e v i t a l i z i n g , a n d renewing a l l body
c e l l s and p r e v e n t i n g t h e i r decay. T h i s marvelous Hong-Sau Technique i s one of
t h e g r e a t e s t c o n t r i b u t i o n s of I n d i a ' s s p i r i t u a l s c i e n c e t o t h e world: it
t e a c h e s one how t o l e n g t h e n t h e span of l i f e , and i s a s i m p l e and p r a c t i c a l
--T?sing
above body c o n s ~ u s n e s sa n d r e a l i z i n ~ o W e TTf F i f i o X H l
Spirit.
HONG-SAU RESTS
THE HEART
-@
I n s l e e p w e e x p e r i e n c e s e n s o r y r e l a x a t i o n . I n d e a t h , complete r e l a x a t i o n
i n v o l u n t a r i l y t a k e s p l a c e , owing t o t h e s t o p p i n g of t h e h e a r t ' s a c t i o n . I f one
can l e a r n t o c o n t r o l t h e h e a r t b e a t , h e can e x p e r i e n c e c o n s c i o u s d e a t h , a s d i d
S t . P a u l ("I d i e d a i l y " -- I C o r i n t h i a n s 1 5 : 31) and many y o g i s o f I n d i a who have
p r a c t i c e d t h i s Hong-Sau Technique, and t h r o u g h it a c h i e v e d m a s t e r y o v e r t h e act i o n of t h e h e a r t . S i n c e a n c i e n t t i m e s I n d i a t s g r e a t y o g i s have known how t o
l e a v e t h e body v o l u n t a r i l y , honorably, and g l a d l y ; t h e y were n o t thrown o u t
r o u g h l y , o r t a k e n by s u r p r i s e by d e a t h a t t h e e x p i r a t i o n o f t h e leases on t h e i r
body t e m p l e s .
When t h e h e a r t rests, b r e a t h becomes u n n e c e s s a r y . L i f e e n e r g y t h e n withdraws from t h e h e a r t a n d s e n s o r y n e r v e s i n t o t h e s p i n e and b r a i n . T h i s d i s c o n n e c t s t h e t e l e p h o n e s o f t h e f i v e s e n s e s , whose i n c e s s a n t messages from t h e o u ts i d e world o r d i n a r i l y keep t h e ego c o n t i n u a l l y d i s t u r b e d a n d t h e a t t e n t i o n
scattered. Through s e n s o r y d i s c o n n e c t i o n by p r a c t i c e of Hong-Sau, s e n s a t i o n s
c e a s e t o a r o u s e t h o u g h t s , which i n t u r n c e a s e t o a r o u s e t h e s u b c o n s c i o u s mind
by a s s o c i a t e d t h o u g h t s . The a t t e n t i o n t h u s becomes s c i e n t i f i c a l l y free from
a l l d i s t r a c t i o n s , and t h e s t u d e n t i s r e a d y t o go on t o advanced c o n c e n t r a t i o n
and m e d i t a t i o n p r a c t i c e .
- - -
HONG-SAU
-- THE SILENT KRIYA YOGA
Every SRF s t u d e n t s h o u l d remember t h a t K r i y a Yoga i s a s c i e n c e c o n s i s t i n g
o f v a r i o u s s t e p s , o n l y one o f which i s t h a t s p e c i a l t e c h n i q u e c a l l e d K r i y a Yoga
( t h e p a r t i c u l a r K r i y a Yoga Technique t h a t was t a u g h t by L a h i r i Mahasaya and i s
now g i v e n t h r o u g h S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n F e l l o w s h i p )
.
Hong-Sau may b e c a l l e d t h e s i l e n t Kriya Yoga. But one advantage o f t h e
Hong-Sau e x e r c i s e o v e r Kriya i s t h i s : t h a t one may p r a c t i c e it a f t e r d i n n e r o r
b e f o r e d i n n e r , i n s i l e n c e o r among crowds; whereas Kriya Yoga s h o u l d b e pract i c e d o n l y when t h e stomach i s empty o r p a r t i a l l y empty, and i n p r i v a c y a n d sil e n c e . Hong-Sau may be p r a c t i c e d any t i m e t h e mind i s n o t engaged i n outward act i v i t y a n d i s t h e r e f o r e f r e e t o be i n t e r i o r i z e d . T h e r e f o r e , one s h o u l d p r a c t i c e
it o f t e n , d u r i n g l e i s u r e p e r i o d s , a s w e l l a s d u r i n g o n e ' s r e g u l a r m e d i t a t i o n s .
C u l t i v a t i o n o f Hong-Sau p r a c t i c e d u r i n g l e i s u r e p e r i o d s w i l l augment t h e
good e f f e c t s d e r i v e d from Kriya Yoga p r a c t i c e . Indeed, p r a c t i c e of t h e HongSau Technique s h o u l d never b e f o r s a k e n , even a f t e r one r e c e i v e s t h e s p e c i f i c
Technique c a l l e d K r i y a Yoga. The p u r p o s e i n p r a c t i c i n g t h e Hong-Sau Technique
i s t h e same a s i n K r i y a Yoga: t o produce t h e d i v i n e e c s t a s y t h a t d e e p p r a c t i c e
of Kriya Yoga g i v e s . The o n l y d i f f e r e n c e between Hong-Sau and K r i y a Yoga l i e s
i n t h e d e g r e e o f s p e e d w i t h which t h e e f f e c t s a r e d e r i v e d . Twenty-four h o u r s o f
p r a y e r o r m e d i t a t i o n by any o t h e r t e c h n i q u e ( e x c e p t Kriya Yoga) w i l l n o t produce as much s p i r i t u a l advancement as one h o u r ' s p r a c t i c e of Hong-Sau. Likew i s e , it would t a k e twenty- four h o u r s o f deep Hong-Sau p r a c t i c e t o produce t h e
same s p i r i t u a l r e s u l t g a i n e d from one h o u r ' s p r a c t i c e o f K r i y a Yoga.
S t u d e n t s s h o u l d n o t e r r o n e o u s l y t h i n k t h a t t h e y have n o t h i n g e f f e c t i v e t o
work w i t h u n t i l t h e y have K r i y a Yoga. J u s t as it i s n e c e s s a r y t o p a s s t h r o u g h
h i g h s c h o o l i n o r d e r t o e n t e r c o l l e g e , s o it i s n e c e s s a r y t o c a r r y on t h e p r a c t i c e of Hong-Sau i n o r d e r t o g e t t h e d e s i r e d r e s u l t from t h e h i g h e r p r a c t i c e o f
K r i y a Yoga.
When a s t u d e n t p a s s e s from h i g h s c h o o l i n t o c o l l e g e , h e d o e s n ' t f o r g e t
what h e l e a r n e d i n h i g h s c h o o l ; h e t a k e s t h a t knowledge w i t h him a n d expands it
i n h i s c o l l e g e t r a i n i n g . S i m i l a r l y , t h e SRF s t u d e n t s h o u l d by a l l means cont i n u e w i t h p r a c t i c e o f t h e Hong-Sau Technique, and a l s o t h e t e c h n i q u e of l i s t e n i n g t o t h e Cosmic Sound ( A m , o r Om) -- which w i l l b e g i v e n i n a l a t e r Lesson -a l o n g w i t h t h e p r a c t i c e o f K r i y a Yoga, when h e becomes e l i g i b l e t o r e c e i v e it,
i f h e wants t o "make t h e grade" and a t t a i n r e a l i z a t i o n o f t h e I n f i n i t e .
AFFIRMATION
I e x h a l e a n d s t o p t h e s t o r m of b r e a t h , and t h e r i p p l e s o f
t h o u g h t m e l t away. The g r i p of t h e s e n s e s i s loosened. The c o r d s o f
f l e s h are broken.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
S-1 P - 2 2
s Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
(D Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
I WILL DRINK O F THEE
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
0 Divine G a r d e n e r , t i l l the wild s o i l of m y mind with
the plough of Thy wisdom and sow t h e r e i n the s e e d s of my
devotion. Under Thine unvarying vigilance, the s e e d s will
sprout and yield a h a r v e s t of Thy blessings.
0--
A
,
.
In the wine p r e s s of m y h e a r t I will convert those
luscious blessings into the n e c t a r of Thy love. I will f i l l
the spacious bottle of m y soul with the aged wine of Thy
love, and I will a s k a l l m y thoughts and feelings, and a l l
m y wisdom and intuition, t o be joyous with the intoxicating
wine of Thy constant affection.
I shall never be content drinking Thee out of the c a s k of
silence. I want t o pour Thee into the t r u t h - t h i r s t y mouths
of a l l minds. I want t o drink Thee and dance with Thee.
Young and old, m a n and woman, a l l m y b r o t h e r s and s i s t e r s ,
m u s t drink Thee with m e , f o r it i s m o r e thrilling t o d r i n k
Thee with o t h e r s whom we love, and with a l l Thy c h i l d r e n
whom we should love.
I will d a n c e , filled with T h e e , and I will dance with a l l
those who a r e s a t u r a t e d with Thee. We will dance with
Thee and Lady B l o s s o m s , Mother Moon, S i s t e r S t a r s , and
t h e Guardian Sun- - all will join u s in our joyous, e v e r new,
rhythmic dance of E t e r n i t y in cadence with the soul-melting
melody of the m u s i c of the s p h e r e s .
Ah, I will drink Thee and will dance with Thee e t e r n a l l y
in the e v e r changing s c e n e s of time.
PRAYER
0 F a t h e r , t e a c h m e t o breathe Thy breath
in my own breathing. Teach m e t o f e e l Thine a l l pervading life in my life. Flood my s e n s e s with Thy
light.
***
ROUTINE OF CONCENTRATION
Life f o r c e i s the e l e c t r i c power in the sensory and motor
nerve telephones t h a t m a k e s it possible f o r t h e ego and
the intelligence t o receive sensations of sight, sound,
t a s t e , touch, and s m e l l through the sensory n e r v e s and to t r a n s m i t i m p u l s e s
of reaction through the m o t o r n e r v e s . Control of the life f o r c e helps the ego
t o switch off t h e e l e c t r i c energy f r o m the nerve telephones, and t h u s prevent
the invasions of r e stle s sne s s - c r e a t i n g , attention-enslaving sensations. To
control the life f o r c e i n the five sense telephones i s t o p r a c t i c e concentration
scientifically. When energy i s switched off f r o m the nerve telephones, s e n s a tions a r e unable t o snatch away the attention f r o m i t s concentration upon a p a r t i c u l a r idea.
L E E FORCE AND
VITAL POWER
The vital e s s e n c e of the body i s formed of the m o s t precious t i s s u e and
energy of t h e body. Every d r o p of c r e a t i v e c h e m i c a l fluid i s said t o contain
the concentrated e s s e n c e of eight d r o p s of blood and the e l e c t r i c energy that
would be contained in t h e i r thousands of blood c o r p u s c l e s . Each c e l l of the
c r e a t i v e fluid i s a condensed e l e c t r i c battery, containing a microscopic intelligence. To dislodge t h e s e m e n t a l and a s t r a l s t o r a g e b a t t e r i e s f r o m t h e body
weakens t h e vitality of the body and t h e mind and m a k e s the breath extremely
r e s t l e s s . Myriads of a t o m s of life and intelligence a r e lodged, like encamped
s o l d i e r s , in t h e c r e a t i v e c h e m i c a l compound. To d r i v e t h e m out of t h e body
foolishly (lured by the enemy sexual temptation) i s t o l o s e t h e s e s o l d i e r s of
energy and m e n t a l power and to become a victim of the a r m y of d a r k n e s s , d i s e a s e , weakness, f e a r , worry, dissatisfaction, melancholia, and even p r e m a t u r e death.
The mind i s the o p e r a t o r that controls the breath, the life f o r c e , the vital
power, and a l l the functions of the body. Without i t s guiding power, a l l functions of the body would c e a s e to operate. Mind-control leads t o control of a l l
the functions of the body; but mind cannot control a l l of the functions of the body
until it knows i t s own powers and the relative powers of breath, life f o r c e , and
vitality in connection with itself. The p e r s o n who t r i e s t o attain mind- control
by harmonizing breath, life f o r c e , and vital e s s e n c e , finds f r e e d o m m o r e quickly than t h e p e r son who t r i e s t o attain m e n t a l control without the aid of controlled
breath, energy, and vitality.
PREPARATION AND POSTURE
1.
F a c i n g e a s t , s i t e r e c t on t h e edge of y o u r bed with y o u r f e e t on t h e f l o o r ,
o r s i t on a n a r m l e s s cushioned c h a i r , o r s i t on your bed with y o u r l e g s
c r o s s e d , with spine s t r a i g h t , c h e s t out, abdomen in, s h o u l d e r s back, chin
p a r a l l e l t o t h e f l o o r , and h a n d s , with p a l m s u p t u r n e d , r e s t i n g on the
t h i g h s c l o s e t o the abdomen.
2.
P r e c e d e t h e a c t u a l p r a c t i c e of t h e Hong-Sau Technique with a n awakening
p r a y e r t h a t c o i n c i d e s with y o u r d e s i r e o r p u r p o s e of c o n c e n t r a t i o n . F o r
e x a m p l e : f o r w i s d o m , p e a c e , and contentment, r e p e a t t h e following p r a y er:
"Heavenly F a t h e r , J e s u s C h r i s t , Bhagavan K r i s h n a , Babaji, L a h i r i
M a h a s a y a , Swami S r i Yukte s w a r j i , G u r u P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda,
s a i n t s of a l l r e l i g i o n s , I bow t o you a l l . L e a d m e f r o m i g n o r a n c e t o
wisdom; f r o m r e s t l e s s n e s s t o p e a c e ; f r o m d e s i r e s t o contentment. "
3.
( a ) Inhale slowly, counting 1 t o 20.
(b) Hold t h e b r e a t h , counting 1 t o 20.
( c ) Then exhale slowly, counting 1 t o 20.
Repeat t h i s 6 t o 12 t i m e s .
(d) Take a b r e a t h and t e n s e t h e whole body, clenching t h e f i s t s .
(e)' R e l a x t h e whole body, throwing the b r e a t h out.
Repeat 6 t i m e s .
-
. -
(If you cannot hold t h e b r e a t h with c o m f o r t f o r t h e count of 1 t o 20, r e d u c e
t h e n u m b e r of t h e count a c c o r d i n g l y . Hold the s a m e c o u n t- - w h a t e v e r m a y
be c o m f o r t a b l e f o r you- - during e a c h of t h e t h r e e p a r t s of t h i s e x e r c i s e ,
f o r e x a m p l e : 1 t o 15 d u r i n g inhalation, 1 t o 15 d u r i n g t h e holding of t h e
b r e a t h , a n d 1 t o 15 during exhalation. Counting in t h i s e x e r c i s e should be
a t t h e r a t e of a p p r o x i m a t e l y two c o u n t s p e r second. )
4.
Then t a k e a n o t h e r b r e a t h and exhale quickly, and r e m a i n without b r e a t h
a s long a s i t will s t a y out without d i s c o m f o r t , and m e n t a l l y wait f o r t h e
b r e a t h t o c o m e in. When the b r e a t h c o m e s i n of i t s e l f , m e n t a l l y s a y ,
"Hong, I ' and when t h e b r e a t h g o e s out of i t s e l f , m e n t a l l y s a y , "Sau. I '
Keep t h e e y e s c l o s e d , o r half open without winking, and gently f i x t h e g a z e
upward and inward t o w a r d t h e point between the e y e b r o w s .
5.
A f t e r p r a c t i c i n g t h i s technique deeply f o r t e n m i n u t e s t o half a n h o u r , e x h a l e slowly and c o m p l e t e l y . Blow out of t h e lungs a l l t h e b r e a t h t h a t you
possibly c a n and enjoy t h e b r e a t h l e s s s t a t e a s long a s you c a n without d i s c o m f o r t . Repeat t h r e e t i m e s . Then f o r g e t t h e b r e a t h and p r a y , o r s i t in
s i l e n c e , feeling p e a c e .
Long c o n c e n t r a t i o n should be p r e c e d e d by p r a c t i c e of
the Technique of E n e r g i z a t i o n given on page five of L e s son 8. Morning and evening p r a c t i c e of t h e Hong-Sau
Technique of Concentration should be p r e c e d e d by p r a c t i c e of the Recharging
E x e r c i s e s given in L e s s o n 8- A. By keeping in touch with Self - Realization
Fellowship h e a d q u a r t e r s ; by tuning in with the Guru in meditation and activity;
by faithfully p r a c t i c i n g e a c h m o r n i n g and night t h e Hong-Sau Technique of Conc e n t r a t i o n (and t h e o t h e r s p i r i t u a l technique s t h a t you will be taught in f u t u r e
L e s s o n s ) ; and once a week, on any day suitable t o you, having a t h r e e - h o u r
meditation p e r i o d in t h e m o r n i n g o r a t night, you will advance on t h e s p i r i t u a l
path.
FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS
You should a c c u s t o m y o u r s e l f t o p r a c t i c i n g the Hong-Sau Technique with
your e y e s gently c o n c e n t r a t e d on t h e point between t h e e y e b r o w s . D O not
s t r a i n t h e e y e s , however. If you a r e not u s e d t o holding t h e e y e s i n t h i s position, p r a c t i c e s o m e of t h e t i m e with e y e s half open, but m o s t of t h e t i m e with
e y e s c l o s e d . While r e s t i n g on your bed, l i e on your back and watch the b r e a t h ,
mentally chanting Hong-Sau. R e m e m b e r , h o w e v e r , t h a t your r e g u l a r p r a c t i c e
of t h e technique should be in t h e p r o p e r , u p r i g h t meditation p o s t u r e . The m o r e
you p r a c t i c e Hong-Sau in your l e i s u r e h o u r s , t h e g r e a t e r will be t h e r e s u l t s .
Work o v e r t i m e and you will gain s t i l l b e t t e r r e s u l t s .
When you consciously watch the b r e a t h , what h a p p e n s ? The h e a r t , t h e
lungs and d i a p h r a g m gradually c a l m down and t h e i r m u s c l e s u l t i m a t e l y , during
a long d e e p s i l e n c e , ref r a i n f r o m t h e i r o t h e r w i s e constant motion. Thus t h e
n o r m a l p r o c e s s e s of decay a r e stopped throughout t h e s y s t e m ; t h e n no m o r e
venous blood need be pumped by the h e a r t into the lungs. When the h e a r t d o e s
not pump blood, the lungs do not have t o expand t o r e c e i v e oxygen; then t h e
b r e a t h c e a s e s t o flow: you a r e t e m p o r a r i l y living d i r e c t l y f r o m C o s m i c E n e r gy e n t e r i n g through t h e medulla oblongata.
It i s a l w a y s a good plan t o d r i v e out toxins before beginning Hong-Sau
p r a c t i c e . By f i r s t practicing the inhalation and exhalation e x e r c i s e s (page 3 ) ,
t h e yogi burns out t h e c a r b o n in t h e venous blood and decay i s p a r t i a l l y stopped.
You w i l l notice t h a t a f t e r deeply p r a c t i c i n g t h i s technique of inhalation and e x halation f o r a long t i m e , when you t h r o w t h e b r e a t h out you have no d e s i r e t o
b r e a t h e in a g a i n f o r s o m e t i m e . You c a n r e m a i n longer i n t h e b r e a t h l e s s s t a t e
t h e n t h a n i f you t r i e d b r e a t h l e s s n e s s i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r r e s t l e s s n e s s .
THE ATTENTION
BECOMES F R E E
Death i s simply involuntary complete r e l a x a t i o n . The
medulla oblongata, through which l i f e e n t e r s the human
body, c o n t r o l s the h e a r t . The h e a r t , in t u r n , i s t h e
switch t h a t c o n t r o l s a l l five s e n s e telephones of sight, h e a r i n g , touch, t a s t e ,
and s m e l l . Sensations cannot r e a c h the b r a i n of t h e i r own a c c o r d ; t h e s e n s o r y
m e s s a g e s f r o m t h e e y e s , nose, e a r s , skin, and tongue a r e c a r r i e d t o t h e b r a i n
by the telephone w i r e s of s e n s o r y n e r v e s . When t h e jangling of incoming ' t c a l l s ' t
i s stopped, thoughts do not a r i s e , and when thoughts do not a r i s e , a s s o c i a t e d
m e m o r y thoughts do not bother t h e b r a i n . When you s i t u p r i g h t , r e l a x e d i n
the m e d i t a t i o n p o s t u r e , and p r a c t i c e Hong-Sau, t h e production of d e c a y and
w a s t e i s slowed down i n t h e m u s c l e s and l i m b s . And a s soon a s , by t h e p r a c t i c e of t h i s t e c h n i q u e , e n e r g y i s withdrawn f r o m t h e s e n s o r y and m o t o r nerves,
m u s c l e s , l i m b s , and t h e h e a r t , no s e n s o r y i m p r e s s i o n s c a n r e g i s t e r on t h e
s w i t c h b o a r d of t h e b r a i n t o d i s t u r b t h e o p e r a t o r ' s a t t e n t i o n and c o a x i t t o
r o u s e thoughts. T h i s i s t h e t i m e y o u r a t t e n t i o n i s f r e e t o be c o n c e n t r a t e d u p on p r o b l e m s , c r e a t i v e i d e a s , o r God.
A f t e r s c i e n t i f i c a l l y f r e e i n g t h e a t t e n t i o n f r o m o b j e c t s of d i s t r a c t i o n , l e a r n
t o c o n c e n t r a t e upon any one thing, o r upon God. You know now t h a t t h a t f o r m
of c o n c e n t r a t i o n in which you d i s e n g a g e y o u r a t t e n t i o n f r o m t h e s e n s e t e l e phones and t u r n i t upon God i s c a l l e d " meditation. " You c a n c o n c e n t r a t e upon
m o n e y o r upon God, but you m e d i t a t e only upon God. F u r t h e r i n s t r u c t i o n i n
m e d i t a t i o n , and how t o m e d i t a t e upon a n unknown God, w i l l be explained in
future lessons.
THOUGHTS T O LIVE BY
The m o o n ' s r e f l e c t i o n i n a whirling w a t e r - f i l l e d pot looks ruffled, but t h e
m o o n i s not d i s t o r t e d ; i t i s t h e d i s t u r b e d w a t e r t h a t p r o d u c e s t h e illusion.
- -pek k , de-st
-&&?IT
h & ~ k #!X?@,--8~fttf~
l
~21-f*
t h e m o o n . L i k e w i s e , no m a t t e r how t h e a l l - p o w e r f u l , p e r f e c t i m a g e of God i s
d i s t o r t e d by t h e o s c i l l a t i o n s of o u r f i r m wrong c o n v i c t i o n s , if we c a n l e a r n t o
c a l m o u r m e n t a l w a v e s of thoughts by t h e m a g i c wand of c o n c e n t r a t i o n , t h e n
we w i l l behold in o u r m e n t a l m i r r o r o u r p e r f e c t , a l l - c o n q u e r i n g soul ability.
O u r m e n t a l r e s t l e s s n e s s and l a c k of conviction a r e solely r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e
d i s t o r t i o n s of t h e p e r f e c t i m a g e i n u s . O u r c e l e s t i a l a b i l i t i e s l i e within u s u n h a r m e d ; it i s t h e w a v e s of o u r e n v i r o n m e n t - g r o w n w r o n g convictions and s u b c o n s c i o u s bad h a b i t s t h a t m a k e t h e p o w e r f u l soul i m a g e in u s a p p e a r d i s t o r t e d .
THE MAN WH 0 REFUSED HEAVEN
Long a g o t h e r e lived in India a n a s c e t i c who spent h i s d a y s on t h e p e a c e f u l
banks of t h e holy Ganges. Y e a r s p a s s e d i n d e e p c o n t e m p l a t i o n , but t h e s p i r i t u a l a s p i r a n t found t h a t , although h e w a s s u r r o u n d e d by a c e l e s t i a l e n v i r o n m d
of beautiful s c e n e r y and good people, of good books and devotional t e m p l e s e r v i c e s , h i s mind n e v e r t h e l e s s dwelt on h a r m i n g and robbing people. The m o r e
h e t r i e d t o w a r d off by m e d i t a t i o n t h e s e uninvited t h o u g h t s , t h e m o r e t h e y
m a d e f o r c e f u l i n r o a d s into h i s p e a c e .
At l a s t h e vowed: "I will not stop p r a y i n g u n t i l I find definite r e l e a s e f r o m
t h e s e d i s t u r b i n g thoughts which s t a b m y p e a c e d u r i n g m e d i t a t i o n . "
One h o u r p a s s e d , two h o u r s p a s s e d , a n d s t i l l t h e bandits of r e s t l e s s n e s s
k e p t p i e r c i n g t h e a s c e t i c ' s meditation. F i n a l l y , a t t h e end of t h r e e h o u r s , t h e
d i s t u r b i n g thoughts suddenly vanished f r o m h i s mind; a n d i n t h e i r s t e a d he beheld a beautiful vision of a s a i n t standing l i f e l i k e before h i m .
T h i s r a d i a n t s a i n t not only a p p e a r e d t o be living but spoke with c e l e s t i a l
s o f t n e s s : "Son, i n a f o r m e r life you w e r e a bad m a n , but before you died you
r e s o l v e d t o be good. T h a t i s why you w e r e b o r n in t h i s life with a holy r e s o lution t o be good--and a l s o with bad thoughts which y ~ hua r b o r e d i n y o u r p a s t
life. It i s a s h a m e t h a t a m i d s t t h e holy s u r r o u n d i n g s of the Ganges, and with
good f r i e n d s and r e g u l a r meditation, you have been living i n t h e i n f e r n o of i n ward restlessness. "
The saint went on a f t e r a gentle p a u s e : "According t o t h e d e c r e e n e c e s s i t a t e d by the p a s t a c t i o n s of y o u r p r e v i o u s life, and b e c a u s e you have not m a d e
a g r e a t e r e f f o r t t o live peacefully i n y o u r p r e s e n t s p i r i t u a l s u r r o u n d i n g s , i t i s
m e t a p h y s i c a l l y o r d a i n e d t h a t u n l e s s you w o r k v e r y h a r d a t m e d i t a t i o n now, a t
d e a t h you will have t o choose between living i n heaven with t e n fools, o r living
i n H a d e s with one w i s e m a n . Which of t h e two d o you p r e f e r ? "
The s p i r i t u a l a s p i r a n t r e p l i e d : "I p r e f e r t o l i v e i n H a d e s with one w i s e
m a n , f o r I know f r o m m y own e x p e r i e n c e t h a t t e n f o o l s would m a k e a H a d e s of
heaven. W h e r e a s , I believe t h a t if I w e r e with one r e a l w i s e m a n , even in t h e
stygian d a r k n e s s of H a d e s , he would help m e t o m a k e heaven of it. "
If you have a peaceful, heavenly home but a r e constantly fighting with
y o u r f a m i l y and f r i e n d s , you a r e living i n a s e l f - c r e a t e d Hades. On t h e o t h e r
hand, no m a t t e r what i n h a r m o n i o u s s u r r o u n d i n g you m a y have, if you m e d i t a t e ,
o r a t l e a s t s i t i n s i l e n c e f o r a few m i n u t e s e v e r y day, and l i v e i n h a r m o n y with
y o u r i n n e r Self, you will a l w a y s live in h e a v e n and will c a r r y your own p o r t a ble p a r a d i s e e v e r y w h e r e .
AFFIRMATION
I w i l l a c q u i r e divinely d e e p concent r a t i o n and t h e n u s e i t s unlimited power
t o m e e t l i f e ' s God-given d e m a n d s .
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realizationwill blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
S-1 P- 23
s Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
s Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
WE ARE ONE WITH THEE
By P a r a m a h a n s a Y ogananda
On the a l t a r of silence we lay the flowers of o u r devotion, 0 Lord of Silence. He who humbly twinkles through
the s t a r s , breathes through our breath, c i r c u l a t e s through
our blood, talks through o u r h e a r t s , i s the s a m e Spirit
who i s the light of lights. He i s ours. To Him we give
our utmost devotion.
F a t h e r , teach us to contact Thee. Teach us to p r a y
with devotion. Teach u s to demand Thy presence. Teach
us to feel united with Thee. No m o r e mechanical p r a y e r s ,
no m o r e empty words, but the humble devotion of our souls
we offer Thee.
With the language of our souls we demand Thy p r e s e n c e ,
f o r Thy p r e s e n c e i s our wealth, wisdom, and devotion-- Thou
a r t the e s s e n c e of everything ! and we a r e Thy children.
Take away the nightmare of evil that engulfs us when we a r e
not awake in Thee.
F a t h e r , we a r e awake in Thy presence. Thou a r t the
light. Make us feel Thee and Thy p r e s e n c e in e v e r y fiber
of our being, in e v e r y wisp of thought.
F a t h e r , twinkle Thy light through our thoughts and
o u r beings. Strengthen us! Make u s realize that we a r e
I m m o r t a l and teach us to follow the one highway that leads
to Thee. Awaken our souls! Awaken our h e a r t s , which
need to know Thee. Be with us! We a r e one with Thee.
PRAYER
0 S p i r i t , beloved F a t h e r , Over soul of t h e u n i v e r s e ,
S p i r i t of s p i r i t s , F r i e n d of f r i e n d s , t e a c h m e t h e m y s t e r y
of m y e x i s t e n c e ! T e a c h m e t o w o r s h i p Thee i n b r e a t h l e s s ness.
FURTHER FACTS ON CONCENTRATION
P e r s o n s unacquainted with the f a c t s a r e often f e a r f u l of a l l breathing e x e r c i s e s . The g r e a t Hindu
m a s t e r s warned only against the p r a c t i c e of violent
breathing e x e r c i s e s by p e r s o n s w ith weak lungs; they urged truth s e e k e r s in
g e n e r a l t o follow the guidance of a competent t e a c h e r if engaging in any type
of breathing e x e r c i s e s .
DELICATE ART O F
BREATH CONTROL
So, just a s s a l a d s should not be tabooed f o r a l l people because those with
ulcerated s t o m a c h s cannot e a t them, s o a l s o healthful breathing e x e r c i s e s
should not be condemned f o r a l l when i t i s only those p e r s o n s who have d i s e a s e d o r unusually weak lungs who should not p r a c t i c e them. You c a n laugh a t
anyone who t e l l s you that a l l breathing e x e r c i s e s a r e d a n g e r o u s . Everyone i s
ordained b y Nature to p e r f o r m one p e r p e t u a l " breathing e x e r c i s e " no m a t t e r
whether h i s lungs a r e good o r bad. Violent breathing e x e r c i s e s a r e d a n g e r o u s ,
of c o u r s e ; f o r they c a n c a u s e trouble even to a p p a r e n t l y strong lungs if t h e r e
i s a n y inherent weakness t h e r e . C a s t out a l l f e a r when you p r a c t i c e the simple,
e x t r e m e l y beneficial breathing e x e r c i s e s that SeLf-Realization Fellowship
,
recommends.
If you a r e starving f o r oxygen because of i m p r o p e r
body p o s t u r e , you need to breathe deeply and to
b r e a t h e p r o p e r l y . A p e r s o n who s i t s with a bent
spine and w a l k s with a caved- in c h e s t s q u e e z e s the d i a p h r a g m and lungs and
p r e v e n t s t h e m f r o m p r o p e r l y expanding and receiving the amount of oxygen
n e c e s s a r y to c l e a n s e a l l the devitalized blood in the lungs. When the lungs and
d i a p h r a g m d o not expand p r o p e r l y , not enough oxygen i s brought to the blood.
Thus toxin- laden venous blood in the w a l l s of the a l v e o l a r s a c s of the lungs
r e m a i n s unpurified and i s c a r r i e d back into the s y s t e m in this condition. If
you s i t and walk with the c h e s t out and the abdomen in, you will take in the
WHEN YOU NEED T O
BREATHE D E E P L Y
p r o p e r quantity of oxygen; a l l your d a r k venous blood will be changed into
bright r e d blood as a f r e s h supply of vitality is poured into your system.
If you want to r e s t the body it i s better to lie on your back on a hard bed than
to s i t slumped in a c h a i r with the spine crooked and the lungs squeezed. Use
planks on your bed instead of springs, and put a spring m a t t r e s s on top. This
i n s u r e s a straight yet soft bed, without endangering your health by bending
your spine as a too-soft and springy bed does.
WHEN YOU DON'T NEED
TOBREATHEDEEPLY
Eating is n e c e s s a r y if you a r e starved f o r food;
deep breathing is n e c e s s a r y if you a r e starved
for oxygen. But as continuous eating i s unnecess a r y when you have food in your system, so continuous breathing i s unnecess a r y if your blood contains a minimum of impurities, owing to right habits of
eating plenty of f r e s h f r u i t s and vegetables and a minimurn of s t a r c h . Many
people breathe hard because they have much waste m a t e r i a l in their s y s t e m s .
Calm people breathe l e s s , while r e s t l e s s types, who as a rule e a t s t a r c h e s and meat to e x c e s s , tend to breathe like bellows. Their life force and
mind a r e kept constantly busy with the physical functions of breathing and with
the heaviness and r e s t l e s s n e s s of the flesh.
If,you a r e c a l -m- there is l e s s motion in your body. A s a r e s u l t there will
be l e s s decay in your body and you will need to breathe v e t y little; it i s possible f o r an advanced yogi to r e m a i n without b r e a t h most of the time. If you
breathe rapidly, the heartbeat will be v e r y fast. When you run you breathe
rapidly and your heartbeat a c c e l e r a t e s .
-
Decay in the c e l l s of muscles and some organs can be partially a r r e s t e d
by making the body motionless, but assimilative, circulatory, eliminative
and other activities a r e still going on in the internal organs. B r e a t h l e s s n e s s
and relaxation of the internal organs f r e e the mind s o that it can concentrate
upon the soul. The higher you go in the study a d practice of Self-Realization
Fellowship instructions, the m o r e slowly you will breathe. Never forget this
truth: Breath i s the cord that t i e s the soul to the flesh!
Even though one's lungs may be perfectly healthy,
it i s extremely unwise to hold the breath in the lungs
to the point of discomfort. When the oxygen supply
i s used up, the pent-up carbon dioxide seeks vainly to escape. Because the
oxygen supply h a s been exhausted, the incoming d a r k blood cannot be purified,
and keeps on accumulating in the capillaries of the lungs, causing them to
expand until they a r e ready to burst. The r e s u l t i s a suffocating pain.
DON'T HOLD THE
BREATHTOOLONG
To hold the breath forcibly in weak o r diseased lungs obviously would be
injurious. P e r s o n s with weak lungs should simply concentrate on breathing
properly, by keeping the body straight. They should be c u r e d before attempting to breathe deeply. Deep breathing i s not n e c e s s a r y f o r such p e r s o n s until
t h e i r lungs become strong. Everyone should l e a r n to breathe c o r r e c t l y by
always keeping the spine straight.
However, you cannot kill yourself by holding the breath too long in the
lungs. Nature made the wise provision that when the venous blood s t r i k e s
back toward the h e a r t f r o m the overfilled lungs, the h e a r t palpitates and f r e t fully shoots i t s life c u r r e n t back to the medulla oblongata. The medulla i s
shocked, producing unconsciousness. Then breathing automatically s t a r t s
again.
You can, however, injure the lungs and h e a r t by foolishly holding the
breath. When d a r k venous blood h a s filled the lungs to capacity, it t r i e s to
push back through the pulmonary a r t e r i e s into the h e a r t . This m a y r e s u l t in
pains in the h e a r t o r in leakage of valves, o r in injury to the overexpanded
lungs. Therefore you should never l i s t e n to anyone who t e l l s you to hold your
b r e a t h in the lungs f o r a long time, o r to p r a c t i c e violent breathing e x e r c i s e s .
IMPORTANT POINTS CONCERNING THE HONG- SAU TECHNIQUE
1.
In doing- the Hong-Sau e x e r c i s e , d o not f o r c e the b r e a t h in and out.
Breathe naturally, m e r e l y watchin& i . e . , being a w a r e of, the incoming
and outgoing breath, mentally chanting "Hong I f and lfSau.lt Whether the
b r e a t h r e m a i n s in the lungs o r flows out, .always wait until it Rows
naturally again.
2.
R e m e m b e r that the purpose of t h i s p r a c t i c e i s to lengthen naturally the
intervals when the b r e a t h d o e s not flow. If as you mentally chant "Hong"
the b r e a t h g o e s in naturally and does not flow out immediately, wait and
enjoy the s t a t e of b r e a t h l e s s n e s s . When the b r e a t h c o m e s out again,
mentally chant "Sau. " If the b r e a t h goes out and s t a y s out, enjoy that
s t a t e of b r e a t h l e s s n e s s until the b r e a t h wants to flow in again. Then
chant "Hong" a s it d o e s so.
3.
The b r e a t h should be expelled d e l i b e r a t e l y f i r s t , a s a cue to begin p r a c tice p r o p e r l y with an incoming b r e a t h and the mental chanting of "Hong. "
In o r d i n a r y breathing you are seldom a w a r e of whether you a r e inhaling
o r exhaling the breath.
4.
Do not regulate the b r e a t h in o r d e r to chant in a definite rhythm. Let the
mental chant follow the n a t u r a l d e s i r e of the b r e a t h to flow in and out.
5.
Concentrate upon the i n t e r v a l s when the b r e a t h d o e s not flow, without
forcing this quiet b r e a t h l e s s state.
6.
By watching the breath, you e r a s e metaphysically the identification of the
a
soul with the b r e a t h and the body. By watching the breath, you s e p a r a t e
your ego f r o m it and know that your body i s sustained only p a r t i a l l y by
breath.
7.
When you tense and r e l a x the body and throw out the b r e a t h before HongSau p r a c t i c e , you halt motion and the resulting p r o c e s s of decay in the
c e l l s of the m u s c l e s , but not in those of the internal organs- - the h e a r t ,
lungs, diaphragm, and so on. A s you watch the b r e a t h during Hong-Sau
p r a c t i c e , breathing becomes rhythmic and c a l m ; the h e a r t i s quieted. A
r e s t l e s s and worried mind i n c r e a s e s h e a r t action; a quiet mind c a l m s
the h e a r t action. Any f l a r e of feeling i n c r e a s e s h e a r t action. A heaving
b r e a t h a l s o i n c r e a s e s h e a r t action, while quiet breathing c a l m s the h e a r t .
By watching the b r e a t h calmly, you cause both the b r e a t h and the mind to
become c a l m . A c a l m mind and b r e a t h slow down and quiet the motion
of the h e a r t , diaphragm, and lungs.
When, by relaxing and casting out the breath, motion i s simultaneously
stopped in the m u s c l e s and inner o r g a n s , the life e n e r g y that o r d i n a r i l y i s
expended in pumping blood through the heart- - which m e a n s moving a total
weight of eighteen tons e v e r y twenty-four h o u r s - - r e t i r e s to the spine and i s
distributed instead to the millions of body c e l l s . This e n e r g y e l e c t r i f i e s the
c e l l s and p r e v e n t s t h e i r decay, making them like self- sustaining b a t t e r i e s .
The c e l l s do not then r e q u i r e oxygen o r food chemicals to sustain life, because
they do not need them to r e p a i r the damage of decay. And when decay i s
a r r e s t e d in the outer and inner o r g a n s the blood does not accumulate impurities; hence it does not need to be pumped back to the h e a r t and into the lungs
f o r purification by the oxygen inhaled in the breath.
When by watching the b r e a t h the yogi d o e s away with outer and inner
motion (in the m u s c l e s and inner o r g a n s ) and p r e v e n t s the c r e a t i o n and
i n c r e a s e of venous blood in the s y s t e m , he t e m p o r a r i l y accomplishes two
things:
1. d e c r e a s e s the n e c e s s i t y of living by b r e a t h ;
2. d e c r e a s e s the r a t e of h e a r t action.
When m a n c a n live m o r e by the "Word of God" (Cosmic E n e r g y ) and l e s s
by "bread" o r b r e a t h , and c a n control the h e a r t , h i s body b a t t e r y will be i n t e r nally charged with C o s m i c Energy, and i t w ' l l not need to depend s o much upon
the outer s o u r c e s of life (food, liquids, and g a s e s ) .
You have now learned the following points about the value of practicing the
Hong Sau Technique:
-
a.
b.
c.
d.
It enables the body c e l l s to b r i m over with life f o r c e .
It stops d e c a y in outer and inner o r g a n s .
It slows h e a r t action, giving r e s t to this vital organ.
It c a l m s the h e a r t , which then switches off the e n e r g y in the five
sense telephones of touch, s m e l l , t a s t e , hearing, and sight. The
h e a r t i s the secondary switchboard of the s e n s e s . The medulla
oblongata i s the main switch.
e.
It f r e e s the body f r o m slavery t o breath.
f.
It reduces breathing to a minimum. Hence i t s repeated u s e i s conducive t o longevity when one wants t o remain long in the body house.
When the life f o r c e and the consciousness a r e withdrawn f r o m the five
sense telephones, the sensations of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch
cannot r e a c h the b r a i n through the nerve telephone w i r e s . When sensations
stop registering in the brain, the conceptions and associated ideas resulting
f r o m them cease. It i s then that the mind, o r the attention, becomes f r e e to
contemplate any p a r t i c u l a r object, or God,
SPECIAL EXERCISE
If you have good lungs, but suspect that you a r e not supplying your body
with enough oxygen, the following e x e r c i s e will be found beneficial:
1.
With mild force make two short exhalations of breath through the
mouth, creating a breathy sound, "huh, huh. I ' (This exhalation
c l e a r s the lungs of poisonous carbon dicxide. )
2. Draw f r e s h a i r in through your nostrils, counting 1 to 20 slowly.
3. Hold breath, counting 1 to 20.
4. Slowly exhale, counting 1 to 20.
(Counting in this and other breathing e x e r c i s e s should be a t a r a t e of
approximately two counts p e r second. )
Repeat the above e x e r c i s e twelve times, three t i m e s a d a y in the open a i r ,
o r more if you find i t p a r t i c u l a r l y beneficial. The count m a y be l e s s than
twenty, o r more, according to individual comfort and capacity.
MEDITATION EXERCISE
F e e l that you a r e everything and beyond everything. Concentrate all your
energy a t the point between the eyebrows. Breathe slowly. When the breath
is calm, expel b r e a t h and forget it. Behold within your forehead the luminous
light. That light i s spreading ! It i s increasing, swallowing up your body and
all space. Space h a s become a burning ball of s e a r l e s s flame. You a r e that,
This ball of flame i s v e r y joyous. You a r e this flame of bliss that h a s melted
everything in it. Meditate on that.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
0
S-1 P- 23- A
o Copyright 1954,1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1982,1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
SRF HONG- SAU TECHNIQUE O F CONCENTRATION
" Through meditation I shall stop the s t o r m of b r e a t h ,
mental r e s t l e s s n e s s , and s e n s o r y d i s t u r b a n c e s that rage over
the lake of m y mind. "
- - P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
TECHNIQUE:
1.
---
-
Sit in the meditation p o s t u r e , with spine e r e c t . The hands, with p a l m s
,
-upturned, should r e s t comTortably-on the th'ighs whe r e 3 e y jCk--the
abdomen. This position helps to check any tendency of the t o r s o
to l e a n forward.
--
2.
With the eyelids e i t h e r closed o r half open, t u r n the e y e s upward s o that
the gaze c o n v e r g e s a t the Christ- consciousness c e n t e r o r s p i r i t u a l
eye in the forehead between the eyebrows.
3.
Mentally watch, i. e . , become a w a r e of, the continuous inhalation and
exhalation of the b r e a t h with the s a m e detachment that you would f e e l
if observing a n o t h e r ' s breathing. Do not attempt to regulate the flow
of the b r e a t h in any way; merely observe it. This p r a c t i c e h e l p s you
to t r a n s f e r the s e n s e of I- ness away f r o m the body; and to become,
like the soul, a "silent witness" of bodily activities.
4.
A s the b r e a t h flows in, mentally (not audibly) s a y "Hong." As it flows out
again, mentally s a y "Sau ." ("Hong" and "Sau" a r e two s a c r e d Sanskrit
chant w o r d s p o s s e s s i n g a n a s t r a l v i b r a t o r y connection with the incoming and outgoing b r e a t h ; a l i t e r a l translation i s "I a m He. " )
5.
During any i n t e r v a l s when the b r e a t h m a y c e a s e of i t s own a c c o r d to flow,
concentrate on and enjoy the peace you feel during that b r e a t h l e s s
state.
KEY POINTS:
I.
P r i o r to the practice of the technique of concentration, practice the SRF
Recharging Exercises (Lesson 8-A) to free the body of inharmonies
and local tensions.
2.
Establish yourself comfortably i n t h e meditationposture, and then s i t
very still. Don't move a muscle. T r y consciously to relax each
p a r t of the body; make a mental check e v e r y now and then throughout
your practice to be sure the body is really relaxed.
3.
Before starting Hong- Sau, practice the following breathing exercises six
to twelve times:
Inhale to a count of 20; hold the breath to a count of 20;
exhale to a count of 20.
If 20 i s too long a count for you, then inhale, hold, and exhale
the breath to a l e s s e r count. Whatever the count, it should be
the same for inhalation, for holding the breath, and for exhalation.
4.
After practicing the breathing routine described in the preceding paragraph, inhale, tense the entire body, throw the breath out (i. e . , expel
the breath in a double exhalation, "huh, huh") and relax. Repeat this
exercise six times. It i s a wonderful preparation for the practice of
the Hong-Sau Concentration Technique.
5.
Offer a prayer from your heart to God and the Gurus.
6.
Keep the mind calm.
7.
With the eyelids still closed (or half open), keep looking upward throughout
the practice of the technique. It is necessary to check yourself on this
because the eyes have a tendency to lower their gaze after a time.
8.
Throw the breath out before beginning the concentration technique, s o that
you can s t a r t with the incoming breath and the chant word "Hong.
9.
If you have difficulty in remembering to chant "Hong I ' with the incoming
breath and "Sau" with the outgoing breath, the following practice may
be found helpful. Move the right index finger toward the palm of the
hand when the breath flows in; when the breath flows out again, l e t the
finger resume its original relaxed position. The slight physical movement of the finger has nothing to do with the technique itself; it s e r v e s
merely a s a memory jog f o r keeping the c o r r e c t sequence in chanting
"Hong" and "Sau. I '
This i s important for successful practice.
10.
Calmly watch the breath; have no c a r e whether it flows in o r out o r not
a t all. Do not in any way use mental will o r force to hold the breath,
o r to send it out or in.
11.
Chant "Hong" and "Sau" mentally only. Don't move the tongue, mouth, o r
throat while practicing. (It i s n e c e s s a r y to make a point of not doing
so, as one c a n e a s i l y move these p a r t s without realizing it. )
12.
Let the chant follow the natural impulse of the breath to flow in and out.
Don't regulate the breath to conform to the chant. (One often tends
to do this unconsciously. )
13.
Be keenly attentive to what you a r e doing; concentrate on the breath, the
chant, and the feeling of peace that comes with the c o r r e c t practice
of this e x e r c i s e .
14.
P a r t i c u l a r l y enjoy, during the intervals between each inflowing and outflowing of breath, the peace of breathlessness. Never force it, o r
attempt to extend it by any exertion of will.
15.
P r a c t i c e a long time for best results.
16.
practice,
.- - expel-all breath f r o m the lungs and enjoy the
--end of the
At the
b r e a t h l e s s state f o r as long as you-can without discomfort. Repeat
three times.
17.
To get up immediately a f t e r practicing this o r any other SRF concentration technique i s like kicking over a pail that you have just filled with
milk. Sit and p r a y a long time afterward, o r go deep in meditation
to expand your awakened a w a r e n e s s of God's presence.
O
AFFIRMATION
Breath i s the cord that t i e s m y soul to
the body. In breathlessness I find m y soul
f r e e to unite with Thine Omnipresence within and beyond m y body. The s t o r m of breath
c a u s e s ripples of sensations and thoughts. I
will stop the s t o r m of b r e a t h that the lake of
m y mind may reflect the perfect image of Thy
face.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
S-1 P - 24
@ Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
REPAIR MY NERVE WIRES, 0 MYSTIC ELECTRICIAN!
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Come Thou, 0 Mystic Electrician! My
little soul cottage by the brook of life i s in need
of r e p a i r s .
The nerve wiring h a s been shaken and t o r n
by the winds of the y e a r s . The multihued l a m p s
of my s e n s e s a r e no longer effulgent.
0 Builder of Bodies, 0 Divine Dynamo of
a l l cosmic c u r r e n t s of life f o r c e ! r e s u r r e c t
the deadened w i r e s of my wrecked n e r v e s and
infuse t h e m with Thy power, that m y s e n s e s
gleam again with Thy glory.
it.
I a m the bulb and Thou a r t the Light within
The truth and the m i r a c l e i s this:
Thou a r t the Bulb and the Light.
- - F r o m "Whispers f r o m Eternity"
PRAYER
0 Divine Mother, h e a l the shattered n e r v e s and flood the d i s e a s e clouded bulb of f l e s h with the divine effulgence of Thy light.
***
HOW TO CURE NERVOUSNESS
DEFINITION
R e s t l e s s mind vibrating through the
n e r v e s i s called nervousness.
Nervousness a p p e a r s t o be a simple ailment, but i n reality it i s v e r y
complicated and uncomfortable. If you a r e nervous, it i s difficult t o bring
about healing of any d i s e a s e you may have. If you a r e nervous, you cannot
concentrate and work efficiently t o attain success. If you a r e nervous, you
cannot meditate deeply t o acquire peace and wisdom. In f a c t , nervousness
i n t e r f e r e s with all the n o r m a l functions of the human body and mind, u p s e t ting the physical, mental, and spiritual machinery.
The body m a y be compared t o a factory in which many kinds of products
a r e m a d e by various machines that a r e run by electricity conducted through
w i r e s f r o m a main dynamo. In the body-factory, the brain is t h e m a i n dynam o that sends energy through a complicated s y s t e m of special conductors, o r
n e r v e s , t o the different o r g a n s and m e m b e r s . These in t u r n a c t a s machines
t o produce vision, touch, hearing, t a s t e , s m e l l , movement, metabolism,
circulation, breathing, and thought. When e l e c t r i c w i r e s in a factory a r e
burned out, they c a n be replaced by the electrician; but you have been given
only one nervous s y s t e m t o c a r r y on the vital functions in the body-factory.
If the n e r v e - w i r e s a r e burned out, you c a n do nothing t o replace them. You
a r e the m a n a g e r of your own body-factory, and you m u s t s e e t o it that i t s
departments work together i n perfect harmony, and produce the highest c l a s s
of products- - physical, mental, and spiritual.
SPECIAL CAUSES
OF NERVOUSNESS
Nervousness m a y be caused by r e s t l e s s n e s s of the
mind, which sends e x t r a energy vibrating along the
nerves. Other c a u s e s of nervousness a r e g r e a t and
continual excitement, whether it be excessive stimulation of the s e n s e s , a s
in p l e a s u r e seeking, drinking, wrong eating, overeating, faulty elimination,
overactivity, o r sexual indulgence; following the m o d e r n speed mania; o r
emotional ove rstimulation, such a s long-continued f e a r , a n g e r , melancholy,
r e m o r s e , s o r r o w , h a t r e d , discontent, o r worry. Lack of any of the n e c e s s i t i e s f o r n o r m a l and happy living (such a s proper e x e r c i s e , f r e s h a i r , sunshine, right food, agreeable work, and a purpose i n life) aggravates, if it
d o e s not actually c a u s e , a condition of nervousness. This condition i s highly
contagious and m a y be "caught" by association with nervous, faultfinding, o r
otherwise disagreeable people.
The emotions that do m o s t damage t o the n e r v e s a r e f e a r , w o r r y , and
anger. Constant f e a r affects the h e a r t and may result in palpitation and other
h e a r t troubles. Worry and a n g e r affect the brain a s well a s the r e s t of the
body, and l e s s e n brain power and general efficiency. F e a r and worry a r e
v e r y closely connected. Worry i s usually caused by a f e a r that something we
consider undesirable i s going t o happen, although the thing we f e a r practical ly never does happen. Volumes can and have been written on the subject of
w o r r y . All that will be said h e r e i s that a c a l m analysis of the cause will
usually remove it.
Any violent o r continued mental o r physical excitement cause s a disturb ance of the balance in the flow of life f o r c e through the sensory - motor mech a n i s m (the s e n s o r y , o r afferent, n e r v e s and the m o t o r , o r efferent, n e r v e s )
and the bulbs of the s e n s e s . It i s a s if you put a c u r r e n t caused by 2000 volts
through a n o r d i n a r y 120 V incandescent lamp. It would burn out the lamp. Similarly, too g r e a t a stimulation upsets the functioning of the nervous system.
Then, too, t h e r e a r e both physical and mental c a u s e s of disturbance in
the chemical balance of the body. The resulting discomfort sends a m e s s a g e
through the n e r v e s t o the brain. Too much living on the physical plane s a p s
the life f o r c e and the vitality. Every t i m e you become angry o r afraid you
generate the secretion of poison in the body. Its caustic effect may ultimate ly burn out
the n e r v e s .
Stage fright i s another f o r m of f e a r that c a u s e s nervousn e s s in many people, s o that they a r e unable t o a c t in a
natural manner before others. If you a r e shy and have
stage fright, quiet your mind and r e m e m b e r that a l l the power you need i s
within you, a l l the power to convince people, a l l the power to give the d i r e c t
truth. The p a r t i c u l a r kind of t r u t h that you want t o give i s in the Infinite
Spirit, which functions through you.
OVERCOMING
STAGE FRIGHT
Overcome stage fright a s follows:
1.
2.
By getting used to talking t o groups.
By imagining whenever you give a talk that you a r e addressing
an empty hall, o r that you a r e talking t o children o r very
simple people.
If you really d e s i r e t o help and s e r v e people, to make t h e m happy, t o
give t h e m some spiritual power that will electrify their souls, you have nothing to f e a r . You will be able t o do it. Why be afraid of people when you can
give enthusiasm, inspiration, and wisdom t o t h e m ? Let God flow through
you, and you will have a l l the power you need.
(The subject of stage fright i s taken up in detail in Lesson 63. )
FEAROFDEATH
Fearofdeathisbornofthegreatestignorance, and
p a r a l y z e s activity, thought, and ambition. Death should
be looked upon a s something good- - a new opportunity, a r e s t f r o m the w e a r y
struggle on t h i s e a r t h . If you have m a d e a m e s s of life, God sends relief in
the f o r m of death, and g i v e s you a f r e s h t r i a l . B e s i d e s , t h e r e i s nothing t o
f e a r , because s o long a s you a r e not d e a d , you a r e alive; and when you a r e
d e a d , it i s a l l o v e r and t h e r e i s nothing then t o w o r r y about. Death i s a univ e r s a l e x p e r i e n c e , a change t h a t everyone p a s s e s through. Live today well
and the next s t e p will take c a r e of itself. Console yourself with t h e thought
t h a t death c o m e s t o everybody- - s i n n e r o r saint- - and that t h e r e f o r e it m u s t
be some s o r t of a holiday f r o m the t r o u b l e s o m e business of life.
CHOOSE RIGHT
ASSOCIATES
Associate with s t r o n g , happy, s e r e n e , kind, and s p i r i t u a l
people. T h i s i s of g r e a t benefit t o the mentally o r e m o tionally nervous person. Even a few m o m e n t s in the
company of a saint c a n work wonders i n producing c a l m n e s s and quiet. A
r e a l holy m a n a c t s a s a s p i r i t u a l r a f t t o c a r r y you over the s e a of t r i a l s and
suffering.
Do not seek knowledge only through intellectuality, allowing the soul t o
r e m a i n i n the d a r k n e s s of s p i r i t u a l ignorance. It i s sad that many p e r sons
who know the way t o peace and permanent happiness a r e slow t o take advantage of t h e i r knowledge and follow it. They take the SRF L e s s o n s and forget.
Make u s e of your opportunity f o r s p i r i t u a l development.
C r i t i c i z e and r e f o r m yourself. That i s w h e r e your g r e a t e s t problem l i e s .
Affirm divine c a l m n e s s and p e a c e , and send out only thoughts of love and good
will if you want t o live in peace and harmony. Live a godly life yourself and
everyone who c r o s s e s your path will be helped just by being with you.
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
To be controlled by moods i s t o be a p a r t of m a t t e r . If you keep your
mind on the r e s o l v e never t o l o s e your peace, you c a n attain godliness. Keep
a s e c r e t c h a m b e r of silence within y o u r s e l f , w h e r e you will not let m o o d s ,
t r i a l s , battles, o r inharmony e n t e r . Keep out a l l h a t r e d , revengefulness,
and d e s i r e s . I n t h i s c h a m b e r of p e a c e , God will visit you.
Though you m u s t r e m a i n in the world, be not of t h e world. R e a l yogis
c a n talk and mingle with people, but a l l the while t h e i r m i n d s a r e rapt in God.
THE SAINT WHO CALLED A KING A BEGGAR
In a little niche on the b r e a s t of a mountain, a God-knowing saint abided
in d r e a m s of happiness. F r o m the incense- vase of h i s h e a r t fervent p r a y e r s
floated heavenward in s p i r a l s of deep sincerity. At the singular touch of
those f r a g r a n t soul-pouring s , the All-Knowing Silence breathed joy. A c e a s e l e s s exchange of unspoken invisible m i s s i v e s p a s s e d between the G r e a t Omniscience and t h i s beloved devotee, whose every p r a y e r was visibly granted by
the All-Satisfying Commander of a l l destinies.
One day, a s the saint s a t in the c h a m b e r of ec s t a sy communing with God,
he prayed: "Beloved of a l l souls, g r a n t m e some mundane r i c h e s that I m a y
fulfill m y d e s i r e t o build on t h i s hillside a big temple in Your honor. "
The Great One intimated t o His devotee, through the tableau of a vision,
that he should s e e the king of h i s state. Emerging f r o m the p o r t a l s of silence,
the saint p r e p a r e d himself f o r t h e journey t o h i s vision-directed de stination.
After s e v e r a l h o u r s of pleasant wandering through blossoming woodlands
he found himself walking the noisy, m a t t e r - v i b r a t i n g s t r e e t s of a city. When
he c a m e t o t h e palace of the king he inquired of the gatekeeper the whereabouts
of H i s Majesty. "The King i s offering h i s p r a y e r s i n t h e city mosque; you c a n
' c a m e the reply f r o m behind the b a r r e d gate.
visit
-- h i m - t h e r-e--, I------ -- -.- -The saint, a f t e r questioning many a p a s s e r b y (and a f t e r quite a few d e t o u r s ! ) a t l a s t found h i s way t o the c i t y ' s monumental mosque. He e n t e r e d
and knelt on a n empty place on the a l a b a s t e r floor near the king. J u s t a s the
saint closed h i s e y e s t o pray the thought c a m e t o him: "I a m a t l a s t in the
p r e s e n c e of the King, who i s v e r y rich and powerful. In a l l probability h e h a s
had h i s every d e s i r e crowned with fulfillment. I a m s u r e he does not have to
a s k f o r anything f r o m anyone. I a m glad I have c o m e f o r financial aid t o one
who d o e s not beg. "
Even a s the saint was thinking t h i s , h i s attention was suddenly caught by
the whispered p r a y e r s coming f r o m the royal lips. The devotee listened raptly, expecting a royal p r a y e r f r o m a royal being. But t o h i s amazement he
h e a r d the following words: "Heavenly F a t h e r , P o s s e s s o r of a l l the glittering
planets, a r c a n a , p a r a d i s e , and e a r t h , please g r a n t m e m o r e r i c h e s and make
m e m o r e powerful than a l l other kings. Give m e m o r e t e r r i t o r y t o annex to
my empire. "
Stunned and disillusioned, the saint said t o himself disgustedly, "What a
joke ! " He began to laugh uproariously, and with a scornful look a t the king,
h e c r i e d out: "Ha! I a m satisfied. I sought out a king, but I find only a begg a r h e r e . I m u s t get away f r o m t h i s place. " He s t a r t e d t o walk away f r o m
the mosque.
His outburst had broken up the p r a y e r meeting, however, and the King
followed h i m , wrathfully shouting, "Ar r e st the blaspheming imp0 s t e r ! " The
saint stopped and looked back a t the king, then f e l l to laughing again. C o u r ti e r s and c i t i z e n s protectively surrounded the angry monarch. However,
seeing t h a t t h r e a t s w e r e of no a v a i l against the f e a r l e s s l y laughing holy m a n ,
the king composed himself and with folded hands knelt down before the saint
and gently e n t r e a t e d him: " P r a y , will you satisfy m y g r e a t c u r i o s i t y a s to
the c a u s e of your laughter and s t r a n g e a n t i c s during the s e r v i c e s ? "
The saint p a r r i e d with a question: "Do you m a k e the s a m e request in
your p r a y e r e v e r y d a y ? " "Why, y e s , " said the king. The saint laughingly
began t o explain: "I c a m e to you f o r s o m e financial help t o build a temple. I '
The king i n t e r r u p t e d . "Of c o u r s e ! I will g r a n t you that. But why did you
laugh a t m e in the s e r v i c e and then leave ? I'
"Your Highness, the saint replied, "when I h e a r d you p r a y f o r m o r e
opulence and t e r r i t o r y , I saw that you a r e nothing m o r e than a b e g g a r - - a king
of b e g g a r s ! I do not choose t o a s k anything of t h e biggest beggar I have e v e r
m e t ! No, thank you! I a m going back t o m y mountain cave and t o m y Beloved
who i s waiting f o r m e in t h e t e m p l e of ec stasy. And when I m e e t Him again,
I a m going t o chide Him f o r sending m e t o a beggar f o r financial a s s i s t a n c e ,
He i s the r i c h e s t , the only King of the C o s m o s , who h a s everything, and
when who d o e s not need t o supplicate anyone f o r anything. l 1
T h i s s t o r y o f f e r s a golden s e r m o n t o those who vainly seek t o quench the
t h i r s t of t h e i r d e s i r e s on the d e s e r t of limitations. T h i s e a r t h m a y have a
few o a s e s m o m e n t a r i l y satisfying t o o u r soul t h i r s t s ; but the e t e r n a l spring of
all- satisfying divine n e c t a r l i e s beneath the r o c k s of o u r indifference. They
m u s t be continuously hewn with the pickax of devotion until they allow a c e l e s t i a l flood t o flow through u s , quenching a l l the unslaked s o u l - t h i r s t of i n c a r n a tions, f o r e v e r and f o r e v e r .
AFFIRMATION
Today I will open the door of m y c a l m n e s s and let t h e footsteps of silence e n t e r
the temple of a l l m y activities.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
v
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
THE DEVOTEE'S ASPIRATION
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
I shall be a Niagara F a l l s , m y joy thundering
in a c e a s e l e s s c a s c a d e . The powerful flood will
sweep away the heavy logs of other s ' difficulties.
- .
I shall be a tornado of laughter, toppling the
t i m b e r s and t o w e r s of s o r r o w . Zooming over
e n d l e s s m i l e s of mentalities, I shall demolish
t h e i r troubles.
I shall be lightning f l a s h e s in the night, breathtakingly bringing t o view the panorama of Thy
beauty--long hidden by the d a r k n e s s of unseeing
eyes.
I shall be moonbeams of b l i s s , banishing
melancholy f r o m t h e e a r t h .
I shall be r a y s of light, putting t o flight the
gloom that l u r k s in r e c e s s e s of human thought.
Through Thy g r a c e the sudden shafts of wisdom
will dispel e r r o r accumulations of countless
centuries.
- - F r o m "Whispers f r o m Eternity"
- --
-
PRAYER
Thou a r t s a c r e d p e r e n n i a l joy; Thou a r t the joy I seek; Thou a r t
the lasting joy of the soul. Teach m e to worship Thee through the
joy born of meditation and doing good, and not through p l e a s u r e s
born of the misguided s e n s e s .
ttt
CULTIVATE INNER SOUL JOY - - THE TRUE HAPPINESS
Although happiness depends t o some extent upon e x t e r n a l conditions, it
depends chiefly upon conditions of the inner mind. In o r d e r t o be ideally happy
one m u s t have good health, a n efficient mind, a p r o s p e r o u s life, t h e right kind
of work and, above a l l , a n a l l - round, all- accomplishing wisdom.
Without i n n e r happiness, one m a y be a p r i s o n e r of s o r r o w s in a sumptuous
c a s t l e . Happiness i s not dependent upon s u c c e s s and wealth alone; r e a l happine s s depends upon struggling against the f a i l u r e s , difficulties, and p r o b l e m s
of l i f e with a n acquired attitude of unshakable inner happiness. To be satisfied
with outward happiness, o r m a t e r i a l p l e a s u r e s , defeats the s e a r c h f o r bliss.
T r u e happiness c o m e s by being inwardly happy f i r s t and a t a l l t i m e s , while
struggling o n e ' s u t m o s t t o uproot the outer c a u s e s of unhappiness.
SUPERIOR
LASTING
HAPPINESS
We c a n never be lastingly happy until we l e a r n t o seek s a t i s faction in s p i r i t u a l p r o g r e s s and t o guard happiness f r o m a l l
the influences that tend to d e s t r o y it. Even i f you attain the
p e r f e c t m a t e r i a l conditions of which you d r e a m , happiness
would not c o m e a s a r e s u l t ; but, through s p i r i t u a l p r o g r e s s , you c a n attain
inner joy even while living fully and experi~encinga l l the moods and a c t i v i t i e s
of the a v e r a g e life.
No m a t t e r what you a r e doing, keep the u n d e r c u r r e n t of happiness, the
s e c r e t r i v e r of joy, flowing beneath the sands of your v a r i o u s thoughts and the
rocky s o i l of your h a r d t r i a l s . L e a r n t o be s e c r e t l y happy within your h e a r t
i n s p i t e of a l l c i r c u m s t a n c e s , and say t o yourself:
-
"Happine s s i s the g r e a t e s t divine birthright - the
buried t r e a s u r e of m y soul. Having found it a t l a s t , I
s h a l l be s e c r e t l y r i c h beyond t h e d r e a m s of kings. "
If t h e soul becomes completely e n g r o s s e d in l e s s e r p l e a s u r e s , it f a i l s to
be attentive t o the investigation of s u p e r i o r lasting happiness. Many p e r sons
r e a s o n that renunciation of m a t e r i a l p l e a s u r e s i s a l m o s t a n impossibility in
the business world. But the a v e r a g e m a n i s not advised t o hide away in the
jungle in o r d e r t o find peace. He should l e a r n r a t h e r t o be in the world and
yet not of it. He m u s t be positive about h i s s p i r i t u a l goal, and then t a k e c a r e
not t o s o blind himself with m a t e r i a l p l e a s u r e s that he f a i l s t o continue t o
enjoy the vision of s u p e r i o r p l e a s u r e s .
AVOLD BAD
HABITS
Don't make unhappiness a chronic habit. It i s anything but
pleasant t o be unhappy: t o be happy i s a blessing t o yourself
and t o o t h e r s . Since it i s e a s y t o w e a r a s i l v e r s m i l e o r to
pour out happiness through your voice, why s c a t t e r unhappiness around you by
being grouchy? It i s never too l a t e t o l e a r n . You a r e a s old a s your chronic
thoughts, and you a r e a s young a s you f e e l now, in spite of your age.
Ignorant people, like a n i m a l s , d i s r e g a r d the l e s s o n s t h a t accompany pain
and p l e a s u r e , and thus live l i v e s checkered with s a d n e s s and sorrow. They
do not avoid the actions that lead t o suffering, and do not follow the paths that
lead t o happiness. Then t h e r e a r e people who a l l t h e i r l i v e s a r e consciously
over sensitive t o the glad o r sad e x p e r i e n c e s of life. Lacking balance, such
people a r e usually c r u s h e d by s o r r o w and overwhelmed by joy. Even a f t e r
burning t h e i r f i n g e r s in the f i r e of ignorance- born e x p e r i e n c e s , v e r y few people l e a r n t o avoid m i s e r y - m a k i n g a c t s .
@
Everyone wishes t o be happy, yet v e r y few p e r s o n s make the n e c e s s a r y
effort t o adopt a c o u r s e of action t h a t l e a d s to happiness. Most people, while
idly wishing f o r the strength and ability t o c l i m b the peak of happiness, instead
keep rolling down the hill of life. Lacking imagination, they do not f o r s e e the
r e s u l t of their folly. Jt r e m a i n s f o r s o m e i e r r i h l e nightmare ofexperie~cetcr
awaken t h e m t o t h e i r e r r o r . But those whose enthusiasm f o r happiness s u r vive s the c r a s h t o the depths of s a d n e s s and disillusionment do wake up and be gin to seek in e a r n e s t f o r the lasting joy that c o m e s f r o m inner soul-knowledge.
-
A m a n sliding down the path of evil tendencies finds no r e s i s t a n c e ; but a s
soon a s he t r i e s to oppose h i s wrong habits by following spiritual laws of selfdiscipline, he finds countless instinctive temptations roused to fight and f r e quently to foil, h i s noble efforts.
C u r e your self of evil (i. e . , happiness -killing) habits by cauterizing t h e m
with the opposite good habits. If you have the bad habit of telling l i e s , and by
so doing have lost many f r i e n d s , s t a r t the opposite good habit of telling t h e
truth. Of c o u r s e it t a k e s t i m e t o f o r m e i t h e r a good habit o r a bad one, bec a u s e a t f i r s t it i s difficult f o r a bad p e r s o n to be good--or f o r a good p e r s o n
t o be bad-- but r e m e m b e r , once you become habitually good, it will be n a t u r a l
and e a s y f o r you to be good. Likewise, i f you cultivate a n evil habit, you will
often s e e m t o be compelled t o be e v i l in spite of your d e s i r e t o the c o n t r a r y .
You will have t o p r a y to the Heavenly F a t h e r f o r a i d , telling Him: " F a t h e r ,
m y s p i r i t i s willing, but m y f l e s h i s weak. "
TWO- EDGED
Your individual hap p iness depends t o a l a r g e extent upon p r o tecting yourself and your family f r o m the evil r e s u l t s of gossiping. See no evil, speak no evil, h e a r no evil, f e e l no evil.
Most people c a n talk about o t h e r s f o r h o u r s , and a r e a s
stimulated by poisonous gossip a s by intoxicating wine. I s it not s t r a n g e t h a t
SWORD OF
CRITICISM
s u c h p e r s o n s c a n e a s i l y , joyously, and with c a u s t i c c r i t i c i s m talk about the
f a u l t s of o t h e r s f o r h o u r s , yet cannot e n d u r e a t a l l any r e f e r e n c e to t h e i r
own faults ?
The next time you a r e tempted to talk about the m o r a l a n d m e n t a l wickedn e s s of a n o t h e r p e r s o n , i m m e d i a t e l y begin to talk loudly about your own m e n t a l a n d m o r a l wickedness and keep it up f o r j u s t five minutes. If it h u r t s you
to talk about your own f a u l t s , you c e r t a i n l y should f e e l m o r e h u r t when saying
unkind, h a r m f u l things about o t h e r s . T r a i n y o u r s e l f , and by word and e x a m ple t r a i n e a c h m e m b e r of your f a m i l y , to r e f r a i n f r o m talking about o t h e r s .
"Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matthew 7 : l )
.
You do not help a m a n by giving publicity to h i s w e a k n e s s e s . Instead you
m a k e h i m e i t h e r wrathful o r d i s c o u r a g e d , p e r h a p s f o r the r e m a i n d e r of his
life, s o that h e gives up trying to be good. When you take away a p e r s o n ' s
s e n s e of dignity by openly maligning h i m , you m a k e h i m d e s p e r a t e .
When a m a n is down, he i s only too well a w a r e of h i s own wickedness. By
d e s t r u c t i v e c r i t i c i s m you push h i m s t i l l d e e p e r into the m i r e of despondency.
Instead of gossiping about h i m , you should pull h i m out with loving, e n c o u r a g ing words. Only when it is a s k e d should spiritllal and m o r a l a d v i c e be given
to o t h e r s . To your own c h i l d r e n and loved o n e s , however, you m a y offer
f r i e n d l y , humble suggestions a t a n y t i m e , and thus s t r i v e t o help them to o v e r
c o m e any s e n s e of s e c r e c y o r s e n s i t i v i t y to c r i t i c i s m .
-
YOUR MENTAL
ATTITUDE
Make your home a valley of s m i l e s i n s t e a d of a vale of
t e a r s . Smile now! Never mind how h a r d it h a s been f o r
you t o do so. Smile now! If you will r e m e m b e r a l l the
time to s m i l e now, you will s m i l e always. However, a m e c h a n i c a l s m i l e will
not do. Your s m i l e should be a r e f l e c t i o n of your i n n e r soul s t a t e of e v e r new
joy.
Some people s m i l e m o s t of the t i m e , while beneath the m a s k of l a u g h t e r
they hide s o r r o w - c o r r o d e d h e a r t s . Such people slowly pine away behind a
s c r e e n of m e a n i n g l e s s s m i l e s . But t h e r e a r e o t h e r people who s m i l e genuine ly once in a while, yet a r e v e r y s e r i o u s a t o t h e r t i m e s ; behind t h e i r a u s t e r e
a p p e a r a n c e a r e s e c r e t fountains of laughing peace.
Happiness is a s t a t e of mind. Suppose you have enjoyed good health f o r
fifty y e a r s then become h e l p l e s s l y s i c k f o r t h r e e y e a r s . You would likely f o r ge t about the long p e r i o d of t i m e when you laughed a t the idea of s i c k n e s s ,
being unable to imagine yourself in poor health. Instead, a f t e r having been
s i c k f o r t h r e e y e a r s your mind would be unable to imagine your being in good
health once m o r e ; it would tend i n s t e a d to h a r b o r the thought that you will
n e v e r be well a g a i n ,
Likewise, if a f t e r having been happy f o r a long time you become unhappy,
e v e n f o r a c o m p a r a t i v e l y s h o r t t i m e , you a r e a p t to l o s e hope of e v e r being
happy again. This mood a l s o i s the r e s u l t of lack of imagination. The m e m o r y of long-continued happiness should be a forceful subconscious habit t o help
you ward off the consciousne s s of your p r e s e n t trouble.
When wealth only i s l o s t , nothing i s really l o s t , f o r if one h a s health and
skill one c a n still be happy, and one can make m o r e money. But i f health i s
l o s t , then t o a g r e a t extent happiness a l s o i s lost; and when the goal of life
(which i s happiness) i s l o s t , everything worthwhile i s gone.
P u r e love, s a c r e d joy, poetic imagination, kindness, wisdom, peace, the
b l i s s of meditation, and happiness i n serving, a r e felt inwardly f i r s t in the
mind o r the h e a r t , and t h e i r beneficial effects a r e then t r a n s m i t t e d by the n e r vous s y s t e m throughout t h e body and thence outward. Do not camouflage the
joy of your soul with the veil of s e r m o n s and solemn words. Understand and
experience the s u p e r i o r joys of the i n t e r i o r life; then everyone around you will
f e e l and benefit f r o m the pure joy that emanate s silently f r o m within your soul.
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
The joyous r a y s of the soul can be perceived if you i n t e r i o r i z e your atten-
-.-ti~n,
2hi-
, " , " , 2 1 ~ - 0 ~ ~ u
-
thoughts in t h e invi sibye::
happine s s only i n beautiful clothe s , clean house s , delicious d i n n e r s , and soft
cushions and c h a i r s . These c a n i m p r i s o n your happiness behind b a r s of e x ternality. R a t h e r , in the airplane of your i n t e r i o r visualization, glide o v e r
t h e vast t r a c t s that c o m p r i s e t h e l i m i t l e s s e m p i r e of thoughts. T h e r e behold
the mountain r a n g e s of unbroken, lofty, s p i r i t u a l a s p i r a t i o n s . If you have
made up your mind t o find joy within yourself, sooner o r l a t e r you will find it.
The n e m e s i s of d a r k n e s s m u s t be d r i v e n away by t h e burning light of
s m i l e s . You m u s t find joy i n melting away by t h e warmth of your s m i l e s the
f r o s t of o t h e r s ' gloom. Wherever you go, you should build a big bonfire of
s m i l e s in the souls of men.
L e a r n t o throw the light of joy into a l l h e a r t s , so that they m a y burn away
the d a r k n e s s and find the light within themselves. You should s p r e a d the f i r e
of s m i l e s ; and those s m i l e s should be s a t u r a t e d with t h e smile of God, which
c o m e s through right meditation. Your s m i l e should be the laughter of the gods
- - the echo of the Infinite.
EVER NEW JOY
S r i Yukteswar once said t o m e : "The s p i r i t u a l a s p i r a n t who t r i e s t o fly
the clutches of m a t e r i a l attachments, in h i s delusion often wants m a t t e r in the
f o r m of m i r a c l e s . T h e r e f o r e , in trying t o get away f r o m m a t t e r , do not d e ceive yourself and invite it in another, subtle, f o r m . If a l l m i r a c u l o u s powers
and every imaginable m a t e r i a l p o s s e s s i o n w e r e given t o you, you would n e v e r thele s s r e m a i n d i s s a t i s f i e d ; f o r you would g r o w t i r e d of a l l that youahad r e ceived. T h e r e i s only one thing that you will never become t i r e d of, if you
once have it--you will never become t i r e d of joy. E v e r changing, everlasting,
e v e r new joy i s God--you will become t i r e d of everything except e v e r new joy. I '
Instead of looking f o r God in s t a r r y c h a m b e r s of m y s t e r y , o r in the beauty
of the e a r t h - - i n s t e a d of keeping Him a p a r t by thinking of Him a s being in a
c e r t a i n distant spot - -through M a s t e r ' s direction I silently c r i e d continuously
within m y s e l f : "Come ! Come ! ' I And in the temple of joy I always h e a r d Him
reply i n the echo of m y love: "I a m h e r e ! I a m h e r e ! "
Instead of assuming that I had to go on waiting during many l i v e s in o r d e r
to m e e t God, I plunged headlong and swam within myself, and lo ! I found Him
hiding within m e . I found that forgetfulness and d a r k indifference w e r e the
veils that hid Him f r o m m e . I t o r e a s u n d e r those veils and discovered that my
m e m o r y and my love f o r Him w e r e d o o r s t o His p r e s e n c e . As often a s I thought
of Him, the door was flung open and I felt His p r e s e n c e . The m e m o r y of God
i s the a l t a r of God's p r e s e n c e . Whenever you think of God, you m a n i f e s t R i s
omnipre senc e within you !
AFFIRMATION
Beginning with the e a r l y dawn, I will
radiate my c h e e r t o everyone I m e e t today.
I will be the m e n t a l sunshine f o r a l l who
c r o s s my path t h i s day.
Self-Realiza tion Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
S-1 P-26/1
@ Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
LESSON SUMMARIES
INTRODUCTION
The following summaries consist of quick, general
reviews of each Lesson in Step One. These summaries are intended to refresh in your memory, and to fix firmly in
your mind, the most vital points presented in the preceding Lessons.
These reviews will also enhance your understanding of the relationship between theory and practice of the techniques, and of the importance of one to the other. Review is an important factor in any
study, and particularly in the study of Self-Realization Fellowship
teachings. If you have been steadfastly practicing SRF techniques,
you will find that each time you review a Lesson you will discover
something worthwhile that may have escaped you in previousXuay; o r
perhaps a point that had not particularly impressed you before will
"come home" to you, giving unexpected satisfaction. It is through
repetition of and meditation upon the truth that we learn the most.
The summaries include some explanatory notes not contained in
the Lesson proper. It has been our sincere purpose to present the
authentic "why" of all the principles expounded by the masters of
India. In order to cover thoroughly these fundamental principles,
the summaries that constitute Lesson 26 will be continued in a series
of installments.
The review questions at the end of each installment of the summaries are intended to help you in your study of the Lessons, and can
be an invaluable aid to you in evaluating your understanding of the
teachings. The answers to these review questions are to be kept by
you. At the end of Step 11, you will have an opportunity to submit
a written report on your practice of the techniques you are learning
in the Lessons. In the meantime, if ever you feel the need for guidance in your practice of the Energization Exercises or Hong-Sau
Technique, you are most welcome to write to the Mother Center. Our
spiritual counselors here are always happy to be of assistance.
In the first step you have learned the importance of
connecting the little wave of life (the human body)
with the Ocean of Life (the vastness of nature and God). Nature is
the physical aspect, the body of God; while the life and consciousness hidden in men, animals, and flowers, and all forms of matter
are the soul or consciousness of God. Man has a soul, life energy,
and a physical body; God as Cosmic Intelligence has cosmic life, and
His body is the cosmos.
FIRST STEP
If a person constantly looks at a wave, he becomes less and
less aware of the sea. Likewise, when we concentrate upon and become
attached to the little wave of our life, we lose sight of the Ocean
of Spirit from which our life wave emanated. As variously situated
electric lamps may be lighted by power flowing from a single dynamo,
so all the variously moving and existing human beings are actuated
by the one cosmic dynamo of God's intelligent Light.
LESSON NO. 1
Every Self-Realizationist should say daily the
prayer given at the beginning of this Lesson:
"Heavenly Father, Divine Mother, Jesus Christ, Bhagavan Krishna,
Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswarji, Guru-Preceptor Paramahansa
Yogananda, saints of all religions, I bow to you all. May Thy love
shine forever on the sanctuary of my devotion, and may I be able to
awaken Thy love in all hearts."
Self-Realization Fellowship teaches the hiqhest principle of
with acti;ity. -SRF siudents
spiritual living: meditation co&ined
are taught how to dedicate inwardly to God all the day's activities;
and, when work is done, to commune with Him in the temple of silence.
God must be earnestly sought. And when you are very desirous
of finding Him, the Lord sends a guru. When you are in tune with a
true guru you are in tune with God. The relationship is eternal.
Even after death, a guru continues to help his disciples (i.e., those
who follow his teachings). This is a spiritual law.
Hence every SRF student should have deep regard for the link of
SRF Gurus--Jesus Christ, Bhagavan Krishna, Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri
Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar, and Paramahansa Yogananda--with whom all SRF
students are connected by affiliation with Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda.
SRF teaches the student to practice control of the body until
he is its master. The human body has to be made ready to receive
the divine power. The state of consciousness has to be right; then
God will automatically come to you! But God may not respond right
away. Only when He is convinced that you seek Him, not for the
satisfaction of temporal desires or for spiritual glamour and glory,
but simply to be His, unconditionally and forever, will He open the
door.
i
J e s u s and t h e M a s t e r s a r e g r e a t r e f l e c t i o n s of God, p e r f e c t
examples f o r you t o f o l l o w . Thus you may know you t o o a r e a potent i a l c h i l d of God. Whatever your e r r o r s , t h e y b e l o n g t o t h e p a s t ;
t h e y a r e n o t you. God i s yours! The g r e a t e s t s i n i s i g n o r a n c e of
our oneness with H i m .
S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n F e l l o w s h i p o f f e r s you t h e u n i v e r s a l t e c h n i q u e of s a l v a t i o n , t h e r o y a l highway on which a l l t h e o l o g i c a l bypaths conjoin.
I f you w i l l s t u d y t h e s e Lessons and t h e n p r a c t i c e
them d a i l y you w i l l soon r e a l i z e a new g o a l of h a p p i n e s s , awakening,
and S e l f - r e a l i z a t i o n t h a t w i l l f o r e v e r shed l i g h t upon you s o t h a t
you may l i v e a c c o r d i n g t o t h e h i g h e s t s t a n d a r d s of e x i s t e n c e .
Self- Realization Fellowship teachings a r e a g r e a t dispensation
s e n t f o r t h i n t o t h e world by J e s u s C h r i s t and Mahavatar B a b a j i t o
show t h e u n i t y of o r i g i n a l C h r i s t i a n i t y and o r i g i n a l Yoga, and t o
b r i n g r e a l God-communion t o p e o p l e i n a l l l a n d s . S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n
i s t h e new d i s p e n s a t i o n t h a t was promised i n t h e S c r i p t u r e s .
LESSON NO.
-a
Every day you s h o u l d commune w i t h God a s t h e e v e r
new joy of m e d i t a t i o n .
Every day you s h o u l d s p r e a d
t h e message of S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n F e l l o w s h i p by t h e example of your
l i f e , and t h u s b e a f i s h e r of s o u l s , i n o r d e r t o p l e a s e God. D e v e l o p w i l l power. W i l l and a c t u n t i l you a c h i e v e v i c t o r y i n everyt h i n q worthwhile. Through w i l l power you c a n e n e r q i z e t h e body.
Learn t o d e v e l o p p h y s i o l o g i c a l , u n t h i n k i n g , b l i n d w i l l power i n t o
the d y n a m i c - & v i n e w i l l t h a t J e s u s referred to when he saic?:- "Thy
w i l l b e done. "
2
W i l l power s h o u l d n e v e r b e used wrongly; b u t t h e w i l l s h o u l d
b e u s e d , g u i d e d by wisdom. W i l l power was g i v e n t o man f o r h i s
use. It i s a metaphysical e r r o r n o t t o t r y t o use our w i l l , f o r
w e c a n n o t h e l p u s i n g o u r w i l l i n e v e r y movement and e v e r y a c t .
Only when we a r e p h y s i c a l l y dead o r m e n t a l l y dead do w e n o t u s e
w i l l power. When o u r own w i l l i s g u i d e d by t r u e wisdom it becomes
one w i t h t h e wisdom- inspired w i l l of God. Our w i l l and H i s w i l l
become one and t h e same t h i n g . W e s h o u l d n o t i s o l a t e o u r w i l l from
God, b u t r e a l i z e t h a t b e h i n d t h e l i t t l e motor of o u r own w i l l t h r o b s
t h e I n f i n i t e Dynamo of God's e n d l e s s l y powerful i n e x h a u s t i b l e w i l l .
A wish might b e c a l l e d " v o l i t i o n i n embryo" - - h e l p l e s s ,
unformed, l a c k i n g i n power. I t may remain a s it i s w i t h o u t f u r t h e r m a n i f e s t a t i o n and e v e n t u a l l y d i s s o l v e f o r l a c k of e n e r g y . O r
it may grow i n t o d e s i r e and t h e n d e t e r m i n a t i o n . Even d e t e r m i n a t i o n
may become d i s c o u r a g e d . But when d e t e r m i n a t i o n becomes v o l i t i o n ,
it becomes a l l - p o w e r f u l . A v o l i t i o n c o n s i s t s of a series of c o n t i n u o u s , n e v e r - d i s c o u r a g e d , u n c e a s i n g d e t e r m i n a t i o n s accompanied by act i v i t i e s r e v o l v i n g a r o u n d a d e s i r e u n t i l it becomes dynamic enough
t o produce t h e much- craved- for r e s u l t . You c a n u t t e r l y d e s t r o y
t h e r o o t s of f a i l u r e i n y o u r l i f e by e x e r c i s i n g y o u r w i l l u n t i l
r e a l i z a t i o n comes t h a t t h i s dynamic w i l l i s a l r e a d y i n your p o s s e s s i o n a s t h e image of God w i t h i n you.
Many p e r s o n s who a r e e x t e r n a l l y s e e k i n g t r u t h f a i l
t o r e a c h t h e i r g o a l b e c a u s e t h e y d o n o t make t h e
e f f o r t t o apply t h e d i f f e r e n t t r u t h s i n a c t u a l l i f e i n o r d e r t o
e x p e r i e n c e them w i t h i n . They f a i l t o u s e t h e i r d i s c r i m i n a t i v e
powers t o s e p a r a t e t h e k e r n e l of t r u t h from u n t e s t e d b e l i e f s , and
s o t h e y n e v e r f e e l t h e joyousness of a c t u a l r e a l i z a t i o n of t r u t h
through t h e i n t u i t i v e f a c u l t y of t h e S e l f .
LESSON NO.
3
Led by c u r i o s i t y and i m i t a t i o n , t h e y e n j o y l i s t e n i n g t o new
i d e a s from new p e r s o n a l i t . i e s . They e n j o y t h e t h r i l l o f change.
They become enamored o f t h e n p a t h " and f o r g e t t h e o b j e c t i v e , a l thouqh i m p e l l e d by a t h e o r e t i c a l d e s i r e t o l i v e a c c o r d i n g t o h i g h
principles.
One s h o u l d a v o i d t h e o r e t i c a l i n d i g e s t i o n c a u s e d by swallowing
new i d e a s w i t h o u t a s s i m i l a t i n g them. F o r s a k e t h e b l i n d a l l e y s of
t h e o l o g i c a l b e l i e f s . Give s e l e c t i v e , p r a c t i c a l a t t e n t i o n t o y o u r
chosen p a t h and keep on p r a c t i c i n g and f i n d i n g r e s u l t s i n t h e S e l f .
The b e s t t e c h n i q u e s of m e d i t a t i o n a r e c o n t a i n e d i n t h e Lessons of
S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n F e l l o w s h i p . T h i s i s t h e d i r e c t , t h e a i r p l a n e way,
t o God. Keep going! One w i l l know h e h a s found t h e b e s t way by a
growing f e e l i n g of s a t i s f a c t i o n ; by a n e v e r - i n c r e a s i n g p e a c e , w i s dom, and a s s u r a n c e from w i t h i n ; and by a c o n t i n u o u s l y p r o g r e s s i n q
i n t u i t i v e p e r c e p t i o n , and a n i n n e r h a p p i n e s s o f s i l e n c e .
C o n s i d e r no one a s t r a n g e r . F i r s t e s t a b l i s h p e r f e c t
f r i e n d s h i p w i t h one o r two s o u l s , t h e n o f f e r t h a t
d i v i n e f r i e n d s h i p t o a l l . Do n o t p o i s o n f r i e n d s h i p by demand and
compulsion and wrong f a m i l i a r i t y ; o r by d i s c o u r t e s y , o r h a r s h s p e e c h ,
o r m e n t a l c r u e l t y . P r a c t i c e f r i e n d s h i p i n your p a r e n t a l , f i l i a l ,
c o n j u g a l , o r any o t h e r r e l a t i o n s h i p , a s t h e Case may b e . B e a t r u e
friend.
LESSON NO. 4
F r i e n d s h i p c o n s i s t s i n becoming i n c r e a s i n g l y u s e f u l i n e v e r y
way ( m a t e r i a l l y and s p i r i t u a l l y ) t o y o u r f r i e n d s . T h e r e f o r e , keep
u n c e a s i n g l y d e v e l o p i n g i f you want t o b e a good f r i e n d , o r t o i n s p i r e f r i e n d s , o r t o r e c e i v e o t h e r s a s your f r i e n d s .
Love y o u r enemies, f o r t h e y t o o a r e your b r o t h e r s . W e a r e a l l
c h i l d r e n of one F a t h e r . See t h e image of God i n a l l . Some p e o p l e
from t h e f i r s t meeting p r o v e t o b e r e a l f r i e n d s a l w a y s , w h i l e o t h e r s
t h a t w e meet d a i l y w e n e v e r r e a l l y know.
Behold a l l r a c e s , your b r o t h e r c r e a t u r e s , assembled b e n e a t h
t h e canopy of God's f r i e n d s h i p . L e t t h o s e who a r e o u r own come
u n t o u s , u n t i l w e know everyone i s o u r own.
E n e r g i z e your body by r e c h a r g i n g it from t h e i n n e r
Source. Although you must e a t p r o p e r l y i n t h e m o r t a l
s t a t e , you s h o u l d l e a r n t o rise above food- consciousness. When you
make up your mind n o t t o b e a s l a v e t o h u n g e r , you f i n d t h a t your
w i l l power c a n s u s t a i n your body by c o n n e c t i n g it w i t h the e l e c t r o p r o t o n i c e n e r g y t h a t s u r r o u n d s y o u r body.
LESSON NO. 5
The w e t b a t t e r y depends upon e l e c t r i c i t y and d i s t i l l e d w a t e r ; s o
t h e body b a t t e r y depends upon l i f e f o r c e coming down from t h e medullab a t t e r y of t h e b r a i n , a s w e l l a s from food and oxygen and s u n s h i n e .
But a s a d r y b a t t e r y depends o n l y upon e l e c t r i c i t y , and n o t upon
d i s t i l l e d w a t e r , s o a l s o t h e body b a t t e r y , by t r a i n i n g , c a n wholly
o r p a r t l y depend upon t h e l i f e f o r c e f l o w i n g from cosmic e n e r g y .
The l i f e i n t h e body depends d i r e c t l y upon t h e cosmic e n e r g y ,
which comes t h r o u g h t h e a n t e n n a o f t h e medulla o b l o n g a t a , and i s
s t o r e d i n t h e cerebrum and s p i n a l p l e x u s e s . B o d i l y l i f e depends
upon food, oxygen, s u n s h i n e , and s o f o r t h o n l y i n d i r e c t l y ; b u t t h e
s o u l , h a v i n g i d e n t i f i e d i t s e l f w i t h t h e body, t h i n k s t h a t food i s
t h e o n l y s o u r c e of l i f e . When one l e a r n s t o l i v e more and more by
w i l l power and e n e r g y , h e r e a l i z e s , a s J e s u s d i d , t h a t man's body
b a t t e r y d o e s n o t depend upon b r e a d a l o n e ( s o l i d s , g a s e s , and suns h i n e ) , b u t upon e v e r y word ( v i b r a t i n g e n e r g y ) t h a t p r o c e e d e t h o u t
o f t h e mouth of God (medulla o b l o n g a t a ) , t h r o u g h which t h e o p e r a t o r w i l l draws v i b r a t i n g e n e r g y (Word) i n t o t h e body.
The a c t u a l proof t h a t t h e body c a n b e g r a d u a l l y s u s t a i n e d by
cosmic e n e r g y i s proven by t h e f o l l o w i n g : whenever you are t i r e d ,
you c a n r e p l a c e some e n e r g y by d r i n k i n g milk o r e a t i n g f o o d ; b u t
t h e n e x t t i m e you a r e t i r e d , i n s t e a d of e a t i n g food, p r a c t i c e t h e
Recharging E x e r c i s e s g e n t l y f o r t e n minutes. When you have p e r f e c t e d
your p r a c t i c e of t h e e x e r c i s e s you w i l l f i n d t h a t your t i r e d f e e l i n g
w i l l l e a v e you w i t h o u t your e a t i n g food. T h i s i s a n u n f a i l i n g method
--&C
- e n e r g y , i l l +ace -of-food-.
I
1.
P h y s i c a l l y c h a r g e your body by r o u s i n g cosmic energy
t h r o u g h w i l l power, a s i n t h e Recharging E x e r c i s e s .
2.
By f e e l i n g t h a t e v e r new Bliss- God i n m e d i t a t i o n , stamp
i m m o r t a l i t y on your changing l i f e and make it c h a n g e l e s s .
Then, a s waves change, b u t t h e ocean d o e s n o t , s o b i r t h ,
c h i l d h o o d , y o u t h , a g e , and d e a t h w i l l dance i n y o u r cons c i o u s n e s s l i k e dream-waves w i t h o u t changing t h e one
u n f o r g e t t a b l e e v e r c o n s c i o u s ocean o f Cosmic C o n s c i o u s n e s s .
INTRODUCTION
a
TO REVIEW QUESTIONS
The q u e s t i o n s on page 6 are d e s i g n e d t o h e l p you i n your
review. A f t e r you have s t u d i e d t h e summaries of t h i s i n s t a l l m e n t ,
and have crone o v e r t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n s Lessons. w r i t e o u t t h e answers
When you have w r i t t e n them
t o t h e f o i l o w i n g q u e s t i o n s from m e m 6 r x .
a l l , go back t o t h e Lessons and check your answers. The answers
may a i l be found i n t h e L e s s o n s o r i n t h e summaries. Keep t h e s e
answers y o u r s e l f , and r e f e r t o them a g a i n from t i m e t o t i m e . They
w i l l b e a n i n d e x t o y o u r s p i r i t u a l p r o g r e s s and u n d e r s t a n d i n g of
t h e t e a c h i n g s . T h i s i s t h e f i r s t of f o u r sets of r e v i e w q u e s t i o n s
c o v e r i n q t h e Lessons i n S t e p 1. The q u e s t i o n s i n t h i s f i r s t set
c o v e r Lessons 1 t h r o u g h 5.-
REVIEW QUESTIONS -- STEP ONE
(FOR YOUR PERSONAL REVIEW ONLY; NOT TO BE SENT TO MOTHER CENTER)
Lesson 1
3.
4.
5.
What i s t h e h i g h e s t p r i n c i p l e o f s p i r i t u a l
living?
2.
( a ) Who a r e t h e Gurus of SRF?
( b ) Why should one have deep r e g a r d f o r them?
When d o e s God respond t o t h e d e v o t e e ?
What i s t h e g r e a t e s t s i n ?
What i s t h e m i s s i o n of S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n F e l l o w s h i p ?
What i s t h e dynamo of a l l o u r powers?
D i s t i n g u i s h between " wish," " d e s i r e , " " i n t e n t i o n , "
and " v o l i t i o n . "
What i s meant by " b l i n d w i l l " ? " t h i n k i n g w i l l " ?
How can you be s u r e you a r e u s i n g your w i l l r i g h t l y ?
Should you u s e your w i l l , o r p a s s i v e l y l e t God u s e i t ?
How i s w i l l t h e s a v i o r of man?
Lesson 2
3.
4.
5.
6.
Lesson 3
2.
3.
4.
5.
4.
5.
6.
3.
4.
1.
-
How w i l l you a t t r a c t f r i e n d s t o you?
( a ) How should one s e r v e o n e ' s f r i e n d s ?
( b ) Who i s your b e s t f r i e n d ?
( a ) How c a n you l e a r n t o l o v e your enemies?
( b ) Why i s it i m p o r t a n t t o do s o ?
Why i s good company i m p o r t a n t ?
What i s your w o r s t company?
How c a n you r e c o g n i z e f r i e n d s of p a s t i n c a r n a t i o n s ?
1.
2.
What i s a good b r e a t h i n g e x e r c i s e t o p r a c t i c e
w h i l e walking?
( a ) Upon what s o u r c e s d o e s t h e body depend f o r s u s t e n a n c e ?
( b ) Which i s t h e most i m p o r t a n t ?
Compare an o r d i n a r y b a t t e r y w i t h t h e body b a t t e r y .
What d i d J e s u s r e f e r t o when h e spoke of t h e "mouth of God"?
Lesson 5
2.
1.
2.
What i s t h e d i f f e r e n c e between c u r i o s i t y s e e k e r s
and r e a l s e e k e r s ?
What c a u s e s t h e o l o g i c a l and t h e o r e t i c a l i n d i g e s t i o n ?
What i s t h e a i r p l a n e way t o God?
Why i s a g u r u i m p o r t a n t on t h e s p i r i t u a l p a t h ?
How can one know h e h a s found t h e b e s t way?
Lesson 4
3.
1.
1.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S-1 P-2612
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights R e s e ~ e d (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
LESSON SUMMARIES
B e c o m e a s o n of God b y e n l a r g i n g the c a l i b e r of y o u r cons c i o u s n e s s through c o n c e n t r a t i o n and meditation. We c a n
r e c e i v e the o c e a n of G o d - c o n s c i o u s n e s s b y e n l a r g i n g the b o u n d a r i e s of o u r cons c i o u s n e s s t h r o u g h meditation. The body i s fed f r o m e x t e r n a l s o u r c e s b y food,
oxygen, a n d s o f o r t h ; and i n t e r n a l l y i t i s fed b y c o s m i c c o n s c i o u s n e s s and life
force.
LESSON NO. 6
e
M o s t e x e r c i s e s t e a c h the s t u d e n t to c o n c e n t r a t e upon m u s c l e s , body movem e n t s , and i n s t r u m e n t s of e x e r c i s e ( s u c h as d u m b b e l l s and b a r b e l l s ) . S R F
g i v e s r e c h a r g i n g e x e r c i s e s to e n e r g i z e the body by c o n s c i o u s will. E x e r c i s e
s i g n i f i e s , f i r s t , the a c t i v a t i o n of e n e r g y , with the r e s u l t a n t m o v e m e n t of m u s c l e s o r l i m b s . By p r a c t i c e of Self- Realization F e l l o w s h i p t e c h n i q u e s , the
student l e a r n s t o c o n c e n t r a t e p r i n c i p a l l y upon the motivating e l e m e n t : E n e r gy.
-
e e l a x a t i o n (laxo, "to r e l e a s e tt ; re, " again" ): t o r e l e a s e by a n
a c t of will the e n e r g y employed i n a m u s c l e o r body p a r t
t h a t h a s b e e n t e n s e d high o r low.
Tension: sending e n e r g y into a m u s c l e with t h e d e l i b e r a t e
intention of c a u s i n g t h a t m u s c l e t o t e n s e o r c o n t r a c t . J u s t
as you c a n switch light on o r off in a l i g h t bulb, s o by o p e r a t i n g t h e s w i t c h of will p o w e r you c a n switch e n e r g y on o r
off in the l a m p s of the m u s c l e s .
Read a g a i n v e r y c a r e f u l l y the e x p e r i m e n t o n e n e r g y and will.
M o s t people think t h a t a h u m a n being i s c o m p o s e d of only a
p h y s i c a l body and m i n d ; b u t e s s e n t i a l l y e a c h h u m a n being i s c o m p o s e d of:
IMPORTANT
1)
2)
3)
consciousness
life e n e r g y
flesh
T h e r e a r e t h r e e p r i n c i p l e s involved i n the a c t of t h e t e n s i o n of a m u s c l e :
1)
T h e will, which s e n d s e n e r g y to a p a r t i c u l a r body p a r t .
2)
3)
The energy, which c a n tense the bundle of f i b e r s in a
muscle into stony h a r d n e s s .
The muscle, which i s tensed by energy and will.
We only know the lightness o r heaviness of a weight f r o m the feeling of
how much e n e r g y we a r e expending. Remember, the relation between will
and e n e r g y is:
"The g r e a t e r the will, the g r e a t e r the amount of
energy and tension in any body p a r t . "
LESSON NO. 7
All t r u e spiritual s c r i p t u r e s have a threefold meaning, to
suit the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of man.
IMPORTANT
Specially study the five stages of mental relaxation
described in Lesson 7. Also the special kinds of relaxation.
Relaxation means the releasing of energy and consciousness f r o m the
muscles in any of the following ways:
1.
Imperfect muscular relaxation.
2.
P a r t i a l muscular relaxation.
3.
Unconscious sensory- motor relaxation--withdrawal of c onsciousness
and energy f r o m the s e n s e s , a s in sleep.
4.
Conscious sensory- motor relaxation- -conscious withdrawal of energy
and consciousness f r o m the m u s c l e s and the s e n s e s by concentration, a t will.
5.
Unconscious perfect sensory- motor- organic relaxation- - death-- or
the unconscious forced withdrawal of the energy and consciousness
f r o m the muscles, h e a r t , spine, and brain.
6. Conscious sensory- mo tor -organic relaxation- -higher meditation- -in
which one may consciously and a t will withdraw the life energy
f r o m the m u s c l e s , s e n s e s , heart, spine, brain, and medulla
oblongata, o r f r o m the entire body, thereby releasing it into the
Infinite Dynamo of consciousness and energy, just a s one might
switch off e l e c t r i c i t y f r o m a light bulb, permitting the electricity
to r e t u r n to the dynamo that produced it.
After death, we cannot switch on again the life in the body lamp. But by
learning the method of conscious sensory- motor- organic relaxation, we may
switch off life f r o m the body while we a r e yet living, and "switch it on" again
I
@
a t will.
did.
In o t h e r words, we c a n "die" and "live" again a t will, even as J e s u s
LESSON NO. 8
This L e s s o n on e n e r g i z a t i o n contains the key p r i n c i p l e s upon
which the S R F Recharging E x e r c i s e s a r e based. Review by
reading t h i s L e s s o n once e v e r y week until you thoroughly know and understand
these p r i n c i p l e s and c a n s u c c e s s f u l l y do the e x e r c i s e s . E v e r y d a y upon waking,
while s t i l l in bed, p r a c t i c e v e r y slowly, with e y e s c l o s e d , the e x e r c i s e s given
in L e s s o n 8 under the subtitles of "Relaxing E x e r c i s e " and "The Technique of
E n e r g i z a t i o n . " P r a c t i c e these e x e r c i s e s a l s o any time that you a r e tired.
The m o r e you p r a c t i c e these e x e r c i s e s slowly and with concentration, the
m o r e you will r e a l i z e , by tension and relaxation of e n e r g y f r o m the body, that
you a r e not just s o m a n y pounds of f l e s h , but r a t h e r the e n e r g y and consciousn e s s tied in the n e r v e s , m u s c l e s , o r g a n s , and bones by the c o r d s of a t t a c h ment. By realizing yourself a s the e n e r g y in the body and not a s the f l e s h ,
you p r e p a r e the way f o r r e l e a s i n g your little caged life into the Infinite Life.
T h e s e e x e r c i s e s a l s o awaken d e e p e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s and g r e a t e r e n e r g y in a l l
body c e l l s . A student of Self- Realization Fellowship L e s s o n s should not think
of h i m s e l f as a f l e s h l y body, but a s the light in the body bulb, r e a d y to be
switched off o r consciously r e l e a s e d into the Infinite Light, o r switched on
a g a i n in the limiting body bulb.
Some people know l e s s than o t h e r s , owing to wrong thinking somewber-e,
s o m e t i m e in the n e a r o r d i s t a n t p a s t . T h e i r p r e s e n t limitations a r e self c r e a t e d and not due to God's p a r t i a l i t y . B r e a k the bonds of s e l f - c r e a t e d l i m i tations and l e t the flood of will power d r i v e away a l l w e a k n e s s e s that enshroud
the soul.
LESSON NO. 8- A
Read o v e r the instructions to the e x e r c i s e s , checking to
s e e that you a r e practicing t h e m c o r r e c t l y . P r a c t i c e the
Recharging E x e r c i s e s faithfully e v e r y morning and night as a r e g u l a r p a r t of
your s p i r i t u a l routine.
LESSON NO. 9
The student should maintain a balance between the E a s t e r n
mode of meditation and the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y W e s t e r n habit
of intense activity. Affirm often:
"1 will be c a l m l y active, actively c a l m . I a m a p r i n c e of p e a c e ,
sitting on the throne of poise, d i r e c t i n g the kingdom of m y activity.
To be too c a l m i s to be lazy; t o be too active i s to become a n automaton.
Meditate o r fall a s l e e p when you feel overwhelmed with t r i a l s . Note the diff e r e n t f o r m s of m e n t a l relaxation. Mental relaxation signifies m e n t a l r e s t .
F r e e y o u r mind f r o m haunting w o r r i e s by imitating the s t a t e of d r o w s i n e s s . Keep your b r e a t h c a l m , your c h a r a c t e r steady. With self - control a t
y o u r command, commune with God in meditation; and, whenever you s e e k
company, be in the b e s t s p i r i t u a l company you c a n find.
Metaphysical relaxation c o n s i s t s in freeing one's mind f r o m the body, mone y , p o s s e s s i o n s , name, f a m e , family, country, the world, and the habits of the
human r a c e . E v e r y night in s l e e p we a r e separated f r o m all bodily habits; but
these limitations come back to us when we r e t u r n f r o m the subconscious s t a t e
of s l e e p and again e n t e r into wakeful consciousness. By complete, e c s t a t i c c o m munion with God, a l l bodily attachments a r e destroyed. Then man, whether
a s l e e p o r awake, consciously r e a l i z e s h i s oneness with the F a t h e r .
The g r e a t e s t technique of physical relaxation i s to tense the
whole body and then r e l a x , exhaling the breath, casting away
a l l r e s t l e s s thoughts. Remain a s long a s you c a n in this posit ive c a l m s t a t e , without the interruption of r e s t l e s s thoughts,
and r e m a i n without breathing a s long a s t h e r e i s no s t r a i n . This i s v e r y , v e r y
important to r e m e m b e r : never hold the breath to the point of discomfort o r
strain.
TENSION AND
PHYSICAL
RE LAXATION
In the morning, while you a r e still in bed, p r a c t i c e the tension and r e l a x ation of each of the twenty body parts;then a f t e r you a r e out of bed, p r a c t i c e
again.
Read over the instructions and then thoroughly m a s t e r the a r t of p r a c t i c ing low, medium, and high tension. R e m e m b e r that low tension signifies a
low c h a r g e of e n e r g y sent into a body p a r t ; medium and high tension signify
t h e influx of m o r e e n e r g y into the body p a r t .
R e m e m b e r that when a muscle o r a body p a r t i s fully tensed,
you have charged that p a r t with maximum energy. This signifies that you should not tense any m o r e , f o r the s a m e r e a s o n that you should
not send 2000 volts of c u r r e n t into a 50-watt lamp. J u s t as a ship a t s e a c a n
be operated by r a d i o without the help of a n y of the c r e w , so the ships of
human minds and bodies a r e operated by God's c o s m i c e n e r g y shooting through
the c o s m o s and vibrating in the antenna of the medulla oblongata, o r the
"mouth of God. " The will r e c e i v e s the light of God through the medulla, and
s t o r e s i t up in the b r a i n and six spinal plexuses. The intelligent e n e r g y in the
b r a i n and the plexuses c a r r i e s on the functioning of a l l the many trillions of
body c e l l s , and the intricate workings of the bodily organs.
IMPORTANT
Behindthe s c r e e n o f sleeplandliesthemysteryofthevast,
f o r m l e s s , omnipotent, omnipre sent soul, a reflection of
Spirit. E v e r y night God d i s a s s o c i a t e s your consciousness, p o s s e s s i o n s , r a c e ,
good o r bad qualities, and your body f r o m your f o r m l e s s , happy, e v e r - e x i s t e n t
soul.
LESSONNO. 10
In s l e e p you d o not r e m e m b e r whether you a r e Hindu o r A m e r i c a n , man
o r woman, sick o r well, r i c h o r poor; and yet when you wake up you know that
you existed consciously and happily without the consciousness of the body. If
you w e r e unconscious during sleep, then upon waking you could not possibly
say: "Oh I slept well, I ' o r , "Oh, I had a v e r y light, r e s t l e s s sleep, ' I because
you would not r e m e m b e r . In sleepland you partially realize your r e a l nature:
that you a r e f o r m l e s s , that you a r e l i m i t l e s s a s space, that you a r e happiness.
This recollection during sleep helps you to realize the forgotten image of God
within you.
In a d r e a m you can be a king, o r a m a s t e r , o r a n archangel; a l l the limitations of space and time and of human d e s i r e s that infest e a r t h l y existence
a r e removed. Some d r e a m s have significance, being filmed by the superconscious, a l l - seeing mind, and then played upon the s c r e e n of your d r e a m moviehouse. Other d r e a m s that a r e shown to you by your subconscious mind may
be meaningless p i c t u r e s , m e r e l y a r e s u l t of worried o r r e s t l e s s activity.
God shows you by d r e a m s that you c a n materialize your thoughts into
sensations, feeling, and a l l e a r t h l y experiences, by the power of your subconscious mind. When you c a n materialize thoughts into d r e a m s , you will r e a l ize how God materialized His thoughts into the d r e a m of e a r t h and cosmos.
E a r t h and c o s m o s a r e nothing but materialized dream- thoughts of God. By
knowing this c o s m o s a s God's d r e a m , you can be f r e e f r o m birth and death,
sorrow and p l e a s u r e , poverty and prosperity- - for you will r e a l i z e that all
these dualities a r e untrue, like d r e a m experiences. Upon waking f r o m a
d r e a m , you realize the falsity of both good and bad d r e a m experiences. Similarly, won waking in cosmic consciousness, you will realize that ynu w a r e
only dreaming your existence a s a human being.
Fostering the d e s i r e f o r luxuries i s the s u r e s t way to lose
money and cause unhappiness. Differentiate be tween your
r e a l needs and unnecessary"nece.ssities." Happiness can be h a d by e x e r c i s ing self- control in everything.
LESSON NO. 11
D e s i r e l e s s n e s s i s not negative. It signifies that you should be able to
forsake the troublemaking, short- lasting d e s i r e s of bodily and e a r t h l y e x i s tence for the s u p e r i o r , everlasting happiness of the soul. It i s the vision of
wisdom that d i r e c t s you to seek soul happiness instead of sense happiness.
What i s God and how can we know H i m ? God i s the ever- existing, e v e r conscious, ever- increasing, ever-new joy of meditation. Because God i s
e v e r - i n c r e a s i n g , ever- new joy, we should a l l the m o r e seek Him r a t h e r than
temptation and s e n s e happiness. God can be known and f e l t tangibly a s the
ever- increasing joy of deep and deeper meditation. Those who meditate only
a little while do not know the indescribable happiness that springs forth like a
c a t a r a c t f r o m the cleft of r e a l l y deep meditation. To know God you must meditate intensely, a s well as long; and regularly; and whenever you have s p a r e
time. The incoming happiness you will feel will l e t you know beyond doubt
that i t will consciously guide you in a l l things through your intuition. Of
c o u r s e it i s better to meditate a little, even irregularly, than not to meditate
a t all- - for by s o doing you m a y gradually be encouraged to meditate m o r e
often and to make deeper dives into Spirit.
SPECLAL NOTE
You will l e a r n the scientific way of communing with God
in the second step of the SRF Lessons.
REVIEW QUESTIONS--STEP ONE
(FOR YOUR PERSONAL REVIEW ONLY; NOT TO BE SENT TO MOTHER CENTER)
Lesson 6
The body is said to be a "bundle of motions. I ' Describe the
different s o r t s of motion of which it i s composed.
2. Define Self- realization.
3. How can you hold Infinite Spirit in the cup of your consciousness?
4. What i s the difference between mechanical e x e r c i s e s and the SRF
a r t of energization?
5. Describe the importance of will in energizing the body.
6. How would you show the difference between will power and e n e r g y ?
1.
Lesson 7
1.
2.
3.
What i s the threefold significance of true s c r i p t u r e s ?
What i s the t e s t of mental relaxation? of physical relaxation?
What a r e the five s t a g e s of mental relaxation?
4. What a r e the s t a g e s of physical relaxation?
Lesson 8
1. (a) By what experiment can you show that energization r e q u i r e s both
will and e n e r g y ?
Recall
the two experiments that show the difference between
(b)
mechanically produced muscle movements, and will-produced
muscle movements.
2 . What a r e the three d e g r e e s of tension used in most of the SRF
Recharging E x e r c i s e s , particularly in the twenty-part Technique of Energization e x e r c i s e described in this L e s s o n ? (Also
given as No. 2 0 in the e x e r c i s e s described in Lesson Supplement
8- A)
3 . Describe in detail, naming the twenty body p a r t s , how you practice
the Technique of Energization e x e r c i s e s given in this Lesson:
(a) tensing the whole body a t once.
(b) tensing and relaxing the twenty body p a r t s in sequence given.
4. What important points do you keep in mind while practicing these ?
Lesson 9
1.
2.
3.
What i s mental r e l a x a t i o n ? metaphysical relaxation?
What i s physical r e l a x a t i o n ?
What routine should you follow immediately upon awakening in the
mo rning ?
4. What i s the b e s t method of attaining physical relaxation?
5. D e s c r i b e the meditation e x e r c i s e of "spreading ripples of peace. "
Lesson 10
1.
What do d r e a m s teach us about the nature of worldly suffering?
L. What do your d r e a m s tell you about y o u r s e l f ?
3 . How r e a l is m a t t e r ?
4. How c a n the soul be r e s u r r e c t e d f r o m the bonds of m a t e r i a l i t y ?
5. How c a n d r e a m s be consciously induced?
L e s s o n 11
1.
2.
3.
/
Why is self- control the way to t r u e happiness ?
What i s God?
What is the s u r e s t sign that He e x i s t s ?
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Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S-1 P-26/3
@ CopyrigM 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
LESSON SUMMARIES
LESSON NO. 12
Look a t life unmasked. Observe the perpetual c u r r e n t of
emotions and thoughts that a r i s e within you. Examine the
heart of your aspirations, ideals, hopes, and despairs. Analyze the root of
your cravings. Life manifests itself through these channels, and so it i s that
these fundamentals demand under standing, through intelligence, wisdom, and
love.
F r o m the emotions, the feeling in your heart, a r i s e both thought and
action. Quicker than thought i s the action that springs f r o m feeling. But the
mind must view this a s a spectator, and retain control.
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-'Sorrow has no objective existence, no being of its own. It does not a r i s e
out of the conditions of life; it i s not inherent in conditions. It i s born of
spiritual ignorance and the infirmities of the mind. Essentially, conditions
a r e neither good nor bad; they a r e always neutral, seeming to be depressing
o r encouraging, according to the understanding attitude of mind of the individual.
Duty i s not imposed upon man by some superior power. It i s the inherent
urge of life toward progression; therefore, duty calls for attention and intelligent action. E v e r y problem that waits for a solution a t your hand i s a solemn
duty imposed upon you by life itself. Any escape f r o m problems, physical o r
mental, i s not an escape f r o m life, but only delays your p r o g r e s s and is a
source of f u r t h e r discomfort and evil.
Anger defeats i t s own purpose. It usually a r i s e s out of a feeling of ineffectualness, inability to impose one's own will, or selfishness of one f o r m o r
another. It i s a poison both physical and mental. Its method i s that of fools,
for it i s a d e s t r o y e r of peace and harmony, and a r o u s e s wrath, resistance,
and resentment in others. When you recognize anger coming over you, know
it instantly f o r what it is- - that i s half the battle won. Control your speech,
saying nothing. Be alone f o r a few minutes if possible. Think of the offender
a s your brother who h a s acted in ignorance and whom in your h e a r t you really
love. P r o t e c t your peace by calmness. Destroy anger by metaphysical r e a son, for ignorance i s the mother of anger. It i s also helpful to take a cold
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shower, o r apply ice o r cold water to the medulla oblongata, temples, between
the eyebrows, and on top of the head.
Knowledge and training can be imparted f r o m one p e r s o n to another
through the subconsciousness during the sleep state. It can be imparted to a n
unborn baby through the subconsciousness of the mother. In the wakeful conscious state, people l e a r n and a b s o r b the vibrations through the specific company they k e e p and through conscious will. Spiritually developed p a r e n t s could
bring about heaven on e a r t h by bringing into the world only spiritual children.
That i s a p e r s o n a l responsibility.
LESSON NO. 13
1.
2.
3.
4.
Rules f o r acquiring prosperity:
Cut down luxuries.
Think of yourself and, by meditation, know yourself as a child of God.
Think of all nationalities as your brothers.
Most important of all, seek p r o s p e r i t y f o r others and they will seek
p r o s p e r i t y f o r you.
Develop the power of concentration by regular practice of the techniques
with g r e a t personal zeal. By concentration you l e a r n to c r e a t e a t will what
you need. Develop one hundred p e r cent efficiency by practicing the a r t of
concentration. Your p r o s p e r i t y will be m e a s u r e d according to the d e g r e e and
power of your concentration.
Read carefully and practice the meditation entitled "God's will and your
will. " P r a y afte r meditation, when the mind i s under control, and p r a y unceasingly until God responds to you through vision o r through your deep intuition.
In only a v e r y limited way can the conscious o r subconscious mind c r e a t e
a new c a u s e of s u c c e s s in anything. But the superconscious mind h a s unlimited power to c r e a t e success, as it i s not governed by any limitation, but by
the boundless power of God.
LESSON NO. 14
Humbleness i s the valley of beauty where the w a t e r s of
divine wisdom gather to inundate the d r y t r a c t s of the
human soul. Avoid a n inferiority complex, f o r i t m e a n s that you underestimate your powers; and avoid the attitude of superiority, f o r that m e a n s you
overestimate your powers. Be natural; become g r e a t in humbleness and
become g r e a t by effort and will power.
Egotists refuse to investigate truth;.humble men a r e always r e a d y to
learn. Egotism shuts out higher knowledge and rebuffs the d e s i r e of the wise
to help you f o r your own good; whereas by humbleness you will a t t r a c t a l l
kinds of wisdom to yourself. Besides, egotism only makes one appear big in
one's own eyes; and v e r y much l e s s in the e y e s of others. Humbleness m a k e s
•
one look big in the e y e s of o t h e r s . To have personality r e q u i r e s a conviction
of t r u t h and the courage to u t t e r it, but it does not mean the p o s s e s s i o n of
repulsive egotism. E g o t i s m s l a p s wisdom in the face; humbleness e n t r e a t s
the lotus f e e t of truth to e n t e r the innermost s a n c t u a r y of the soul.
God, the knower of all things and p o s s e s s o r of a l l things, i s not egotistic a l . Hence, all those who want to be powerful like Him m u s t be f r e e of egotism.
J e s u s said: "He that i s l e a s t among you a l l , the s a m e shall be g r e a t "
(Luke 9:48). You have a l s o h e a r d the proverb: "An empty v e s s e l m a k e s a
loud sound. I ' The Hindu s c r i p t u r e s say: "In shallow m e n the fish of little
thoughts c a u s e much commotion. In oceanic minds the whales of inspiration
make h a r d l y a ruffle. I ' One philosopher rightly said, "A little knowledge i s a
dangerous thing. " It often m a k e s one inclined to egotistical display. The
wise a r e s o e n g r o s s e d in t h e i r wisdom that they have no time f o r interminable " revelations. "
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Sow hate and you will r e a p hate. Sow love in a l l h e a r t s and you will r e a p
love everywhere. E v e r y work i s selfish. Even when we s e r v e o t h e r s , we do
s o to r e l i e v e o u r s e l v e s of the pain that we feel when we s e e o t h e r s suffer.
R e s u r r e c t your soul faom the d r e a m of f r a i l t i e s . T O acknowledge defeat i s
grea_ttr-&e,feat.
- Meditation i s the only p o r t a l through which you c a n e s c a p e f r o m a l l your
troubles to infinite freedom. Meditation i s the way to forget God's delusive
d r e a m of m a t t e r , and to r e m e m b e r and r e a l i z e the forgotten image of God
within you.
LESSON NO. 15
Do not use your body, mind, o r soul for perishable pleas u r e s , but use them f o r attaining the unending joys of
Spirit. Repeat to yourself the p r a y e r a t the beginning of Lesson 15. Always
a f f i r m any p r a y e r understandingly, with e v e r - i n c r e a s i n g devotion a t each
repetition. Your soul should approach n e a r e r to God with e a c h thoughtful r e p etition of a p r a y e r o r affirmation.
Remember, you often d o not do what you wish to do, but what your habits
compel you to do. Good habits a r e automatic psychological machines, which
d o not r e q u i r e the effort of will in performing specific actions; they help to
make e a s y the p e r f o r m a n c e of these actions. Bad habits that compel you to
do evil should be destroyed.
Though habits a r e compelling, yet you m u s t r e m e m b e r that it i s you who
c r e a t e them. If you c a n c r e a t e bad habits, you c a n dislodge them by creating
good habits. A habit g r o w s f r o m the repetition of a n inner thought o r in
r e s p o n s e to s o m e outward company. Therefore, if you want to b r e a k a n evil
habit, change your bad company to good company, and substitute good thoughts
f o r evil thoughts. You can never break a bad habit if you keep feeding it by
bad company, wrong thoughts, and evil actions. Remember the temptation
of bodily pleasures--never fed, they a r e ever satisfied, and ever fed, they
a r e never satisfied.
A specific type of company, o r a specific thought repeatedly
presented to the mind, influences the will, feeling, brain,
OF HABIT
and muscular mechanism of the body. Recordlike grooves
a r e formed in the subconscious mind, which b y memory and the medium of
attention repeats the playing of the record of a mental habit. To yield to your
bad habits is to make your enemies stronger. To yield to good habits is to
strengthen your friendly forces, which help you to do good without effort.
THE POWER
Cultivate the spiritual habit of meditating with zeal, and you will reach
God easily. Remember, you a r e the sole creator of your good o r bad habits.
Till the soil of your mind with discipline.
Above all, remember:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
F o r m the habit of deep meditation.
F o r m the habit of doing good to others.
F o r m the habit of being moderate in everything.
Cultivate a good character.
F o r m the habit of eating properly; taking enough exercise;
and planning healthy, whole some undertakings.
F o r m the habit of making practical, creative efforts that
produce the necessary prosperity.
Remember the spiritual law of habit, and do not let material habits crowd
out spiritual habits. Good habits must work in harmony, s o that they cooperate to work for your highest good. Never neglect the most important habit of
meditating for a l e s s important habit of eating, or of doing some thing unimportant.
LESSON NO. 16
The following is a short definition that you should always
remember:
Concentration i s the power to focus the mind on any desired line of
thought.
Meditation is concentration used only to know God.
Concentrate and meditate e a r l y upon waking and before going to bed, o r
anytime you a r e free. Fill in the gaps of leisure hours with meditation.
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If you can be quiet anywhere, meditate anywhere; but if noises disturb
you, t r y to select a quiet place, or wait for the silence of the night, for meditation. Or create your own silence by closing the e a r s when meditating. Act
ambitiously, discharging your n e c e s s a r y dutie s with your m i d constantly
meditating upon God. Select a little r o o m , or a screened-off c o r n e r with
harmonious vibrations, f o r your meditations. Sit on a woolen blanket s p r e a d
over a n a r m l e s s c h a i r , facing the e a s t , when meditating.
METHODS OF CONTROLLING THE SEX FORCE
1.
2.
3.
Keep the mind busy with good activities and meditation.
Keep the v i t a l fluid transmuted into m u s c u l a r and b r a i n energy.
Don't waste it in bad company.
Keep the breath c a l m by eating ' l e s s carbon-producing foods, and
by e n t i r e l y abstaining f r o m beef, veal, and p o r k p r o d u c t s .
If the mind i s c a l m , sex and breath will be under control. If c h a r a c t e r i s
good, breath and mind will be calm. If you have b r e a t h control by the technique we shall teach, then mind and sex will be under control. If you d i s t u r b
any one of the t h r e e , you will d i s t u r b the others. Disturb sex control, and
mind and b r e a t h will be r e s t l e s s .
a --
Do not sleep too much. P r a c t i c e meditation long and with intensity. On
Sundays and holidays, meditate in the e a r l y morning f r o m 6 to 9, and a t night
f r o m 9 to 12. Regular meditation should be a t l e a s t one half hour in the m o r n ing, one_o_r two h o u r-s before going to bed,-.-and
- meditate deeply whenever you
c a n in between. Do not be disco;raged if i t i s not e a s y to meditate l i n g in the
beginning. J u s t keep practicing, extending the time a little m o r e e a c h day,
until you a r e able to s i t long in meditation without even thinking of time.
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LESSON NO. 17
While in church, do not concentrate upon the social conclave, n o i s e s around the church, o r individuals making a
disturbance, but concentrate upon inner peace and on the s e r m o n being
preached. God talks to you through the voice of silence and peace in meditation, if you don't drown out His voice by the noise of your p a s s i o n s . With the
whip of intuition, d r i v e away the money-changers of m a t e r i a l d e s i r e s and r e s t l e s s n e s s f r o m the temple of meditation, which i s the r e a l house of God.
Whatever your vocation m a y be- -that of a businessman, a s p i r i t u a l a s p i rant, a housekeeper, a n a r t i s t - - y o u can i n c r e a s e your efficiency one hundred
p e r c e n t by the r e g u l a r , deep p r a c t i c e of meditation. Don't l e t anything i n t e r f e r e . This i s what J e s u s m e a n t by: "If thy hand offend thee, cut i t off. . . If
thine eye offend thee, pluck it out t ' (Mark 9:43, 4 7 ) .
Life f o r c e in the n e r v e s keeps the soul entangled with the m e s s a g e s of the
sensations in e y e s , e a r s , hands, and s o forth. When life f o r c e i s plucked
f r o m the e y e s and cut off f r o m the hands and the consciousness of the body,
then i t s direction i s r e v e r s e d and it becomes focused on the omnipresent God.
Concentration m e a n s f r e e ing the attention f r o m sensations, p r e s e n t thoughts
and m e m o r y thoughts by consciously switching off the life f o r c e f r o m the
sensory- motor nerves, thus preventing thought-rousing sensations f r o m
reaching the brain. This detachment of the mind f r o m body consciousness i s
similar to that experienced in sleep, except that one remains consciously
aware.
Thousands of p e r s o n s p r a y in churches and don't know why they do so, o r
why they don't get a n answer to their p r a y e r s . If they knew the law of Godcontact, they would e a s i l y be able to commune with Him.
Read again and again the explanation of concentration.
When you t r y to concentrate upon one thing, you usually
find that soon you have forgotten a l l about it and a r e thinking about everything
e l s e but the original object of your concentration. This is often experienced
when you a r e thinking of a domestic problem a t home o r a business problem
a t the office, o r a spiritual problem in the church. Forget the old method of
concentration by diversion, and l e a r n the scientific method of concentration.
Remove the c a u s e s of disturbances that affect your concentration and apply
the scientifically freed attention on anything you wish- - material o r divine.
LESSON NO. 18
God r e v e a l s Himself to those who develop their inner
powers and use the laws of concentration and meditation.
By using the law of thermal- control, heating s y s t e m s have been invented. By
controlling life f o r c e and the power of concentration, God can be discovered.
But r e m e m b e r , though God can be approached through law only, still He,
being above law, cannot be compelled to reveal Himself to the true s e e k e r by
the m e r e force of the law of concentration. Devotion o r s u r r e n d e r of the SonSoul to the Father- Spirit i s n e c e s s a r y for the devotee demanding absolute s u r r e n d e r of God. God can escape the s m a l l nets of discrimination, pure activity, o r concentration, but He cannot escape the net of devotion. When the
devotee completely gives himself to God, then God has to do likewise. God
is v e r y exacting when divine laws a r e concerned, but He i s forgetful and
becomes intoxicated and relaxed when He is given the nectar- wine of devotion.
God loves to drink devotion f r o m the s e c r e t winepreses of the devotee's heart.
LESSON NO. 19
Approach God with the song of smiles. Silence signifies the silencing of
one's thoughts as well as one's tongue. That i s really possible during sleep;
therefore it can be done during wakefulness a l s o , by practice of higher
methods of concentration. There a r e threefold disturbances:
( 1) sensations;
( 2 ) thoughts aroused by sensations;
( 3 ) p a s t m e m o r y thoughts roused by p r e s e n t thoughts.
Read v e r y carefully the pages in this Lesson about sensations.
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR S T E P 1
(FOR YOUR PERSONAL REVIEW ONLY; NOT TO BE SENT TO MOTHER CENTER)
Lesson 12
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Why d o emotions affect one's life ?
What i s the s o u r c e of s o r r o w ?
Should dutie s and p r o b l e m s be avoided ?
Explain how to overcome anger.
Explain how to overcome f e a r .
In what t h r e e ways m a y knowledge and training be imparted to the
subconscious mind ?
Lesson 13
1.
2.
What a r e the four r u l e s of p r o s p e r i t y ?
How would you harmonize your will with God's w i l l ?
L e s s o n 14
1.
What i s the difference between humbleness and e g o t i s m ?
I
S
_-
3.
4.
>-
--
Is the law of s e r v i c e to o t h e r s founded wholly on unselfishness ?
How d o e s the egc keep the soul earth- bound?
Lesson 15
1.
2.
3.
What a r e h a b i t s ?
Why d o people indulge in evil ?
What i s the b e s t wa,y to overcome bad h a b i t s ?
Lesson 16
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
What i s the difference between concentration and meditation?
What i s your m o s t important environment?
Does seeking God imply neglect of physical duties ?
What a r e the b e s t t i m e s of day to m e d i t a t e ?
What i s the relation between breath, life f o r c e , mind, sex e n e r g y ?
How can one discipline t h e m ?
If a p e r s o n h a s a n a t u r a l ability to concentrate, why should he l e a r n
the technique of concentration ?
-
L e s s o n 18
1.
2.
Define concentration.
What did J e s u s mean, in r e g a r d to the life f o r c e , when he said
"If thine e y e offend thee, pluck it out" ?
L e s s o n 19
1.
2.
Is "going into the silence " enough to contact God?
What a r e the t h r e e d i s t u r b a n c e s to the mind in m e d i t a t i o n ?
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S - 1 P-2614
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
LESSON SUMMARIES
LESSON NO. 2 0
The s t a t e of s l e e p p r o v e s that when the life f o r c e and cons c i o u s n e s s a r e switched off f r o m the five telephones of
touch, s m e l l , t a s t e , s i g h t , and h e a r i n g , the attention i s f r e e d f r o m d i s t r a c t i n g s e n s a t i o n s , s e n s a t i o n - r o u s e d thoughts, and thought- r o u s e d m e m o r y
thoughts. Self- Realization F e l l o w s h i p t e a c h e s you how to c o n s c i o u s l y switch
off the.life f o r c e f r o m the five n e r v e - w i r e s of the s e n s e s . If you c a n d o t h i s
by r e g u l a r l y p r a c t i c i n g the technique, then no s e n s a t i o n - r o u s e d thoughts c a n
d i s t u r b y o u r m i n d . If s e n s a t i o n s stopped cropping up in the b r a i n , thoughts
would not a r i s e , and if thoughts stopped a r i s i n g then m e m o r y - t h o u g h t s would
not be awakened. In s l e e p , as soon a s s e n s a t i o n s s t o p r e a c h i n g the b r a i n ,
the c o n s c i o u s thoughts and the b u r i e d s u b c o n s c i o u s thoughts s t o p t h e i r a c t i v i t i e s ; s o b y the c o n s c i o u s p r o c e s s of t h i s technique, the s a m e r e s u l t s c a n be
accoWAplished. An a t t e n t i o n f r e e f r o m d i s t u r b a n c e s i s r e a d y to be s u c c e s s fully used in m a t e r i a l o r s p i r i t u a l a c c o m p l i s h m e n t .
It i s not only the y o g i s of India (yoga m e a n s "union" and a yogi i s a p e r s o n
who s c i e n t i f i c a l l y t r i e s to unite h i s s o u l with God) that have p r o v e d t h i s . ForSt.
P a u l s a i d : "I p r o t e s t b y your r e j o i c i n g which I have in C h r i s t ( C o n s c i o u s n e s s ) . .
I d i e d a i l y ( w i t h d r a w the life f o r c e f r o m the h e a r t , o r d i e and live a g a i n a t will).
.
When the h e a r t involuntarily stops beating, one d i e s ; h i s life i s switched
off f r o m the five s e n s e - t e l e p h o n e s of touch, s m e l l , t a s t e , s i g h t , and h e a r i n g .
In s l e e p a l s o , owing to the slowed- down a c t i o n of the h e a r t , a s t a t e of p a r t i a l
"death" o r switching off of the e n e r g y f r o m the n e r v e - t e l e p h o n e s i s a c c o m p l i s h e d . Death i s the p e r m a n e n t , unconscious, involuntary switching off of the
life f o r c e f r o m the f i v e s e n s e - t e l e p h o n e s . Sleep i s a t e m p o r a r y , unconscious,
involuntary switching off of the life f o r c e f r o m the five s e n s e - t e l e p h o n e s by
a n unconscious m e t h o d . Self- Realization Fellowship techniques offer a cons c i o u s way of withdrawing life f o r c e p a r t i a l l y ( f r o m the s e n s e s , m u s c l e s , and
h e a r t ) o r c o m p l e t e l y ( f r o m the e n t i r e body, a s in d e a t h ) ; and of then r e i n s t a l l i ng i t in the s e n s e s , m u s c l e s , and h e a r t , o r into the e n t i r e " l i f e l e s s " body.
In s l e e p , life e n e r g y r e t i r e s f r o m the s e n s o r y - m o t o r n e r v e s and f r o m the
m u s c l e s into the h e a r t and s p i n e . In d e a t h , the life f o r c e and c o n s c i o u s n e s s
l e a v e the body. But by the S R F technique of c o n c e n t r a t i o n , one c a n s w i t c h .
life f o r c e on o r off a t will f r o m a n y p a r t of the body o r f r o m the e n t i r e body.
The p u r p o s e of the t e c h n t q u e i s to q u i e t the h e a r t s o t h a t the life f o r c e and
c o n s c i o u s n e s s m a y be withdrawn f r o m s e n s o r y channels and r e d i r e c t e d to the
higher c e n t e r s of consciousness in the brain.
R e s t l e s s n e s s , w o r r y , wrong eating, overwork, strenuous activity, will
c a u s e the h e a r t to beat and work f a s t . C a l m n e s s , calmness- producing food,
and m o d e r a t e activities a r e conducive to making the h e a r t c a l m .
CONCENTRATION B Y
QUIETING THE HEART
When you p r a c t i c e the concentration lesson, s i t
calmly, suspending all bodily activities ( f r o m the
diaphragm, c i r c u l a t o r y organs, lungs, and s o
f o r t h ) by practicing the Hong-Sau Technique of watching the b r e a t h .
When motion i s t e m p o r a r i l y halted in the outer and inner body, the d e t e r i oration of the c e l l s stops and no venous blood a c c r u e s . When venous blood
c e a s e s to accumulate, t h e h e a r t slows down, f o r it no longer h a s to send the
d a r k , impure venous blood into the lungs to be purified.
When the h e a r t i s not given the work of pumping blood, the e n e r g y that
o r d i n a r i l y i s engaged in keeping the h e a r t pumping slows down and beg ins to
flow back toward the brain, instead of outward into the five sense-telephones
When this happens, the life f o r c e automatically withdraws itself, a s in sleep,
f r o m the m u s c l e s and the five sense- telephones and r e t i r e s toward the b r a i n .
The life f o r c e i s then switched off f r o m the s e n s e s of sight, hearing, t a s t e ,
s m e l l , and touch; s e n s a t i o n s a r e unable to a t t r a c t the attention of the brain.
Thus f r e e d f r o m d i s t u r b a n c e s of sensations and thoughts, the attention
becomes r e a d y to be focused wholly on whatever m a t e r i a l o r spiritual object
of thought one chooses.
E v e r y night in s l e e p we unconsciously p r a c t i c e concentration by quieting
the h e a r t . The yogi l e a r n s , in addition, to p r a c t i c e concentration by quieting
the h e a r t consciously, a s you have been taught in the technique of watching
the b r e a t h , the S R F Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration.
Do not be frightened about quieting the h e a r t , f o r by the conscious technique one u s e s the c a l m n e s s of meditation a s a brake to slow down the h e a r t .
E n t e r t a i n no f e a r when the h e a r t slows down. To quiet the h e a r t i s natural.
The h e a r t s of e l d e r l y people a r e quieted by nature a f t e r passing through p e r i ods of r e s t l e s s childhood and turbulent youth and active middle age.
It t a k e s long p r a c t i c e to quiet the h e a r t c o n s c ~ o u s l y . So long a s one depends
on food to sustain the body, he cannot c a l m the h e a r t permanently. Meditation
i s the conscious way of switching the life f o r c e in the body on o r off. The SelfRealization Fellowship Hong-Sau Technique teaches concentration, not by d i v e r sion of the mind f r o m the s e n s e s to God, but by withdrawal not only of the mind
but a l s o of the life f o r c e , which i s the medium of s e n s e d i s t u r b a n c e s , f r o m the
five s e n s e - telephones. Then the soul, being individualized Spirit, can manifest
a l l the fulfillment and satisfaction of the Spirit
Spirit i s e v e r - e x i s t i n g , e v e r - c o n s c i o u s , ever-new B l i s s . The one light
under the perforated g a s b u r n e r can be compared to the Spirit behind the p o r e s
of human consciousness. The little lights running through the p o r e s can be
compared to human s o u l s , which a r e emanations of the one Spirit.
LESSON NO. 21
Life f o r c e i s the power that d i r e c t l y s u s t a i n s the body.
Oxygen and food a r e converted into e n e r g y by life f o r c e ,
and a r e powers that indirectly support the body. If life force fails to digest
food and c o n v e r t it into e n e r g y , then the body cannot live. When e l e c t r i c i t y
is missing f r o m your automobile battery, adding m o r e distilled water to it
will not help. You m u s t send it to be r e c h a r g e d . So a l s o when your vitality
is low and your health f a i l s in spite of a l l health and dietetic precautions, then
you m u s t know how to r e c h a r g e your body with life force by will power and the
inner way, instead of s i m p l y eating good food and going to health r e s o r t s f o r
a c u r e . B r e a t h l e s s n e s s is d e a t h l e s s n e s s . Breath is the cord which t i e s the
soul to the body. Conquer it and you will be f r e e .
HONG-SAU TECHNIQUE
/ e-.
1.
F a c e E a s t , sitting on a blanket spread over a
straight a r m l e s s chair.
i - Silupzighf. c h e s t out, shoulder blader together. hands resting p a h s
I
upward a t the juncture of thighs and abdominal region.
3.
With eyelids closed, o r half-closed, focus your gaze and attention a t the
point between the eyebrows.
4.
Expel b r e a t h quickly three t i m e s .
5.
Watch b r e a t h a s i t flows in. Let it come naturally.
f o r c e it out by any a c t of will.
6.
As often a s the breath flows in, mentally chant "Hong" f o r the duration of
that inhalation. Whether inhalation c o m e s quickly o r slowly, and whether
it i s long or s h o r t , follow the foregoing procedure of chanting "Hong"
mentally, making no sound o r movement of the tongue.
7.
If the breath "stays in" and there i s no d e s i r e to exhale, wait, enjoying the
fee1:ng of p e a c e ; a s soon a s the b r e a t h flows out, naturally, of its own
a c c o r d , mentally chant "Sau, " making no sound o r use of the lips o r tongue.
8.
If the breath stays out, wait until there is d e s i r e f o r inhalation, enjoying
meanwhile the peace of the b r e a t h l e s s s t a t e . When it flows in again, mentally chant "Hong" f o r the duration of the in- flowing breath. And when the
breath goes out again, of its own a c c o r d , without force or a c t of will,
mentally chant "Saul1 until it is fully out.
Then wait f o r b r e a t h to come in.
Do not draw it in o r
Continue repeating the foregoing a s long a s you wish. By keeping his
attention riveted to one thing a t a time- - the breath- - the yogi i s able to separ a t e himself f r o m the b r e a t h ; then he r e a l i z e s that he is neither the body nor
the b r e a t h , but the consciousness and intelligence in the body. Ha beholds
himself a s a soul.
"Hong" i s the vibration of the ingoing b r e a t h . "Sau" i s the
vibration of the outgoing b r e a t h . J u s t a s the word 'peace"
produces c a l m n e s s in the mind and body, and a s the word
"anger" v i b r a t e s w r a t h , s o the chanting of "Hong" and "Sau" c a l m s the breath
quickly, as that i s its a s t r a l vibration.
THE MEANING
O F HONG-SAU
WHAT IS S L E E P ?
Sleep i s unconscious s e n s o r y - m o t o r relaxation, in which
the life force and consciousness a r e unconsciously
switchedoff foDm the lamp of the m u s c l e s and s e n s e s . To die daily, a s mentioned
in the Bible, is to switch the life energy in the bodily l a m p off and on again
consciously and a t will. The switched off e n e r g y in the yogi's body-lamp r e t i r e s to the dynamo of Spirit, f r o m whence he summons it again a t will.
Meditate between 5 and 6 a. m. ; 11 and 12 a . m. ; 5 and 6 p . m . ;
10 and 12 p. m. ; o r between 11 and 12 p. m . Naturally if one's
schedule d o e s not p e r m i t meditating a t exactly these h o u r s ,
s e l e c t the n e a r e s t time to these p e r i o d s that i s possible. Also, if one cannot
meditate four t i m e s a day, then he should t r y to meditate twice in the m o r n ing, and once before going to bed a t night, and during any l e i s u r e hours.
BEST TIMES
TO MEDITATE
LESSON NO. 22
Control of the vital e s s e n c e i s conducive to physical and
mental well-being. To have good c h a r a c t e r and control
over the sex urge i s e x t r e m e l y important to one who s e e k s communion with
the Supreme Being. God c r e a t e d the divine e c s t a s y of meditation. Satanic
ignorance c r e a t e d pseudo substitutes f o r them- - sex temptation and wine. Sex
should be used only f o r c r e a t i v e p u r p o s e s ; hence wine i s the g r e a t e s t tool of
the evil f o r c e , as it o b l i t e r a t e s wisdom and discrimination and encourages
the m i s u s e of s e x . Wine and a l l d r u g s should be completely forsaken. You
m u s t have moderation f i r s t and then renunciation if you a r e gripped by the sex
habit, o r the dope o r wine habit. "When wealth i s lost, little i s l o s t ; when
health i s l o s t , something i s l o s t ; when c h a r a c t e r is l o s t , a l l is lost. I'
Control your mind. Don't do anything against the d i c t a t e s of your conscience and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n , just because you wish to do it. L e a r n to r e s i s t
e v i l by will power. Do everything that it i s your duty to do. Calm the b r e a t h
and c r e a t i v e f o r c e by the power of your mind. Mind is the o p e r a t o r of a l l your
powers.
The p e r s o n who t r i e s to concentrate by harmonizing b r e a t h , life f o r c e and
vital e s s e n c e g e t s quicker r e s u l t s than the p e r s o n who meditates without d i s c i plining b r e a t h by technique, o r without controlling c h a r a c t e r and sex life by
strong will power and reason.
P l e a s e r e m e m b e r that without a n e r e c t s p i n e d u r i n g c o n c e n t r a t i o n and
m e d i t a t i o n you w i l l l o s e half the good r e s u l t in attaining c o n t r o l and p e a c e .
This i s v e r y important.
Read the i n s t r u c t i o n s f o r p r a c t i c e of the Hong-Sau Technique of Concent r a t i o n a g a i n and a g a i n . It i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t to follow the i n s t r u c t i o n s .
R e m e m b e r , w h e t h e r the b r e a t h c o m e s in slowly o r quickly d u r i n g a n a t u r a l
inhalation, m e n t a l l y (without w h i s p e r o r t r e m o r of tongue, o r sound f r o m the
l i p s ) c h a n t "Hong" f o r the d u r a t i o n of the inhalation. I£ the b r e a t h d o e s not
c o m e out, w a i t , and when i t c o m e s out of i t s e l f , quickly o r slowly, m e n t a l l y
c h a n t "Sau" a s a n a c c o m p a n i m e n t . If the b r e a t h d o e s not go in a t once, wait
until it d o e s g o in of i t s e l f . K e e p on r e p e a t i n g t h i s .
POSITION O F E Y E S
T r y to p r a c t i c e the c o n c e n t r a t i o n technique with the
e y e s half open, g e n t l y f o c u s e d a t the point between the
e y e b r o w s . In the s u b c o n s c i o u s s t a t e of s l e e p the e y e s a r e c l o s e d . During the
wakeful o r c o n s c i o u s s t a t e you k e e p y o u r e y e s open. In s u p e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s
( c o n s c ; o u s l y enjoying a n e v e r - i n c r e a s i n g j oyous s t a t e , a s in s l e e p ) the e y e s
should be half open, fixed a t the point between the e y e b r o w s . T h i s i s the tent e r of C h r i s t C o n s c i o u s n e s s , and the e y e s of s l e e p i n g c h i l d r e n , and those of
dying people u s u a l l y t u r n up to it. Since m e d i t a t i o n and c o n c e n t r a t i o n c o n s i s t
in switching the c o n s c i o u s n e s s and n e r v e f o r c e toward God through the m e d u l --b-+mut~tk
of-6od ) ,--en@k - k i - l e a r r r t o x o n c e n k a t e the e y e s a t t h e
point between the e y e b r o w s ( C h r i s t - c o n s c i o u s n e s s c e n t e r ) , which i s the
r e f l e c t i o n of the light of the m e d u l l a , d u r i n g meditation.
A s you l i k e to c l o s e y o u r e y e s in o r d e r to be in the s u b c o n s c i o u s , o r to
open t h e m in o r d e r to be c o n s c i o u s l y working through the e y e s , you will love
infinitely m o r e to look up into the s p i r i t u a l e y e , situated a t the point between
the e y e b r o w s , when you g e t used to i t . P r a c t i c e without s t r a i n i n g the e y e s ,
but p r a c t i c e you should, a l w a y s c o n c e n t r a t i n g a t the point between the e y e brows.
LESSON NO. 23
Study the d e l i c a t e a r t of b r e a t h i n g and b r e a t h - c o n t r o l . Our
p u r p o s e i s to t e a c h p r o p e r b r e a t h i n g ( a s long a s we have to
b r e a t h e s o m e way! ). R e m e m b e r the following i m p o r t a n t points:
( a ) The p u r p o s e of watcning the b r e a t h i s to i n c r e a s e n a t u r a l l y the i n t e r v a l s when b r e a t h d o e s not flow. W a t c h b r e a t h in o r d e r to d o a w a y
with it.
( b ) M e n t a l l y c h a n t "Hong-Sau " with the ingoing and outgoing b r e a t h a s i t
n a t u r a l l y flows, without using will p o w e r . C o n c e n t r a t e on, enjoy,
and identify yourself with the s t a t e when the b r e a t h d o e s not flow, a s
a r e s u l t of p r a c t i c i n g the technique of watching the b r e a t h .
( c ) The m o r e .you watch the b r e a t h ( a s taught in the technique, with d e e p
attention) the l e s s you will breathe, remaining b r e a t h l e s s m o r e of the
time. This will c a l m the h e a r t and consequently increase longevity.
( d ) By watching breath, you l e a r n how to separate your watching soul
metaphysically f r o m body, breath, and the p r o c e s s e s of consciousness.
Learn to live d i r e c t l y by Cosmic Energy coming through the medulla
oblongata, and not by breath only o r food only. P r e v e n t oxygen starvation by
practicing the special breathing e x e r c i s e given in this Lesson.
Nervousness implies that one has been tampering with the
nerve w i r e s and the electricity of life which runs the e n t i r e
body factory. Hence you cannot afford to be nervous. Avoid the psychological and physical c a u s e s of nervousness described in this Lesson. Calm company, inner c a l m n e s s achieved through meditation and eating plenty of fruit
a r e the best antidotes f o r nervousness.
LESSON NO. 2 4
LESSON NO. 25
Be inwardly happy always, retaining and remembering the
happiness born of meditation. This will make you outwardly happy too. Guard your happiness f r o m the robbers of cranky, crabby,
sorrow-loving, nervous people. Remember, no one can make you unhappy if
you refuse to allow him to do so. Happiness can be achieved by meditating
long and regularly, above all e l s e , and by adopting those actions that generate
happiness. Ignorant people, like animals, do not quickly remove the c a u s e s
that make unhappiness. Avoid gossiping as you would avoid poison. Cultivate
the habit of discussing the good in people with those whom you love. Good
thoughts a t t r a c t the good in people. Evil thoughts a t t r a c t evil.
Judge not o t h e r s , only yourself. It i s e a s y to gossip about o t h e r s , hut
t r y gossiping about yourself f o r a while and see how you like it. Whenever you
feel like talking about others, t r y talking loudly about your own s e c r e t weakn e s s e s and faults before your enemies and friends. You won't like this. C o r r e c t yourself f i r s t . Make your home a valley of s m i l e s , blossoming with
happiness. The breeze of your constant divine smile can keep the lives of
.those you love throbbing with joy and filled with blessings.
@
REVIEW QUESTIONS- - S T E P ONE
(FOR YOUR PERSONAL REVIEW ONLY; NOT TO BE SENT TO MOTHER CENTER)
Lesson 20
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What i s the d i f f e r e n c e between the sleep state and the state produced
by concentration ?
What m u s t be done if one would switch off the life force f r o m the five
s e n s e s , scientifically and consciously ?
What did St. Paul m e a n when he said "I die daily" ?
What i s the s o u l ?
What m a k e s the h e a r t r e s t l e s s ? What quiets i t ?
D e s c r i b e the various s t a g e s of body and mind when decay i s consciously removed f r o m the ou'ter and inner body.
L e s s o n 21
1.
2.
Describe in detail the technique of concentration.
Why d o e s watching the breath produce concentration?
Lesson 22
----- -Why i s it beneficial to gain control over the c r e a t i v e u r g e ?
What breathing e x e r c i s e should be practiced before Hong-Sau?
What keeps sensations f r o m reaching the b r a i n a f t e r deep p r a c t i c e of
this technique ?
..
1.
L.
3.
--d--p.-A---a-----
L e s s o n 23
1.
2.
3.
4.
In practicing Hong-Sau i s it important to concentrate on the intervals
when breath d o e s not flow, o r simply watch b r e a t h ?
Should you in any way control breath during this p r a c t i c e ?
What i s the effect of a quiet mind upon the h e a r t ?
What i s the cord that t i e s the soul to the f l e s h ?
L z s s o n 24
1.
2.
Define ne rvousne s s .
What c a u s e s n e r v o u s n e s s ?
Lesson 2 5
1.
2.
Upon what d o e s happiness chiefly depend ?
When should you give your acquaintances your advice ?
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
a
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S-2 P-27
B Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
B Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
THE BLUE-RAYED LOTUS OF THY F E E T
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
0 Divine Mother, t h e bee of m y mind
i s e n g r o s s e d in the blue-rayed lotus of Thy
feet. I drink the n e c t a r of Thy t e n d e r love.
T h i s royal bee of Thine sips only f r o m the
blossom that exudes Thy perfume.
Denying myself the honey of s e n s e
p l e a s u r e s , flying f a r above e p h e m e r a l
g a r d e n s of idle fancy, a t l a s t I have found
Thine a m b r o s i a l lotus of light.
I w a s Thy busy bee, wandering in the
fields of incarnations, a t t r a c t e d by o d o r s
f r o m f l o w e r s of countless experiences.
I r o a m no m o r e , f o r Thy f r a g r a n c e h a s
quenched t h e perfume t h i r s t of m y soul.
- - F r o m "Whispers f r o m Eternity''
PRAYER
I s h a l l d r i n k t h e e v e r l a s t i n g n e c t a r of joy found in t h e fountain of m e d i t a tion. 0 F a t h e r , f r o m joy I c o m e ; f o r joy I l i v e ; in joy d o s t Thou m e l t m e !
HOW T O CONTACT GOD THROUGH M E D I T A T I O N - - P a r t 1
Meditation i s t h a t specific f o r m of c o n c e n t r a t i o n which i s
applied only in connection with c o n s c i o u s l y tuning in with C o s m i c C onsc iousne s s - - the h o m e of c o s m i c supply. By t h i s m e t h o d , t h e p r o f i c i e n t
s t u d e n t c a n not only finally a t t a i n e v e r y t h i n g t h a t t h e power of attention c a n and
should a c c o m p l i s h , but c a n a l s o d e v e l o p t h e p o w e r t o c o n t r o l h i s d e s t i n y , and
p r e v e n t f a i l u r e and d i s e a s e . T h i s method t e a c h e s one how to r e i n f o r c e , r e v i t a l i z e , and s t r e n g t h e n t h e h u m a n f a c u l t y with t h e f a c u l t y of s u p e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s ,
through faithful, p e r severing practice.
DEFINITION
Meditation i s t h e p i c k a x t h a t p r i e s u p a l l t h e c o v e r s of c o n s c i o u s n e s s , and
b r i n g s f o r t h t h e f o u n t a i n of G o d ' s e v e r new joy. Meditation- - c o m p l e t e r e l a x a t i o n
o r c o n s c i o u s w i t h d r a w a l of t h e mind f r o m t h e r e s t l e s s s e n s e s - - i s t h e only way t o
know God. Even though you m a y be a b l e t o do e v e r y t h i n g e l s e but m e d i t a t e , you
w i l l n e v e r find joy t o e q u a l t h a t which c o m e s when t h e thoughts a r e s i l e n t and
y o u r m i n d i s tuned t o t h e p e a c e of God. If you a s k , "How d o I know t h e r e i s s u c h
joy a s you d e s c r i b e ? " t h i s i s m y t e s t i m o n y : if you p r a c t i c e m e d i t a t i o n e v e r y d a y ,
deeply and c o n s i s t e n t l y , you w i l l find t h a t e v e r e x i s t i n g , e v e r c o n s c i o u s , e v e r new
joy, e v e r i n c r e a s i n g l y m a n i f e s t within you. And with p r a c t i c e it w i l l s t a y w i t h you
in a c t i v i t y and in s i l e n c e a l i k e - - e v e n in s l e e p . It i s a joy t h a t w i l l constantly
guide you t o right a c t i o n in e v e r y t h i n g and w i l l r e s p o n d t o y o u r p r a y e r s . You have
t o d e m o n s t r a t e t h a t f o r y o u r s e l f . And t h i s i s m y f u r t h e r t e s t i m o n y : t h a t , once
G o d ' s joy h a s b e e n found, a l l d e s i r e s f o r o t h e r gain will dwindle in c o m p a r i s o n .
Your c o n s c i o u s n e s s w i l l expand. You w i l l be a b l e t o stand unshaken a m i d s t j a r ring t r i a l s . T h e whole world w i l l not be a b l e t o l u r e you t o f o r s a k e t h e b l i s s
t h a t you w i l l find in m e d i t a t i o n . You w i l l enjoy a l l o t h e r t h i n g s in t h a t divine joy.
B e c a u s e J e s u s had e x p e r i e n c e d t h i s he could s a y : "Get t h e e behind m e , S a t a n ! I '
T h e s a t a n i c t e m p t a t i o n of m a t e r i a l d e s i r e s f e l l dead before h i s joy in God.
MEDITATE BY T H E
RIGHT METHOD
C o m p l e t e n e s s in God i s by no m e a n s negation of o r d i n a r y
l i f e and i t s r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s and j o y s ; finding God i s p o s i t i v e a t t a i n m e n t t h a t e l e v a t e s and b e a u t i f i e s a l l l i f e .
Human e x i s t e n c e , h o w e v e r p l e a s a n t , i s only a bubble of l a u g h t e r ; in God it
b e c o m e s t h e s e a of m i r t h . " Thou, 0 God, a r t t h e o c e a n , and I, a tiny bubble of
l a u g h t e r , have b e c o m e t h e s e a of m i r t h ! "
You c a n find t h i s joyous p e r c e p t i o n of t h e Divine only by t h e right m e t h o d d
c o n c e n t r a t i o n and meditation. If you a r e looking a t t h e c e i l i n g of y o u r r o o m f o r
t h e d o o r , you could s e e k f o r y e a r s and y e a r s but you would n e v e r find i t u n t i l
you adopted t h e r i g h t m e t h o d and looked f o r it in t h e w a l l .
When y o u r d e s i r e f o r God i s s i n c e r e , He s e n d s a r i g h t v e h i c l e : a s p i r i t u a l
@
t e a c h e r o r guru p r e c e p t o r through whom He t e a c h e s you the a r t of meditation o r
divine communion that l e a d s t o realization of and o n e n e s s with Him. When J e s u s
s a i d . "No m a n cometh unto the F a t h e r but by Me, " he was speaking of the C h r i s t
C o n s c ~ o u s n e s swithin. The joy that c o m e s in meditation i s proof of the existence
of that e v e r newly joyous God. Since I learned t h i s , ofttimes when sleep s t e a l s
o v e r m e , I s a y : "Go away f r o m m e , you g r o s s intoxicant! I do not want t o lose
t h i s joy in your u n c o n s c i o u s n e s s . "
Your whole body c h a n g e s when you p r a c t i c e meditation frequently, because
when you r e a l l y contact God, a l l things become harmonious; a l l things m e l t into
a n ocean of peace. But you have to p r a c t i c e meditation e a r n e s t l y , consistently,
and continually, in o r d e r t o have the full c o n s c i o u s n e s s of that s u p r e m e f o r c e .
Your engagement with business i s i m p o r t a n t ; but your
appointment t o s e r v e o t h e r s i s m 3 r e important; and your
engagement with meditation, h o m e , God, and t r u t h i s
m o s t i m p o r t a n t . Don't say that you a r e too busy with w o r r y , and the c a r e of
keeping the wolf f r o m the d o o r , t o find t i m e f o r the c u l t u r e of heavenly qualities.
FORM T H E HABIT
O F MEDITATING
B r e a k y o u r self- s a t i s f i e d , doggedly immovable, old bad habits of idolizing
your l e s s important engagements and u t t e r l y ignoring the m o s t important engagement: your engagement with meditation and God. No one e l s e will a n s w e r f o r
your a c t i o n s , although o t h e r s often become i n s t r u m e n t s in keeping you enme shed
in u s e l e s s f r i v o l i t i e s and so- called important engagements.
0 sleeping image of God, wake u p ! Make the d e t e r m i n a t i o n and the effort
t o know the right law which will enable you t o keep your m o s t important engagem e n t with y o u r s e l f - - t o know y o u r s e l f , your own Soul.
Do not s a y : "I will m e d i t a t e on the Cosmic Being t o m o r r o w . " That t o m o r row m a y n e v e r c o m e . Begin your meditation today. T o d a y ' s p r a c t i c e will s t i m ulate t h e d e s i r e t o m e d i t a t e d e e p e r t o m o r r o w , w h e r e a s t h i s d a y ' s negligence
will weaken your c r a v i n g . Meditate today d e e p e r than you did y e s t e r d a y , and
t o m o r r o w m e d i t a t e d e e p e r than you do today. Meditate during m o s t of your l e i s u r e h o u r s . Instead of being absentminded, think of God. Seek God a s the e v e r
i n c r e a s i n g b l i s s of meditation; and f e e l H i m a s boundless joy throbbing in y a u r
h e a r t . Do not be l u r e d by bad h a b i t s and p a l t r y , u s e l e s s vanity-engagements
into crowding out God-contact. Seek to know God f i r s t , l a s t , and a l l the t i m e .
Finding H i m f i r s t , you will find a l l things t h a t you c r a v e through Him.
It i s good t o s t a r t meditation a t a n e a r l y a g e , o r ,
failing in t h a t , t o s t a r t ma3ditationa s soon a s the
mental d i s c riminative inclination i s receptive. It
i s v e r y difficult f o r t h e occult s o l d i e r s of the mind t o r e c l a i m the kingdom of
peace a f t e r it h a s fallen into the hands of r e s t l e s s n e s s and m a t e r i a l d e s i r e .
T h e r e f o r e , m a k e s p i r i t u a l hay while the sun of willingness t o meditate shines.
PRACTICE LONG AND
D E E P MEDITATION
T h e longer and d e e p e r you meditate and a f f i r m , the d e e p e r will you feel
and be conscious of the e v e r i n c r e a s i n g joy i n your h e a r t . Then you will know
without doubt that t h e r e is a God and that He i s e v e r existing, e v e r conscious,
o m n i p r e s e n t , e v e r new joy. Then you m a y demand: " F a t h e r , now, today, a l l
d a y s , a l l t o m o r r o w s , e v e r y i n s t a n t , i n sleep, in wakefulness, in life, in death,
in t h i s world, and i n the beyond, r e m a i n with m e a s t h e consciously responding
joy of my h e a r t . ' I
Do not jump up a f t e r only one o r two m e n t a l b r o a d c a s t s , but with continuous
p e r s o n a l z e a l k e e p on consciously with the e v e r i n c r e a s i n g hunger of your h e a r t ,
incessantly, mentally uttering the foregoing affirmation f o r regaining and holding on to the lost unity with God, until you f e e l the e v e r i n c r e a s i n g t h r i l l of joy
bursting in y o u r whole body. T h i s increasing joy a f t e r meditation i s the only
proof that God h a s a n s w e r e d through the devotion-tuned radio of your h e a r t .
During d e e p meditation, when the b r e a t h becomes c a l m , a v e r y enjoyable
s t a t e of peace i s produced; but owing t o the strong ego- consciousness, the
thought of t h e body r e t u r n s , and t h e fickle loud b r e a t h r e v i v e s , rousing m a t e r i a l
d e s i r e s and s e n s e d i s t r a c t i o n s . The devotee should not be discouraged a t t h i s
but should by d e e p e r meditation l e a r n t o c a l m the b r e a t h and the s e n s e s f o r a
longer period.
When King M a t e r i a l D e s i r e d o e s not get support f r o m p a s t bad h a b i t s , the
ego c o m e s t o c h e e r and strengthen him. Those who equally enjoy s e n s e pleas u r e s and p l e a s u r e s of meditation will not get anywhere f o r a long t i m e . It
should be r e m e m b e r e d t h a t even if one cannot conquer the f l e s h , he m u s t m e d i t a t e just the s a m e , f o r then t h e r e will be a s e n s e of c o m p a r i s o n between t h e
l e s s e r p l e a s u r e s of the s e n s e s and the g r e a t e r p l e a s u r e s of the soul. Those who
f a i l t o conquer t h e s e n s e s and who give up meditation too, become a l m o s t hopel e s s c a s e s of s p i r i t u a l decay.
If a f t e r d e e p meditation the devotee i s thrown into a s t a t e of r e s t l e s s n e s s
owing to the m e m o r y of sense joys, he f e e l s g r e a t e r inner discomfort and
bewilderment a s he suddenly finds that he f e e l s n e i t h e r inner joy n o r the passing
p l e a s u r e of the s e n s e s . At such t i m e s he i s tempted t o d e c l a r e : "0G r e a t Soul,
I wish neither inner happiness born of self- control and s p i r i t u a l adeptship, n o r
the p l e a s u r e of the s e n s e s . " T h i s m e n t a l s t a t e should be o v e r c o m e , and can be
o v e r c o m e , by r e g u l a r , deep meditation and by picturing t h e e v e r new blessed
bliss f e l t in t h e deep c a v e s of contemplation.
HOW T O ENTER
REAL SILENCE
The scientific method of entering r e a l silence w a s taught
in the L e s s o n on concentration. And i n t h i s s e r i e s of
t h r e e L e s s o n s on meditation i s taught what t o d o a f t e r attaining s i l e n c e , and how to u s e the f r e e d attention t o d i r e c t it t o w a r d God. In r e a l
silence both your m u s c l e s and your thoughts a r e quiet. You c a n silence the body
e a s i l y , but it i s difficult t o silence your thoughts. They still run wild, jumping
f r o m one thing t o another with m i r a c u l o u s speed. But by using scientific m e t ho d s , you can effectively silence the thoughts too. As long a s t h e r e i s motion in
a pond of w a t e r , s o long will you be unable t o see t h e c l e a r reflection of the
moon in it. R e m e m b e r , a s long a s a r e s t l e s s thought o r a bodily motion
r e m a i n s , you cannot h e a r the Inner Voice, o r s e e with the Inner Eye. In other
w o r d s , God will not e n t e r your temple. In a n inwardly and outwardly quiet body
t e m p l e , illuminated by devotion, love, and inspiration, God may be coaxed t o
c o m e , which m e a n s t h a t r e a l vision and r e a l intuition will be awakened.
BE F R E E FROM
THE DELUSION
OF MATTER
Meditation is t h e r e a l panacea through which you can p e r manently c u r e yourself of the d a y d r e a m of m a t t e r and all
i t s evils, and r e a l i z e yourself a s p u r e Spirit. Until you
have built the t e m p l e of silence within your self, until you
have broken down t h e r a m p a r t s of habits with which environment h a s surrounded
you, y o u will never s e e the g l o r y of God; you will never have r e a l peace and
lasting joy. When you m e e t t h e G r e a t One, d a r k n e s s will p a s s away f o r e v e r .
The power of t r u t h i s h e i e in t h e s e teachings, and if you will but make a d e t e r mined e f f o r t , you will no longer walk nervously in f e a r and uncertainty on the
pathway of life.
(To be continued)
THOUGHTS T O LIVE BY
9
What i s meditation? It i s becoming one with the soul; it i s dropping your
relation with the m u s c l e s and with human limitations and r e m e m b e r i n g that you
a r e a soul. When you begin t o r e l a t e yourself t o the soul, then you will be a w a r e
of m o r e of your p a s t e x p e r i e n c e s , and you will know that you have c o m e down
f r o m t h e bosom of God.
A
In God l i e all the m e m o r y and e x p e r i e n c e s of your life. In your inner cont a c t t h e forgotten t i m e s and powers will c o m e back into your consciousness.
Meditation l e a d s you t o r e m e m b e r that you a r e not a m o r t a l , but that you a r e one
with God. During the daytime, when you a r e not meditating, you r e m e m b e r that
you a r e a m o r t a l , but in meditation the r e v e r s e i s t r u e . Meditation m e a n s d r o p ping the c o n s c i o u s n e s s of t h e body, r e m e m b e r i n g who you a r e , and then coming
back and ruling the body.
***
THE BAD MAN WHO WAS PREFERRED BY GOD- - Part 1
The loving L o r d of the Universe h a s always visited a r d e n t devotees. Somet i m e s before doing s o He sends m e s s e n g e r s t o find out those devotees who a r e
worthy of d a r s h a n (a vision o r sight of the L o r d ) . In India they t e l l a s t o r y about
the t i m e God sent Narada back to e a r t h . In t h e West, Narada might be d e s c r i b e d
a s a n archangel. He was a glorious being, f r e e d f r o m b i r t h and death, and e v e r
c l o s e t o the Lord. During a f o r m e r incarnation on e a r t h he had been a g r e a t
devotee of God, and so i t seemed that he should be easily able to discover o t h e r s
who w e r e pursuing the L o r d with will and a r d o r .
0
Narada the archangel now c a m e t o e a r t h incognito, garbed a s a n a s c e t i c . In
mountains and valleys and jungles all over India he sought out the h e r m i t s and
renunciants whose thoughts w e r e c e n t e r e d on God and who p e r f o r m e d all actions
only f o r H i m . While ambling through a d a r k woodland one d a y , he spied a hoary
a n c h o r i t e p r a c t i c i n g d i f f e r e n t k i n d s of p o s t u r e s and undergoing penances u n d e r
t h e cool shade of a huge u m b r e l l a - l i k e t a m a r i n d t r e e . As i f he w e r e m e r e l y a
l e i s u r e l y w a n d e r e r , N a r a d a approached and g r e e t e d t h e a s c e t i c , inquiring c u r i o u s l y , "Who a r e you, and what a r e you d o i n g ? "
"My n a m e i s B h a d r a k a , " t h e h e r m i t replied. "I a m a n old a n c h o r i t e . I
have been p r a c t i c i n g r i g o r o u s physical d i s c i p l i n e f o r eighty y e a r s . " He added
d i s c o n s o l a t e l y , "Without achieving any m a r k e d r e s u l t s . ' I N a r a d a t h e n i n t r o duced h i m s e l f : "I a m a s p e c i a l m e s s e n g e r s e n t by t h e L o r d of t h e U n i v e r s e t o
s e e k out H i s t r u e devotees. ' I
Realizing t h a t a t l a s t h i s opportunity had c o m e , t h e a n c h o r i t e pompously
a s s u r e d N a r a d a of h i s wlsrthiness to be honored by t h e L o r d . " E s t e e m e d E m i s s a r y , ' I he s a i d , " s u r e l y your e y e s a r e now beholding t h e g r e a t e s t devotee of the
L o r d on t h i s e a r t h . Think of i t , f o r eighty y e a r s , r a i n o r shine I have p r a c t i c e d
e v e r y imaginable technique of t o r t u r o u s m e n t a l and p h y s i c a l self- discipline t o
a t t a i n knowledge, and t o find m e r i t in t h e L o r d ' s e y e s . "
N a r a d a w a s i m p r e s s e d , " Even though I a m f r o m those higher planes w h e r e
g r e a t e r a c c o m p l i s h m ~ n t sa r e p o s s i b l e , I a m v e r y m u c h touched by your p e r s i s t e n c e , ' I he a s s u r e d the old man. Bhadraka had been brooding on h i s g r i e v a n c e s
while talking t o N a r a d a , and instead of being c o m f o r t e d by N a r a d a ' s w o r d s , he
spoke a n g r i l y . "Well t h e n , s i n c e you a r e s o c l o s e t o the L o r d , p l e a s e find out
why He h a s k e p t away f r o m m e f o r s o long. When next you m e e t H i m , do a s k why
He h a s not r e s p o n d e d t o m y d i s c i p l i n a r y e x e r c i s e s . W i l l you p r o m i s e m e t h a t ? I '
N a r a d a a g r e e d t o t h e old m a n ' s r e q u e s t , and t h e n r e s u m e d h i s s e a r c h f o r
e a r n e s t d e v o t e e s of God. In one place he paused t o watch a m o s t a m u s i n g incident
taking place a t t h e r o a d s i d e . A v e r y handsome and d e t e r m i n e d young m a n w a s
t r y i n g to build a f e n c e . Unfortunately he w a s dead d r u n k , and h i s s e n s e s kept
deceiving h i m . He had dug a s e r i e s of h o l e s f o r f e n c e p o s t s , and w a s t r y i n g in
vain t o fit a n unwieldy bamboo pole into one of t h e s e elusive h o l e s . He would
t h u m p the pole on t h e ground a l l a r o u n d , but h e could not g e t i t i n t h e hole. S e v e r a l t i m e s he stumbled f o r w a r d and a l m o s t t r i p p e d h i m s e l f . (To be continued)
AFFIRMATION
S a t u r a t e d with devotion, 0 Heavenly F a t h e r , I will e n t e r t h e
heaven of Thy p r e s e n c e . Blindly groping, the u r g e of m y devotion suddenly flings open t h e s o u l ' s s e c r e t d o o r , and oh, what
b l i s s I f e e l a t t h e sight of Thy L i g h t !
SELF- REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP LESSONS-.Volume 2
LESSON
............ 27-29 i n c l.
................................ 29
............................ 30
................... 30- A
How t o Contact God T h r o u g h Meditation
Scientific Technique of Meditation
(Om Technique)
T h e Value of Meditation
S R F "Om" Technique of Meditation
(outline and routine p r a c t i c e )
S u p e r c o n s c i o u s Visions
Finding Your T r u e Vocation i n Life
T h e C h e m i s t r y of F e e l i n g s
I m p o r t a n t E n e r g i z i n g and Healing E x e r c i s e s
S p i r i t u a l i z i n g the C r e a t i v e F o r c e
Why You H a v e n ' t Changed a s You Wish
T h e Law of Divine Healing
Healing Through P r a y e r
Physical. Psychological.
and Spiritual D i s e a s e s
Heliotropic Method of Self - Healing
............................ 31
................. 32
......................... 33
....... 34
................... 35
..
36
.......................... 37-39 i n c l.
....................... 37
........................ 38
39
.
U
you and.-&
Develop C r e a t i v e Ability ....................... 40
Choosing a Vocation ........................... 41
T e m p t a t i o n s v e r s u s S e l f - c o n t r o l ................... 42. 4 3
How t o C u r e t h e D i s e a s e of J e a l o u s y
.
. 44. 45
I n c r e a s i n g Your P o w e r of M a g n e t i s m ............... 46
How t o Manifest Your S e c r e t M a g n e t i s m ............ 47
&q&pjc+r..*-.x=
c.
c ~ t . . ~ . XL*
2-
-3
......................... 48. 49
A r t of Developing M e m o r y
How S u p e r c o n s c i o u s . Subconscious.
and C o n s c i o u s Minds Work
P s y c h o l o g i c a l and P h y s i c a l Methods
M a t e r i a l D e s i r e s and Meditation
Guru and D i s c i p l e
D i f f e r e n c e Between Guru and T e a c h e r
Lesson Summaries
27 . 29 i n c l
30 . 36 i n c l
37 . 44 i n c l
45 - 51 i n c l
................... 48
........... 49
................... 50
.................................. 5 1
......... 5 1
............................... 5 2 / 1
............................... 5 2 / 2
............................... 5 2 / 3
............................... 5 2 / 4
Volume 2
STORLES AND INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS
.......... 27-30 i n c l.
..................... 3 0 - A
..................... 3 1
... 32
................ 33
.......................... 35. 36
T h e Bad Man Who Was P r e f e r r e d by God
Tune In with t h e C o s m i c Sound
T h e Lion Who B e c a m e a Sheep
We A r e All a Little Bit C r a z y and Don't Know It
Roast the Seeds of Evil Tendencies
Buddha and the C o u r t e s a n
T h e Man Who B e c a m e a Buffalo
Wanderings of t h e P r o d i g a l Soul
That M o r a l Backbone
T h e P r i e s t Who Jumped into the Well
Explanation of the Story
T h e P r i e s t Who Jumped into the Well
All f o r a Rag
The Saint Who Ate F i r e
The Saint Who Went t o Hades Speaking T r u t h
Devotionto Truth
The Magic C a r r o t
The Boatman and the Philosopher
The Himalayan Musk D e e r
How I Found God Through My M a s t e r
God's k.lfinite Love
.
...................
..............................
..............
37
38
39
40
......... 4 1
...................................... 42. 4 3
............................ 44
.. . 45. 46
.................................. 4 7
................................. 48
................. 4 9
......................... 50
.............. 5 1
................................ 5 1
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study '
J
A
S-2 P - 2 8
@ Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
0 Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA. Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
WE WILL LIVE IN T H E GARDEN O F HAPPINESS
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Beneath the g l i m m e r of Thy g r e a t light we offer
the p r a y e r of o u r souls. Thou a r t o u r F a t h e r , we a r e
Thy c h i l d r e n . Receive the humble offerings of o u r
h e a r t s . T a k e away t h e n e m e s i s of d a r k gloom,
behold u s t h r o u g h the p o r e s of the sky and through
the windows of o u r h e a r t s and f e e l i n g s , and s i t e n throned on the a l t a r of o u r lave f o r T h e e .
T e a c h u s t o behold only what i s good, t o think
only what i s good, t o a s s o c i a t e only with t h o s e who
a r e good, and t e a c h u s to m e d i t a t e upon T h e e , t h e
fountain of a l l goodness.
B l e s s u s a l l t h a t we be not t e m p t e d by the s e r pent f o r c e , but t h a t we m a y above a l l extol Thy g l o r y ,
t h e g l o r i e s of Thy heaven and p a r a d i s e within u s ,
t h a t we m a y live in the g a r d e n of h a p p i n e s s and noble
thoughts, that we m a y be filled with the a r o m a of Thy
love, and that we m a y be s a t u r a t e d with Thy love e v e r m o r e . B l e s s u s , t h a t we m a y always r e m a i n in the
land of p a r a d i s e .
PRAYER
4
Divine M o t h e r , t e a c h m e in m e d i t a t i o n to d r o p m y c o n s c i o u s n e s s
of h u m a n l i m i t a t i o n s and t r y to r e m e m b e r t h a t I a m a soul.
***
HOW T O CONTACT GOD THROUGH MEDITATION- - Part 2
Meditate a s much a s p o s s i b l e , and t r y to hold on to the q u i e t and peaceful
a f t e r e f f e c t . A s soon a s the b r e a t h i s q u i e t , y o u r plane of c o n s c i o u s n e s s i s
lifted. Meditation i s the only way to k e e p yourself filled with t h e power of
S p i r i t . W o r d s without s o u l - f o r c e a r e like guns without ammunition; t h e r e f o r e while meditating do not think m e r e l y of w o r d s , but of t h e i r m e a n i n g , and
with intensity m e n t a l l y offer the thought behind t h e m to God. On t h e t h r o n e
of s i l e n t thoughts, t h e God of P e a c e wi 11 d i r e c t y o u r a c t i o n s .
Open t h e d o o r of y o u r c a l m n e s s and l e t t h e f o o t s t e p s of silence gently
e n t e r t h e t e m p l e of a l l your a c t i v i t i e s . P e r f o r m a l l d u t i e s s e r e n e l y , s a t u r a t ed with p e a c e . Behind the t h r o b of y o u r h e a r t , you s h a l l f e e l t h e t h r o b of
G o d ' s p e a c e . F i l l y o u r h e a r t with the p e a c e of meditation.
L e a r n how to plunge into i n t r o s p e c t i o n about e v e r y e x p e r i e n c e , whether
it c o n c e r n s good books, p r o b l e m s , r e l i g i o n s , philosophy, o r i n n e r h a p p i n e s s .
R e t i r e within the c e l l of y o u r d e e p thoughts, and enjoy t h e peace oozing out of
t h e fountain of s i l e n c e .
CONTROLLING THE
SENSE TELEPHONES
During r e a l m e d i t a t i o n , a l l of the five s e n s e t e l e phones m u s t be shut off. Silence i s what t h e whole
world n e e d s , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h o s e who a r e on t h e
path of meditation and a r e s t r i v i n g to p r o g r e s s toward g r e a t e r s p i r i t u a l i t y .
Any a t t e m p t a t s i l e n c e i s b e t t e r than t h e ineffective p r a y e r t h a t i s commonly
p r a c t i c e d ; because i n such p r a y e r , while t h e m o v e m e n t s of the body m a y be
stilled, the thoughts go on with t h e i r dance of r e s t l e s s n e s s .
As a r e s u l t of closing the e y e s in m e d i t a t i o n , the s e n s a t i o n s of sight a r e
prevented f r o m reaching t h e b r a i n ; and by sitting in a quiet p l a c e one c a n k e e p
the e x t r e m e l y busy auditory phone quiet a s t h e r e a r e no sounds to r e a c h the
brain. I f , t h e n , the two m o s t i m p o r t a n t s e n s e telephones of sight and h e a r i n g
a r e disconnected in m e d i t a t i o n , t h e o t h e r telephones of s m e l l , t a s t e , and
touch become disconnected a l s o , because t h e o p e r a t o r i s then r e l a x e d , and
f r e e f r o m c o n s t a n t attention t o the r e p o r t s of the two busiest t e l e p h o n e s - o p t i c a l and a u d i t o r y - - i n the body house.
YOUR SOUL'S
OMNIPRESENT
NATURE
J u s t a s f r o m a seed planted in p r o p e r s o i l t h e r e s p r i n g s
f o r t h a t r e e , s o f r o m p r o p e r meditation instilled in the
soul the c o n s c i o u s n e s s of O m n i p r e s e n c e will m a n i f e s t .
B e c a u s e of long c o n c e n t r a t i o n upon the p h y s i c a l body a n d i t s n e c e s s i t i e s , the
s o u l h a s f o r g o t t e n i t s o m n i p r e s e n t n a t u r e . God i s o m n i p r e s e n t . The c o s m o s
i s H i s body. M a n ' s s o u l , m a d e in H i s i m a g e , h a s in it the s e e d e x p e r i e n c e of
o m n i p r e s e n c e . T h i s c o n s c i o u s n e s s of o m n i p r e s e n c e i s hidden in the s o u l , a s
a t r e e i s s e c r e t e d in a s e e d .
Looking a t the body c o n s t a n t l y c a u s e s the m i n d to think of i t s e l f a s c o n f i n e d in the f l e s h . A s m e d i t a t i o n upon the Infinite g r o w s d e e p e r , it m a k e s the
m e d i t a t o r , m e d i t a t i o n , a n d the o b j e c t of m e d i t a t i o n one. Then the m i n d b e c o m e s c o n v i n c e d t h a t it i s not e n c a s e d in the body, but t h a t it i s in e v e r y t h i n g
in the body of the c o s m o s . The m i n d thinking c o n s t a n t l y a b o u t the body b e c o m e s l i m i t e d by it. The m i n d m e d i t a t i n g upon the Infinite b e c o m e s u n l i m i t e d .
M e d i t a t i o n i s the a r t of t r a n s f e r r i n g the a t t e n t i o n f r o m f i n i t e t h i n g s
the l i t t l e body a n d the p o r t i o n s of s p a c e in which m o r t a l s l i v e
to the Infinite.
-
-
Men a n d w o m e n a s p i r i n g to e x p a n d t h e i r c o n s c i o u s n e s s into the a l l - p e r v a d i n g G o d - c o n s c i o u s n e s s s h o u l d l e a r n to m e d i t a t e upon the c o s m o s . M e d i t a t i o n m e a n s c o n s t a n t thinking of the v a s t n e s s w i t h i n a n d without, s o t h a t the
s o u l m a y f o r g e t i t s a t t a c h m e n t to the l i m i t e d p h y s i c a l body a n d r e m e m b e r i t s
v a s t body a s God. The o c e a n i s the w a v e , the wave i s the o c e a n ; the o c e a n
m u s t know t h a t it i s the wave a n d the wave m a s t know t h a t it i s the o c e a n .
T h e S p i r i t O c e a n knows t h a t it h a s b e c o m e the soul w a v e s ; but the soul w a v e s
n e e d to r e c a l l , by m e d i t a t i o n , that t h e y a r e the S p i r i t O c e a n . The l i t t l e s o u l
w a v e & ~ i t f o r i e t i t gs m a n n e s s , -whicx i s o n l y a m e n t a l cofiizept- b o i n o f con:
c e n t r a t i o n upon the body, a n d t n u s t c o n c e n t r a t e upon the u n i v e r s e a s i t s own
big b o d y , of which the p h y s i c a l body i s j u s t a t i n y p a r t .
A m u n d a n e ~ e r s o n a l i t yi s b u s y with looking a f t e r the body a n d i t s c r a m p e d
r e l a t i o n s with a f e w o t h e r h u m a n b e i n g s . Such a p e r s o n ' s c o n s c i o u s n e s s d o e s
n o t e x t e n d beyond the g a t e s of i t s own h o m e . The s p i r i t u a l m a n , t h r o u g h the
s p r e a d i n g light of s y m p a t h y a n d m e d i t a t i o n , l e a r n s to f e e l the w o e s a n d p a i n s
of o t h e r s . He f e e l s t h a t the w o r l d . o r c o s m o s , i s h i s h o m e . T h i s i s why the
m e d i t a t i n g a s p i r a n t m u s t do a w a y with l i t t l e body a t t a c h m e n t s . He m u s t l e a r n
to be p r o o f a g a i n s t too w a r m o r too c o l d c l i m a t e s . He m u s t l e a r n to o v e r c o m e
h u n g e r a n d pain. He m u s t l e a r n to c o n q u e r a l l the a p p e t i t e s a n d a t t a c h m e n t s
t h a t g o v e r n the l i t t l e body, f o r a s long a s the m i n d i s f o c u s e d o n the body a n d
i t s r e l a t i o n s , the s o u l c a n n o t r e m e m b e r i t s o m n i p r e s e n t n a t u r e .
HOW TO ATTAIN COSMIC CONSCIOUSNESS
T h e r e a r e t h r e e w a y s of a t t a i n i n g C o s m i c C o n s c i o u s n e s s :
a
1)
2)
3)
The s o c i a l w a y
The w a y of d i s c i p l i n e
The s p i r i t u a l way
SOCIAL W A Y
T h e s o c i a l w a y c o n s i s t s i n expanding the g e r m of divine love
w i t h i n the s o u l . Too m u c h love of s e l f c o n f i n e s the s o u l
t o the ego- boundaries of the f l e s h . The soul i s a n o m n i p r e s e n t reflection of
the all- pervading Spirit. The ego i s the body-bound consciousness of the soul.
The soul, a s ego, f o r g e t s i t s e t h e r i c o m n i p r e s e n c e and c o n s i d e r s itself l i m i t e d t o the body.
E v e r y human ego can imagine itself s p r e a d out i n space, but c a n f e e l itself only a s t h e body. It i s when the ego begins t o f e e l itself in o t h e r bodies,
through p r a c t i c a l sympathy, that it begins t o r e g a i n i t s forgotten o m n i p r e s ence. Unlike the shortsighted worldly m a n , the divine m a n w o r k s not only f o r
himself a s one body, but a l s o f o r h i s g r e a t e r Self, which h e beholds embodied
i n a l l o t h e r s . S i m i l a r l y , you should not only f e e l hungry, d e s i r e t o be p r o s p e r o u s , wish t o be healed, o r long f o r wisdom f o r yourself in one body; you
should l e a r n t o f e e l f o r your self in a l l bodies, in a l l minds, i n a l l l i v e s , in
a l l souls.
Hence, the social way of developing cosmic consciousness is to love
your family, neighbors, country, the whole world a s yourself. Include the
world in your love, and call yourself a cosmic citizen. You a r e the king; and
in the kingdom of your love, include not only a l l human beings- - but a l s o a n i m a l s , f l o w e r s , the flocks of s t a r s pasturing on the long savannahs of the blue
- - a l l living c r e a t u r e s . Love a l l m e n a s your b r o t h e r s ; love a l l women a s
your s i s t e r s ; love a l l e l d e r l y m e n and women a s your p a r e n t s ; and love a l l
human beings - - the black, white, brown, yellow, red,and olive- colored r a c e s
- - a s your f r i e n d s and b r o t h e r s . This is the social way of attaining c o s m i c
consciousness.
WAY O F DISCIPLINE
By m e n t a l and physical discipline r i s e above the
consciousness of c a s t e , c o l o r , dogmatic c r e e d ,
family, r a c e , nationality, and poverty. Make i t a rule t o be pleasant and t o
e x e r c i s e self- control. Be kind, a b s t e m i o u s , and m o d e r a t e . Do things that
give you lasting happiness. Speak no untruth. Abhor stealing, ove rindulgence, w o r r y , f e a r , a n g e r , g r e e d , jealousy, and r e s t l e s s n e s s . L e a r n t o
withstand heat and cold, and t o endure happiness without m e n t a l excitement.
R i s e above sensations even though you a r e s t i l l subject to them.
Meditate, by withdrawing your attention f r o m objects of sense and f r o m
m u s c l e s , lungs, breath, and h e a r t , and concentrating that f r e e d attention upon t h e spine. Then go out through the medulla oblongata into illfinite space.
SPIRITUAL WAY
The inner way of developing cosmic consciousness l i e s
in practicing the a r t of living on the s e n s e plane without making s e n s e contacts: t h a t i s , the a r t of controlling the s e n s e s - - o p e r a ting t h e m o r switching t h e m off a t will i n the v a r i o u s s e n s e organs.
1.
2.
L e a r n t o switch the consciousness and l i f e c u r r e n t on and off f r o m
the h e a r t , breath, and lungs.
P u t l i f e f o r c e i n a l l t h e m u s c l e s a n d then relax.
3.
4.
Switch the coneciousnese and will power on and off f r o m the spine.
Switchtheconsciousnessonandoff f r o m t h e s i x p l e x u s e s - - c o c c y g e a l ,
s a c r a l , l u m b a r , d o r s a l , c e r v i c a l , and m e d u l l a r y - -and f r o m the
c e r e b r u m and c e r e b e l l u m .
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
Why i s meditation the only way t o God? Because the only way that He can
be known i s by following H i s l a w s of righteousness and by deep contemplation
upon Him until you become one with Him. "God i s no r e s p e c t o r of p e r s o n s "
(Acts 10:34). He will look in your h e a r t and s e e whether you have utilized t h e
p o w e r s that He h a s given you and whether you know Him o r not. Why waste
t i m e ? Meditation i s t h e only way t o know God.
-
R e m e m b e r , if you f o r g e t God, i t will not be God who will punish you; you
will c r e a t e your own m i s e r y . If you know God, He will r e v e a l t o you that t h i s
l i f e i s only a d r a m a and that you a r e i m m o r t a l , t h a t you w e r e never sick, that
you w e r e n e v e r dead, and you w e r e n e v e r unhappy. It was a l l a d r e a m . T h e r e
i s no o t h e r way to find God except through meditation p r a c t i c e d in the way the
m a s t e r s t e a c h it. Follow that method. Veils will f a l l f r o m your mind and
e v e r y thought and e v e r y thing will be a window through which you will behold
the f a c e of the King.
/+
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T H E BAD MAN WHO WAS P R E F E R R E D BY G O D - - P a r t 2
At f i r s t Narada thought t h i s spectacle was v e r y funny. But the young m a n
began t o c a l l upon the L o r d t o c o m e and h e l p h i m , and when t h i s brought no
r e s u l t s , h e became a n g r y and began to t h r e a t e n God with c u r s e s and shouts:
"You unfeeling, l a z y God, what a fine f r i e n d You a r e ! Come h e r e now and
help m e to fix m y pole in t h i s hole, o r I'll t h r u e t the bamboo right through
Your h a r d heart."
J u s t then the young m a n ' s wandering gaze fastened on Narada, standing
shocked and agape a t t h e drunken o n e ' s t e m e r i t y . His wrath diverted, the
young m a n exclaimed, "You good- for-nothing i d l e r . how d a r e you just
stand t h e r e , s t a r i n g a t m e like t h a t ? " Taken aback, Narada said meekly:
"Shall I help you t o s e t your pole? "
"No, " growled the young m a n , "I will accept no help but that of m y Divine F r i e n d , that sly E l u d e r who h a $ been playing hide- and- seek with m e ,
who i s even now hiding behind the clouds, trying to evade working with m e . "
a
"You drunken fool, " said Narada, " a r e n ' t you a f r a i d t o c u r s e the omnipresent Lord? 'I
"Oh no, He understands m e better than you do, I ' w a s the instant reply.
"And who a r e you anyway? I t demanded the swaying young man, trying t o keep
h i s e y e s focused on the visitor.
Narada answered truthfully: "I a m a m e s s e n g e r f r o m the all- powerful
L o r d , and I a m searching out His t r u e devotees on e a r t h . I t
"Oh! I t the young man exclaimed eagerly. "In that c a s e I a s k you t o
p l e a s e put in a good word f o r m e when you see the Divine F r i e n d . Even though
I behave badly now and then, and abuere the powers He gave m e , please do r e mind Him about m e . And a s k Him why He h a s been delaying His visit t o m e ,
and when He i s coming, f o r I have been waiting and waiting and always expecting Him. " Narada felt s o r r y f o r the fellow, and so, half reluctantly, he
a g r e e d t o the m a n ' s request, although he w a s privately thinking that t h i s
drunkard would have v e r y little chance of meeting the L o r d !
After Narada had t r a v e l e d a l l o v e r , and noted the n a m e s and accomplishm e n t s of many devotees, he suddenly felt s o lonely f o r the L o r d ' s loving
s m i l e that he d i s c a r d e d h i s earthly f o r m and rushed straight t o the heavenly
abode, a s swiftly a s thought could c a r r y him. In a n instant he w a s t h e r e
before the Beloved One, surrounded by a w a r m glow of divine love.
"Welcome, d e a r Narada, " said the Lord gently, and the light f r o m H i s
lotus e y e s melted the l a s t vestige of earthly tension that clung t o His m e s s e n g e r ' s a u r a . "Tell Me about your earthly excursions. I t Narada gave a full
r e p o r t , ending with descriptions of the two devotees who seemed t o exemplify opposite ends of the scale of virtue- - the pious old anchorite and the intoxicated young m a n with the pole.
"You know, Beloved L o r d , sometimes I think you a r e too h a r d t o please,
and even c r u e l , I ' Narada said seriously. "Think how you t r e a t e d that anchori t e , Bhadraka, who h a s been waiting f o r eighty y e a r s f o r You, under a t a m a rind t r e e . You know whom I m e a n ! " The L o r d thought f o r a moment, and
even sought a response f r o m His all- recording h e a r t , but He answered, "No,
I don't r e m e m b e r him. I t
"Why how c a n that be possible?
Narada exclaimed. "That devoted m a n
h a s been practicing a l l s o r t s of h a r s h disciplines t h e s e eighty y e a r s just t o
a t t r a c t Your attention. " But the Lord only shrugged indifferently. "No m a t t e r what the anchorite h a s been practicing, he h a s not yet touched My h e a r t .
What next? I '
(To be continued)
***
AFFIRMATION
T h r o u g h the t r a n s p a r e n c y of m y d e e p e s t m e d i t a t i o n , I w i l l
c o n s c i o u s l y r e c e i v e t h e light of t h e o m n i p r e s e n t F a t h e r constantly p a s sing t h r o u g h m e ; and I s h a l l be a son of God e v e n a s
J e s u s w a s , by r e c e i v i n g God fully, through m y s a c r e d , m e d i t a t i o n - e x panded c o n s c i o u s n e s s .
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
a
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
5 - 2 P-29
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All RigMs Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
DIVINE MOTHER
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Divine Mother, I h e a r d Thy voice in t h e speaking
f r a g r a n c e of the r o s e . I h e a r d Thy voice in the lisping
w h i s p e r s of m y devotion. I h e a r d Thy voice beneath t h e
din of m y n o i s i e s t thoughts. It w a s Thy love t h a t spoke
through the voice of friendship. I touched Thy t e n d e r ne s s i n the softness of the lily.
0 Divine Mother, break the dawn and show Thy f a c e
of light ! B r e a k the sun and show Thy f a c e of power !
B r e a k the night and show Thy mooned face! B r e a k m y
thoughts and show Thy f a c e of wisdom! B r e a k m y f e e l ings and show Thy f a c e of love ! B r e a k m y p r i d e and show
Thy f a c e of humbleness! B r e a k m y wisdom and show Thy
f a c e of perfection!
A s I called t o Thee i n the w i l d e r n e s s of m y l o n e l i n e s s ,
Thou d i d s t b u r s t through the dawn t o g r e e t m e with Thy
joy. Thou d i d s t e m e r g e f r o m t h e m o l t e n door of the sun
t o pour Thy power into t h e p o r e s of m y life. Thou d i d s t
t e a r away the night of m y ignorance t o r e v e a l Thy s i l v e r
r a y s of speaking silence !
PRAYER
Heavenly F a t h e r , may the magic wand of meditation touch
a l l sounds and m e l t t h e m into the One Cosmic Sound of Om.
HOW T O CONTACT GOD THROUGH MEDITATION- - P a r t 3
(Based upon the t r u t h s revealed in St. J o h n ' s Revelation, P a t a n j a l i ' s
Raja Yopa, and upon basic p r i n c i p l e s d i s c o v e r e d by m o d e r n science. )
Now you a r e e a g e r t o know the method by which you c a n contact God
through meditation. It is n e c e s s a r y t o achieve attunement with Spirit o r
Divine Consciousness before one c a n r e a l i z e Divine Consciousness. In m e d i tation you l e a r n t o contact S p i r i t , o r the C r e a t o r , in reality. Words cannot
convey t o you the wonderful r e a l i z a t i o n s and intuitions t h a t t h e technique of
meditation p r e s e n t e d in t h i s L e s s o n will bring you; it would be impossible
even t o n a m e t h e m a l l h e r e . If you p r a c t i c e r e g u l a r l y , faithfully, and r e v e r ently, you will get t h e m a l l finally. You will be able t o h e a r the vibrations of
t h e a s t r a l c e n t e r s of c o n s c i o u s n e s s and life i n the spine, and i n t i m e you will
be intuitionally in tune with the Cosmic Vibration. Continued right p r a c t i c e
of t h i s technique will give you a n unparalleled command o v e r your mind, enabling you t o focus it in t h e m o s t intense way on any object of thought--intellectual, physical, o r spiritual. T h i s i s a s t r u e a s the statement t h a t the sun
r i s e s in t h e e a s t . The technique will a l s o help you tremendously t o i n c r e a s e
your power f o r t h e accomplishment of g r e a t work i n life. Above a l l , it will
enable you t o contact t h e superconsciousness of t h e soul and through that the
c o s m i c consciousness of S p i r i t , giving you t h e wonderful peace, harmony,
and poise of mind inherent i n t h e higher life. It h e l p s t o soothe and r e s t t h e
n e r v e s and t o bring about t h e m o s t d e s i r a b l e bodily conditions.
P r a y t o t h e G r e a t S p i r i t with a r e v e r e n t , loving attitude: "0 G r e a t Spirit,
help m e t o g a t h e r m y i n n e r powers and r e a l i z e Thee through Thy C o s m i c Vibration. The u n i v e r s e i s projected f r o m Thee through vibration. It i s s u s tained by Thee through vibration. Vibrations pervade everywhere. Thou a r t
transcendentally omnip r e sent with t h e Cosmic Vibration. Through vibrations
i n m e help m e t o r e a l i z e Thee inwardly and outwardly. Awaken m y sleeping
powers. Rouse m y infinite energy. Lead m e t o the vision of Thy glorious
light of peace. ' I
OM VIBRATION
EXPLAINED
"In t h e beginning w a s t h e Word, and the Word w a s with
God, and t h e Word w a s God" (John 1 : l ) . In t h e beginning
of C r e a t i o n w a s t h e Word of God o r t h e Cosmic Vibration
--OM (Aum, o r Amen )- - manifesting a s sound, impregnated with C h r i s t Cons c i o u s n e s s . T h i s projected c r e a t i v e power of God is the God t h a t c a n be
known through contacting Om.
-
"And they shall s e e h i s face; and h i s name shall be i n t h e i r foreheads.
And t h e r e shall be no night t h e r e ; and they need no candle, neither light of t h e
sun; f o r the L o r d God giveth t h e m light" (Revelation 22:4-5). St. John m a k e s
r e f e r e n c e h e r e t o t h e t h i r d eye i n the forehead, with i t s divine light.
"Behold, I stand a t t h e d o o r , and knock (sound through Om vibration): if
any m a n h e a r m y voice (listen t o Om), and open the d o o r , I will come in t o
him" (Revelation 3:20). Patanjali (a g r e a t Hindu Raja Yogi) wrote: "Medit a t e on Om t o actually contact I s w a r a (God). Om i s H i s symbol (manifestation of c r e a t i o n ) . ' I
"1 was i n t h e Spirit ( s p i r i t u a l consciousness)on the L o r d ' s day (the day of
contacting the divine r e a l m s of t r u t h ) , and h e a r d behind m e (in t h e medulla
oblongata, 'behind' o r i n t h e back of t h e head) a g r e a t voice, a s of a t r u m p e t
(the g r e a t blissful sound of Om)" (Revelation 1 :10).
"These things saith the Amen (Om), the faithful and t r u e witness, the beginning of the c r e a t i o n of God" (Revelation 3:14). St. John h e r e speaks of t h e
Cosmic Om sound a s the faithful witness o r proof of t h e running of the Cosmic
Motor, t h e f o r c e which projected c r e a t i o n , and t h e vibration of i t s sound a s it
upholds c r e a t i o n .
"And I h e a r d a voice f r o m heaven, a s t h e voice of many w a t e r s , and a s
t h e voice of a g r e a t thunder: and I h e a r d the voice of h a r p e r s harping with
t h e i r h a r p s " (Revelation 14:2). These different sounds a r e vibratory v a r i a tions of the one Cosmic Sound. Each h a s i t s own p a r t i c u l a r r a t e of vibration
(and hence i t s own p a r t i c u l a r sound) which i s required t o c r e a t e a p a r t i c u l a r
element in t h e c o s m o s .
T o love o r t o meditate upon God, one m u s t definitely know Him. By
right p r a c t i c e of t h i s L e s s o n He c a n be known, manifesting a s intelligent,
e v e r - c o n s c i o u s , ever- new, joyous Cosmic Vibratory Sound, o r Om, r e v e r berating a l l over t h e u n i v e r s e . By properly listening t o and feeling t h i s Cosm i c Sound, o n e ' s human consciousness gradually becomes enlarged, i t s t e r r i t o r y extended beyond t h e body t o include the u n i v e r s e .
SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUE OF MEDITATION
The following Om Technique of Meditation--and e v e r y other
meditation technique that i s given in t h e s e L e s s o n s - - should
be practiced in your spiritual temple, the room o r c o r n e r
of a room that you have s e t a s i d e f o r meditation and s p i r i t u a l study. If by chance you have not yet established such a p l a c e , make it a
point t o do s o now. Every location r e f l e c t s t h e vibrations of the occupation
f o r which it is used; t h e r e f o r e you should s e t a s i d e some place t h a t may become p e r m e a t e d with s p i r i t u a l vibrations of p r a y e r and God-contemplation.
Thus i t s a t m o s p h e r e will be especially conducive t o meditation.
HAVE YOU A
SPIRITUAL
TEMPLE
@
Go t o your s p i r i t u a l t e m p l e and p r e p a r e t o p r a c t i c e the Om T e c h n i q u e of
Meditation. You will need a s m a l l t a b l e , about a s high a s your c h e s t when
you a r e s e a t e d , and a s t r a i g h t c h a i r c o v e r e d with a woolen blanket t h a t extends
down u n d e r your f e e t (to insulate you f r o m e a r t h c u r r e n t s ) . Lay a pillow on
t h e table. Then s e a t yourself and place your elbows on the pillow. The e l bows should be just high enough so that you have no difficulty i n reaching the
e a r s with the t h u m b s ; t h e spine and head m u s t be held s t r a i g h t a t the s a m e
t i m e . T h i s m a t t e r of position i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a s the spine m u s t be e r e c t .
You will have t o e x p e r i m e n t , adding m o r e pillows t o t h e table if n e c e s s a r y ,
until the right height i s reached f o r maintaining t h e p r o p e r position i n comfort.
God h a s enabled you, by m e a n s of your eyelids, t o c l o s e y o u r
e y e s and shut off d i s t r a c t i o n s during meditation; He h a s a l s o
given you " e a r l i d s " t o shut off mind- diverting sounds during
d e e p concentration. These a r e the c a r t i l a g i n o u s f l a p s (called t r a g i ) a t t h e ext e r n a l e a r openings. With your thumbs push t h e m gently i n s o t h a t they c l o s e
the e a r h o l e s , serving a s s t o p p e r s t o shut out outer sounds. During m e d i t a t i o n the t h u m b s tend t o loosen t h e i r p r e s s u r e , s o a t the outset p r e s s f i r m l y
enough with t h e thumbs t o c l o s e the t r a g i comfortably tight over t h e e a r openi n g s and t h u s shut out e x t e r n a l sounds a s much a s possible. Cotton m a y be
u s e d if you have sensitive e a r s .
METHOD OF
P R A C TI C E
When you have placed your thumbs gently o v e r the e a r openings, place
your little f i n g e r s o v e r the lowered eyelids, a t the outer c o r n e r s . Very gently p r e s s against the eyeballs s o that they do not move r e s t l e s s l y . P l a c e t h e
o t h e r f i n g e r s of both hands on t h e forehead. Turning t h e eyeballs upward and
inward, converge your gaze a t the c e n t r a l point in your forehead above and
between t h e eyebrows. P r a c t i c e will m a k e it e a s y . T h i s p r a c t i c e i s beneficial
t o the eyesight when rightly done a s d e s c r i b e d in t h i s Lesson.
Keep y o u r e y e s fixed a t t h i s C h r i s t Consciousness c e n t e r f o r longer and
longer p e r i o d s when you p r a c t i c e . T h i s w i 11 t r a i n the optic n e r v e s and eyeballs
t o a d j u s t e a s i l y t o the position and t h u s p e r m i t the f r e e focusing of the optical
c u r r e n t s of the two physical e y e s into t h e one s p i r i t u a l eye. At f i r s t you m a y
be satisfied with trying t o keep your e y e s fixed a t the point between t h e eyebrows. After p r a c t i c e , however, you will be able t o do t h i s s o that the eyelids
don't q u i v e r , and the eyeballs do not move. Then you m a y s e e a few lights
occasionally. If you do s e e any light, c o n c e n t r a t e on it.
By learning t o focus your e y e s i n t h i s way and by concentrating on any
light that you s e e , you a r e p r e p a r i n g t o see the a s t r a l light of the s p i r i t u a l
e y e - - a luminous sun, with a d a r k round spot inside it and a s t a r inside the
d a r k spot. T h i s t h i r d eye- - the door t o the Infinite- - is mentioned in Matthew
6:22. "If t h e r e f o r e thine eye be single, thy whole body s h a l l be full of light. "
Many other lights will c o m e , but no m a t t e r how long you have t o p r a c t i c e do
not be satisfied until you get t h e one mentioned above. Should you be bothered
with hallucinations, keep the e y e s open, t u r n e d upward, and fixed on the point
between t h e eyebrows.
With your e y e s fixed in t h i s position- - or on t h e a s t r a l light that will app e a r through pr actice- - mentally chant, "Om, Om" (making no s a n d , nor any
movement of the tongue). Keep listening in the inside of the right e a r to any
vibratory sound you h e a r . Reverently be one with the vibration. You m a y
h e a r in the beginning the purely physical v i b r a t o r y sounds caused by the h e a r t ,
lungs, diaphragm movement, circulation, and s o forth. Go d e e p e r . As you
continue to l i s t e n , your concentration will deepen of itself and you will begin
t o h e a r the m u s i c a l v i b r a t o r y sounds of the subtle a s t r a l c e n t e r s i n the spine.
Concentrate with the g r e a t e s t intensity of mental effort on any sound vibration that c o m e s t o you, and be one with it. I m m e r s e your mind in it. Let
the m e n t a l chanting of Om and the holding of the e y e s in the upturned position
be done automatically- -without m e n t a l effort. All your concentration should
be on listening to the different vibrations you will h e a r , f i r s t the physical and
then, a s you l i s t e n m o r e deeply, the a s t r a l . T h e r e will come a t i m e when you
can h e a r the Om sound--which i s like the r o a r of the ocean. If by chance you
h e a r the o c e a n - r o a r sound f i r s t , you won't have t o concentrate on any other
sound. L i s t e n intently t o Om and f e e l your consciousness expanding with i t s
vibrations, like an e v e r enlarging s p h e r e , into eternity. You m a y be content
that you a r e making p r o g r e s s toward hearing the r e a l O m sound when you h e a r
i n the right e a r the sound of a g r e a t gong o r bell emanating f r o m the d o r s a l
c e n t e r i n t h e spine, opposite t h e h e a r t .
Variations of the Om sound emanate Trom t h e v a r i o u s -r=ere-t+raspin%T
cen-t e r s . All of t h e s e sounds will come to you by and by, through r e g u l a r , d e e p
p r a c t i c e of t h e Om Technique of Meditation. The f o u r lower c e n t e r s in the
c e r e b r o s p i n a l a x i s c o n t r o l t h e e l e m e n t s i n m a n of e a r t h , w a t e r , f i r e , and a i r .
The vibratory activities of e a c h c e n t e r produce a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c sound. In
meditation the yogi m a y h e a r f i r s t the hum, a s of a bumblebee, emitted by the
e a r t h o r coccygeal c e n t e r at t h e base of the spine. The w a t e r o r s a c r a l c e n t e r
h a s a flutelike sound; the f i r e o r l u m b a r c e n t e r a harplike sound; and the a i r o r
d o r s a l c e n t e r a bell- like sound. The e t h e r i c o r c e r v i c a l c e n t e r , a t the base
of t h e neck w h e r e it joins the spine, e m a n a t e s a sound a s of rushing w a t e r s ;
and a t the medulla oblongata the deeply meditating yogi h e a r s the symphony of
a l l sounds together- - the oceanic r o a r of the Cosmic Om Vibration. It i s t h i s
symphony of sound t h a t you a r e striving t o h e a r , above a l l , when you p r a c t i c e
t h e Self -Realization Fellowship Om Technique of Meditation.
After you have practiced listening f o r the Om, you may put f o r t h active
mental effort once o r twice t o s e e the light of the spiritual eye in t h e forehead.
By practicing faithfully you will be able always to s e e the light with closed
e y e s , while hearing the vibrations with closed e a r s . It t a k e s long p r a c t i c e to
be able t o s e e t h e light a t will with open eyes. When one c a n do that, it shows
distinct s p i r i t u a l advancement. However, listening f o r Om is the m o s t i m p o r tant, m o r e important than seeing the light. T h i s c o s m i c sound, e x p r e s s i o n of
the Cause of c r e a t i o n , i s omnipresent; hence by being one with it, one a c q u i r e s the s a m e quality of consciousness.
Listen t o the various sounds with e a r s closed, employing the techniques
described in t h i s Lesson. As you develop, you will be able t o h e a r the Cosm i c Sound of Om with open e a r s in a quiet o r even a noisy place, by the u s e of
a little concentration. However, even though you c a n h e a r the Cosmic Sound
with open e a r s , do not forget t o practice the technique regularly with e a r s
closed, a s you have been taught in t h i s Lesson.
P r a c t i c e t h i s technique f o r ten t o fifteen minutes during your meditation
in t h e morning; twenty t o t h i r t y minutes o r longer when you meditate before
bed. Bow mentally t o God when you a r e through. Both intensity of mental
effort while practicing and duration of practice a r e needed t o r e a c h higher and
higher s t a t e s of concentration.
If t i m e allows, listen f o r the Om sound longer than the period suggested.
Aside f r o m the i n n e r experiences of a s t r a l sounds, t h e r e a l s o a r i s e s a g r e a t
c a l m n e s s . Hold t o that c a l m during and a f t e r meditation a s long a s it is possible f o r you t o do so. Apply that c a l m n e s s in the p r a c t i c a l situations of l i f e - in dealing with people, in studying, in business, in thinking, in controlling
yourself, in getting rid of any fixed mental o r physiological habit o r condition
that you consider unnecessary o r harmful, and so forth. Whenever s i t u a t i o n s
demand d i s c rimination and wise action, r e c a l l immediately the c a l m n e s s felt
during and after concentration; fall right into that mood, and m e e t situations
f r o m that c a l m center.
While practicing concentration, d e e p intensity of mind is n e c e s s a r y , but
t h e r e should be no feeling of physical o r mental strain. P r a c t i c e with r e v e r ence and feel that in c a l m n e s s , and in listening t o the vibration, you a r e contacting the Great Spirit who i s present within you as Soul, and whose e x p r e s sion i s Cosmic Vibratory Sound--the vibration of Bliss. You will positively
f e e l r e s u l t s a f t e r faithful practice. Even in the beginning the e a r n e s t student
will get the valuable r e s u l t s of c a l m n e s s and joy. C a l m n e s s you will c e r t a i n ly have. Deep intuitions come a f t e r prolonged practice.
F u r t h e r , t h i s technique will put you, by and by, in touch with the unexplored r e s e r v o i r of soul power. Do not be impatient. Keep on! Make study
and application of the SRF L e s s o n s a p a r t of your regular routine, a s much
a p a r t of your day a s eating o r sleeping. The m o s t beneficial effects flow
silently over the whole mental and physiological constitution. As in e v e r y thing e l s e , highest r e s u l t s cannot be attained in one day. P r a c t i c e - - practice
and apply! This Lesson i s founded on t r i e d and proven. experience, f r o m t h e
t i m e of India's Golden Age down t o the p r e s e n t day. Self-Realization Fellowship students all o v e r the world write t o u s , telling about t h e i r contact with
t h e One Spirit a s a r e s u l t of t h e i r faithful p r a c t i c e of t h i s technique. Everyone can have the s a m e glorious experience if he p e r s e v e r e s . Without r e g u l a r
practice, which brings t h e s e changes in t h e inner consciousness, the student
will not r e a l i z e h i s goal. But with faithfulness in daily meditation, t h e bliss
of Om will come.
a
Say your p r a y e r s a f t e r contacting God through Om. F i l l yourself with Om,
o r t h e Holy Ghost, "the G r e a t C o m f o r t e r , " and d i v e r s e spiritual powers will
manifest through you. In O m - C h r i s t - B l i s s the abode of a l l healing powers will
be found. Filled with God, go about helping o t h e r s to overcome t h e i r physical,
m e n t a l and spiritual t r o u b l e s . Without serving God in the temple of the afflicted bodies and souls, you will never know Him. Help o t h e r s e v e r y day, a s
cheerfully and e a g e r l y a s you would help yourself. The whole world i s your
bigger Self.
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
By meditating upon Om, t h e p u r e c o s m i c vibratory a s p e c t of God i n c r e a tion, and on God the Absolute Spirit beyond vibration, one c a n develop soul
m a g n e t i s m and s p i r i t u a l vibratory magnetism. T h i s magnetic f o r c e h a s limit l e s s range and power. If morning, noon, and night you keep yourself d r e a m ing, feeling, and intuiting the a l l - a t t r a c t i n g divine magnetism, you will develop a spiritual power that c a n d r a w d e s i r e d objects f r o m a distance, that can
uplift o t h e r s by t h e m e r e contact of sight, o r even by your simple wish o r your
powerfully d i r e c t e d uplifting concentration. By t h i s power you can d r a w friends
f r o m a f a r - - t h o s e who have been r e a l f r i e n d s before. By t h i s power you c a n
make t h e e l e m e n t s bow to your wishes. By the invitation of the divine magnet i s m you can d r a w angels, the luminous c r e a t i v e f o r c e s , s a g e s and s a i n t s of
bygone e r a s on e a r t h t o come t o you and dance in your inner t e m p l e of joy. By
t h i s djvine m a g n e t i s m you
c a n d r a w the r a---y s of a l l knowledge
t o come and
-- -__
sparkle and scintillate around your being.
THE BAD MAN WHO WAS PREFERRED BY GOD- - Part 3
"Well, " Narada began hesitantly, "by the roadside I m e t - - " "Oh, y e s , "
t h e Divine One broke in, "you m e t a drunken young man. I'
"Now how do You happen t o r e m e m b e r h i m ? " Narada asked complaining ly. " P e r h a p s because t h e s a c r i l e g i o u s young fool w a s trying t o poke You with
a bamboo pole ? "
The Lord laughed h e a r t i l y , and seemed t o be thinking about the impudent
young m a n f o r some t i m e before He turned His attention t o the sulky-faced
Narada. "0 My Narada, " He said lovingly, "don't be angry and s a r c a s t i c with
Me, f o r I shall prove to you which of t h e s e two m e n you have just told Me about
i s My t r u e devotee. I t Having captured N a r a d a ' s i n t e r e s t i n t h e experiment,
the Lord continued: "This i s really v e r y simple. Go back to e a r t h again, and
f i r s t r e p a i r t o the anchorite Bhadraka under the t a m a r i n d t r e e and say: ' I
gave your m e s s a g e t o the Lord of the Universe, but He i s v e r y busy now, p a s s ing millions of elephants through the eye of a needle. When He g e t s through
doing t h i s , He will visit you, ' After you get the a n c h o r i t e ' s reaction t o that,
then go and t e l l the s a m e thing to the drunken young m a n and watch h i s r e a c tion. Then you will under stand. I '
Although Narada w a s baffled by the Lord's i n s t r u c t i o n s , he had long since
l e a r n e d unquestioning faith i n t h e commands of t h e L o r d , so he thought h i m self back t o e a r t h , and w a s at once standing under the t a m a r i n d t r e e , face t o
f a c e with the long-suffering anchorite. The ancient one looked up at him expectantly, but when t h e s t r a n g e m e s s a g e had been delivered, h e flew into a
r a g e and began t o shout. "Get out, you mocking m e s s e n g e r , and your lying
L o r d , and a l l t h e r e s t of your c r a z y crowd. Who e v e r h e a r d of anyone p a s s ing elephants through the eye of a needle? What it m e a n s i a t h a t H e ' l l never
come. Maybe t h e r e i s n ' t any Lord t o c o m e anyway. ' I He w a s now trembling
with f u r y and brandishing h i s p i l g r i m ' s staff. "I've wasted m y l i f e ! T h i s
eighty y e a r s of discipline w a s nothing but folly! I ' m through, do you h e a r ?
through trying to p l e a s e a c r a z y non-existent God. Now I a m sane again. F o r
what little i s left of life I a m going t o r e s u m e m y long-neglected e a r t h l y pursuits. l '
N a r a d a was too horrified to say a word, s o he just disappeared. But t h e
second p a r t of h i s m i s s i o n was not yet fulfilled; dubiously h e c a m e again t o the
roadside w h e r e h e had m e t the noisy young man. The fellow w a s s t i l l t h e r e ,
and if possible, m o r e drunk than e v e r . The fence was not yet completed, and
he was laboring to bring the holes and bamboo poles together. But no sooner
had Narada appeared on the scene than the youth's e a r t h l y intoxication seemed
to leave him. In i t s place, the premonition of g r e a t joy caused a divine intoxication which lighted h i s f e a t u r e s a s he c a m e running and crying, "Hey t h e r e ,
Narada, what i s m y F r i e n d ' s reply t o my m e s s a g e ? What is His a n s w e r ?
When i s He coming?"
When he h e a r d t h e L o r d ' s s t r a n g e m e s s a g e he was not a t a l l d i s c o n c e r t e d ,
but began t o dance around and around with joy, half speaking, half chanting:
"He who c a n send worlds through the eye of a needle i n a n instant if He d e s i r e s ,
h a s a l r e a d y finished passing those elephants t h m ugh the eye of a needle. Now,
any minute, He will be with m e , and when He c o m e s He shall touch m e but once
and I shall change. All m y evil actions and bad habits will be drowned in m y
overwhelming love f o r Him. I '
So the young m a n danced in heavenly e c s t a s y , a s do many devotees i n India
when divine joy becomes too g r e a t f o r t h e i r bodies, The feeble f l e s h cannot
hold such i m m e n s e b l i s s and- - lest t h e v e r y a t o m s fly a p a r t and r e l e a s e t h e i r
e n e r g y t o t h e Divine Source w h i c h c a l l s t h e m - - t h i s b l i s s s p i l l s o v e r into t e a r s
o r into rhythmic movements of k i r t a n a , into singing and dancing a s an e x p r e ssion of t h i s joy. And now a s t h e young m a n danced blissfully, Narada joined
him; and soon they found the laughing, lotus-eyed Lord w a s dancing with them.
(To be concluded)
AFFIRMATION
I a m the Cosmic Ocean of sound and t h e l i t t l e
wave of the body vibration in it.
A NOTE TO THE STUDENT
Now that you have firmly set forth on the Self-Realization Fellowship path,
we would urge you to concentrate your spiritual effort on those techniques you
are now being taught. For greatest benefit to yourself, and to avoid possible
difficulties, do not mix other techniques' and practices -- particularly those
of a spiritualistic nature -- with the Self-Realization techniques.
@
The physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines of this path were established by our God-enlightened Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, for man's complete and
harmonious development. No other techniques are necessary. The experience of
students has confirmed the value of our Guru's teaching, and shown that other
practices, such as spiritualistic ones, may prove harmful. Also, continuing with
other practices dilutes the student's efforts with the Self-Realization techniques,
- and-consequently
- - -the results. The serious student will find so much to
study and practice in t h e s X e G 6 s -thatat-he~iTTha~Fno
fiiiFFfor bther- tech= niques
.
Remember that spiritual development can be properly gauged only by the
increasing interior peace and joy the student feels, and by the beneficial
changes that he notices in his nature and in his daily behavior toward others -not
- by the number or unusualness of his inner experiences. The Gurus of SelfRealization Fellowship guide and protect the spiritual life of all Self-Realization students who follow faithfully their directions, which bring exact and
known results. If you have any questions about this matter, please write to the
Self-Realization Fellowship Mother Center for counsel.
SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S - 2 P-30
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
o Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Whence Om, t h i s soundless r o a r , doth c o m e ,
When drowseth m a t t e r ' s d r e a r y d r u m ?
On Shores of B l i s s , Om, booming breaks;
All e a r t h , a l l heav l n, a l l body shakes !
The bumblebee now hums along;
Baby Om doth softly sing h i s song.
F r o m Krishna's flute the c a l l i s sweet;
' T i s t i m e the watery God to meet.
Cords bound t o f l e s h a r e broken all.
Vibrations burst and m e t e o r s f a l l !
The hustling h e a r t , the boasting breath,
No m o r e shall cause the Yogi's death.
The God of F i r e with f e r v o r sings:
"Oml Om!" His joyous h a r p now rings.
Prana-God with power sounds
The wondrous bells; the soul resounds.
All Nature l i e s in d a r k n e s s soft;
The s t a r divine i s seen aloft.
Subconscious d r e a m s have gone t o bed;
' T i s then that one doth h e a r O m ' s tread.
Oh, upward climb the Living T r e e l
Hark to the cosmic symphony.
F r o m Om, the soundless r o a r ; f r o m Om
The c a l l f o r light o ' e r d a r k t o roam.
F r o m Om, the music of the spheres;
F r o m Om, the m i s t of N a t u r e ' s t e a r s .
All things of e a r t h and heav l n d e c l a r e
Oml Oml resounding everywhere.
PRAYER
Teach m e t o dive again and again i n meditation, d e e p e r and
d e e p e r , until I find Thine i m m o r t a l p e a r l s of wisdom and divine joy.
THE VALUE O F MEDITATION
JOY - -AIM
OF L I F E
Do m a t e r i a l things bring r e a l joy? No, they bring a little
p l e a s u r e f o r a while, but s o r r o w always follows. They p r o m i s e joy, but they d o not keep t h e i r p r o m i s e . Those who a m u s e
t h e m s e l v e s too much with m a t e r i a l , e a r t h l y p l e a s u r e s will l o s e t h e i r happin e s s ; those who overindulge in s e x life l o s e t h e i r vitality; those who e a t too
much l o s e t h e i r health, and t h e satisfaction i n eating. Everywhere you go,
people a r e reaping the h a r v e s t of wild oats sown e a r l i e r i n life. "The wages
of s i n i s death. " Sin i s ignorance- -ignorance of God's c o s m i c laws of life.
Only by living in harmony with His laws d o we accomplish t h e noble purpose
of human existence. God n e v e r punishes u s ; we punish o u r s e l v e s , according
t o t h e law of c a u s e and effect. If we sow good d e e d s , we r e a p happiness; if
we sow the opposite, we r e a p t r o u b l e s of many different kinds and d e g r e e s .
Old a g e , w o r r i e s , d i s e a s e , and death a r e only a few of the effects of sin, o r
ignorance of the u n i v e r s a l law.
It s e e m s a v e r y futile a i m f o r t h i s life m e r e l y t o live and die a t the end
of it. We a l l hope that the end of our l i v e s will be good and pleasant. Down
the t r a i l you m u s t go t o the v e r y end; if you have followed t h e right path, you
cannot help but m e e t God t h e r e . Avoid t h e path of m a t e r i a l d e s i r e that l e a d s
only t o a n a b y s s of discontent.
E v e r y good action t h a t you p e r f o r m digs like a pickax into t h e soil of
consciousness and brings f o r t h a little s p r a y f r o m the fountain of God's joy.
But the pickax of meditation, which i s the highest f o r m of good action, opens
the inner s u r f a c e of consciousness and l e t s a l l t h e joy of life spout forth.
Through t h e orifice of silence, t h e whole g e y s e r of B l i s s perpetually shoots
up and flows over t h e soul.
GOD IS EVER
NEW JOY
You will find, by continued p r a c t i c e of meditation, that
you will gain perceptions of a n e v e r new, e v e r i n c r e a s i n g
joy, a joy t h a t i s not just a n a b s t r a c t m e n t a l s t a t e of
short-lived m o r t a l p l e a s u r e , but the God-joy of meditation that will receive
and respond t o your p r a y e r s . Then you will h e a r the Cosmic Sound coming
out f r o m Spirit, and in that Sound you will have the joy of S p i r i t f o r your v e r y
own, and the a n s w e r t o a l l things will be y o u r s f o r the asking when you l i s t e n
to that Sound. We a r e a l l seeking happinees, a happiness that d o e s not c o m e
and go. We want lasting happiness. We d o not want the kind of happiness
that will grow stale. We want e v e r new joy. Once you r e a lly experience in
your souls what e v e r new joy i s , then automatically you will r e a l i z e i n it
a l l that you have e v e r wanted, and you will know that it i s what you have been
seeking f o r aeons.
Did you e v e r entertain the thought that you might have e t e r n a l joy without
ving eternal exl stenc e ? No ! Such a thought would be self -contradictory,
surd. The love of existence, however, i s not our supreme d e s i r e . If it
w e r e , t h e r e would be no suicides; no one would ever have the thought of ending
a l l his troubles by killing himself.
We do not wish f o r f u r t h e r existence when i t h a s become sorrowful. We
want it joyful. Nor do we want joyful existence in an unconscious state. We
want t o enjoy our happiness and our existence consciously. Then what i s the
link between ever new joy and e t e r n a l existence? Eternal consciousness.
That i s what God is--ever-expanding, ever-conscious, ever-new Joy. It i s
t h i s Joy that a l l people a r e seeking, either directly through the soul, o r indirectly through false sense pleasures. Wnen satiety, boredom, disappointment, and pain a r i s e f r o m our e r r o r in seeking joy through the s e n s e s , we
finally t u r n our attention t o God and thus find the only source of t r u e joy.
All vibrations produce sound. The gentlest and the loude s t sounds proceeding f r o m creation a r e unheard by the
human e a r , which cannot catch sounds ranging below 16 or
above 20,000 cycles (approx. ) p e r second. This Lesson
teaches you how t o h e a r , through the e a r of intuition, the Cosmic Sound, the
symphony of a l l the sounds in the universe. In deep meditation, when the
physical sounds (heartthrob, circulation, and other organic activity) and the
a s t r a l music (bell, harp, flute, and so on, emanating f r o m the electric
activity of the a s t r a l body) die down, the meditating devotee h e a r s the sound
of Om, the Cosmic Vibration.
PURPOSE OF
HEARING THE
OM SOUND
We already know that physical sounds a r e silently roaming in the e t h e r ,
detectable only by radio. The finer vibrations of the all-pervading cosmic
sound of Om similarly r o a m the universe. These vibrations a r e m o r e subtle
than the ether. They a r e hidden beneath the cosmic f o r c e s , and beneath intelligence and thought. This Cosmic Sound can be caught only when the h e a r t radio of the deeply meditating devotee i s tuned t o Om's r a t e of vibration.
When you shut off your auditory sense telephone completely, you will
hear that g r e a t sound of Om hidden beneath the s c r e e n of bodily and a s t r a l
sounds. The m o s t important of the five sense telephones i s the e a r telephone.
First we l e a r n how to shut it off completely; then we can l e a r n how t o shut
off the f a i n t e r sounds in the inner p a r t s of the body. Last of all, the sounds
of the a s t r a l body must be shut off. When you have learned to do t h i s , your
body will vibrate like the sound of a drum o r the ocean r o a r , with a g r e a t
musical rhythm. When you actually hear t h i s sound, and f e e l the cosmic
music spread through every particle of space, then you will know God. And
you will know that you know God.
Once you have l e a r n e d the method you m u s t p r a c t i c e it faithfully, e a r n e stly , a s siduously , consistently , and continuously; then you will find that you
can really contact God. T h e r e i s no l i m i t to the heights that you c a n attain.
SRF i s giving you the technique; by using i t , you c a n attune your consciousn e s s t o the Infinite Consciousness. Oneness with God i s not m e n t a l chlorof o r m . Oneness with God i s the expansion of your consciousness f r o m the
l i m i t s of the m o r t a l f r a m e t o the u t m ~ s bounds
t
of eternity. It i s interesting
t o note that the church bells had t h e i r origin in the temple bells of India.
T h e i r sound i s a n attempt t o copy the g r e a t c o s m i c sound of Om;a s a r e a l s o
the sounds of the many different kinds of d r u m s that supply the rhythms
peculiar t o v a r i o u s r a c e s . Why do such things a s bells and d r u m s s t i r your
blood? It i s because they appeal t o that hidden knowledge within you of the
g r e a t c o s m i c Om.
The Cosmic Sound i s omnipresent. Anyone tuning in with it will find h i s
consc iousne s s expanded into omnipresence. Momentarily detached f r o m identification with your personality in your expanded consciousness of Om, you
will behold the c o s m i c ocean of God's consciousness and t h e wave of your consciousness existing together a s one. As saltwater sealed in a bottle does not
contact the ocean even though it floats i n the ocean, s o the soul-reflection of
Spirit- - sealed in the body- bottle by the c o r k of ignorance- -cannot contact God
even though it l i v e s i n the ocean of His presence. When the j a r i s opened, the
saltwater in it becomes one with the s e a ; s o the contact of Om pulls out the
c o r k of ignorance f r o m the bottle of human consciousness, releasing the bodyimprisoned soul t o m e r g e i n the sea of Cosmic Consciousness.
If you w e r e t o h e a r a conch shell blown in a r o o m , you would h e a r the
sound in e v e r y p a r t of t h e room, f o r sound vibration t r a v e l s like a n expanding
sphere. Om i s the special vibration of the C o s m o s , and if you tune i n with i t ,
your consciousness begins t o expand until it t a k e s in the consciousness of e v e r y
a t o m of space in the e n t i r e s p h e r e of vibration. Om i s the bridge between
human consciousness and Cosmic Consciousness.
J u s t listening t o the sound once o r twice in a few y e a r s i s not enough. By
p r a c t i c e of t h i s and higher l e s s o n s , and with the help of your Guru, you should
apply yourself until you l e a r n t o r e a c h the Cosmic Sound in space. In the
beginning, Om i s just a comforting sound; but t o the advanced student the Om
sound i s f e l t a s a l l life. You c a n f e e l Om i n h u g e land continents, and in vast
s p h e r e s of space. You can feel the rotating of the e a r t h and other planets in
the sky, o r millions of f e e t walking on your brown e a r t h body; o r m y r i a d s t e l l a r s y s t e m s glittering like diamonds on your cosmic body of infinite space.
TIME TO PRAY
1.
2.
Closing the e a r s with the thumbs, shut off a l l outer
sounds. Then do t h r e e things:
keep your vision mentally focused on the Third Eye c e n t e r located
between your eyebrows;
mentally chant Om; and
a
.
I
a
3.
listen intently in the right e a r , where the flow of energy i s strong
and where you a r e used to catching sounds.
The right side i s usually m o r e sensitive than the left, unless you a r e lefthanded. When the eyes become c a l m and quiet, you should be able to see a
light, but it i s m o r e important that you hear the a s t r a l sounds of the c e r e b r o spinal c e n t e r s , o r the Om sound. When you have closed your e a r s and shut
off all the sounds of outside m a t t e r (auto traffic, people talking, and so on),
then you will hear the m i g h t y beat of your heart. Listen t o it until you hear it
no longer; then listen to the different sounds that come, one by one, concentrating upon only one sound a t a time. After you find the heartbeat o r sound
of the circulation stopped, then you will probably hear a s t r a l music of the
spinal centers. F i r s t you may hear the buzzing of a bee, then a flute, then a
harp seemingly playing beautifully f a r off in the distance. This i s the harp of
heavenly a s t r a l music. Then you may h e a r a sound a s of a huge gong-bell;
and finally will follow the g r e a t rolling sound of Om like a bursting sea- -like
the sound of many waters.
If you can hear the Om sound f i r s t , do not listen f o r any other sounds, but
concentrate upon that; be one with that. But if you cannot hear Om, listen to
one sound a t a time in the right e a r no m a t t e r whether it i s a physical o r a n
a s t r a l sound, until you get the Om sound. When you get that, i t i s unnecessary
t o hear the a s t r a l sounds. God i s that Cosmic Sound. Wnen you hear the great
sound of the universe, that i s the time to pray. Then ask God f o r your heartfelt d e s i r e s .
Your mind i s a broadcasting microphone, but it i s out of o r d e r , broken by
the h a m m e r s of restlessness. Self-Realization Fellowship concentration and
meditation techniques help you to tune your threefold radio of body, mind, and
soul with God permanently, so that you may receive physical, financial, ment a l , and spiritual healing vibrations f r o m Him. When you l e a r n t o repair your
r e s t l e s s microphone of mind by meditation, you can broadcast your SOS to
God until you find conscious response f r o m Him.
You must keep flashing your soul's demand f o r an audience continuously
and unceasingly until you get a reply f r o m God in the f o r m of spiritual ecstasy
and a n ever- increasing t h r i l l of joy. Then you will know that God i s waiting
in your heart a s joy to hear your petition. Wnatever good d e s i r e s you have,
pray for them then, and you will know that God has answered the prayer of
your soul.
Most people have fitful inspiration, derived f r o m the subconscious; but
those who contact Om derive their inspiration f r o m the unlimited, God-guided
superconsciousness. Before writing, o r before undertaking any important
m a t e r i a l o r spiritual venture, be s u r e to listen to the cosmic sound of Om,
and m e r g e in it. When filled with the joy of this cosmic guidance, pray: "I
will reason, .I will will, I will act; but, Cosmic Sound, guide Thou my reason,
will,and activity, t o the right thing that I should do."
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
S t a r t m e d i t a t i n g more i n t e n s e l y today. A f t e r long and i n t e n s e meditat i o n s , h e l d r e g u l a r l y , t h e time w i l l come when God w i l l t a l k t o you, perhaps
i n t h e form of a s a i n t ; o r He may come t o you a s a g r e a t a l l - s o l a c i n g L i g h t .
Do n o t f i n d f a u l t w i t h t h e Lesson o r t h e t e c h n i q u e when you do n o t o b t a i n
r e s u l t s . Find f a u l t w i t h your d i s t r a c t e d m e d i t a t i o n . You o n l y grow by deep
m e d i t a t i o n and i n t e l l i g e n t , c o n t r o l l e d a c t i v i t y . The d e e p e r you m e d i t a t e
and t h e more w i l l i n g l y you s e r v e , t h e h a p p i e r you w i l l be. And remember,
e v e r y wrong t h a t you do o t h e r s , you do t o y o u r s e l f f i r s t i n thought and deed.
Let your mind and s o u l b e c l e a n s e d . Every day h a p p i e r than y e s t e r d a y ; t h a t
is t h e s t a n d a r d of s p i r i t u a l l i f e ; and i f you f i n d t h a t you a r e n o t growing
h a p p i e r and h a p p i e r , you a r e going backwards.
THE BAD MAN WHO WAS PREFERRED BY GOD ( c o n c l u s i o n )
MORAL
I f you e v e r f e e l smug about p r a c t i c i n g t h e t e c h n i q u e s , I hope you
w i l l t h i n k of t h i s s t o r y and b e j o l t e d i n t o s e e i n g t h i n g s a g a i n i n
t h e i r t r u e p e r s p e c t i v e . P r a c t i c e of t e c h n i q u e i s n o t enough. I n t e l l e c t u a l
a t t a i n m e n t s a r e n o t enough. Going t o church r e g u l a r l y o r performing good
a c t i o n s i n a mechanical way because "it i s t h e t h i n g t o do" w i l l n e v e r b r i n g
Self- realization.
S t u d e n t s who resemble t h e a n c h o r i t e may s t r i v e f o r y e a r s , o n l y t o t u r n
a s i d e from t h e p a t h i n a moment i f f a u l t y r e a s o n i n g m i s l e a d s them. L i k e t h e
a n c h o r i t e who "knew" t h a t e l e p h a n t s cannot p a s s through t h e eye of a n e e d l e ,
t h e y t r y t o l i m i t God's powers and m a n i f e s t a t i o n s t o conform t o t h e i r own
s m a l l comprehension. But d e v o t e e s who resemble t h e young man know that even
i f t h e y have n o t been a b l e t o g i v e up bad h a b i t s t h e y can b r i n g God c l o s e r
and c l o s e r by c o n s t a n t l y c a l l i n g upon H i m and e x p e c t i n g H i m t o b e p r e s e n t a t
a l l times
t o t a k e p a r t i n t h e i r d a i l y l i v e s a s w e l l a s t o respond t o them
i n t h e i r moments of p r a y e r . They know that a l l t h i n g s a r e p o s s i b l e t o God,
and t h a t most understanding l i e s beyond t h e i n t e l l e c t . When t h e d e v o t e e
i n s i s t e n t l y demands t h e a s s i s t a n c e and p r e s e n c e of God, l o v i n g l y v i s u a l i z i n g
H i m and b e l i e v i n g i n H i s Omnipresence, t h e n t h e Lord w i l l r e v e a l Himself i n
some form. With t h e dawning of t h e l i g h t of H i s r e v e l a t i o n , t h e d a r k n e s s
of e v i l h a b i t s w i l l a u t o m a t i c a l l y b e banished t o r e v e a l t h e u n t a i n t e d s o u l .
--
AFFIRMATION
I am t h e c a p t a i n of t h e s h i p of my judgment, w i l l , and
I w i l l g u i d e my s h i p of l i f e , e v e r beholding t h e poleactivity.
s t a r of H i s peace s h i n i n g i n t h e firmament of my deep m e d i t a t i o n .
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
o Copyright 1954,1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
Q Copyright renewed 1982,1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
STEP 2
LESSON 30- A
w
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
S R F OM TECHNIQUE O F MEDITATION
"0 Holy Ghost, s a c r e d Om vibration, e n l a r g e m y c o n s c i o u s n e s s
a s I l i s t e n to Thine o m n i p r e s e n t sound. Make m e f e e l that I a m both
the c o s m i c ocean and the little wave of body-vibration in it. "
- - P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
TECHNIQUE
a
1.
Sit e r e c t . R e s t the elbows on s o m e support high enough so that you
c a n e a s i l y put the thumbs on the e a r s without leaning the body
f o r w a r d o r slumping.
2.
P r e s s the thumbs comfortably tight on e a c h t r a g u s (the prominence
in front of the opening o r hole in the e a r ) .
3.
P l a c e the little f i n g e r s on the eyelids n e a r the o u t e r c o r n e r s to hold
them down, and p r e s s lightly to prevent r e s t l e s s movements of
the eyeballs.
4.
Rest the o t h e r f i n g e r s on the forehead.
5.
With closed o r half- closed e y e s converge the gaze on the point
between the eyebrows and keep the gaze fixed t h e r e .
6.
Mentally chant "Om, Om. I ' Make no sound, whisper, n o r movement
of the tongue.
L.,,t
-
7. L i s t e n intently inside the right e a r , w h e r e the flow of e n e r g y i s
strong and where one i s a c c u s t o m e d to catching sounds.
8. Concentrate on whichever sound i s loudest (you m a y h e a r a conglomeration of sounds of varying i n t e n s i t y ) .
9.
Concentrate on only one sound at a time--the loudest. As you
listen, other sounds will come to the fore. One by one, listen
to these different sounds a s each one becomes prominent.
10.
Let the mental chanting of Om and the looking a t the Christconsciousness center be done automatically, without mental
effort. When the eyes become calm and quiet, you should be
able to see a light a t the Christ- consciousness center; but during
practice of this technique it is more important to concentrate on
the a s t r a l sounds, o r the Om sound. ( T r y to see the spiritual
eye a t the Christ- consciousness center after practice of this
technique. ) All mental effort should be given over completely
to listening to the sound inside the right e a r .
11.
If you can h e a r the Om sound a t once--a g r e a t rolling sound like a
mighty sea--do not listen for any other sounds, but concentrate
upon Om; be one with that, f o r God i s manifesting to you a s that
cosmic sound of Om
KEY POINTS
1.
Always precede your practice with a p r a y e r to God and the Gurus of
Self-Realization Fellowship.
2.
If possible, obtain a n a r m r e s t for practicing this technique of meditation (see leaflet enclosed) o r construct such a T-shaped elbow
prop yourself, padding the c r o s s b a r with any suitable soft m a t e r i al. By affording support to the elbows during practice of the Om
Technique of Meditation, the prop a s s i s t s the student in maintaining the c o r r e c t e r e c t posture. The foot of the prop r e s t s between
the legs on the floor o r on the meditation seat. Women may find
that their mode of d r e s s interferes with standing the prop between
the legs. If so, they may attach a flat cross- piece a t the bottom
a s well a s a t the top of the prop. The lower cross- piece will then
r e s t comfortably upon the thighs.
An elbow prop i s a convenient a s well a s helpful device, because it
can be easily c a r r i e d about. In lieu of a prop, simply r e s t the
elbows on s e v e r a l pillows piled up to the proper height on a table
top.
3.
Don't lean on the hands. Sit e r e c t , with a r m s relaxed; otherwise the
hands and f o r e a r m s soon become tired and the meditator finds
himself more concentrated on his physical discomfort than on the
Om sound.
4. P r a c t i c e the Technique of Concentration (Hong-Sau) before practicing
this Om Technique of Meditation; become c a l m , interiorized.
sounds flowing f r o m Om will then be much e a s i e r to h e a r .
The
5.
Be one with whatever vibration you h e a r --with r e v e r e n c e , and without any feeling of strain.
6.
Intensity of mental effort )
1
7.
Long periods of p r a c t i c e )
Both a r e needed to reach higher
and higher s t a t e s 'of at-one -ment
with Om.
TUNE IN WITH THE COSMIC SOUND
( F r o m "Metaphysical Meditations" by P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda)
@ -
Listen to the c o s m i c sound on the sensitive right side of your head.
F e e l it spreading through the brain. Hear its continuous pounding r o a r . Now
h e a r and feel it spreading over the spine and bursting open the d o o r s of the
h e a r t . F e e l it resounding through e v e r y tissue, e v e r y feeling, e v e r y c o r d of
your nerves. E v e r y blood cell, e v e r y thought, i s dancing on the s e a of r o a r -. i n g ~ i h r a t i o n .- Observe the s p r e a d of the volume of the cosmic sound. It sweeps through
the body and mind into the e a r t h and the surrounding atmosphere, into the a i r l e s s e t h e r , and into millions of universes of m a t t e r .
Meditate on the marching s p r e a d of the cosmic sound. It has p a s s e d
through the physical universes to the subtle veins of r a y s that hold all m a t t e r
in manife station.
The c o s m i c sound i s commingling with millions of multicolored r a y s .
The c o s m i c sound has e n t e r e d the r e a l m of c o s m i c r a y s . Listen to, behold,
and feel the e m b r a c e of the c o s m i c sound and the e t e r n a l light. The c o s m i c
sound now p i e r c e s through the h e a r t - f i r e s of cosmic e n e r g y and they both
m e l t into the bosom of c o s m i c consciousness and c o s m i c joy. 'The body m e l t s
into the universe. The universe m e l t s into the soundless voice. The sound
m e l t s into the all-shining light. And the light e n t e r s the bosom of infinite joy.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
@ Co~vriaht1956 bv SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
,
cc copyright renew& 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue. Los AnQeles, California 90065
I AM BUILDING A RAINBOW BRIDGE
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
An a g e - o l d gulf h a s l a i n b e t w e e n Thee
a n d m e , e v e r widening w i t h the r u s h of
the w a t e r s of m y o b l i v i o u s n e s s of T h e e .
A
Now I s t a n d on the r o c k y s t r a n d of m a t t e r a n d look longingly f o r Thy d i s t a n t s h o r e s
of e t h e r i c b e a u t y .
I have s u m m o n e d divine i n n e r a r c h i t e c t s
t h a t a r e building a c r o s s the gulf a rainbow
b r i d g e of m y c o n s t a n t r e m e m b r a n c e of T h e e .
T h e s t r o n g g i r d e r s of s e l f - c o n t r o l a r e being
r i v e t e d . Soon I s h a l l be a b l e to r e a c h T h e e !
- - F r o m " Whispers f r o m Eternity"
PRAYER
Divine M o t h e r , t e a c h m e to c a r r y m y love of Thee d e e p in m y h e a r t b e f o r e I s l e e p . Help m e to c r a d l e i t t h e r e , s o that when I d r e a m I m a y d r e a m
of Thee r e s t i n g on the f r a g r a n t a l t a r of s l e e p .
SUPERCONSCIOUS VISIONS
The c o n s c i o u s m i n d w o r k s with the s e n s e s of
s i g h t , h e a r i n g , s m e l l , t a s t e , a n d touch. It i s
o p e r a t i v e d u r i n g w a k e f u l n e s s , but inactive d u r ing s l e e p . The s u b c o n s c i o u s m i n d , on the o t h e r hand, n e v e r s l e e p s . During
the d a y t i m e i t is a w a k e a n d a t w o r k with the c o n s c i o u s m i n d , making m e m o r y
r e c o r d s f o r i t . At night, while the c o n s c i o u s m i n d i s a s l e e p a n d the body i s
a t r e s t , the s u b c o n s c i o u s m i n d r e m a i n s awake looking a f t e r the functions of
the h e a r t , lungs, a n d o t h e r v i t a l o r g a n s , tending the h u m a n body- house like
a faithful j a n i t o r . In a d d i t i o n , the s u b c o n s c i o u s m i n d is the m a n a g e r - o p e r a t o r
of m e n t a l d r e a m - m o v i e s in d r e a m l a n d .
D I F F E R E N C E BETWEEN
DREAMS AND VISIONS
The c o n s c i o u s a n d s u b c o n s c i o u s m i n d s a r e identified with m o r t a l e g o
c o n s c i o u s n e s s . The s u p e r c o n s c i o u s m i n d e x p r e s s e s the p u r e intuitive c o n s c i o u s n e s s of the i m m o r t a l s o u l . The s u p e r c o n s c i o u s m i n d w o r k s f i r s t
through the s u b c o n s c i o u s mind, then through the c o n s c i o u s m i n d , without
b e c o m i n g e n t a n g l e d with e i t h e r .
D r e a m s do not c o m e to us f r o m s o m e o u t s i d e s o u r c e . They o r i g i n a t e
in the c o n s c i o u s n e s s of the d r e a m e r . O n e ' s own c o n s c i o u s , s u b c o n s c i o u s ,
o r s u p e r c o n s c i o u s m i n d c a n c r e a t e a n y d r e a m i m a g i n a b l e a n d p r o j e c t i t on
the s c r e e n of s u b c o n s c i o u s n e s s . Since d r e a m s a r e p r o d u c e d only d u r i n g
s l e e p (when the s u b c o n s c i o u s m i n d a l o n e i s o p e r a t i v e ) o r in o t h e r s t a t e s
w h e r e i n p u r e s u b c o n s c i o u s n e s s i s m a n i f e s t , it i s a p p a r e n t that s u b c o n s c i o u s n e s s i s the s c r e e n o n which a l l d r e a m f i l m s a r e p r o j e c t e d , w h e t h e r they
o r i g i n a t e in the c o n s c i o u s , the s u b c o n s c i o u s , o r the s u p e r c o n s c i o u s mind.
In s l e e p the life f o r c e w i t h d r a w s f r o m the s e n s o r y n e r v e s , a n d p a r t i a l l y
f r o m the h e a r t , a n d a c c u m u l a t e s in the b r a i n . T r u e d r e a m f i l m s of c o m i c
a n d t r a g i c happenings of the p a s t l i e hidden in the g r o o v e s of the b r a i n , a l l
I
1
r e a d y to be projected. These f i l m s s t o r e d in the subconscious mind become
vivified and magnified by the accumulated life f o r c e in the b r a i n during the
d e e p relaxation of s l e e p . The s t o r e d - u p life f o r c e p e r c o l a t e s through the b r a i n
g r o o v e s containing the v a r i o u s kinds of d r e a m f i l m s o r m e m o r i e s , and by
s t r a n g e combinations produces different kinds of motion p i c t u r e s , which a r e
then projected on the s c r e e n of subconsciousness.
@
The subconscious mind is a multiple personality. In addition to serving
a s a s c r e e n on which the inner d r e a m f i l m s a r e shown, it a c t s s o m e t i m e s a s
a c a m e r a m a n , s o m e t i m e s a s a d i r e c t o r , and s o m e t i m e s a s the o p e r a t o r who
p r o j e c t s the inner f i l m s . Thought f i l m s made by the c a m e r a m a n of the conscious and the s u p e r c o n s c i o u s minds collect in the c h a m b e r of the subcons c i o u s . Sometimes the subconscious mind, acting a s a projectionist, is s u p e r consciously guided to f o r e c a s t coming events: The c a m e r a m a n of the a l l - s e e ing s u p e r c o n s c i o u s mind m a y photograph a true happening that is taking place
e l s e w h e r e , o r that is about to take place in the life of the d r e a m e r , and d r o p
the f i l m in the movie house of the subconscious, to be played f o r the guidance
of the e r r i n g ego. Superconscious f i l m s thus dropped into the subconscious
c h a m b e r and projected on the s c r e e n of subconsciousness a r e t r u e d r e a m s
o r visions. F i l m s dropped by the conscious- mind c a m e r a m a n into the m e m o r y c h a m b e r of the subconscious mind a r e often mixed up and projected a s
various kinds of f a l s e o r imaginative d r e a m s , but s o m e t i m e s they may be
true d r e a m s . Unless consciously (that i s , a t will) o r superconsciously induced, d r e a m s a r e g e n e r a l l y meaningless and f a l s e . Only d r e a m s that a r e
true visions a r e those consciously produced in the s p i r i t u a l eye.
As in r e a l motion p i c t u r e s , the subjects of the i n t e r i o r movies a r e v a r ious. T h e r e a r e n e w s r e e l s , t r a g e d i e s , c o m e d i e s , and s o on. T h e s e may be
d r e a m r e -enac tments of actual happenings, o r purely imaginary original p r o ductions. A d r e a m , being a visual image, is m o r e r e a l than o r d i n a r y thought
o r imagination.
A developed yogi can concentrate upon a single thought, a t the s a m e time
completely relaxing the body a s in s l e e p , and produce consciously a t r u e
d r e a m o r vision. A vision c o n s i s t s of the filming, by the all- seeing s u p e r
c o n s c i o u s n e s s o r soul intuition, of a future event.
-
When you a r e able to shift the s e a r c h l i g h t of your attention and e n e r g y
f r o m conscious to s u p e r c o n s c i o u s d r e a m i n g , enjoying peace a t will, you will
f e e l complete f r e e d o m f r o m the troubles of this mundane world. At will, you
will fly f r o m the planet of physical s e n s a t i o n s to the planet of d r e a m s e n s a tions, o r a s t r a l c o n s c i o u s n e s s ; o r to the superconscious s p h e r e of e t e r n a l
peace. In o r d e r to shift your c o n s c i o u s n e s s f r o m the conscious to the subconscious, your body m u s t a l s o manifest a l l the signs of s l e e p ; the life f o r c e
and e n e r g y m u s t be switched off f r o m the l a m p s of billion- celled m u s c l e s ,
and f r o m the optic, auditory, g u s t a t o r y , olfactory, and tactual n e r v e s .
TRUE DREAMS
OR VISIONS
Visions during the wakeful s t a t e a r e c r e a t e d by the a l l seeing, all- powerful superconscious mind. The s u p e r conscious uses b r a i n e n e r g y to m a t e r i a l i z e thoughts
about a t r u e event which is to happen in the n e a r o r f a r future, and shows it
to the yogi during the wakeful s t a t e with the e y e s closed. When a t r u e vision
is s e e n with open e y e s , the life f o r c e h a s been projected f r o m the b r a i n into
the e t h e r . In this c a s e the p e r s o n s and s c e n e s in the b r a i n m a y not be true
to touch, though they a r e t r u e to sight, and will be t r u e to a l l five s e n s e s ,
in time, if s p i r i t u a l development is continuous.
Visions c a n be had only by going deep into meditation and then wishing to
s e e the r e a l s t a t e of things. Visions a r e r e a l , whether s e e n during the waking s t a t e o r a s d r e a m s during sleep. O r d i n a r y d r e a m s , however, a r e only
i m a g i n a r y images. One who is able to d r e a m a t will is m o r e likely to be able
to have a r e a l vision. To be able to d r e a m a t will signifies that your will c a n
m a t e r i a l i z e thoughts, and that you a r e becoming p r e p a r e d to produce guiding
visions. Visions of t r u e f u t u r e happenings a r e v e r y useful in guiding and molding your life, when you c a n produce them by superconsciousness o r by C h r i s t
Consciousness. The enlightened man s e l d o m d r e a m s any f a l s e d r e a m s , where
a s the o r d i n a r y m a n s e l d o m has any true d r e a m s ,
-
It is b e t t e r not to d r e a m unintentionally a t a l l , but to be able to produce
a t will t r u e d r e a m s and visions, Why be imposed upon by d r e a m s ? You don't
want your movie- house of d r e a m s fully working when you a r e trying to r e s t ,
When d r e a m s do come too often, you should meditate and c a l m yourself; then
this condition will d i s a p p e a r . The m o r e c a l m you become, the l e s s you will
d r e a m , You should be able, by deep meditation and advancement on the path,
to d r e a m t r u e d r e a m s a t will, o r to produce visions of d i s t a n t events by the
all- seeing power of the s u p e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s within you.
In superconscious d r e a m s , the s u p e r c o n s c ious mind photographs future
happenings and d r o p s t h e m into the d r e a m- m o v i e house, to be f i l m e d t h e r e
f o r the guidance of the ego, T h e s e d r e a m s , good o r bad, always come t r u e ,
The superconscious mind i s e s p e c i a l l y i n t e r e s t e d in dropping m e s s a g e s that
will awaken the ego to its t r u e soul- nature and thus keep it f r o m wallowing
in the m i r e of s e n s e attachments. In addition to occasionally producing d r e a m s
to l e a d the ego to r e t u r n to i t s r e a l home of happiness in God, the supercons c i o u s mind a l s o produces d r e a m hints of s p i r i t u a l p r o g r e s s , and of the c a l l
of God.
VISIONS
ANALYZED
Whenever you d r e a m c a l m l y about big f i r e s , the ocean,
r i v e r s ; boats, angels, s c r i p t u r e s , s a i n t s , temples, c h u r c h e s , a l t a r s , f l o w e r s ; cloudless s k i e s , sunny lightq a u r o r a s , o r the moon, o r a feeling of expansion in space, you may be s u r e
that, owing to the cumulative power g e n e r a t e d by your good actions in this
life, you a r e nearing that time in your s p i r i t u a l development when the k a r mic consequences of p r e n a t a l o r postnatal bad actions will finally have been
worked out.
Altars r e p r e s e n t communion with God, o r m a r r i a g e with a n evolved p e r
son. The r e a l m a r r i a g e , and the happiest one, c o n s i s t s in the union of the
human soul (considered a s feminine, o r negative, whether in a male o r f e male bod y ) with the only masculine, positive Soul o r God.
-
Cloudless s k i e s r e p r e s e n t a s e r e n e , pure path of communion with God,
s p i r i t u a l development without trouble, and a n abundance of c l e a r s p i r i t u a l
perceptions.
F l o w e r s r e p r e s e n t the budding of blossoms of c r e a t i v e wisdom in the g a r den of thought. By the magic wand of m e r e willingness the spiritual devotee
.
will find the right thought a r i s i n g a t the right time.
Sunny lights signify a s t r a l visions illuminating vast spaces during m e d itat ion.
A u r o r a s r e p r e s e n t c o s m i c a s t r a l light- - in which one c a n s e e all the a s t r a l planets, l a r g e and s m a l l , glittering in space- - and the visitation of C o s mic Consciousness during deepest meditation.
The moon indicates that one should combine devotion with a s t r a l visions
perceived in meditation, in o r d e r to p r o g r e s s on the spiritual path.
F i r e r e p r e s e n t s the burning of past k a r m a .
Light and the ocean r e p r e s e n t v a s t perceptions of Self- realization in m e d i tat ion.
Water r e p r e s e n t s the divine perceptions attainable by meditation.
A boat indicates that one should s e e k the right g u r u (human vehicle- m e s s e n g e r of G o d ) , whose voice, intelligence, and s p i r i t u a l perception the
Divine Being uses to r e d e e m the disciple completely in one o r (as the c a s e
may b e ) many incarnations. The g u r u is the boat o r vehicle of salvation; o r
he might be called a s p i r i t u a l m a r i n e r , who takes the disciple a c r o s s oceans
of p a s t k a r m a to the s h o r e s of God. A boat a l s o r e p r e s e n t s Self- realization
received through the p r a c t i c e of a s p i r i t u a l technique of salvation given by a
guru.
Angels r e p r e s e n t saints and divine friends f r o m past lives who r e m e m b e r us and t r y to r e d e e m us through s i l e n t suggestions of their presence.
@
Any of the foregoing types of d r e a m visions a r e hints that the d r e a m e r
has shown development in this kind of spiritual accomplishment, e i t h e r in
his p a s t life o r in this life; and that it would be e a s y f o r h i m to develop f u r t h e r along these lines.
T H E LION WHO BECAME A S H E E P
Once t h e r e w a s a huge l i o n e s s , p r e g n a n t a n d h a l f - s t a r v e d . As the d a y s
p a s s e d a n d the baby l i o n g r e w h e a v i e r within h e r , s h e had a h a r d t i m e m o v ing a r o u n d in q u e s t of Drey. E v e n when the l i o n e s s s u c c e s s f u l l y s t a l k e d s o m e
c r e a t u r e s h e w a s n ' t quick enough to pounce, a n d s o f a i l e d e v e r y t i m e to c a p ture h e r prey.
R o a r i n g with s a d n e s s , heavy with the baby lion, a n d pining with h u n g e r ,
the l i o n e s s r o a m e d t h r o u g h the f o r e s t a n d f i n a l l y f e l l a s l e e p in the s h a d e of
a g r o v e of t r e e s b o r d e r i n g a p a s t u r e . As s h e w a s dozing, s h e d r e a m e d that
s h e s a w a flock of s h e e p g r a z i n g . T r y i n g to pounce upon one of the d r e a m
s h e e p , s h e j e r k e d a n d woke up to behold in r e a l i t y a l a r g e flock of s h e e p
grazing nearby.
O v e r w h e l m e d with joy, f o r g e t f u l of the baby lion s h e was c a r r y i n g i n s i d e h e r , a n d i m p e l l e d by the m a d n e s s of u n a p p e a s e d h u n g e r , the l i o n e s s
pounced upon a young l a m b a n d d i s a p p e a r e d into the d e p t h s of the jungle.
T h e l i o n e s s did not e v e n r e a l i z e that, owing to the s e v e r e e x e r t i o n of h e r
m a d l e a p f o r the l a m b s h e h a d g i v e n b i r t h to h e r cub.
T h e s h e e p w e r e p a r a l y z e d with f e a r a t the a t t a c k , b u t when the l i o n e s s
d e p a r t e d a n d the panic w a s o v e r , t h e y wakened f r o m t h e i r s t u p o r and noticed
the l o s s of the l a m b . As the flock b l e a t e d out l a m e n t a t i o n s in s h e e p language
they noticed, to t h e i r g r e a t a s t o n i s h m e n t , the h e l p l e s s baby lion mewling in
t h e i r m i d s t . One of the e w e s took pity o n the c u b a n d adopted i t a s h e r own.
S e v e r a l y e a r s p a s s e d ; the o r p h a n lion, now a m a t u r e b e a s t with long
m a n e a n d t a i l , r o a m e d with the flock behaving e x a c t l y like a s h e e p . B l e a t ing i n s t e a d of r o a r i n g , a n d e a t i n g g r a s s i n s t e a d of m e a t , this s t r i c t l y vege t a r i a n l i o n had p e r f e c t e d h i m s e l f in the w e a k n e s s a n d m e e k n e s s of a l a m b .
It s o happened t h a t one d a y a n o t h e r lion s t r o l l e d out of the n e a r b y f o r e s t
which opened into the g r e e n p a s t u r e a n d to h i s delight beheld the flock of
s h e e p . T h r i l l e d with joy a n d whipped by h u n g e r , the s t r o n g lion p u r s u e d the
fleeing flock of s h e e p , when, to h i s g r e a t a m a z e m e n t , h e noticed the h u s k y
s h e e p - l i o n , t a i l high in the a i r , a l s o f l e e i n g a t top s p e e d a h e a d of the s h e e p .
The p u r s u i n g l i o n p a u s e d f o r a m o m e n t , switching h i s tail in a s t o n i s h m e n t a n d pondering within h i m s e l f : "I c a n u n d e r s t a n d s h e e p flying away f r o m
m e , but I cannot i m a g i n e why a s t a l w a r t lion should r u n too. T h i s r u n a w a y
lion i n t e r e s t s m e . " S p u r r e d by d e t e r m i n a t i o n to g e t to the fleeing lion, he
r a c e d h a r d a n d pounced upon the e s c a p i n g b e a s t . The s h e e p - l i o n f a i n t e d with
f e a r . T h e o t h e r lion w a s m o r e p u z z l e d t h a n e v e r . Slapping the s h e e p- l i o n
o u t of h i s swoon, he r e b u k e d h i m i n a h o a r s e voice: "Wake up! What's the
m a t t e r ? Why do you, a b r o t h e r lion, fly a w a y f r o m m e ? "
The s h e e p - l i o n c l o s e d h i s e y e s a n d b l e a t e d o u t in s h e e p language: " P l e a s e
.
l e t m e go. Don't kill m e ! I a m just a sheep f r o m yonder flock that fled away
and left m e . I ' "Aha! Now I s e e why you a r e bleating, " s a i d his captor. He
pondered a moment, then s e i z e d the mane of the sheep-lion with his mighty
jaws, and dragged h i m toward a lake a t the end of the p a s t u r e land. When
they r e a c h e d the s h o r e of the lake, he pushed the deluded c r e a t u r e ' s head
over the water s o that it was r e f l e c t e d there, and began to shake h i m violently, f o r the sheep-lion s t i l l had his e y e s tightly closed. "What's the m a t t e r with y o u ? " a s k e d his captor. "Open your e y e s and s e e that you a r e not
a sheep. "
"Bleat, bleat, b l e a t ! P l e a s e don't kill me. Let m e go! I a m not a lion,
but only a poor meek sheep, " wailed the silly beast. The other lion, a n g r y
now, gave his captive a t e r r i b l e shake. Under the impact of it, the sheeplion opened his e y e s and was astonished to s e e in the water a reflection, not
of a s h e e p ' s head, a s he expected, but a lion's head, like that of the one who
was shaking h i m with his paw. Then the big c r e a t u r e s a i d in lion language:
"Look a t m y face and your face r e f l e c t e d in the water. They a r e the s a m e ;
and this voice of mine r o a r s . It does not bleat. You must r o a r instead of
bleating. "
-
The sheep-lion, convinced, t r i e d to r o a r , but a t f i r s t succeeded only in
producing bleat-mingled r o a r s . But under the slapping paws and exhortation
of his new friend, he a t l a s t succeeded- in r o a r i n g effectively. Then both lions
l e a p e d a c r o s s the fields, and-together pursued the ilock of sheep, finally r e turning to live together in the den of the older lion.
The foregoing s t o r y fittingly i l l u s t r a t e s how m o s t of us, though made in
the all-powerful image of the Divine Lion of the Universe, r e m e m b e r only
being b o r n and brought up in the sheepfold of m o r t a l weakness. So we bleat
with f e a r a t the p r e d a t o r s of s i c k n e s s , lack, s o r r o w , and death, instead of
r o a r i n g with i m m o r t a l i t y and power and preying on m o r t a l delusion and ig
norance
-
.
Self - Realization Fellowship teachings a r e the powerful lion that will
d r a g you to the c r y s t a l pool of meditation and give you such a h a r d shaking
that you will open the closed e y e s of your wisdom and behold yourself a s a
divine lion, made in the image of the Cosmic Lion. Those of you who keep
trying continuously will f o r g e t your m o r t a l bleatings of weakness and s i c k n e s s and death, and will r o a r with the power of almighty immortality.
AFFIRMATION
I a m the prince of perpetual peace playing
the d r a m a of s a d and happy d r e a m s on the stage
of experience.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
a
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S- 2 P - 3 2
o Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
@ Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
:a
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rlghts Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
TEACH ME T O S E E K T H E E
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
0 S p i r i t , t e a c h m e t o a s p i r e e a c h day t o the b e s t in
everything.
T e a c h m e t o c r a v e the s u p r e m e l a s t i n g joy of Thy
p r e s e n c e in p r e f e r e n c e t o p a s s i n g s e n s e - p l e a s u r e s .
T e a c h m e t o p e r f o r m a l l m y d u t i e s to p l e a s e only T h e e .
-
-"
T e a c h m e t o think of T h e e until TZou d o s t become m y
only thought.
T e a c h m e t o c a l l T h e e u n t i l Thou b r e a k e s t Thy vow of
silence.
T e a c h m e t o s e e k T h e e until I find Thy hiding p l a c e .
T e a c h m e t o beat t h e d r u m of m y c r a v i n g until Thou
d o s t c o m e into the t e m p l e of m y h e a r t .
T e a c h m e t o exude f r a g r a n t devotion u n t i l i t l u r e s
T h e e into m y soul g a r d e n .
T e a c h m e t o behold the s p r e a d i n g r a d i a n c e of Thine
infinite p r e s e n c e .
T e a c h m e t o dig with the pickax of m y p e a c e d e e p e r and
d e e p e r into t h e s o i l of s i l e n c e , until the w a t e r of
Thy p r e s e n c e g u s h e s f o r t h and I a m bathed in Thy b l i s s .
T e a c h m e t o look f o r T h e e in myself u n t i l I r e a l i z e t h a t i t
i s Thou who h a s t become I.
PRAYER
0 S p i r i t , t e a c h u s t o c o n s i d e r no w o r k g r e a t e r
t h a n Thy s p i r i t u a l w o r k , a s no work i s p o s s i b l e without
t h e p o w e r t o p e r f o r m i t being borrowed f r o m Thee.
FINDING YOUR TRUE VOCATION IN L I F E
E v e r y h u m a n being i s a n e x p r e s s i o n of the g r e a t , v a s t S p i r i t . Since you
a r e a m a n i f e s t a t i o n of S p i r i t , you should m a k e a n e f f o r t t o e x p r e s s y o u r infinite p o t e n t i a l i t i e s a s you a r e intended t o do. You should definitely d e t e r m i n e
y o u r l i f e ' s vocation, by analyzing y o u r e a r l y childhood and p r e s e n t life, before
you h a s t i l y s i d e t r a c k y o u r s e l f in s o m e incompatible p u r s u i t o r s t a r t in a wrong
d i r e c t i o n a l t o g e t h e r . T h e n , a f t e r you have found out the path t o which you a r e
b e s t s u i t e d , t r y t o build around i t a l l t h e c r e a t i v e money- making m e t h o d s a t
y o u r c o m m a n d . You should m a i n t a i n y o u r money- making m e t h o d s , h o w e v e r ,
within t h e boundaries of y o u r i d e a l i s m ; o t h e r w i s e the r e s u l t m a y be that you
h a v e money but not h a p p i n e s s . H a p p i n e s s i s p o s s i b l e only when the d e s i r e f o r
making money c a n n o t l u r e you t o t r a v e l on the wrong path.
Wake u p ! It i s n e v e r too l a t e t o r e c o n s t r u c t y o u r life. Analyze what
you a r e and what y o u r soul- appointed t a s k s a r e , s o that you c a n m a k e y o u r self w h a t y o u s h o u l d b e
Y.ou have t a l e n t s and p o w e r s that you have
not u s e d ; a l l the power that you need. T h e r e i s nothing g r e a t e r t h a n the power
of mind. R e s u r r e c t y o u r mind f r o m the l i t t l e h a b i t s t h a t k e e p you worldly.
Anchor y o u r mind in God s o t h a t you c a n s m i l e t h a t p e r p e t u a l s m i l e - - t h a t Godi n s p i r e d , s t r o n g s m i l e of balanced r e c k l e s s n e s s , that million d o l l a r s m i l e
t h a t no one c a n take f r o m you.
.
Millions of c h i l d r e n a r e s t a r t e d on the path of life witlmut a specific d e s t i nation. They a c t l i k e l i t t l e toy e n g i n e s , wound u p with a l i t t l e p o w e r , running
without a t r a c k , only t o s m a s h u p a g a i n s t anything t h a t c o m e s a c r o s s t h e i r
path. Such a i m l e s s j o u r n e y s in life a r e the 1 o t of m o s t people, because in
e a r l y life they w e r e not s t a r t e d toward the right g o a l , n o r w e r e they p r o p e r l y
equipped with s y s t e m a t i c a l l y developed p o w e r s that would enable them to k e e p
moving on definite p a t h s of a c h i e v e m e n t . On t h i s stage of life m o s t people behave l i k e puppet- ac t o r s , manipulated by e n v i r o n m e n t , p r e n a t a l i n s t i n c t s , and
k a r m i c d e s t i n y c r e a t e d in f o r m e r l i v e s . They n e v e r know what p a r t s they c a n
play s u c c e s s f u l l y , n o r d o they u n d e r s t a n d how they c a n h a r m o n i z e t h e i r own
d u t i e s with t h e g e n e r a l plan of the c o s m i c d r a m a . Millions a r e sleepwalking,
s o t o s p e a k , doing t h e i r d u t i e s of l i f e a s i f in a s o m n a m b u l i s t i c s t a t e , u n a w a r e
of any p u r p o s e ; ignorant of t h e r e a s o n f o r t h e i r own behavior, and w i h u t any
conception of i t s r e s u l t s .
WAYS THAT LEAD
T O SUCCESS
You cannot r e m a i n s t a t i o n a r y . You m u s t go e i t h e r f o r w a r d o r backward. I s n ' t that a g r e a t and m a r v e l o u s
t r u t h - - t h a t in t h i s l i f e you c a n n o t r e m a i n a t a s t a n d s t i l l ? T h e law of change
g o v e r n s o u r u n i v e r s e . You a r e s u b j e c t t o c h a n g e s t h a t a r e e i t h e r h a r m f u l o r
beneficial. In t h i s L e s s o n , we a r e c o n s i d e r i n g c h a n g e s t h a t a r e beneficial to
you. You should n e v e r f o r g e t t h a t w h e r e t h e r e i s a w i l l t h e r e i s a way. T h e
way b e s t suited t o y o u r l i f e , t h e way w o r k e d out a f t e r a c o m p r o m i s e between
y o u r i d e a l i s t i c d e s i r e s and t h e p r a c t i c a l d u t i e s of l i f e , should be t h e path t h a t
you f ~ l l o w . F o r i n s t a n c e , if you have a tendency t o w a r d g a r d e n i n g , and a b i l i t y t o d o i t , but you have t o l i v e and w o r k in a c i t y in o r d e r t o m a k e enough
m o n e y t o live o n , d o not g i v e u p y o u r d e s i r e f o r t h e occupation. Have even a
s m a l l g a r d e n in y o u r backyard. But have y o u r h o m e in t h e c o u n t r y if p o s s i b l e ,
and in e i t h e r c a s e spend m o s t of y o u r Saturdays and Sundays, not in attending
u s e l e s s s h o w s , but in finding y o u r p e a c e in g a r d e n work.
P e r h a p s s o m e o n e h a s s t a r t e d you on t h e path of a t r a v e l i n g s a l e s m a n .
You t r y y o u r u t m o s t ; you w o r k h a r d , you think and p l a n , but you do not s u c c e e d .
Analyze y o u r s e l f . You m a y find t h a t f r o m childhood you have had a n i n c l i n a tion t o have a l i t t l e g a r d e n of y o u r own in which t o g r o w v e g e t a b l e s ; and t o
have a q u i e t h o m e , w h e r e you could r e s t , e n j o y , a n d d r i n k p e a c e ; and w h e r e
o c c a s i o n a l l y you could paint a p i c t u r e o r two of t h e l a n d s c a p e . P e r h a p s t h i s
d e s i r e t o be a f a r m e r - a r t i s t c a m e p e r c o l a t i n g t h r o u g h y o u r s u p e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s f r o m a f o r m e r e x i s t e n c e , o r it m a y have been s t r o n g l y s u g g e s t e d t o you
by s o m e p e r s o n in t h i s life o r by t h e i m p r e s s i o n of e a r l y y e a r s spent on a
f a r m . Your m i n d ' s whole e n t h u s i a s m and a m b i t i o n m a y have been a l r e a d y
p r e j u d i c e d by t h e l a t e n t i m p u l s e t o w a r d a life c l o s e to n a t u r e . (Of c o u r s e ,
g a r d e n i n g i s only a single e x a m p l e . Your innate t e n d e n c i e s might lead you
toward m u s i c , science, business. medicine, the law, etc. ) The question i s ,
why walk vocationally uphill a g a i n s t y o u r own a l r e a d y f o r m e d t e n d e n c i e s
t o w a r d a d i f f e r e n t o c c u p a t i o n ? Most people f o r m t h e i r innate h e a r t ' s d e s i r e
between t h e a g e s of t h r e e a n d t w e l v e , although t h e y m a y not be a w a r e of i t .
Watch y o u r s e l i c a r e f u l l y , and you will find running u n d e r the w a v e l e t s of y o u r
m a n y i n c i d e n t i a l d e s i r e s a n u n d e r c u r r e n t of s o m e definite d e s i r e . T h a t i g n o r e d p e r m a n e n t d e s i r e , which h a s been a l w a y s with you, coaxing you t o l i s t e n t o i t , i s t h e r e a l a r c h a n g e l of s u c c e s s t h a t you should follow.
No m a t t e r what wonderful vocation you a r e p r a c t i c i n g , if i t d o e s not s a t i s fy y o u r h e a r t , be c e r t a i n t h a t you a r e not following t h e right path. Whatever
path your h e a r t ' s d e e p d e s i r e t e l l s you t o follow i s y o u r r o y a l highway in t h i s
l i f e , t h e route you should t r a v e l in o r d e r t o r e a c h t h e abode of l a s t i n g p e a c e
and h a p p i n e s s . P e o p l e a r e n e v e r happy t r a v e l i n g in t h e wrong d i r e c t i o n . But
while s t r i v i n g t o follow t h e m a i n vocation of y o u r l i f e , you should be p r a c t i c a l
and u s e y o u r c o m m o n s e n s e . T h e p e r s o n who follows a c e r t a i n a r t i s t i c path,
which i s paved a f t e r h i s h e a r t ' s d e s i r e , m a y s a t i s f y h i s a e s t h e t i c h u n g e r , but
m a y not be p r o d u c t i v e enough t o m e e t h i s own n e e d s and h i s f a m i l y ' s p h y s i c a l
hunger. E v e r y m a n should fulfill h i s d u t i e s a s w e l l a s f o s t e r h i s t a l e n t s .
PLAY YOUR
PART WELL
Your s m a l l p a r t in the G r e a t P l a y , if wrongly p l a y e d , would
affect i t s s u c c e s s , even i f t h e c o s m i c d r a m a w e r e p e r f e c t l y
played by a l l o t h e r s o u l s . F i n d out y o u r t r u e p a r t , and play
it f o r your own h a p p i n e s s , if i t i s in harmony with the happiness of others.
T h e n you may sometime be chosen to play the divinely entertaining r o l e of a
s a v i o r - a c t o r , to i n s p i r e prodigal souls to r e t r a c e t h e i r footsteps to the m a n sion of peace, where they may find r e a l understanding of life and God. To
provide your family with food i s n e c e s s a r y , but to provide t h e i r minds with
m e a n s f o r p r o p e r development of m e n t a l powers i s m o r e n e c e s s a r y ; and to
develop t h e i r souls by leading t h e m t o know the meditation ways that lead to
God -contact i s of paramount importance.
In o r d e r to fulfill successfully the p a r t you w e r e sent on e a r t h t o play,
you should not only follow your innate ambition and l e a r n how to a c q u i r e the
p r a c t i c a l n e c e s s i t i e s of life f r o m that vocation, but you should a l s o do s o m e thing e v e r y day that will satisfy your obligation to the c o s m i c law and cosmic
plan. Most people a r e unhappy because they f a i l to recognize the necessity
of harmonizing t h e i r acquired p e r s o n a l e a r t h l y duties with t h e i r duties a c c o r d ing t o the demands of the c o s m i c plan. It i s a d e c r e e of Cosmic Law that the
happiness of o n e ' s own h e a r t alone cannot satisfy the soul; one m u s t t r y to
include, a s n e c e s s a r y to one Is own t r u e happiness, the happine s s of o t h e r s .
E v e r y day t r y to help uplift, a s you would help your self o r your family,
whoever in your environment may be physically, mentally, o r spiritually sick.
If f r o m today on, instead of living in the old misery- making selfish way, you
live scientifically, according t o the physical, m e n t a l , and s p i r i t u a l laws of
God, then no m a t t e r what your p a r t i s on the stage of life, you will know that
you have been playing it right, d i r e c t e d by the Stage Manager of a l l our d e s t inies. Y o u r r o l e , however s m a l l , i s just a s important a s the biggest in contributing t o the s u c c e s s of t h e e n t i r e d r a m a of souls on the stage of creation.
Resolve t o make and be satisfied with a little money, by living a n extremely
simple life; and e x p r e s s your i d e a l s , r a t h e r than work h a r d just to have l o t s
of money and w o r r i e s without end.
T r i a l s d o not c o m e t o d e s t r o y you, but to help you
a p p r e c i a t e God better. God does not send those
t r i a l s . They a r e of your own making. All you
have t o do to overcome t h e m i s t o r e s u r r e c t your consciousness f r o m the e n vironment of s p i r i t u a l ignorance. Inner and o u t e r t r o u b l e s a r e born because
of conscious o r unconscious actions in the p a s t , somewhere, sometime. We
mus t blame o u r s e l v e s f o r these. We should not allow o u r s e l v e s , however,
a s a r e s u l t of t h i s realization, to develop a n inferiority complex. You should
e v e r a f f i r m : "Heavenly F a t h e r , I know that Thou a r t guiding m e ! In this tumultuous s e a of t r i a l Thou a r t the p o l e s t a r of m y shipwrecked thoughts. " Why
a r e you a f r a i d ? You a r e a n i m m o r t a l being. You a r e neither a man nor a
woman, a s you m a y think, but a soul, joyous, e t e r n a l .
HOW TO OVERCOME
TRIALS AND TROUBLES
Even a s J e s u s could manifest h i s love and s a y , when s o r e l y tested:
" F a t h e r , f o r g i v e t h e m , f o r they know not what they do, " so should you become
able t o forgive o t h e r s , even i n the m i d s t of exacting t r i a l s , and say: "My soul
i s r e s u r r e c t e d . My power to overcome i s g r e a t e r than a l l the d e s t r u c t i v e
f o r c e of m y t r i a l s , because I a m a child of God. " Thus your m e n t a l p o w e r s
will expand, and your cup of realization will become big enough to hold t h e
ocean of knowledge. Your f o r e v e r hungry d e s i r e s m u s t be attended to; d e s t r o y
those t h a t a r e u s e l e s s , and nourish with p r o p e r environment and activity those
t h a t a r e worthwhile. Then you will be happy and p r o s p e r o u s .
THOUGHTS T O REMEMBER
Use your c r e a t i v e thinking ability t o gain s u c c e s s in e v e r y worthwhile
p r o j e c t you undertake. Help yourself that you m a y bring into p r o p e r u s e a l l
your God-given p o w e r s . Make m e n t a l blueprints of l i t t l e things, and keep on
making t h e m m a t e r i a l i z e until you c a n m a k e your big d r e a m s a l s o come t r u e .
Be happy i n the definite accomplishment of the l i t t l e objects of your d e s i r e ;
then you c a n m a t e r i a l i z e the big d r e a m s of your life.
Unhappiness i s c a u s e d by f a i l u r e . You c a n m a k e p e r m a n e n t happiness f o r
yourself by not letting anything e v e r d i s t u r b you on your f o r w a r d journey t o
s u c c e s s . God will help you if you help yourself and, a t the s a m e t i m e , p r a y
t o Him t o help you bring your e f f o r t s t o a successful i s s u e .
WE ARE ALL A L I T T L E BIT CRAZY AND DON'T KNOW IT
The noisy hooves of t h e i r o n h o r s e "Chief" w e r e racing o v e r the t r- a c-k--s. T w a s seated i n m y a s s i g n e d section of Che P u l l m a n c a r , p eering th>ough the
window watching the mountains, t r e e s , and landscape f l i t by. Opposite m e
s a t a m a n whom I recognized a s a movie a c t o r . He gave m e a n indirect look
of d i s t a s t e , mingled with pity, a s if "condescending" t o s i t opposite m e , a
Hindu with long flowing h a i r and a n orange robe. I w a s looking a t h i m with unperturbed gaze.
After a t i m e I softly asked him: "Sir, will you p l e a s e t e l l m e why you
have a s s u m e d such a h a r r i e d e x p r e s s i o n ? " "It i s no business of y o u r s , I ' he
replied angrily, and would have left then and t h e r e ; but like a m o t h e r curbing
a wayward child, I caught hold of h i s hand and persuaded h i m t o k e e p h i s s e a t .
He s a t back with the h e l p l e s s a i r of one who knows he i s trapped. "You
a r e the m o s t audacious p e r son I have e v e r m e t during m y t r a v e l s . I ' As I paid
no attention t o h i s r e m a r k , he sulkily added: "Anyhow, i t ' s none of your busin e s s what kind of a n e x p r e s s i o n I have. " T h i s w a s m y opportunity.
"Of c o u r s e it i s m y b u s i n e s s , s i r , t o t e l l you about your self- distorted
f a c e , a s I have t o look a t it steadily f o r many h o u r s . Won't you p l e a s e paint
a s m i l e o v e r your gloomy countenance ? I ' At t h i s r e m a r k m y movie f r i e n d
showed h i s well- formed, well- polished teeth i n a s m i l e , signifying: "Hostilit i e s have c e a s e d ; now state your intention quickly and i n a s few w o r d s a s p o s s ible. "
Seeing h i m now i n a f a i r l y receptive mood, I began: "My f r i e n d , i t w a s an
.p--
a c c i d e n t t h a t you w e r e b o r n a n A m e r i c a n and that I w a s born a Hindu. But I
know t h a t both you and I a r e c h i l d r e n of God. When we l e a v e t h i s e a r t h , we
s h a l l have t o d r o p o u r m o r t a l t i t l e s and r a c i a l c l o a k s and know o u r s e l v e s only
a s God's children. "
" Y e s , I know a l l t h a t , " w a s the bland, d r y r e p l y . In spite of h i s cold
blanket of indifference t h a t h e had just c a s t o v e r m e , I continued with unabated
w a r m e n t h u s i a s m : " B r o t h e r , d o you know t h a t i n t h i s world we a r e a l l a l i t t l e
bit c r a z y and d o n ' t know i t ? I ' "Why, what d o you m e a n ? " m y new acquaintance
c o u n t e r e d c a u t i o u s l y , a p p a r e n t l y not r e a d y t o a g r e e t h a t h e w a s c r a z y too.
I added quickly , "Do you know why people c a n ' t s e e t h e i r own c r a z i n e s s ? "
"No, Why d o n ' t t h e y ? I '
" People d o n ' t d e t e c t t h e i r own c r a z i n e s s because c r a z y people of t h e s a m e
f e a t h e r flock t o g e t h e r . If I w e r e a m o v i e a c t o r , t h e n we would have a t l e a s t
t o l e r a t e d e a c h o t h e r ; and if I had m e t a n o t h e r Hindu with m y t a s t e s , instead
of m e e t i n g you, t h e n we would p e r h a p s have had a jolly good t i m e . Rut a s i t
i s , o u r d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of c r a z i n e s s m a k e u s s e e m s t r a n g e t o e a c h o t h e r . I
have t h e a d v a n t a g e , h o w e v e r , b e c a u s e I know about y o u r c r a z i n e s s a s a m o v i e
a c t o r , but you d o n ' t know anything about m y c r a z i n e s s . T h i s i s a n i n t e r e s t ing o c c a s i o n because you h a v e t h e c h a n c e of a l i f e t i m e t o prove t h e t r u t h t h a t
when people who a r e differently c r a z y c o m e t o g e t h e r they find out about t h e i r
own c r a z i n e s s . I'
My m o v i e - a c t o r f r i e n d b u r s t out laughing.
claimed.
" That i s w e l l s a i d ! " he e x -
But I w a s n ' t through with h i m y e t ! " H e r e i s one chance in e t e r n i t y t o
l e a r n t h e d e t a i l s c o n c e r n i n g m y f o r m of c r a z i n e s s and t h e n d e c i d e whether
m i n e will afford m o r e r e a l h a p p i n e s s t h a n y o u r s , o r vice v e r s a . " The a c t o r
r a i s e d no p r o t e s t . "If I c a n convince you by logic t h a t m y God c r a z i n e s s i s
b e t t e r than y o u r movie c r a z i n e s s , t h e n you m u s t follow m e ; but i f you c a n
t a l k m e into believing t h a t y o u r c r a z i n e s s i s b e t t e r t h a n m i n e , then I will be
a movie a c t o r . "
Well, I a m not a movie a c t o r y e t ! My f r i e n d followed m e instead.
The f a c t i s , we m u s t not d i s l i k e people b e c a u s e they a r e d i f f e r e n t f r o m
u s , o r because t h e i r opinions d i f f e r f r o m o u r s . We a r e a l m o s t c r a z i l y d e t e r m i n e d t o believe in o u r own pet self - f o r m u l a t e d convictions. Since people
of the E a s t and t h e West know v e r y l i t t l e about e a c h o t h e r ' s p a r t i c u l a r c r a z i n e s s , it i s be s t t h a t we c o m e t o g e t h e r and point out t o e a c h o t h e r o u r specific
b e l i e f s . When in a f r i e n d l y way t h e E a s t r e m a r k s on the W e s t ' s c r a z i n e s s f o r
m a t e r i a l p o s s e s s i o n s , and the West points out t h e s p i r i t u a l o n e - s i d e d n e s s of
t h e E a s t , t h e n e a c h will want t o r e m o v e i t s o n e - s i d e d n e s s ; a n d if both will
c o n s t r u c t i v e l y exchange e x p e r i e n c e s , they c a n pave the way f o r a balanced,
S- 2 P- 32
7
h a r m o n i o u s c i v i l i z a t i o n a f t e r t h e p a t t e r n of G o d ' s plan.
*t*
AFFIRMATION
I w i l l t r y t o p l e a s e e v e r y o n e by kind,
c o n s i d e r a t e a c t i o n s , and a l w a y s t r y t o
r e m o v e t h e c a u s e of a n y m i s u n d e r standing
that a r i s e s .
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
S- 2 P - 3 3
0 Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
0 Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA. Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
THE MELODY OF HUMAN BROTHERHOOD
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
Heavenly Spirit, we a r e traveling by many
right roads to Thine abode of light. Guide u s onto
the highway of Self-knowledge, t o which a l l paths
of t r u e religious beliefs eventually lead.
The d i v e r s e d i g i o m s a r e branches of Thy one
immeasurable t r e e of truth. May we enjoy the
luscious f r u i t s of soul realization that hang f r o m the
boughs of s c r i p t u r e s of every clime and time.
Teach u s t o chant in harmony the countless
expressions of our supreme devotion. In Thy temple
of the e a r t h , in a chorus of many-accented voices,
we a r e singing only t o Thee.
0 Divine Mother, lift u s on Thy lap of universal
love. Break Thy vow of silence and sing to u s the
heart- melting melody of human brotherhood.
- - F r o m "Whispers f r o m Eternity 1 '
.
-
--
PRAYER
0 Divine Mother, let every sound that I make have
the vibration of Thy voice. Let my every thought be
saturated with the consciousness of Thy presence. Let
my every feeling glow with Thy love.
THE CHEMISTRY OF FEELINGS
Chemistry shows u s that a combination of two elements with different
characteristic s may produce a third substance manifesting an altogether different quality. Similarly, two o r m o r e different kinds of feelings may combine to produce a wholly new feeling, expressing an entirely new quality.
And, just a s the chemical combination of two elements generates heat, and,
conversely, their union may be brought about by heat, so the union of different feelings may be accomplished by stimulation of warmth-producing heart
qualities, o r emotions.
Attachment t o m a t e r i a l objects produces misery. Attachment to spiritual inclinations produces realization. Spiritual attachment plus the peace found in meditation c r e a t e s
bliss. Selfishness plus egotism makes m i s e r l i n e s s and m a t e r i a l attachment.
But selfishness plus consciousness of the higher Self, which s e e s Itself in
all, brings breadth of vision and spiritual perception.
EMOTIONAL
COMBINATIONS
Ambition plus the money-making d e s i r e c r e a t e s selfishness and d i s s a t i s faction. But ambition plus sympathy for others produces a higher f o r m of
selfishness that brings lasting joy; a selfishness that i s really selflessness,
taking pleasure in service to o t h e r s a s to oneself.
Anger may be violent, o r tempered by reason. It i s usually awakened
when one's own o r another's interest i s hurt. The chemical combination of
violent anger plus self - interest o r selfishness c a u s e s a psychological explosion ending in hysterics o r some dangerous act. Anger plus greed and d i s sipation m a k e s f o r r e c k l e s s n e s s , satiety, and indifference. Anger plus
devotion to a righteous cause - -if tempered with reason- -produces some
definite result f o r good in the world.
Hatred of sin ( e r r o r ) plus scorn equals indifference and h u r t s oneself
and others. But hatred of sin plus sensitiveness that seeks to avoid actions
that will bring suffering to o t h e r s produces self-control. Hate the sinner and
you yourself fall in the estimation of divine law. Deep peace plus wisdomguided sense enjoyment makes f o r self-control. Craving f o r pleasure plus
sense enjoyment c r e a t e s insatiable d e s i r e .
By itself, a particular feeling produces a particular, limited result; but
when rightly combined with c e r t a i n other qualities, it may produce infinite
r e s u l t s in spiritual realization. Higher feelings may be developed only by
exercising them. Alone, ordinary feelings produce the dualities and relativi t i e s of human experiences - -like s and dislikes, pleasure and pain, etc. - serving c e r t a i n isolated purposes. But when c o r r e c t l y and spiritually united,
they produce the higher emotions, which s e r v e to awaken inner realization.
Generally speaking, we can say that all the people in the
world fall into one o r another of two opposite classifications: good o r evil, meditative o r r e s t l e s s , wise o r ignorant, happy o r sad. What i s m o r e , they mentally "fix" themselves in certain
categories. Tell an evil person to be good, o r the r e s t l e s s one t o be meditative, and both will make you feel that either they do not like to, o r they cannot. T h e i r attitudes a r e due to previous habit, and not to a t r u e d e s i r e of
the h e a r t . Once our habits a r e strongly established it is extremely difficult
f o r u s t o change. The feeling that we cannot change is only a delusion, but
it i s very h a r d to overcome that delusion. Therefore do not willfully o r
c a r e l e s s l y put aside good habits, but cultivate them, and develop a t a s t e f o r
the s u p e r i o r , lasting happiness they bring. Otherwise you may lapse into
weak habits and find yourself unable to change when you wish to.
GOOD AND EVIL
TENDENCIES
A man may have either very good o r v e r y evil tendencies, o r .
somewhat
good o r somewhat evil tendencies. An exact balance of good and evil qualit i e s is r a r e l y to be found in anyone. T h e r e is always a little m o r e tendency
to good than t o evil, o r vice versa. It i s a law of nature that if you a r e a
little l e s s evil than good, your evil gradually will be taken away by the g r e a t e r power of good; and if you have a little l e s s good than evil, your few good
habits will gradually be absorbed by the g r e a t e r number of evil tendencies.
The dominant quality, by i t s very preponderance, tends to a t t r a c t m o r e of
the s a m e quality. " For he that hath, to him shall be given; and he that hath
not, f r o m h i m shall be taken even that which he hath" (Mark 4:25).
-
It i s just a s difficult f o r some people to be evil a s it is f o r others t o be
good. But man cannot remain under the influence of e r r o r f o r e v e r , because
he is made in the image of God. The beginning spiritual aspirant finds h i s
soldiers of discrimination guided only by the d e s i r e t o be good. L a t e r , a s
he meditates longer and p r a y s ardently f o r inner help, he finds that the c a l m
conviction of latent intuition- -awakening inner light - - a veteran occult gener a l l e m e r g e s f r o m the superconsciousness to guide the f o r c e s of discrimination.
Take away the compelling instincts of a n g e r , f e a r , sense temptation,
selfishness, and greed that a r e planted in man by the unseen cosmic satanic
f o r c e , and the world would be entirely f r e e f r o m evil. If these evil mental
t r a i t s did not exist, m a n ' s reason, o r will, could not be influenced to evil
thoughts and actions. People who a r e easily influenced by evil usually a r e
found to have had predominantly evil instincts f r o m e a r l y childhood.
When p e r s o n s accustomed t o a n g e r slavery a r e drunk with excitement,
they become emotional firebugs; a t the slightest provocation they light matche s of wrathful words and s e t f i r e to o t h e r s ' inner peace. A f o r e s t f i r e c a u s e s
millions of d o l l a r s of l o s s to the Government; emotional firebugs, by destroying the happiness of o t h e r s , similarly cause millions of d o l l a r s of l o s s in
c r e a t i v e thinking, and incalculable waste of human nerve- energy.
PUNISHMENTS
AND REWARDS
People seeking happine s s should shun bad habits, which
lead to evil actions that sooner o r l a t e r produce m i s e r y .
Like a silently burning acid, m i s e r y c o r r o d e s body, mind,
and soul, and cannot be endured long. It should be strictly avoided by e x e r cising wisdom and disc rimination.
Remember that the repetition of a few weak actions produces habits of
weakness. Most people allow self- created habits of weakness o r failure to
enslave them. You can save yourself f r o m weak slavery if you have made
up your mind to live differently, but your resolution to fight bad habits should
be p e r s i s t e n t , until s u c c e s s i s reached. Whatever your position now, it i s
you who have put yourself there. Whatever you a r e now, you have made yourself in the distant o r n e a r past. The s e c r e t , invisible t r a c e s of your own
past actions e x e r c i s e a controlling power over present actions initiated by
f r e e choice.
Thus it is you--through the law of cause and effect that governs all
human actions--who now o r d e r yourself t o be punished o r rewarded. In past
y e a r s you probably have suffered enough; now it i s time f o r you t o parole
yourself f r o m the prison of your own past undesirable habits. Since you a r e
the judge, no jail of suffering, poverty, o r ignorance can hold you if you
really want to liberate yourself.
The kind omnipresent God h a s never punished o r rewarded you, for
f r o m the beginning He h a s given you the power t o reward o r punish yourself
by the right u s e o r m i s u s e of your own reason and will. If you have t r a n s g r e s s e d laws of health, prosperity, o r wisdom, you punish yourself accordingly with ill health, poverty, o r ignorance. Live wisely, cultivating good
habits that will bring happiness. Then, when evil material d e s i r e t r i e s t o
e x e r c i s e the power of habit t o destroy the power of good, it will be amazed
to find that the offspring of past good habits a r e ready to give resistance. It
i s very consoling to know that no m a t t e r how strong the powers of evil habit
and m a t e r i a l d e s i r e a r e , t h e r e a r e soldiers of good habits of this life and
past incarnations ready at any moment to give battle. Each person must
a s c e r t a i n f o r himself whether habits born of h i s good actions of the past and
present a r e gaining ascendancy in h i s bodily kingdom.
SEEK HAPPINESS IN GOD.
NOT IN MATERIAL THINGS
To be good is m o r e charming and beneficial
than t o be evil, yet even a few good people--
by t h e i r qualitative worthwhilene s s - - counterbalance the quantitative influence
of evil. One moon gives m o r e light than a l l the s t a r s . The sun d r i v e s away
the d a r k n e s s f r o m a space millions of t i m e s l a r g e r than itself. One good m a n ,
whether he p r e a c h e s o r not, by h i s v e r y p r e s e n c e in the world s e t s in motion
invisible good vibrations; t h e i r power i s sufficient t o counteract even vast
volumes of inharmonious vibrations emanating f r o m the wrong thoughts and
actions of evil p e r s o n s .
We a r e usually born into life r i c h with s m i l e s , youth, health, and mystic
a s p i r a t i o n s . As we grow e v e r o l d e r , we begin t o l o s e t h e s e r i c h e s , and our
swelling, thrilling hopes die out. Why do we grow w a r m with r i c h e s only t o
be f r o z e n suddenly by the c h i l l of poverty? Doe-s happiness come only t o vani s h ? T h e r e i s a l e s s o n f o r u s in the evanescense of youth and i t s joys.
If one h a s l o s t a diamond and t r i e s t o satisfy himself by replacing it with
little p i e c e s of broken g l a s s that he finds shining in the sunlight, he i s bound
to be disillusioned. He cannot find the l o s t diamond in a pile of broken g l a s s ;
he i s seeking in the wrong place. In the s a m e way, m a n t r i e s t o regain h i s
l o s t soul-happine s s by pursuing momentarily glittering s e n s e p l e a s u r e s ; but
when he h a s had enough of sense happiness he becomes disgusted and t r i e s t o
find peace and joy w h e r e alone they m a y be found- -in the soul.
t o expect t r u e - happiness
f r o m m a t e r i a l things,
are
- -- --f o r- they
--- -- - ---- --It is- -foolish
-- p o w e r l e s s t o give i t ; ygt many millions of peo p le d i e of broken h e a r t s trying
vainly t o find in m a t e r i a l things the comfort that only God can i m p a r t .
-
-
-
-
P
THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY
Thou h a s t i s s u e d the commandments of righteousness, 0 L o r d , t o safeguard o u r happine s s . May we shun the path of wrongdoing, which always
l e a d s t o suffering. L e t u s s e e that virtue i s infinitely m o r e charming than
vice. Help u s t o under stand that evil, which a t f i r s t m a y s e e m delightful,
gradually a c t s a s poison; and that good, in the beginning often bitter to o u r
t a s t e , eventually becomes n e c t a r - sweet.
ROAST THE SEEDS OF EVIL TENDENCIES
P a t and Mat hated each other. They q u a r r e l e d when they w e r e boys in
school, and when they g r e w up they w e r e bitter rivals in competing shoes t o r e s . They even fought one day f o r the hand of the s a m e f a i r maiden; and
P a t , being slightly s t r o n g e r , gave Mat a sound beating. P a t walked away
with t h e g i r l , leaving Mat s e n s e l e s s on the sidewalk. When he "came to, I '
Mat w a s filled with s h a m e , s o r r o w , and disgust. Determining t o get even
--
--
with P a t sometime, Mat shifted h i s i n t e r e s t and h i s business f r o m Philadelphia t o Miami.
Although P a t soon forgot a l l about the insult, h u r t , and inconvenience
that he had caused Mat, the l a t t e r , being the m a l t r e a t e d p a r t y , could not
wipe f r o m h i s m e m o r y the grievance againt P a t . Every night before going t o
bed Mat would affirm: "Day by day, in e v e r y way, I a m forgiving P a t m o r e
and m o r e . I ' But a f t e r s e v e r a l months he realized that during h i s daily
affirmation of forgiveness he had actually been hatching the egg of revenge fulne s s , and that in the background of h i s mind he had really been praying
f o r an opportunity t o straighten out h i s old grudge.
After a t i m e , P a t went t o Miami f o r a vacation, unwittingly drawn t h e r e
by the strangely a t t r a c t i v e power of mutual h a t r e d . Not suspecting any
trouble, he guilelessly went f o r a s t r o l l one evening, although it w a s d a r k
and drizzly. A s he walked along a lonely road, h e passed under the tiled roof
of a n open shed adjoining a warehouse. Unbeknownst t o h i m , Mat, having
found out that h i s old enemy w a s in town, w a s silently dogging h i s steps in
rubber- soled shoes. Mat w a s ready t o pay back with compound i n t e r e s t what
P a t had done to h i m in Philadelphia.
P i t t e r - p a t t e r ! the d r i z z l e changed into raindrops. Under cover of t h e i r
sound, Mat pursued h i s q u a r r y m o r e closely. He was delighted to behold on
the ground ahead a l a r g e tile that had evidently loosened and fallen, unbroken,
f r o m the roof of the warehouse shed. J u s t a f t e r P a t stepped o v e r t h i s fallen
t i l e , Mat knocked h i m s e n s e l e s s .
P a t lay on the cold, muddy sod beneath the shed much longer than Mat
had lain on the sidewalk a f t e r the thrashing a t h i s hands in Philadelphia, long
ago. Two h o u r s passed. The sky had c e a s e d t o weep, and w a s smiling with
moonbeams when he regained consciousness, puzzled t o find himself lying in
a pool of blood on the cold e a r t h beneath the shed. By the moonlight peeping
through the shed roof where the tile had loosened, P a t could s e e a l l around
him. He saw then t h e fallen t i l e , mutely yet eloquently lying n e a r h i s head. .
Looking up a t the square opening in the t i l e roof overhead, he thought to h i m self, "What bad luck! Evidently the t i l e loosened itself under the c u d u l a t i v e
pelting of t h e r a i n and I r a n under the shed t o escape the r a i n just in aime f o r
the t i l e t o f a l l on my head. ' I
P a t ' s reasoning i s a n illustration of how we tend t o f o r g e t o u r misdeeds,
though the self- created r e s u l t s of such actions never forget u s . The consequences of o u r good o r bad actions silently pursue u s through the d a r k n e s s of
our ignorance. J u s t a s the cow can find i t s calf a m i d s t a thousand other
c a l v e s , s o the r e s u l t s of our actions in t h i s life and p a s t l i v e s pursue u s doggedly and find u s w h e r e v e r we happen t o be. If P a t had weighed the consequences of h i s action a f t e r b e a t i p g M a t , and had made up with Mat, no
..
i n j u r i o u s r e s u l t would have g e r m i n a t e d f o r h i m i n the d a r k womb of the
future.
The m o r a l i s , i n c r e a s e the power of wisdom and meditation in o r d e r t o
burn up t h e ungerminated s e e d s of evil tendencies latent within y o u r mind.
Judge well before you a c t , f o r a f t e r you have acted you m u s t r e a p a specific
r e s u l t of t h a t action. R e m e m b e r that e v e r y action l e a v e s t r a c e s that a r e
s t o r e d up a s tendencies in y o u r mind. Unless you c o u n t e r a c t latent evil
tendencies by becoming better and b e t t e r e v e r y day, t h e r e i s no telling what
you m a y become i n t h e f u t u r e , should t h e germination of s e e d s of evil tendenc i e s suddenly c o m e about u n d e r favorable evil influences.
A m a n c a n be s u r e of himself only if he m e d i t a t e s m o r e and m o r e deeply,
and in the f i r e of Self- realization and c a l m n e s s c o n s u m e s a l l the s e e d s of
evil t e n d e n c i e s that l i e ungerminated in h i s subconscious. Those weed s e e d s
which s e c r e t e t h e m s e l v e s in the subconscious mind c a n be r o a s t e d during
the contact of the conscious and subconscious m i n d s with the superconsciousn e s s of d e e p meditation. Seeds of evil tendencies t h u s r o a s t e d in the f i r e of
wisdom cannot g e r m i n a t e . So do not s i t i d l e , no m a t t e r how g r e a t you a r e .
Keep on burning out the l a t e n t evil of forgotten i n c a r n a t i o n s by kindling
g r e a t e r f i r e s of goodness i n meditation. All the crowding s e e d s of w o r r i e s
t h a t i n f e s t t h e t r a c t s of the conscious and the subconscious m i n d s burn into
a blaze of b l i s-----s when they touch the f i e r-y-.superconscious
peace of meditation.
- - -'
-
AFFIRMATION
I a m thinking with the m i n d s of all. I a m
feeling through a l l feelings. The f l o w e r s of joy
blooming on a l l h e a r t - s o i l s a r e mine. I a m
e t e r n a l laughter. My s m i l e s a r e dancing through
a l l f a c e s . I a m the wave of e n t h u s i a s m in a l l
h e a r t s . I a m t h e King of Silence sitting on the
t h r o n e of emotion.
-
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
3880'~an"~afael
Avenue. LO; Anoeles, California 90065
TEACH ME TO SPEND FOR GOD'S WORK
By Paramahansa Yogananda
Give m e h o l y h e a l t h ,
But g i v e my b r o t h e r s more,
That I may e n j o y my g r e a t e r h e a l t h
I n t h e g r e a t e r myself.
Give m e power,
But t o my d e a r o n e s g i v e it more a b u n d a n t l y ,
That I may w i e l d t h e s t r e n g t h o f a l l minds
U n i t e d i n my mind.
Give m e wisdom,
That I may make my l o v e d o n e s more w i s e ,
And t h a t I may f e e l i t s r a y s s p r e a d i n g
On t h e v a s t t r a c t o f merged b r o t h e r - s o u l s .
Teach m e t o b e h o l d t h r o u g h a l l e y e s ,
Work t h r o u g h a l l hands,
And f e e l my h e a r t t h r o b s i n a l l .
Teach m e t o f e e l , a c t , s t r i v e , e a r n ,
And e s p e c i a l l y t o spend, f o r a l l - A s I do f o r m y s e l f .
I want h e a l t h , t o b e a model f o r o t h e r s '
A s w e l l a s f o r my own.
I want t o b e e f f i c i e n t ,
health
To t u r n i n e f f i c i e n c y away from e a r t h ' s d o o r .
I want wisdom's freedom,
That I may e n j o y my l i b e r t y o n l y
I n t h e u n i v e r s a l freedom of a l l - I n t h e s p i r i t u a l emancipation of a l l !
PRAYER
D i v i n e Mother, t e a c h m e t o remember t h a t e n t h u s i a s m
a n d w i l l i n g n e s s g o h a n d i n hand w i t h fresh s u p p l i e s o f e n e r g y .
IMPORTANT ENERGIZATION AND HEALING EXERCISES
we know t h a t a d e a d man c a n n o t i n h a l e oxygen o r a b s o r b s u n s h i n e o r
d i g e s t food, because l i f e f o r c e is a b s e n t . L i f e f o r c e i s t h e r e f o r e the
f i r s t d i r e c t c o n d i t i o n g o v e r n i n g o u r p h y s i c a l a n d m e n t a l s t r e n g t h . Our
t h o u g h t s , w i l l , f e e l i n g , a n d m u s c u l a r power; t h e a c t i o n o f h e a r t , b r a i n ,
and lungs; t h e p a n c r e a s , l i v e r , s p l e e n , and o t h e r d i g e s t i v e o r g a n s ; and
t h e g l a n d s - - a l l d e p e n d f o r t h e i r e x i s t e n c e upon t h e v i t a l p r i n c i p l e .
L i f e f o r c e is the i n n e r e l e c t r i c i t y t h a t r u n s the b r a i n f a c t o r y t h a t , i n
t u r n , p r o d u c e s a n d e x p o r t s c r e a t i v e i d e a s a n d i m p o r t s new i m p r e s s i o n s ,
a n d t h a t l o o k s a f t e r t h e management o f t h e e n t i r e body.
The h e a r t i s t h e f a c t o r y t h a t c l e a n s e s t h e s y s t e m a n d d i s t r i b u t e s
f o o d t o b i l l i o n s o f h u n g r y l i v i n g body c e l l s . The stomach a n d i n t e s t i n e s remove from f o o d t h e r i g h t n u t r i t i v e e l e m e n t s f o r t h e r e p a i r a n d
replenishment of osseous, nervous, e p i t h e l i a l , adipose, and muscular
t i s s u e s . They a r e a g r a n d " k i t c h e n f a c t o r y n t h a t p r e p a r e s t h e r i g h t
f o o d f o r t h e v a r i o u s t i s s u e s . Yet t h e b i l l i o n s o f b o d i l y c e l l s , t h e
i n t e r n a l o r g a n s , a n d t h e s e n s o r y n e r v e s are r e a l l y k e p t a l i v e a n d p r o p e r l y w o r k i n g t h r o u g h o n e v i t a l power. A l t h o u g h t h e p h y s i c a l body app e a r s t o be m a i n t a i n e d e n t i r e l y by f o o d from t h e o u t s i d e , t h e t r u t h i s
t h a t e x t e r n a l l y s u p p l i e d f o o d would b e u s e l e s s t o t h e body if it were
n o t c o n v e r t e d i n t o v i t a l i t y by t h e secret Cosmic L i f e E n e r g y .
When you p r a c t i c e t h e SRF R e c h a r g i n g E x e r c i s e s , you employ t h i s
i n n e r l i f e f o r c e t o h e a l a n d r e v i v i f y t h e body p a r t s . The r e c h a r g i n g
a n d e n e r g i z a t i o n e x e r c i s e s (Lesson 8-A) a r e a l l t o b e done s l o w l y ,
g e n t l y ; a n d r h y t h m i c a l l y ; n e v e r j e r k i l y . E v e r y movement s h o u l d be h a r monious. I f any p a r t o f t h e body i s e s p e c i a l l y weak, s e n d t h e e n e r g y
t h e r e v e r y s l o w l y a n d g e n t l y a s you e x e r c i s e , a n d t h e p a r t w i l l be
g r a d u a l l y s t r e n g t h e n e d . By i n t e n s i t y o f e f f o r t you c a n v e r y s o o n h e a l
y o u r s e l f o f weakness i n a body p a r t , s i n c e by y o u r c o n c e n t r a t e d p r a c t i c e
o f t h e R e c h a r g i n g E x e r c i s e s you b r i n g t h e t r u e s o u r c e o f c u r a t i v e power,
t h e Cosmic L i f e Energy, i n t o t h e d i s e a s e d t i s s u e s . You c a n f e e l t h e
a c t u a l c u r r e n t o f e n e r g y b e i n g s w i t c h e d on i n y o u r body a n d d i r e c t it
w h e r e v e r you want i t . The v i b r a t i o n t h a t you feel i s n o t v o l u n t a r y
movement; it i s c a u s e d by t h e c h a r g e o f e n e r g y e n t e r i n g t h e body. Do
t h e e x e r c i s e s w i l l i n g l y and g l a d l y . Except i n t h o s e t h a t c a l l f o r
b e n d i n g , k e e p t h e s p i n e s t r a i g h t a n d t h e body u p r i g h t . The e x e r c i s e s
w i l l g i v e you g r a c e . a n d freedom o f movement. More t h a n t h a t , as you
p e r f e c t y o u r p r a c t i c e you w i l l r e a l i z e t h a t you are n o t t h e body: t h a t
t h e body i s o n l y your s e r v a n t , and you a r e t h e immortal l i f e e n e r g y t h a t
l i g h t s t h e bulb of f l e s h .
A f t e r g r a d u a t i o n from s c h o o l , t h e days o f h e a l t h f u l r e g u l a r e x e r c i s e
a r e u s u a l l y o v e r , and t h e d a y s o f o v e r e a t i n g and r e s u l t i n g s i c k n e s s b e g i n .
Many p e o p l e do n o t r e a l i z e t h a t u n i f o r m l y good h e a l t h depends upon:
p r o p e r e a t i n g , l e s s e a t i n g , and o c c a s i o n a l f a s t i n g ;
proper elimination;
p r o p e r e x e r c i s e , f r e s h a i r , and s u n b a t h s ;
c o n s e r v a t i o n o f v i t a l e n e r g y by s e l f - c o n t r o l ;
( 5 ) good t h o u g h t s and c h e e r f u l n e s s ;
( 6 ) calm m e d i t a t i o n .
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Wrong h a b i t s , o v e r i n d u l g e n c e , and l a c k of e x e r c i s e c o n s t i t u t e a b u s e s
o f t h e s e n s e s and s h o u l d be a v o i d e d .
Take sun b a t h s a s o f t e n a s you can, from t e n m i n u t e s t o h a l f an h o u r
a day, i f p o s s i b l e , depending on t h e s e n s i t i v i t y o f o n e ' s s k i n and t h e
s t r e n g t h of t h e sun's rays.
S i x times a day b r e a t h e d e e p l y a t l e a s t t h r e e t i m e s i n t h e f r e s h a i r :
-
(1) F i r s t , e x h a l e q u i c k l y t h r o u g h mouth a n d n o s t r i l s .
(2) I n h a l e slowly through t h e n o s t r i l s only, counting 1 t o 12.
( 3 ) Hold b r e a t h , c o u n t i n g 1 t o 6.
( 4 ) Exhale, c o u n t i n g 1 t o 6.
Try t o e s t a b l i s h t h e h a b i t o f d o i n g t h i s whenever you a r e w a l k i n g o u t doors. Let t h e count during i n h a l a t i o n , holding t h e b r e a t h , and exhalat i o n b e m o d i f i e d i f n e c e s s a r y f o r comfort; b u t m a i n t a i n t h e r a t i o . I f
you i n h a l e t o a c o u n t of 8, f o r example, h o l d t h e b r e a t h t o a c o u n t o f 4,
and e x h a l e t o a count of 4 . A p e r s o n o f a v e r a g e h e a l t h and l u n g c a p a c i t y s h o u l d have no d i f f i c u l t y i n m a i n t a i n i n g t h e 12-6-6 r a t i o , however.
The e x e r c i s e r o u t i n e g i v e n i n Lesson 8-A s h o u l d b e a b a s i c d a i l y p r a c t i c e of a l l S e l f - R e a l i z a t i o n i s t s . However, t h e r e a r e many o t h e r e x e r c i s e s
g i v e n from t i m e t o t i m e t h a t may b e p r a c t i c e d f o r s p e c i f i c p u r p o s e s , o r a s
a s h o r t supplementary r o u t i n e t o be p r a c t i c e d a t any t i m e d u r i n g t h e day
you f e e l a need f o r i t . Some o f t h e s e e x e r c i s e s a r e v a r i a t i o n s o r abb r e v i a t e d forms, o f e x e r c i s e s w i t h which you have a l r e a d y become f a m i l i a r
t h r o u g h t h o s e g i v e n i n Lesson 8-A.
The f o l l o w i n g stomach e x e r c i s e s w i l l a i d d i g e s t i o n and p e r i s t a l t i c movement, t h u s h e l p i n g t o e l i m i n a t e c o n s t i p a t i o n and
r e d u c e o b e s i t y . The e x e r c i s e s s h o u l d b e p r a c t i c e d d a i l y ,
p r e f e r a b l y i n t h e morning a f t e r l e a v i n g bed, o r a t any o t h e r t i m e when t h e
stomach i s c o m p a r a t i v e l y empty ( n o t s o o n e r t h a n one h o u r a f t e r m e a l s ) .
STOMACH
EXERCISES
1.
( a ) S t a n d i n g i n f r o n t of an armchair, l e a n forward, and w i t h
your arms h e l d o u t s t r a i g h t , g r a s p t h e arms o f t h e c h a i r .
( b ) Exhale q u i c k l y and completely.
(c) Keeping t h e b r e a t h o u t , slowly draw i n t h e abdomen a s f a r
a s p o s s i b l e ; t h e n push it o u t a s f a r a s p o s s i b l e .
( d ) Repeat t h r e e t i m e s , without i n h a l i n g ( o r b r e a t h i n g i n )
during t h a t time.
(e) Inhale.
Repeat t h e e n t i r e e x e r c i s e f i v e t i m e s . I n c a s e of i n d i g e s t i o n o r c o n s t i p a t i o n , r e p e a t it t e n t i m e s .
2.
( a ) Stand e r e c t , w i t h eyes c l o s e d .
(b) P l a c e both hands on abdomen, one above t h e o t h e r , w i t h
s l i g h t pressure.
( c ) C o n t r a c t and t e n s e lower p o r t i o n of abdomen.
( d ) While h o l d i n g t e n s i o n i n lower s e c t i o n , c o n t r a c t and t e n s e
t h e upper abdomen.
( e ) Relax both upper and lower abdomen.
Repeat t h i s e x e r c i s e s i x t i m e s .
P r a c t i c e of " i n p l a c e w walking and running e x e r c i s e s
RUNNING
t w i c e d a i l y i n t h e f r e s h a i r w i l l do much t o keep t h e
EXERCISES
body f i t .
(People who have weak h e a r t s , however, should
omit t h e running e x e r c i s e . ) Even though you may f e e l
t i r e d , a s h o r t p r a c t i c e of t h e walking and running e x e r c i s e s and a few
o r a l l of t h e Recharging E x e r c i s e s h e l p s g r e a t l y t o r e l i e v e f a t i g u e .
WALKING AND
To perform t h e walking e x e r c i s e , t a k e o f f your shoes and s t a n d about
f o u r f e e t away from a wide-open window i n d o o r s o r , b e t t e r s t i l l , on an
open porch. While s t a n d i n g i n one p l a c e , go through t h e motions of
walking, b u t e x a g g e r a t e t h e upward motion of t h e l e g s : i n s t e a d o f r a i s i n g your l e f t f o o t o n l y a few i n c h e s from t h e f l o o r , r a i s e it high,
bending t h e knee, s o t h e knee i s even w i t h t h e b u t t o c k . A t t h e same
t i m e bend t h e r i g h t forearm upward, keeping t h e elbow by your s i d e .
Then drop l e f t f o o t t o t h e ground, and lower t h e r i g h t forearm. Next
r a i s e r i g h t f o o t , u n t i l knee i s even w i t h t h e b u t t o c k , and bend l e f t
forearm up, keeping elbow a t s i d e . Then go on a l t e r n a t i n g l e f t and
r i g h t , walking i n p l a c e . I f you count each " s t e p n a s "one," walk from
25 t o 100 " s t e p s . "
The running e x e r c i s e i s performed by s t a n d i n g i n one p l a c e and going
through t h e motions of running. The knees should be b e n t s o t h a t t h e
h e e l i s brought up i n back a s i f t o s t r i k e t h e b u t t o c k . A r m s a r e h e l d
s t a t i o n a r y a t t h e s i d e s , elbows b e n t . One s h o u l d run on t h e t o e s ,
l i g h t l y . A count of 50 " s t e p s w i s good.
OTHER
VALUABLE
EXERCISES
Whenever you want t o r e l a x any body p a r t , g e n t l y t e n s e it,
h o l d t e n s i o n , c o u n t i n g 1 t o 3 , t h e n r e l a x q u i c k l y and f e e l
t h e v i b r a t i o n of t h e energy a s it r e t i r e s from t h a t p a r t .
Keep t h e r e l a x e d p a r t s t i l l - - f o r g e t i t .
Now s t a n d up and w i t h e y e s c l o s e d t e n s e t h e whole body- - all p a r t s a t
once--and t h e n l e t go, t h r o w i n g your b r e a t h o u t f o r c e f u l l y and r e l a x i n g
a l l p a r t s a t once. Do n o t move. A f t e r a few moments a g a i n t e n s e t h e
whole body q u i c k l y , and l e t go, t h r o w i n g t h e b r e a t h o u t and r e l a x i n g .
You w i l l t h e n b e p e r f e c t l y r e l a x e d ( e x c e p t f o r t h e muscles employed i n
m a i n t a i n i n g a s t a n d i n g p o s i t i o n ) . T h i s e x e r c i s e may a l s o be p r a c t i c e d
i n a r e c l i n i n g p o s i t i o n , t h u s a f f o r d i n g complete r e l a x a t i o n . When
e n e r g y i s withdrawn b y ' p r a c t i c e of t h i s t e c h n i q u e , a l l p a r t s o f t h e body
a r e r e l a x e d and t h e body i s calm.
Any t i m e you a r e t i r e d o r worried, t e n s e t h e whole body, t h e n r e l a x ,
t h r o w i n g your b r e a t h o u t , and you w i l l become calm. When o n l y low o r
p a r t i a l t e n s i n g p r e c e d e s r e l e a s e of t e n s i o n , n o t a l l t e n s i o n i s removed;
b u t when you t e n s e h i g h , s o t h a t you a r e v i b r a t i n g w i t h energy, and t h e n
q u i c k l y r e l a x o r " l e t go," you a c h i e v e p e r f e c t r e l a x a t i o n . P r a c t i c e t h e
f o l l o w i n g any t i m e a need i s f e l t f o r r e l a x a t i o n o r f o r h e a l i n g o f t h e
body p a r t i n v o l v e d .
1.
( a ) Tense t h e r i g h t arm u n t i l it v i b r a t e s .
( b ) Keeping t h e elbow a t t h e s i d e , l i f t t h e f o r e a r m u n t i l t h e
f i s t is a t the s h o u l d e r , a s i f l i f t i n g a weight o f 5 t o 25
pounds.
( c ) Relax and l e t t h e arm down.
( d ) Repeat t h e e x e r c i s e w i t h t h e l e f t forearm, and t h e n cont i n u e , a l t e r n a t i n g t h e r i g h t and l e f t arms. Then p r a c t i c e
l i f t i n g and l o w e r i n g b o t h arms s i m u l t a n e o u s l y .
2.
( a ) With t h e arms o u t s t r e t c h e d a t t h e s i d e s s o t h a t t h e y a r e
p a r a l l e l t o t h e ground, and w i t h t h e palms of t h e c l o s e d
f i s t s t u r n e d upward, t e n s e b o t h arms u n t i l t h e y v i b r a t e .
( b ) Bending t h e arms a t t h e elbows, b r i n g t h e f i s t s toward
t h e shoulder.
P u l l w i t h enough t e n s i o n t o v i b r a t e , a s i f
you were p u l l i n g a heavy weight from b o t h s i d e s .
( c ) Relax, d r o p p i n g t h e arms a t t h e s i d e s .
Repeat .
3.
( a ) With t h e arms o u t s t r e t c h e d sideways, p a r a l l e l t o t h e
ground, e x h a l e and b r i n g t h e arms forward u n t i l t h e palms
t o u c h , a t t h e same t i m e r e l a x i n g a l l t h e body p a r t s .
( b ) I n h a l e , t e n s i n g a l l of t h e t w e n t y body p a r t s and o u t s t r e t c h i n g t h e arms t o t h e s t a r t i n g p o s i t i o n .
( c ) Relax, d r o p p i n g t h e arms and e x h a l i n g s l o w l y .
Repeat.
4.
(a) From a standing position, grasp t h e arms of a c h a i r .
(b) Exhale, relaxing and dropping quickly t o a squatting posit i o n , w i t h t h e buttocks r e s t i n g on t h e heels.
( c ) Inhale and tense t h e body, counting 1 t o 2 0 .
(d) S t i l l holding t h e tension, stand up and v i b r a t e w i t h tension.
( e ) Exhale, relaxing and dropping once more t o .the squatting
position.
Repeat.
Proper e a t i n g i s a v i t a l f a c t o r i n overcoming a l l problems
concerning health, beauty, youthfulness, and reducing o r
increasing weight; but very often a problem remains f o r t h e
v i t a l force t o solve d e f i n i t e l y and quickly, by e f f e c t i n g a healinq.
Hence t h e following exercises, which involve conscious application of
t h e v i t a l force i n t h e body, w i l l be found t o be immensely b e n e f i c i a l t o
any weak t i s s u e s o r body organs.
HEALING
EXERCISES
To remove pain from an arm o r a leg, o r t o strengthen a limb, o r t o
rejuvenate t i r e d muscles, p r a c t i c e t h e following technique on t h e affected muscle o r body p a r t :
( a ) Contract t h e muscle (or muscles) gently w i t h deep a t t e n t i o n
while exhaling t h e breath t o a count of 1 t o 20.
(b) Release contraction of muscles and inhale.
Repeat s i x times, practicing i n t h e morning and whenever
e l s e it may be necessary. Weak calves or thighs may be
strengthened by t h e p r a c t i c e of t h i s technique.
EXERCISE FOR THE KNEES
( a ) Squat down, s i t t i n g on t h e heels, and exhale.
(b) Quickly stand up and inhale.
( c ) Holding t h e breath, gently contract o r tense t h e muscles of
t h e whole body.
(d) Exhale and relax.
Repeat 1 0 times, morning and night.
TWO EXERCISES FOR THE SPINE
1.
(a) S i t t i n g e r e c t on a chair, r o t a t e t h e head counterclockwise
5 times.
(b) Rotate t h e head clockwise 5 times.
2.
( a ) S i t e r e c t , on a chair, and put interlocked hands a t t h e
back of t h e head.
(b) Quickly jerk t h e head and spine back.
( c ) R e l e a s e t h e hands and bend o v e r , t o u c h i n g t h e t o e s w i t h t h e
hands.
Repeat 6 t i m e s , morning and e v e n i n g .
FOR DIGESTIVE POWER
( a ) Exhale, k e e p i n g t h e b r e a t h o u t .
( b ) While t h e b r e a t h i s o u t , c o n t r a c t abdomen and stomach, conc e n t r a t i n g d e e p l y upon t h e n a v e l . Count 1 t o 20.
( c ) R e l e a s e c o n t r a c t i o n o f stomach and abdomen and i n h a l e .
Repeat 6 t o 12 t i m e s , morning and n i g h t .
when stomach i s empty.
P r a c t i c e only
FOR HEADACHES
( a ) P r e s s t h e palm of one hand a g a i n s t t h e back o f t h e h e a d and
p r e s s t h e o t h e r palm v e r y l i g h t l y on t h e f o r e h e a d .
( b ) I n h a l e , and h o l d b r e a t h , w h i l e w i t h d e e p e s t a t t e n t i o n
g e n t l y c o n t r a c t i n g t h e muscles a t t h e t o p of t h e h e a d .
( c ) Exhale and r e l e a s e c o n t r a c t i o n .
Repeat 4 t o 6 t i m e s d u r i n g h e a d a c h e s .
( a ) Exhale, k e e p i n g t h e b r e a t h o u t .
( b ) C o n t r a c t t h e muscles o f t h e head g e n t l y , h o l d i n g f u l l
c o n c e n t r a t i o n t h e r e and c o u n t i n g 1 t o 15.
(c) Inhale, r e l e a s i n g t h e c o n t r a c t i o n of t h e muscles.
Repeat 6 times .
FOR THE NERVES
(a) Inhale, holding t h e breath.
( b ) G e n t l y c o n t r a c t t h e e n t i r e body, a l l m u s c l e s a t o n c e .
( c ) Hold t h e c o n t r a c t i o n f o r a c o u n t of 1 t o 20, w i t h d e e p
a t t e n t i o n on t h e e n t i r e body.
( d ) Exhale, r e l e a s i n g t h e c o n t r a c t i o n .
Repeat 3 times, a t any t i m e you f e e l weak and n e r v o u s .
FOR THE EYES
( a ) Exhale, k e e p i n g t h e b r e a t h o u t .
( b ) With t h e e y e s c l o s e d , c o n t r a c t t h e e y e l i d s and brows v e r y
lightly.
Hold t h e c o n t r a c t i o n o f t h e eyes w i t h deep c o n c e n t r a t i o n ,
counting 1 t o 20.
(d) Release t h e c o n t r a c t i o n and i n h a l e .
(c)
Repeat 7 t i m e s , morning and n i g h t .
AFFIRMATION
I w i l l e a t wisely, exercise properly,
keep good company, perform
good deeds, keep a c l e a r conscience, and l i v e i n h e a l t h f u l s u r r o u n d i n g s .
I w i l l l e a r n t o s m i l e , e s p e c i a l l y when t h i n g s go wrong, and t h u s - - l e a r n i n g
t o s m i l e always- - I w i l l i n s t i l l new l i f e i n t o my body c e l l s , which a r e
t h e b u i l d e r s and s u s t a i n e r s of my f l e s h l y mansion.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
A
S- 2 P-35
o Coovriaht t956 bv SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
~ o & r i a h t renewed 1984 bv SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3 8 8 0 ' ~ a ~ ~ a fAvenue,
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LO^ Angeles, California 90065
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PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
DIVINE JOY
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
0 F a t h e r , ble s s u s with Thine intoxicating, e v e r -new,
joyous, supremely satisfying communion. Teach u s to
drink Thee, that e v e r y blood c e l l , every thought, and every
feeling may become saturated with Thy joy and have t h e i r
pleasure -thir s t quenched f o r e v e r .
After we have tasted Thee, lead u s to temptation, if Thou
wilt. After we a r e s u r e of Thy m o s t tempting everlasting gift
of Thyself, then t e s t u s with a l l Thy temptations, if Thou wilt.
But bless u s f i r s t with the light of godly habits, so that
whenever the d a r k n e s s of bad habits approaches it will be
spontaneously driven away. Teach u s t o be so attached to
Thee that we cannot be a t a l l attracted t o m a t e r i a l p l e a s u r e s .
Millions love m a t t e r because they m e e t it f i r s t . Millions
do not love Thee because they know not of Thine alluring love.
Teach u s by Thy love to conquer a l l love f o r worldly life.
Divine Beloved, why dost Thou not come f i r s t in human
life ? 0 F a t h e r , how c a n s t Thou expect f r a i l souls, ignorant
of Thee and burdened with bad habits, t o know Thine a l l healing joy ?
Of a l l Thy punishments, the g r e a t e s t i s forgetfulness of
Thee.
PRAYER
0 God, Thou Holy, C r e a t i v e , Vibratory F o r c e , t e a c h m e t o
m a k e a bouquet of the variously hued f l o w e r s of f i l i a l , conjugal,
f r i e n d l y , and p a r e n t a l l o v e s , and to lay it on the a l t a r of m y h e a r t
w h e r e Thou r e i g n e s t .
SPIRITUALIZING THE CREATIVE FORCE
T o help the propagation of the s p e c i e s , Nature h a s implanted in the
human body the c r e a t i v e i m p u l s e . It i s t h e r e f o r e one of the s t r o n g e s t i n s t i n c t s
and impelling f o r c e s in m a n , and Nature t a k e s a silent and awful revenge on
t h o s e that m i s u s e o r t r i f l e with h e r holy method of c r e a t i o n . The "fig leaf"
c o n s c i o u s n e s s of evil t h a t t r i e s t o t h r o w a v e i l of unholiness on t h i s c r e a t i v e
principle h a s brought a g r e a t d e a l of m o r a l and m a t e r i a l suffering into the
world. The c r e a t i v e principle h a s a twofold purpose. When it i s d i r e c t e d
toward t h e n e r v e s embedded in the g e n e r a t i v e a r e a , m a n f e e l s a n instinctive
d e s i r e to c r e a t e physically. When i t i s lifted up through the spine t o the
brain, i t f r e e s m a n of the d e s i r e f o r s e x c r e a t i o n and c o n f e r s on h i m divine
illumination and power. M i s u s e of t h i s c r e a t i v e power f o r s e n s e p l e a s u r e
m a k e s one matter- bound, groveling in the mud of the s e n s e s .
Man i s not culpable f o r the c r e a t i v e i m p u l s e ,
which is n a t u r e - b o r n . P e r s o n s who a r e unable to
c o n t r o l t h i s - - n a t u r e ' s m o s t powerful f o r c e f o r
propagating the human s p e c i e s - - a r e blamed by society; yet they a r e not
taught how to govern t h i s instinct instead of being governed by it. Not even
lifelong intellectual o r m e d i c a l study will enable the student t o c o n t r o l t h i s
instinct. The p r a c t i c a l method of controlling it should be taught. Daily
e x e r c i s e and p r o p e r d i e t a r e important a i d s t o self- control. Eat little o r no
m e a t ; have nuts and o t h e r p r o p e r s u b s t i t u t e s f o r i t , and a n abundance of r a w
vegetable s and f r u i t s
HOW T O REGULATE
CREATIVE IMPULSE
.
One should know that during physical p a s s i o n t h e r e a r e five c o u r s e s open
to the individual:
1.
Dissipation of c r e a t i v e e n e r g y - -the u s u a l p r a c t i c e - -which i s
u n n e c e s s a r y , weakening, and a c a u s e of d i s e a s e and p r e m a t u r e
old a g e .
2.
Using the c r e a t i v e energy f o r the physical c r e a t i o n of a child.
3.
Using t h e energy f o r c r e a t i n g " s p i r i t u a l b r a i n c h i l d r e n , " i. e. ,
converting the c r e a t i v e energy into thought power by sublimation and transmutation. It i s not n e c e s s a r y ( a s some imagine)
to d i s s i p a t e the c r e a t i v e energy; r a t h e r , a t the moment of
p a s s i o n , one should immediately engage h i s mind i n c r e a t i v e
work: a r t i s t i c , l i t e r a r y , inventive, o r business work- -whichever
is t h e m o s t i n t e r e s t i n g t o him. To follow t h i s plan is t o d i v e r t
the c r e a t i v e energy into brain channels and t o convert it into
higher f o r m s of intellectual and s p i r i t u a l expression.
4.
Using t h e c r e a t i v e energy i n s p o r t s o r strenuous physical
e x e r c i s e ; f o r example, the running e x e r c i s e in L e s s o n 34.
Withdrawing t h e energy, through b r e a t h , f r o m the c r e a t i v e
o r g a n s upward into the region of the medulla oblongata. P u t
your mind on the a r e a in the body where the generative o r g a n s
a r e located and d r a w a deep breath slowly, thinking of the breath
a s s t a r t i n g f r o m t h a t p a r t i c u l a r a r e a . Imagine t h a t with the
inhaling b r e a t h you a r e r e v e r s i n g the downward flow of the life
energy, drawing i t f r o m the coccyx, upward through the spine
t o the spot between the eyebrows. Hold breath and mind in
between t h e e y e b r o w s , mentally counting one to twenty-five o r
m o r e ( o r a s long a s you c a n hold breath comfortably), and
think of yourself a s absorbing t h e passion and life c u r r e n t into
the r e s e r v o i r of life energy p r e s e n t between the eyebrows and
medulla oblongata. Then exhale and r e l a x , f r e e i n g your self
f r o m the bondage of passion. Repeat the foregoing method
t h r e e t i m e s with c l o s e d e y e s . During relaxation, always think
of t h e physical instinct a s having been expelled f r o m t h e body.
Do not seek solitude. This i s the teaching of the g r e a t s c r i p t u r e s of India.
SPIRITUAL
MARRIAGE
A husband and wife should be loyal t o each o t h e r and t r y t o
make e a c h o t h e r happy i n e v e r y way. The s p i r i t u a l wife
should not f o r s a k e t h e u n s p i r i t u a l husband, n o r should t h e
s p i r i t u a l husband f o r sake the unspiritual wife - -they should t r y t o influence
and help each o t h e r a s long a s it i s possible t o do so. T h i s l e s s o n i s written
f o r the sole purpose of helping those who wish t o develop m o r a l c h a r a c t e r
and self- control; those who a r e seeking to r e s t o r e harmony in unhappy m a r r i a g e s ; and those wishing t o prevent wrong m a r r i a g e s and d i v o r c e s .
T o t r i f l e with physical passion is to gamble away untold joys of life.
The million c a n d l e s of happiness in the h a l l of life a r e burned a l l a t once by
indi sc retion in m a r r i a g e . The evanescent excitement i n physical communion
i s nothing c o m p a r e d t o the b l i s s that follows by the regulating and the withdrawing of t h i s c r e a t i v e impulse up into the brain region f o r the p r o c r e a t i o n
of s p i r i t u a l and intellectual qualities of love, consideration, divine patience,
sympathy, determination, k e e n n e s s , c a l m n e s s , realization, and knowledge
of the a r t of s p i r i t u a l p r o c r e a t i o n which enables one t o p e r f o r m revolutionizing work i n s p i r i t u a l o r m a t e r i a l life.
In m a r r i e d life, r e s p e c t f o r and t o l e r a n c e of each o t h e r ' s views lead t o
happiness. M a r r i e d people should ref rain f r o m contradicting e a c h other
before o t h e r s and f r o m q u a r r e l i n g between t h e m s e l v e s over little things.
Husbands and wives should n e v e r d i s c u s s t h e i r t r o u b l e s with o t h e r s (excepting of c o u r s e a qualified s p i r i t u a l t e a c h e r o r m a r r i a g e counselor).
Love i s s u p e r i o r t o weakness o r strength in body o r mind, and a s such
should be unconditioned. Love cannot be w r e s t e d f r o m another; it m a y only
be received a s a spontaneous gift. Love g r o w s and t h r i v e s in an a t m o s p h e r e
of t o l e r a n c e , f o r g i v e n e s s , and t r u s t ; it i s m a r r e d by jealousy. In distant
c l o s e n e s s love lives. In wrong f a m i l i a r i t y it d i e s .
The r a t i o between love and physical indulgence i s that the g r e a t e r the
love, the l e s s the physical c r a v i n g , and vice v e r s a . Husband and wife should
f e e l love whenever they s e e each o t h e r , and not t h e physical instinct, o t h e r wise they will m a r c h toward the pitfalls of boredom, dislike, and separation.
A husband should c o n s i d e r h i s wife t o be a c l e a n temple f o r creating and
c a r i n g f o r a new soul. The wife should keep h e r body-temple f r e e f r o m
unclean thoughts. The specific n a t u r e of the m e n t a l s t a t e of p a r e n t s during
t h i s period of c r e a t i o n i s the magnetic f o r c e that d r a w s a p a r t i c u l a r type of
disembodied soul into the m o t h e r ' s body -temple. Thoughts concentrated
upon t h e physical invite sensually inclined souls. Souls with a m o r e highly
developed n a t u r e r e f u s e the invitation of degrading physical attraction.
The Hindu s c r i p t u r e s say that during t h i s period a c u r r e n t of life f o r c e
i s g e n e r a t e d , which s e r v e s a s a door through which disembodied a s t r a l souls
m a y e n t e r . Good souls do not e n t e r through t h i s door of life c u r r e n t i f it h a s
vibrations of low passionate mentality. They t u r n away a t a distance. They
p r e f e r to wait r a t h e r than to take a hasty r e b i r t h in a n undesirable place. So
a l l husbands and wives should r e m e m b e r t o cooperate spiritually, mentally,
and physically in o r d e r to invite a s a c r e d soul into the c e l l temple of s p e r m
and ovum that they c r e a t e . M a r r i e d people should invoke good souls to
c o m e and live with them.
P a r e n t s should p r e p a r e t h e i r minds months i n advance in o r d e r to c r e a t e
a s p i r i t u a l child. During the specific period of c r e a t i o n , thoughts of invoking
a noble soul into a temple of uniting s p e r m and ovum c e l l s must! predominate.
At t h i s t i m e , thought should r e m a i n between the eyebrows, directing the holy
work of c r e a t i o n ; it should n e v e r be allowed to run down and become identified with passion. In m a r r i e d life, adultery i s committed by those living
wholly on the physical plane. Such p e r s o n s a r e punished by boredom, mutual
h a t r e d , and final separation. The c reative instinct i s n a t u r e ' s m e a n s of continuing c r e a t i o n and should not be converted into a play with the s e n s e s . If
the c r e a t i v e instinct is withdrawn f r o m t h e coccygeal region and sent through
the spine to the spot i n the middle of the forehead and brain, it begins to
c r e a t e offspring of s p i r i t u a l realization. M a r r i e d people, a f t e r creating one
o r two c h i l d r e n , should l e a r n how to thus spiritually commuhe and p r o c r e a t e .
Husband and wife should c o n s i d e r t h e i r union a s a union of Nature and S p i r i t ,
of feeling and knowledge. M a r r i a g e i s m e a n t principally f o r s p i r i t u a l union,
and incidentally f o r m a t e r i a l union. E l d e r l y p a r e n t s should commune only
on the s p i r i t u a l plane, intoxicated with mutual love, satisfying physical
c raving s by m e n t a l loving.
ADVICE TO MARRIED AND UNMARRIED P E O P L E
.-
*-
1.
Realize the m i n d ' s power o v e r the body. Undesirable physical
c o n s c i o u s n e s s should be banished by diverting the mind to
a subject o r some w o r k t h a t i s deeply i n t e r e s t i n g t o you.
2.
Undesirable c r e a t i v e i m p u l s e should be regulated f i r s t psychologically and then physiologically. The a t t a c k to gain control
of t h i s impulse m u s t be f r o m within and without.
3.
Avoid anything t h a t s t i m u l a t e s the c r e a t i v e impulse through the
m e d i u m of the s e n s e of sight, touch, and s o f o r t h . M a r r i e d
people would be wise t o dance only with each other.
----*4.
'
Avoid'dwelling upon a n d d i s c u s s i n g undesirable s t o r i e s that uncofisciously f e e d your c r e a t i v e instinct with degrading thoughts.
5.
T r y t o understand t h e physiology of vital p a r t s through the study
of some s t a n d a r d m e d i c a l book.
6.
Boys and g i r l s , m e n and women, should play o r talk o r s e e one
a n o t h e r , not with a physical c o n s c i o u s n e s s , but with the
thought of purity and holy friendship.
7.
R e m e m b e r , overindulgence i n the physical relation in m a r r i e d
life i s a sin. M a r r i a g e i s m e a n t f o r s p i r i t u a l reunion of souls
and not f o r a physical l i c e n s e . Moderation mixed with self discipline and complete m a s t e r y o v e r the c reative impulse
awakens the p o w e r s of s p i r i t u a l perception, and d e m o n s t r a t e s
the highest v i r t u e .
8.
Those u n m a r r i e d people who n e v e r break the law of celibacy c r e a t e
i n t h e m s e l v e s a powerful m a g n e t i s m that will d r a w to each
one a t r u e soul companion, if they d e s i r e to m a r r y . O t h e r s
a t t r a c t wrong companions through the m i s u s e and misguidance
of the c r e a t i v e instinct. Spiritual m a g n e t i s m , if l o s t i n wrong
m a r r i a g e , o r i n u n m a r r i e d life through i n d i s c r e t i o n , c a n be
revived by the right p r a c t i c e of the Self - Realization Fellowship
S- 2 P-35
6
system of charging the body with vital energy, and by right meditation.
Lastly, u n m a r r i e d people can unite the creative nature - force with the
soul- force within t h e m spiritually, by learning the right method of meditation and its application t o physical life. Such people may not have to go
through the experience of m a t e r i a l m a r r i a g e . They m a y l e a r n t o m a r r y
t h e i r feminine physical impulse t o the masculine soul within. Unmarried
people, in seeking a life companion should not wholly depend upon t h e i r own
inclinations, but should consult t h e i r p a r e n t s , and above a l l , p e r s o n s with
t r u e inner vision. The law of cause and effect ( k a r m a ) , if properly applied,
will help a g r e a t d e a l a s a guide to the right union of the opposite sexes. In
India, in m o s t c a s e s , the m a r r i a g e s a r e happy, permanent, successful, and
highly spiritual because the p e r sons concerned live according to the above
principles. Above a l l , r e m e m b e r that m a r r i a g e i s the reunion in the Absolute Spirit, of the divided feeling- and knowledge - nature of God.
THOUGHTS TO LIVE B Y
Spirit, through i t s f o r c e of universal attraction, i s gradually absorbing
all objects c r e a t e d out of Itself by the misguided f o r c e of satanic delusion.
Through the influence of the c r e a t i v e f o r c e projected by God a l l living beings
and human souls have allowed themselves to be lured away f r o m God and
have become attached to m a t t e r .
Yet no soul can be completely l o s t , because of the tremendous attractive
f o r c e of God's love, which i s e v e r calling His truant children back t o Himself.
Those who do not heed His c a l l may be delayed, but none can r e s i s t f o r e v e r
the c a l l of the e t e r n a l bliss -pipings of Spirit.
BUDDHA AND THE COURTESAN--Part 1
In India, Buddha is considered one of the incarnations of God. He lived
about five hundred y e a r s before C h r i s t and was the son of a king of India.
The royal f a t h e r of Gautama (who was l a t e r to become known a s Buddha) had
surrounded the young prince with every conceivable luxury and beauty, and
a r r a n g e d a n idyllic m a r r i a g e f o r h i s son. Gautama thus g r e w into manhood
thinking of the world a s a place of endless happy events.
However, P r i n c e Gautama was curious about the world outside the pala c e g a r d e n s , and one day secretly went out with h i s c h a r i o t e e r to s e e f o r
himself. The handsome youth was shocked t o the very depths of h i s being t o
see f o r the f i r s t t i m e i n h i s life a shriveled-looking old man, a dying man,
and a c o r p s e . He looked a t h i s celestially beautiful, healthy body and asked
the c h a r i o t e e r if h i s body t o o would g r o w old and d e c a y . Re1 uctantly t h e
c h a r i o t e e r s a i d : "0 P r i n c e , a l l h u m a n f l e s h i s s u b j e c t t o s i c k n e s s , d e c r e p i t u d e , and d e a t h . " A f t e r h e a r i n g t h i s , t h e young p r i n c e began t o brood o v e r
t h e d e l u s i o n of e a r t h l y l i f e . One night, while h i s wife a n d child s l e p t ,
G a u t a m a took a l a s t look a t t h e m with t e a r - b e d i m m e d e y e s and l e f t in q u e s t
of T r u t h which would f r e e mankind f o r e v e r f r o m s o r r o w a n d suffering and
which would give h i m c o m p l e t e u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e m y s t e r y of life and
death.
The p r i n c e p r a c t i c e d m a n y a u s t e r i t i e s p r e s c r i b e d by Hindu y o g i s . He
i s s a i d t o h a v e spent s e v e n y e a r s i n f a s t i n g and o t h e r s p i r i t u a l d i s c i p l i n e s .
At l a s t , while m e d i t a t i n g u n d e r a banyan t r e e i n Bodh Gaya, I n d i a , h e found
i l l u m i n a t i o n . Then h e a t e , and n o u r i s h e d h i s body, and began t o p r e a c h in
India h i s g o s p e l of m e r c y and e q u a l love f o r a l l c r e a t u r e s , m a n and a n i m a l
a l i k e . He taught c o m p l e t e r e n u n c i a t i o n ; the goal: a t t a i n m e n t of n i r v a n a
(the s t a t e of d e s i r e l e s s n e s s o r f r e e d o m f r o m r e i n c a r n a t i o n ) . L a t e r , h i s
m i s s i o n a r i e s s p r e a d t h e g o s p e l of Buddha a l l o v e r India, J a p a n , China, and
o t h e r p a r t s of the w o r l d .
T h e s t a t e of n i r v a n a , o r c e s s a t i o n of d u a l i s t i c e x i s t e n c e , i s often m i s i n t e r p r e t e d a s annihilation of t h e s e l f . Buddha, h o w e v e r , m e a n t annihilation
of the deluded ego, o r p s e u d o s e l f ; t h e l i t t l e self m u s t be o v e r c o m e i n o r d e r
t
h a t t h e r e a l , e t e r n a l_ Self m
a ya c h i e-ve l -i b-e.-ration f r o m human incarnation.
-~ i d d h a ' ~d;o c t r i n e , with i t s e m p h a s i s on a negative s t a t e of- b e i n g (annihilation of t h e ego o r l i t t l e s e l f ) a s t h e g o a l of u l t i m a t e a t t a i n m e n t , w a s l a t e r s u p planted in India by the d o c t r i n e of S w a m i S h a n k a r a , f o u n d e r of t h e g r e a t
m o n a s t i c S w a m i O r d e r , who taught t h a t t h e g o a l of life i s the p o s i t i v e a t t a i n m e n t of t h e " e v e r - c o n s c i o u s , e v e r - e x i s t i n g , e v e r - n e w l y b l i s s f u l s t a t e ~f
o n e n e s s with S p i r i t . "
<-
-
( T o be continued)
AFFIRMATION
Teach m e to discipline m y s e n s e s ,
and t o s u b s t i t u t e f o r f l e s h t e m p t a t i o n the
g r e a t e r t e m p t a t i o n of s o u l h a p p i n e s s .
Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson
"Thy Self-realization will blossom forth from thy soulful study"
S- 2 P - 3 6
@ Copyright 1956 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, Founder
All Rights Reserved (FOR MEMBER'S USE ONLY)
s Copyright renewed 1984 by SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
3880 San Rafael Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90065
INVINCIBLE LION O F THE S E L F
By P a r a m a h a n s a Yogananda
A cub of the Divine Lion, somehow I found
myself confined in a sheepfold of f r a i l t i e s and
l i m i t a t i o n s . F e a r -filled, living long with s h e e p ,
day a f t e r day I bleated. I forgot m y affrighting
bellow t h a t banishes a l l enemy s o r r o w s .
0 Invincible Lion of the Self! Thou d i d s t d r a g
t o t h e w a t e r hole of meditation, saying: "Thou
a lion, not a sheep ! Open thine e y e s , and r o a r ! "
After Thy h a r d shakings of s p i r i t u a l u r g e , I
gazed into the c r y s t a l pool of p e a c e . L o , I saw m y
f a c e like unto Thine !
I know now that I a m a lion of c o s m i c power.
Bleating no m o r e , I shake the e r r o r f o r e s t with r e v e r berations of Thine almighty voice. In divine f r e e d o m
I bound through the jungle of e a r t h l y d e l u s i o n s , devour ing the l i t t l e c r e a t u r e s of vexing w o r r i e s and t i m i d i t i e s , and the wild hyenas of disbelief.
0 Lion of L i b e r a t i o n , e v e r send through m e Thy
r o a r of all- conquering c o u r a g e !
- - F r o m " Whispers f r o m E t e r n i t y "
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PRAYER
As Thy f r e e b o r n offspring, I want t o t r a i n and u s e m y own will;
but only with Thy guidance, 0 F a t h e r ! May a l l m y activities lead
m e c l o s e r t o Thy p a r a d i s e of all- fulfillment.
I would be Thy happy child of Infinitude, realizing t h a t in the
divine plan Thy s o n s w e r e not m e a n t t o live in a desolation of f r u i t l e s s a s p i r a t i o n s and withered hope s .
T e a c h m e t o break t h e shameful c o r d s of lethargy. May I blaze
m y way t i r e l e s s l y through the w i l d e r n e s s of limitations into the F a i r
New Land.
WHY YOU HAVEN'T CHANGED AS YOU WISHED
Almost everyone f e e l s a t t i m e s that he is not making any i n n e r p r o g r e s s ;
that he i s not changing o r improving, in spite of h i s e f f o r t s . Various f a c t o r s
m a y hold u s back. We have to analyze life t o d e t e r m i n e what those f a c t o r s m a y
be. It is n e c e s s a r y f i r s t t o think back o v e r o n e ' s childhood, t o the t i m e when
f i r s t began t o dawn the c o n s c i o u s n e s s t h a t t h i s life is a s e r i e s of changing conditions imposed on u s . Very e a r l y in life we become a w a r e that c e r t a i n changes,
c e r t a i n environments into which we have been thrown, a r e congenial; they tally
with o u r i n n e r i d e a s of c o m f o r t and p l e a s u r e , and we like t h e m . We a l s o d i s c o v e r that c e r t a i n o t h e r conditions a r i s i n g f r o m t i m e t o t i m e t h w a r t o u r d e s i r e s
and c a u s e u s d i s c o m f o r t and unhappiness. One n a t u r a l l y wants t o eliminate
those conditions that he finds uncongenial, and t o bring about those that m a k e
h i m happy. With the growing realization t h a t life i s a s e r i e s of changes, we
a l s o become a w a r e that we have to go e i t h e r backward o r f o r w a r d a s we adapt
o u r s e l v e s t o e a c h new change. It i s i m p o s s i b l e t o r e m a i n stationary. A m a n
i m m e r s e d i n t h e ocean h a s t o k e e p moving; otherwise he will drown. T o avoid
drowning i n the ocean of life a l s o n e c e s s i t a t e s constant change on o u r p a r t .
Any change in oneself t h a t p r o m o t e s happiness and well- being i s good,
w h e r e a s changes t h a t bring unhappiness a r e not good. Anything t h a t i s painfulmentally, physically, o r spiritually- -ought t o be eliminated. However, much a s
a p e r s o n wants t o avoid unsavory e x p e r i e n c e s in l i f e , often he does not know how
t o prevent s u c h c h a n g e s - - h e d o e s not r e a l i z e t h a t h i s own previous actions and
attitudes have invited them. F r o m the v e r y beginning of life one m a y have suff e r e d f r o m f e a r , o r sensitivity, o r n e r v o u s n e s s , o r a n g e r o r s o m e such weakn e s s without being p a r t i c u l a r l y a w a r e of t h e extent of i t . Then suddenly t h e r e
a r i s e s a situation t h a t brings f o r t h t h e realization that one h a s a n uncontrollable
t e m p e r , o r a strong sexual n a t u r e , o r a tendency t o be g r e e d y , o r t o fight with
people a l l t h e t i m e ; o r t o be moody, touchy, too f r i v o l o u s , o r too s e r i o u s .
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