Transcending Ego

Karma's unalterable decrees govern human destiny only as long as man continues to live through his senses, in reaction to outer events. For such a person, moral reasoning is centered in ego-consciousness. Scriptural learning is centered in ego-consciousness. Self-pitying tears are centered in ego-consciousness. Ego-consciousness is the problem. The great its hold on the mind, the greater karma's hold on our lives.

Cosmic Law is no irrationally tyrant, however. Its judgments are not inflicted mindlessly on a cowering and helpless humanity. Every consequence ordained by Divine Law is right and just; it springs from deeper realities in human nature itself, and is meted out for deeds already committed. Is it not reasonable, indeed, that we reap the just results of our own actions?

Once the ego has been transcended in soul-consciousness, however, the realm of karmic law is transcended also. The soul remains forever unaffected, for karmic consequences accrue only to the ego. They are dissipated when no centripetal vortex is left to bring them to a focus in the consciousness of "I" and "mine."

In Self-realization, the soul is released at last from its bondage to karmic law. Even the good actions performed by great saints spread outward, like ripples of light, in blessing to all mankind.

- Karma and Reincarnation: The Wisdom of Yogananda, Volume 2 (v. 2) by Paramhansa Yogananda

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Good Karma

This life is like a movie, and just like in an exciting movie, there has to be a villain so we will learn to love the hero. If you imitate the villain's behavior, however, you will receive his punishment. It's all a dream, but ask yourselves, why live a bad dream by creating bad karma?

With good karma, you get to enjoy the dream. Good karma also makes you want, in time, to wake up from the dream. Bad karma, on the other hand, darkens the mind and keeps it bound to the dreaming process.

From a mountaintop, one sees clearly the whole country-side, and also the open sky above. From the heights it is natural to want to soar even higher, far above the earth. in the fog-bound valley below, however, the most that one aspires to may be only to climb a little bit higher.

- Karma and Reincarnation: The Wisdom of Yogananda, Volume 2 (v. 2) by Paramhansa Yogananda

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Inner Harmony Breeds Strength

Inner harmony is a prolific source of power; it breeds strength. Things that you think you are unable to bear, you can not only bear but change and improve. To you is given the power that can move the world and alter the face of fate despite inharmonious outer circumstances. Cervantes wrote his famous Don Quixote in a prison cell, as did Sir Walter Raleigh his history.

Harmony conserves mental energy; disharmony dissipates it. If the mind is a battleground of thoughts fighting against thoughts, without decision, without concord, enough energy is consumed that could instead have rebuilt life ideally. Maintain harmony of thought, and more power will be granted unto you; allow opposing forces to pull at you from different directions, and progress is reduced almost to zero. Be wise and use constructively your God-given energy, both mentally and physically.

- Journey to Self-Realization - Collected Talks and Essays. Volume 3 by Paramahansa Yogananda

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Spiritual Resurrection

Life is glorious; life is beautiful, if you will only find God beneath the debris of matter. You must not be hypnotized by this changing picture of life and death, but behold immortality. It is the most joyous thing that you can experience. God is hidden behind the moon and the sun and the stars. Your very conscience is the voice of God. And there is no other way to uncover God except by real devotion and meditation.

Every day, resurrect yourself in meditation. Compare your state before and after meditation. Meditate deeply if you would know God. Let your evil habits, indifference, and restlessness die daily.

Resurrection means relaxation, to relax awareness from your body and mind in meditation. Then you become free: your soul knows that you can live without the body though still living in the body; it is separate.

Human life may be beautiful, but it is like a bird's life in a cage. You open the cage door, but the bird does not way to fly away. It is afraid - and we, also, in meditation, say, "Will I slip into the Infinite and never come back?" We are afraid of the vast sky. We have lived identified too long with the body, and are afraid of our own infinite omnipresence, afraid to resurrect our omnipotence, our omniscience.

You do not know what joy lies beyond the screen of the subsconscious mind. If you do away with the restlessness and sensations of the body, sit quietly, and say: "In the Heaven of Silence, O God, be born within me," then on the alter of silence He will come. The joy of God is indescribable - joy that no changing dream of life and death can ever take away from you.

- Karma and Reincarnation: The Wisdom of Yogananda, Volume 2 (v. 2) by Paramhansa Yogananda

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Thoughts Can Be More Effective Than Words

Never speak harshly under the fire of jealousy. The mouth can be like a cannon, and speech more damaging than any exploding shell. Be discriminate in your use of words. People do not like to be told their faults. If guidance or constructive criticism isn't welcome, withhold your words. Otherwise, the more you say, the worse you may make the situation.

Thoughts can sometimes be more effective than words. The human mind is the most powerful broadcasting machine there is. If you constantly broadcast positive thoughts with love, those thoughts will have an effect on others. (Similarly, if you broadcast jealousy or hatred, others receive those thoughts and respond accordingly).

Ask God to put His power behind your efforts. If, for instance, it is the husband that is going astray, the wife should pray to God: "Lord, help me to help my husband. Keep all taint of jealousy and resentment out of my heart. I only pray that he realize his error and change. Lord, be with him; and bless me that I do my part."

If your communion with God is deep, you will see that person change. The more errant a person is, the greater kindness you should give. Instead of succumbing to jealousy and fear of losing a loved one, strive for right attitude and behavior, keep yourself physically attractive, and be strong mentally and spiritually.

- Journey to Self-Realization - Collected Talks and Essays. Volume 3 by Paramahansa Yogananda

Cosmic Harmony Is The Pulsating Heart of God

Love and forbearance are essential to the growth of harmony. Love nurtures all things that grow; it harmonizes and unites. Hatred agitates and separates; and indifference destroys what could have been made good and beneficial. Love is harmony and harmony is love. Hearts that do not love are never visited by angels of harmony.

Love is the highest, the grandest, the most inspiring, the most sublime principle in creation. All human souls, the world, the whole universe, are attuned to the cosmic eternal harmony of love. Disharmony arises from ignorance of this divine unity, which is the heart of God pulsating in everything He has created. He is the love that flows through caring hearts, and the bliss that expresses as joy in all souls.

A Hindu sage said, "People have time to worry and to suffer, but feel they have no time to meditate and work toward being truly happy."

Throw off indifference and cultivate love, forbearance, and wisdom. Build your joys on the sure foundation of inner harmony. Cherish no though that does not harmonize with the love and lawful ideals of God. Thus will your whole life be flooded with the light and bliss of the Divine Harmony.

- Journey To Self-Realization by Paramahansa Yogananda

What Is Karma?

If we accept the principle of cause and effect in Nature, and of action and reaction in physics, how can we not believe that this natural law extends also to human beings? Once consciousness is understood as basic to everything the question begs to be asked: Do not humans, too, belong to the natural order?

Such is the law of karma: As you sow, so shall you reap. If you sow evil, you will reap evil in the form of suffering. And if you sow goodness, you will reap goodness in the form of inner joy.

To understand karma, you must realize that thoughts are things. The very universe, in the final analysis, is composed not of matter but of consciousness. Matter responds, far more than most people realize, to the power of thought. For will power directs energy, and energy in turn acts upon matter. Matter, indeed, is energy.

Every action, every thought, reaps its own corresponding rewards. Human suffering is not a sign of God's, or Nature's, anger with mankind. It is a sign, rather, of man's ignorance of divine law.

The law is forever infallible in its workings.

- Karma & Reincarnation by Paramhansa Yogananda

"Whatever Is Not Mine, Let It Go!"

Why be jealous? If you give someone your love and it is not appreciated, if that person does not want you, or gives to another the recognition you think you deserve, jealousy certainly will not hold that person or cure the strain in the relationship.

Making prisoners of one another with jealousy and demands will certainly not produce happiness. Successful relationships can grow only in trust and love. Love survives in respect, usefulness, and freedom from possessiveness.

So what is the remedy? Any time jealousy tries to bind you, make strong affirmations: "I am free from the bondage of jealousy and fear. Whatever is mine will be mine; whatever is not mine, let it go!" When you will be free from all jealousy and fear, your life will be wonderful. You can be free.

What is yours will be yours, and what is not meant for you would not make you happy. Fulfillment lies in constantly improving yourself so that instead of your seeking others, others will seek you. Give love and friendship without expecting or demanding anything in return. Expectation will make you a victim of misery.

Even while striving to improve yourself, learn to stand alone, secure in your own virtues and self-worth. If you want others to believe in you, remember, it isn't only your worlds that have an effect, but what you are and what you feel within - what is in your soul.

Always strive to be an angel within, no matter how others behave. Be sincere, kind, loving, and understanding. Anyone who does not respond to goodness is not worthy of your attention. Even if you have to lose a loved one, it is better to let him go thinking of you as an angel rather than as a green-eyed monster of jealousy. Leave with that person a beautiful thought of your love, and that love will ever remain in his heart.

- Journey To Self-Realization by Paramahansa Yogananda

There Is A Time to Remain Quiet but Firm

In your efforts to get along with others, do not be a doormat or everyone will want to run your life for you. If they cannot dominate you, they get angry; and if you listen to them and do their bidding, you become spineless. Then how are you to behave? When you find resistance to your ideals, the best way is to just remain quiet but firm. Say nothing. Do not get angry.

Verbal punch after punch you may get, but do not permit it to provoke you. Refuse to quarrel. Eventually those persons will understand that you do not mean to anger them, but at the same time you have your own good reasons for not wanting to do what they request of you.

When people lose their tempers, get away from them until they are calmer. If you can get together and talk out your problems, it is wonderful. Communication is vital. But if anyone just wants to fight, go out again and take a longer walk. Refuse to fight.

No one can quarrel with you if you noncooperate. Never supply more fuel to anyone's anger. The angry person is satisfied only if he can make you angry too.

I can work with anyone, though I don't care to be with those who don't know how to live in harmony. When someone has made up his mind to win a point, let him have the victory - it is a hollow victory. Don't argue. Great men seldom argue; they smile and say, "I don't think so," but they don't fight.

- Journey to Self-Realization by Paramahansa Yogananda

Getting Along With Others Begins at Home

While learning to get along with yourself, you should also practice the art of getting along with others - a great but difficult art.

Begin in your own home with the persons with whom you live. There is a saying: a street angel and a house devil. If you learn to get along with those in your own home, you will be better equipped to get along with the rest of the world. You need to correct your own behavior and attitude. If you instead try to escape from those who rile you, your temper and passions will nevertheless cling to you; wherever you go, you will continue to have difficulties. Why not cure your difficulties here and now?

First of all, whenever you have problems with others look to yourself; blame yourself if that is where the fault lies. Do deep thinking and see if your behavior is right; see if you deserve the criticism of others. And remember, example speaks louder than words.

If you want to change someone else, change yourself first. If you want to teach someone else to get along with others, set the example. Getting along with human beings means getting along with God, provided those human beings are not behaving unjustly toward you. Jesus was unjustly persecuted. But if persons justly criticize you, that means you have yet to make greater effort to correct yourself.

- Journey To Self-Realization by Paramahansa Yogananda