A friend of ours recently showed us a wonderful quote that we wanted to share with you:
When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties, and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.
These words are from Patanjali, and were written by the ancient exponent of yoga about 300 BC. Yet they are so vibrant and alive that he could have said them yesterday. For us they describe the experience of building Ananda and spreading Paramhansa Yogananda’s mission: the excitement of watching ordinary people become extraordinary when they do something they believe in.
Often in our blogs we’ve written about some inspiring project from Ananda and invite you to join us in the effort. One reader recently wrote us saying, “I don’t understand what you mean? How I can join you from where I am? What can I do?” A fair question.
What we mean is for you to find “some great purpose” in your own life — serve others, spread peace to those around you, seek God, whatever inspires you — and devote yourself to this goal. We mean to join us by finding the deeper purpose of your life, and then give it all you have. This effort will help you discover “yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed of.”
Swami Kriyananda’s life is dynamic testimony to this principle. At the age of 22 he met Master, and now at 85, he continues his life’s great purpose of spreading Yogananda’s teachings that he began 63 years ago.
At his recent talk in Delhi, India on “The Importance of Dharma in Today’s Practical World,” Swamiji spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of 1500 people. Currently India is plagued by corruption in both government and business that is crippling the efforts to improve the standard of living for millions.
Swamiji received an ovation when he exhorted the audience: “It is your destiny to put out the energy to attract wealth to your country, but do it dharmically. Then India will once again take its role as the guru of the world.”
Currently Swamiji is releasing his newest book: Paramhansa Yogananda — A Biography with Personal Reflections and Reminiscences. A major book launch took place in Mumbai, India; and soon in Rome, Italy; and in Los Angeles, California on June 24.
We want to make sure that this wonderful book gets the wide readership that it deserves. The biography will be placed on the front store displays of Barnes and Noble’s 270 top stores nationwide. And we’re taking out a large ad in The New York Times Book Review, which is read by millions.
We share this news in part because it’s inspiring, but also to show you the power of dedication to “some great purpose.” Find your own and draw strength from the spiritual heroes who have walked before you. Swamiji writes in his new biography: “Yogananda was a towering giant among saints — one of those few who come from age to age, having been sent by God with the divine mission of guiding mankind out of the fogs of delusion into the clear light of divine understanding.”
So rejoice in Patanjali’s statement: “Expand your consciousness and find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world.”
With divine love and friendship,
Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi
Related
- Video: The Importance of Dharma in Today’s Practical World — A talk by Swami Kriyananda, 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Paramhansa Yogananda — A Biography with Personal Reflections and Reminiscences — The new book by Swami Kriyananda
28 Comments
Thank you friends for this simple reminder.
Inspiring, inspiring, inspiring! There is so much joy in joining in Master’s dynamic mission! I believe this book will reach many wonderful souls. When I shared a story from it with the Sunday School class at Ananda Village, the children responded with great interest. They were able to later reenact the entire story without any prompting- such was their absorption of what they had heard. The beautiful cover will help it to fly off the shelves!
Dear Ones,
Thanks for sharing the story. These teachings truly are like having a life raft on the ocean of delusion.
Blessings
Gopal
These works are a conucopia of peace, love, bliss and serenity. Thank you. May Paramahansa’s work live in all of us. Long live Anandha Sangha Long Live.
It’s hard, if not impossible, to imagine this world without Ananda and what Swamiji has given to us through it. To be a part of this world-changing movement is the greatest blessing.
Thank you, Jyotish and Devi….Jai guru, Jai swamiji.
Dear friends,
This is one of those times when I could swear you wrote your monthly article just for me! The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as we’re expanding to embrace a new project that currently feels equal parts inspiring and pretty darn scary. :-) This quote is going to be a huge help as we move forward.
In love & gratitude,
Bhagavati
i bought several books lately from crystal clarity
written by Swami kriyananda and Yogananda the books are brilliant (i love the spirituality and relationship book by Yogananda – its more advanced than much else ive read in personal development in my opinion) conversations with Yogananda is also really in depth without being dry
Thank you for all you do.
I totally agree. After reading AY in college, I sought a path of right livelihood. At age 21 began working in the natural food movement and have been at it for 37 years so far, helping transform the US diet to be more health conscious.
My main goal is to live my life such that our Guru would be pleased with how I am living in this incarnation. Om Shanti!
I would like to buy both the new Biography and the blue edition of Autobiography of a Yogi in e-book format for my iPad.
Are these available?
Thank you! I wouldn’t have imagined those words to come from Patanjali – amazing! It certainly seems to capture what we are feeling now in so many areas here at Ananda Village.
Wonderful and inspiring! Thankyou.
Dear swami kriyanandaji
Pranams and congratulations for such an inspiring and wonderful book . The biography in all humility brings out the paramahansa quality. I was very moved and felt his presence thru it. I am a seeker who is continuously seeking I don’t have too many answers but, I always go back to his autobiography for comfort. I hope to meet you soon swamiji
Warm regards
Sharada mylandla
Chennai. India
thank you for the words, they mean alot to me because i don’t feel that that alot of the time, or any time.