For many years Paramhansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi has been a source of inspiration and guidance for me. Not only because of the wisdom, love, and joy that radiate from every page, but also because it has repeatedly served as a living channel to answer specific questions in my life.
When I’m at a loss for the proper course of action or the right understanding in a particular situation, I hold this book, pray to Master to speak to me, open it randomly three times, and see which passage stands out on each of the pages. Although this practice hasn’t worked in all my attempts, the number of times that I’ve received very specific answers to problems is amazing.
Last week we arrived in India for a three-month stay, and have once again been enjoying the depth of devotion and spiritual vibrancy that permeate this great country. After a satsang in Delhi, a devotee came up to Jyotish and me and handed each of us a copy of the Autobiography. He explained, “I bought these two copies today to give to friends, but then I felt strongly that I should give them to you with specific pages that each of you was to read.”
Given my practice of drawing guidance from the book, how could I not accept this as coming from Master? The following passage spoke to me from the page he suggested: “Can anything small or circumscribed ever satisfy the mind of India? By a continuous living tradition, and a vital power of rejuvenescence, this land has readjusted itself through unnumbered transformations.”
I felt that my Guru was helping me tune in more deeply with his beloved country. When Yoganandaji left his body on March 7, 1952, it was during a public event at which he was reciting his beautiful poem, “My India.” The last words he spoke in this lifetime were its concluding lines:
Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, and men breathe God.
I am hallowed; my body touched that sod!
Is this sacredness confined only to the soil of India? I believe that the deep spirituality here is a part of the soul nature of each one of us. Whenever we strive to allow our consciousness to soar in freedom, and stand reverentially with head bowed and heart open to God, we, too, touch that holy sod.
With love in God and Guru,
Nayaswami Devi
10 Comments
Dear Nayaswami Devi,
Thank you for sharing the article. It was heart touching to read the lines from master :). Though master has left his body. We can still feel his presence and he answers the questions that we have and gets out us from delusion.
Aum
Thank you Devi!
Thank you for being you and bringing us all such sweet blessings.
Dear Devi,
This was a heart zinger in a most positive way.
” ….. allow our consciousness to soar in freedom, and stand reverentially with head bowed and heart open to God, we, too, touch that holy sod.”
Thank You.
WOW! For some months now I have been working on the draft of a book I call “India in Us!”. Your sentiments shared here resonate perfectly to the motivating force flowing through me to write this work.
May God, Guru and Swamiji continue to Guide me.
Prem & Shanti,
casey
The Autobiography of a Yogi is the gift that keeps giving…it never fails to provide some wisdom, thank you!
Dear Devi, thank you for living in my heart! I loved what you just shared. I will start doing the same beautiful practice as you do, in opening “The Autobiography of a Yogi ” three times, and I believe Master will speak with me. With love always to Devi and Jyotish, Mariana
Thank you Devi.
Devi,
Thanks for the suggestion on how to consult Autobiography of a Yogi. I’m looking forward to what I
Devi,
Thank you so much for the suggestion on how to draw additional inspiration from Autobiography of a Yogi and how to deepen our attunement. Sometimes what seem like small things are the biggest help.
Blessings,
Pat Wolff