When Swami Kriyananda finished a big project—a major book or series of talks—he would usually gather a small group of friends together and take a short vacation to relax and celebrate. Devi and I were often blessed to accompany him on these celebratory trips. His favorite destination in America was Carmel, California, a picturesque former artist colony on the Pacific Ocean. Its shops, galleries, and winding streets reminded him of Europe. What wonderful memories we have of those times when he shared his joy with Divine Mother!
“The Next Wave,” by Nayaswami Jyotish.
We, too, have reached a landmark that calls for a celebration. This is my 200th Touch of Light blog, and next week Devi will reach the same total. When we started writing them in 2013, we didn’t know how long we would continue with these weekly offerings, or that they would reach so many people. We were just doing our part to share the light we had received from Paramhansa Yogananda.
Many times, the most difficult part was coming up with a fresh idea for the blog. There were instances when, facing a deadline, I stared uneasily at a blank screen. Then an idea flashed into my mind as if from outer space. I’ve come to recognize these inspirations as gifts from God and Gurus; my part is to be open to receiving their grace. I’ve learned, tentatively at first, but more and more confidently, to cooperate with their help and even count on it in sticky situations. The best part is that this has expanded beyond the blogs to all areas of my life.
God often works His magic through others. Many new ideas have come during a conversation with a friend, and I’ve learned to be on the lookout for these opportunities, like a bird-watcher always ready for a new sighting. It is very reassuring to recognize that Divine Mother plays with us through our friends. Ratan Tata, the founder of Tata Motors, one of India’s largest corporations, said, “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But, if you want to walk far, walk with others.”
Another lesson we’ve learned writing these blogs is that it takes a certain amount of perseverance to go many years without ever missing a deadline. Our spiritual quest also demands endurance. Daily challenges are God’s way of helping us develop the strength and perseverance we need in order to find Him. One time Swami Kriyananda said, “We can’t always rely on inspiration to carry us through. Sometimes we just need to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
One of the great lessons we’ve learned from him is that life should be filled with joy. Work can be done joyfully, not grimly. “Energy is ours,” he once wrote, “not when we hoard our strength, but when we devote it willingly, joyously toward the achievement of that in which we deeply believe.”
As the Bible says, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” There is a time to let the will-power part of our minds rest, to relax and refill the tanks. There comes a time to celebrate, enjoy some good food, a walk by the sea, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from reaching an important landmark.
Then, inevitably, there also comes a time when the next blog is due. I enjoyed a comment by Elon Musk when he was informed that he had become the world’s richest person. He said, “That’s weird. Well, back to work.”
But now is a time for celebration. Since, due to the pandemic, we can’t travel physically, we are happy to celebrate with you, our friends and family from around the world.
In joy,
Nayaswami Jyotish
P.S. Our blogs have been compiled into four books: Touch of Light, Touch of Joy, Touch of Love, and, soon to be released, Touch of Peace.
Listen to the weekly commentary for this blog, with special behind-the-inspiration stories and answers to common spiritual questions. Subscribe to the podcast or download the audio recording by right-clicking here. Or listen to it here (3:00):
Subscribe to the Touch of Light podcast. Download the audio recording of this week’s blog by right-clicking here. Or listen to it here (5:28):
34 Comments
Thank you. May your love light keep shining from a Phoenician who enjoys the sun. Namaste
I loved it. Regards & gratitude
Thank you Nayaswamy Jyotishji and Deviji – Touch of Light has been gleaming like x the Sun’s rays on the azure Blue waters of a running stream. Inspirational with real life anecdotes-illumining our minds on our Divine journey of Life.
Your blogs are much appreciated. I have come to look forward to them as always pertinant and inclusive. Your friendship is valued here in the UK and helps to keep me focused.
God Bless you too
Congratulations and thank you for your perseverance! The blogs have been an inspiration for myself and I am sure for many.
Congratulations on such a milestone! Please know that I am one of the many souls who look forward to reading your blogs. May God continue to shine through you.
I love these blogs. I am so grateful that you have both allowed inspiration to flow and have rolled up your proverbial sleeves and gone to work and stayed the course.
In this one you have captured the fun, the joy and the dedication it takes to stay true on our path. It made me giggle and it made me ponder my own goals.
What perfect examples of how to live and move on this path both of you are.
🙏🙏🙏🕉💙
Kindness and encouragemt just shine from you all.
Thanks so much.
In Divine Love, Paula
In gratitude for your inspiration that is a weekly reminder of the Grace of Master in our lives working through you and Devi.
Dear Jyotishji and Deviji,
Your blogs have been like a touch of Master, like a ray of love and inspiration from Divine Mother, sometimes during our busy work days when we need them the most! They have truly been a blessed channel that has reached countless souls and many more to come in the future.
Thank you both for your perseverance, your willingness to be that Divine instrument. We are deeply deeply grateful! Sending you both our love from grateful hearts. And congratulations on such a wonderful milestone!
May Divine Mother’s love continue to shine upon you forever!
—Arnab and Padma
God bless You ! Thank You for all You do
God Bless you Jyotish. Thank you for being such a steadfast big brother.
Thank you so much to both of you for being there for all of us . Best regards
Life is an enduring journey full of celebration, joy and laughter !
Congratulations Jyotish and Devi. I look forward to your blogs every Friday. What a great way to keep in touch with all of us all over the world. Your observations and inspirations are a great way to serve as spiritual leadership for us. In Masters Love.
What a beautiful effort. Thank you, dear leaders. Mary Katherine
Congratulations on your 200th blog Jyotish! This is quite an accomplishment and worthy of special celebration. I am unceasingly amazed at how you always come up with a fresh topic; stating it so eloquently, clearly, and succinctly; giving me something to ponder as well as something to do to uplift my consciousness. In unending gratitude, Suzanne
This was quite relevant, and relaxed and humorous. Thank you!
Having completed five big projects for Ananda in the last six years (Jai Guru!), I began to feel lost when there didn’t seem to be any more “big ones” on the horizon. At a point where I couldn’t stand the woolly sense of drifting anymore, I asked for help and the guidance came sweetly: “It’s okay to do the little projects as they present themselves to you.” And, funny thing, each of the “big projects” came about by working on one small project at a time.
Dear Jyotishji and Deviji,
Thank you for showing the way of devotion, dedication and determination.
The power of the heart’s energy is boundless, and when Love is the fuel of Will: nothing is unattainable, the possibilities are limitless, endless.
Congratulations on this wonderful milestone,
enjoyed very much visiting the gallery and spending time with the artwork too.
Everything carries the perfume of love.
Love is Light.
Love and Pranaams from Gurudev’s Kolkata,
from all our Gurubhais here,
dithi
I hear you. We all hear you. You guys make for good listening. Namaste!
Labor of love brings out best in us.
No pain, no gain.
Congratulations great soul!
Thank you for your ongoing inspiration…lead on friend, we are right beside you!
Congratulations to you both for these letters, full of good vibrations and truth.
The paintings of waves is outstanding!
I wish you continued success, full of courage and joy.
Thank you dear soul. As always, your loving heart comes through your words. I am deeply grateful for you and Devi. Your guidance and inspiration have help me and so many others grow in God’s Light. Namaste
I always look forward to your blog posts and glean advice or inspiration from each one. They remind me how much love is in the world and help me to open my own heart towards others.
Congratulations Jyotish on 200 blogs, but more than that thank you, for sharing your love light and inspiration with us each week. These blogs are always inspiring and another step in our understanding and hopefully moving us closer to our eventual goal. Bless you for sharing this loving light with us each week.
Nice blog🙌
Thanks, & Divine Congratulations! 🙏👍😊
Yay! We celebrate you and Devi on this joyous milestone. Thank you for the Light 🕯️and inspiration that you beam to us all!
Your Colorado friends, ❤️
Roberta and Tommy Nowlin
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji,
Thank you and congratulations on this landmark. Our sincere gratitude for sharing Master’s light.
Enjoyed reading this blog. And looking forward to Deviji’s 200th blog
In Gratitude,
Prem
Congratulations !! on the milestone, and i pray that we will continue to see your blog writings for many more milestones and celebrations !!
Thank you, and its been such a joyful and learning experience to read your blogs.
regards,
Vijay Kirpalani
Congratulations upon reaching this impressive milestone–one step and one word at a time, no doubt. Your blog always inspires me! This one was especially helpful because I am attempting to organize to get back into some writing about the walk with Master. It behooves all writers to overcome the fear of the blank page! May the blessings you continually give to all of us circle around to the two of you.
Hello Jyotish,
I must say that I have read almost all of your writings. Every one is pertinent in some way. People don’t know how much you and Devi have done, how much travel and meetings with potential devotees and your level of devotion to the most relevant cause in the world; the spiritual advancement of our planet through Kriya and the Masters who expose us to our higher selves. Being a friend of Ananda since 1980 and a resident there for a couple of years has given me a glimpse of your best selves, you and Devi, and I am more impressed than ever with your consistency for God and your grace in daily life. The very best to you both through God and Gurus,,, Jeff