As we enter the new year, it’s traditional to use this juncture as an opportunity to make resolutions about how we’d like to improve our life. It’s a little discouraging, however, to think back on previous New Year’s resolutions and realize that we’d resolved to change the same things in years past without any discernible results.
How much exercise equipment is bought at the beginning of the new year only to be sold unused a few months later? Yet at the same time, it’s encouraging to reflect that we’ve never given up hope and are still trying. Our desire to improve remains with us, because it’s prompted from a higher level of our own consciousness.
Once I was leading a New Year’s retreat at The Expanding Light, during which we each made a list of resolutions for the coming year. During a break in the class, one of the students came up to me and said, “I find that very depressing.”
“What do you mean?” I asked him in surprise.
“You’ve been on the spiritual path for a long time now,” he replied, “and you still have things about yourself that you want to change?”
Fortunately a friend of mine, Roma, happened to be walking by at that moment and rescued me. With a twinkle in her eye, she said, “Devi is the only one in the community who isn’t perfect yet. That’s why we have her working with the guests.” We all laughed, and I hope the young man realized that the search for perfection is a long process.
There’s an aspect of personal transformation that’s often overlooked, and it’s the main thought I want to share with you today: To make lasting improvements in our life, it takes more than our own personal efforts. True inner change comes about through a combination of sincere devotion to God and the grace that it draws.
One of my favorite passages in the Bhagavad Gita is: “To those who meditate on Me as their very own, their hearts ever united to Me by incessant inward worship, I supply their deficiencies and make permanent their gains.” (9:22)
It is God who “supplies our deficiencies.” He/She alone knows our shortcomings, loves us unconditionally in spite of them, and gives us the strength and understanding to transcend them. Our minds may be clouded by past karmic tendencies, but when the light of God’s love and wisdom shines in, we gain the power and clarity to overcome them.
And it is God who “makes permanent our gains.” Sometimes it’s hard to see the spiritual progress we’ve made. We can become so focused on how much farther we have still to go that we fail to appreciate how far we have already come. Remember, whatever progress we’ve made remains with us on some level, because it’s based on the truth of our own being.
Through our devotion, the sense of “I-ness” that identifies with our limitations begins to dissolve. When, time and again, we stray from the knowledge of who we really are, God is there to steer us back on course towards our own highest potential.
So as we enter the new year, remember, whatever the outer circumstances, to keep your love for God foremost in your mind. This is the most powerful and effective way to turn our resolutions into realities.
Referring to the passage quoted earlier, Swami Kriyananda writes in The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda: “Thus, the highest teaching, which Krishna expounds here, is to love God, the Infinite Spirit, above all: ‘to meditate on Him as one’s very own.’ God alone can lift us out of the relativities of karmic merits and demerits into the absolute peace and freedom of Infinite Being.”
Wishing you a blessed and joyful New Year,
Nayaswami Devi
Listen to Devi as she reads the blog, then expands on it, often adding 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 (9:16):
23 Comments
Thank you Deviji for your inspiring words and sending these email which keeps me motivated every time I read your posts.
Thank you so much Deviji for perfect message for new year.
Absolutely beautiful and inspiring, Devi. Thank you! I have been struggling with issues and habits that I cannot seem to overcome. Remembering to remain God-centered and allowing God/spirit to take the wheel brings me new hope for 2023!
Thank you for this much needed reminder!
Sending love to you in the New Year.
Thank you Deviji for sharing such a thoughtful article, that too at the perfect time….you are absolutely right in saying that it is depressing to look back and see that the results are discernible.
i always look forward to reading your articles full of wisdom and love for God. Sending good wishes to you!
“To those who meditate on Me as their very own, their hearts ever united to Me by incessant inward worship.” Seems to me that’s the state we’re striving for. “Fathomless depths of love for God lie hidden in the human heart, waiting to be uncovered by the Guru’s liberating discipline.” (Bro. Bhaktananda to me, circa 1970)
Dear Devi Mataji
Your message is as enlightening as it is timely.
Thank you Devi.
Joy to you Deviji. Thank you for sharing your love and wisdom.
Happy new Year, Devi. Thank you for this wonderful hopeful and uplifting messsge. I am at the Expanding Light, giving these last few days of 2022 to God and Guru. Remembering your comment here on a previous New Years Retreat…
True inner change takes a combination of sincere devotion to God and the Grace that it draws.
Thank you, Devi for this end of the year inspiring message. Helping to keep me on track for the new year. 😊
In Deepest love and gratitude for your Divine Friendship and caring: Joy Filled EVER NEW Year for our planet and all her inhabitants. It comes to mind that attached to a picture of Master, I have a small slip of paper given to me as a response to our friend Clark’s help with my printer. It says…”LOVE GOD”. i DO! NAMASTE.
Thank you Devi, just beautiful! Joy to you and Jyotish, Nalini
Thank you so much Deviji! Happy New year 💖
Thank you for your words of wisdom . Great reminder to keep
Our focus on . God’s grace and love.
Blessings and joy to you 2023 and always ❤️🙏🏽
Dear Nayaswami Devi Ji,
Thank you for your wishes and this wonderful blog. How nice and comforting to read these lines “God is there to steer us back on course towards our own highest potential.”
Thank you for sharing this
Blessed Newyear to you and Jyotish Ji and to all our Friends at Ananda
Joy,
Prem
Perfect … just perfect.
You have given so much: wisdom love, encouragement, support
Make this be the year that you find perfect freedom in God.
Thank you Devi,
Thank you for your teachings and this wonderful blog. I love to hear your voice and read your words.
I hope to meet you in person one day.
Hasta pronto,
Laura
Devi, I was reminded while reading the beginning of this, how there is more than just karma on the lifelong spiritual path. There is also Maya, Satan, and spiritual warfare. When one is very far along, there comes darkness to try to destroy the light. This happened with Swamiji and many other saints, and it happens for “ordinary” devotees as well.
Very uplifting
Thank you, Devi
Your words are Divinely inspired and when you share, you create trails of beautiful energy! Not only through you, but through the people you touch.
All in God’s Love!
Blessings and have a wonderful day!
Stacey
what beautiful powerful encouraging words dearest Devi Ji. thank you. thank you. etching these words in my mind, heart and soul – “remember, whatever the outer circumstances, to keep your love for God foremost in your mind. This is the most powerful and effective way to turn our resolutions into realities.”
Blessed New Year to you dearest Both. Beloved Master and Beloved Swamiji bless you again and again. We love you.