A friend of mine recently told me about a big turning point in her life. She’d been going through a period of discouragement over some deep-seated self-critical attitudes.
Finally she ended up crying for days, feeling that she was hopeless, and helpless to change. Then the phone rang. Forcing herself to answer, my friend heard the voice of an acquaintance who’d never called her before. The caller simply said, “You have to know that you can change.”
It was as though God were speaking to her through this casual friend. Those few words gave her both hope and the power to work through her inner problem. Eventually she was able to change and be free of the self-defeating attitudes.
Paramhansa Yogananda said, “Malignant seeds of past karma can be roasted and destroyed only by the fire of persistent effort. Most people give up hope just when the balance of good karma is slowly stooping toward them to give its fruit, and thus they miss their reward.”
Photo by Barbara Bingham.
We are now in the Easter season, a symbol of hope and of transformation in the face of difficulties. The miracle of Christ’s resurrection showed the potential that each of us has: to rise above the frailties of our physical bodies, and above our negative thoughts and habits. We all have the power to realize our true soul nature, which is an eternal spark of God.
The words of Krishna to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita echo this truth: “This Self is not born, nor does it perish. Self-existent, it continues its existence forever. It is birthless, eternal, changeless, and ever the same. The Self is not slain when the body dies. . . .
“Weapons cannot cut the soul; fire cannot burn it; water cannot drown it; wind cannot wither it away! The soul is never touched; it is immutable, all-pervading, calm, unshakable; its existence is eternal.”
In Master’s unique explanation of the Gita, he tells us that all the characters in this epic battle symbolize aspects of our own self. They are our own positive and negative attitudes and habits: our “mental citizens.” Drona, one of the characters in the enemy army, represents the power of entrenched habit. He is eventually defeated by Arjuna, representing the power of self-control.
Remember, Easter is symbolic of our enduring power to transcend all limitations. In this time of social disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, use outer circumstances to your advantage. Since we are being forced to alter our usual habit patterns, it’s an opportunity to take stock of what we want to leave behind; of who we want to become after this crisis is over. And then to put out the energy to make it happen.
This can be a season of change, of inner transformation, and potentially of great blessings. As Master said, “The more you improve yourself, the more you will elevate others around you. The self-improving person is an increasingly happy one.”
Wishing you the joy of inner change,
Nayaswami Devi
P.S. If you want to learn more about how to bring about inner change, please join Jyotish and me for a live two-part webinar called “Creating and Destroying Habits at Will.” We’ll be offering it on April 17 and 24 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. Pacific time through Online with Ananda.
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 (4:44):
12 Comments
Dear Deviji,
Thank you for the wonderful blog, timely! This message by Master “.. Malignant seeds of past karma can be roasted and destroyed only by the fire of persistent effort..” is very profound. Thank you.
Love,
Ilango
Dear Madhaji I liked your message and realized very much it’s truth.
Thank you
G.manimekalai
Thanks, Devi. Wise and compassionate words!
When I despaired of ever changing, Swamiji said, “Let God change you.” And He did! As I learned to align myself with His work through serving His work, singing His music, and asking Divine Mother to fill my heart with Her kindness and compassion, I found myself becoming more happy and free.
Your messages are always inspiring. I realize more than ever it’s important that we let our light shine especially during this rough time. There is so much fear bouncing around social media but there are also many who are passing on hope to others. Those are the posts that I share.
Love and light,
Thank you, Devi. Joy to you!
Thanks so much, Devi. It’s a bit ironic, that it took this crisis for me to finally keep my “promise” to do an extended (spiritual) seclusion…but it’s been an amazing week for me, and continues to be. Bless you all!
This post is so packed with practical insight and suggestions that I found myself reading each paragraph and then pausing to meditate on the words and meanings. Because of this I have pivoted my thinking to focus on positive change rather than the limitations brought about by the situation in which we find ourselves. Thank you Deviji for helping me! Aum Aum
Dear Deviji. Thanks for the wonderful words and blessings, much needed during these changing times.
Thank you very much
Ritu
Dear Devi,
I was reading your blog today and mis-read the parting thoughts. What I read was “washing your hands in inner Joy” instead of wishing you the joy of inner change! :)
May we all spread the lotion of love throughout our day :)
H
Thnx a lot. Bibi
Dear Nayaswami Devi Ji,
Thank you for the blog! Much needed at this point in time.
The quote from master towards the end of the blog are very encouraging. Thank you for sharing.
We hope you, Jyotish Ji and all our family members at the village are doing well.
In Master’s love
Prem
Thank you. Lovely post. Happy Easter.