World Peace

Many years ago I saw a bumper sticker that said, “Visualize Whirled Peas.” I’m afraid that this image, humorous though it was, is truer today than the actuality of world peace. We seem to be whirling around, splintered into frenetic factions. Never, it seems, has there been so much polarization: people divided ever more fanatically along lines of religion, class, and political persuasion. Those of us who are seeking unity with God must also become instruments of unity in the world. How do we do that?

Develop Clarity and Power

With enough concentration and clarity, you can actually begin to materialize your thoughts. To help develop sufficient power in our visualizations, Yogananda gave this affirmation: “Today I will develop the power of visualization and the power of hearing. I will concentrate upon one good thing strongly. I know that if I concentrate for long on a certain image, the life force becomes concentrated in the spiritual eye, reproducing an astral motion picture of that image.”

For example, Yogananda said, “When one visualizes a spiritual man and deeply meditates on his mentality and character, one can attract and imitate his spiritual magnetism. For the purpose of exchanging moral, mental, aesthetic, or spiritual magnetism, personal contact is not always necessary.”

He also suggested a technique to help develop your memory: “Look steadily at a certain object, or at some scenery, or in a store window, then turn away quickly and see how many of the details you can enumerate. The deeper your impressions, the more details you will be able to remember.” Try this with a photo of a saint or image of the Divine.

Concentration and clarity of thought will give power to your prayers for world peace.

Visualization for World Peace

Visualize a globe of blue light at the point between your eyebrows—a light that is both very powerful and innately intelligent. Now let it spread until it illuminates your whole brain, then descends down your neck to fill your whole body. See this light expanding beyond your body, filling the room you are in and permeating your home with warmth and peace. Let the light continue to spread until it fills your town . . . your state . . . your country . . . and finally the whole globe. See everyone and everything bathed with this light.

Now let it touch all areas of shadow or conflict. Feel the glow connecting everyone on a deep, non-verbal level. Let the light take on a vibration of loving friendship, removing all separation. Now, bless the entire world with the Peace and Harmony Prayer.

The Peace and Harmony Prayer

Throughout Ananda, we have started using Yogananda’s “Peace and Harmony Prayer” at the end of each meditation or Sunday service. It goes like this:

For one minute (about ten repetitions) repeat: “Lord, fill this world with peace and harmony, peace and harmony.”

Then for 15 seconds (three repetitions) repeat: “Lord, fill me with peace and harmony, peace and harmony.”

If, collectively, we act as a great lens to focus this peace and harmony, it will illuminate this earth and drive out the shadows. Please join us. Be a channel of God’s Light.

In His Light,
Nayaswami Jyotish