The following is a message from Sri Daya Mata, third president and sanghamata (“mother of the society”) of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, who served in that role from 1955 until her passing in 2010. Daya Mata entered the ashram of Paramahansa Yogananda at the age of 17 in 1931. This message was originally published as “A Letter From Sri Daya Mata” in Self-Realization magazine in 1984; such messages being much loved for their encouragement and wise counsel by readers of the magazine over the decades.
Long ago, Gurudeva Paramahansa Yogananda impressed on my consciousness this admonition: “Never be discouraged.” Through the years it has been a source of great strength. It is an important secret of spiritual success.
Discouragement is one of maya’s favorite tools to impede the devotee’s progress. It stifles our desire to make a greater effort, weakening the will to persevere until we succeed. But we must realize that because our goal is the highest — union with God — we will have to overcome limitations. Even repeated manifestations of our shortcomings should not be permitted to dampen our spirits.
Feelings of disheartenment and thoughts of weakness are but maya’s delusive suggestions to check our progress. If we ignore them and just forge on with courage and faith, we shall succeed spiritually. That is Paramahansaji’s ideal. Then, as he has said, “the darkness will vanish as though it had never been.”
As a young devotee, I once experienced a brief period of deep discouragement at a time when Gurudeva was away. Upon his return, while meditating, he had a vision: He saw first the negative forces behind my struggle, and then the Divine Mother herself, surrounding me with a halo of light.
In every difficulty, each of us has a choice: lose heart and yield to maya; or with full faith persevere, knowing that Divine Mother is always near, ready to bestow Her power and grace to help us to overcome delusion.
On the spiritual path it may seem that we often take three steps forward and two backward. But if we are realistic, we will not allow this to dismay us, nor will we waste time brooding over past mistakes.
Paramahansaji taught us to learn from our errors, to determine to change, and then to forget them. The Lord does not condemn us when we stumble, so we should not unduly berate ourselves.
Instead, love God more. Be so in love with Him that your flaws cannot intimidate you, cannot stop you from running to Him.
He is all mercy, all compassion; and no one is more eager than He to see you reach eternal fulfillment in His love. Approach Him with confidence, meditating and seeking Him with persistent devotion, and you shall know Him.
Leave a comment
How fortunate I am... Reading the blog today is the Divine message coming straight from Him..... on this special day... my birthday..... I am feeling so blessed , embraced and even closer to Him.... Jai shri Daya Mata... Jai Guru...🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for sharing Daya Ma’s wisdom with us. The timing of this is as if Daya herself is talking to me. Jai Guru Jai Ma 🙏🏻
I will think of this always whenever discouraging thoughts try to pull me away from the Divine. Thank you Ma and Master for never giving up on us.
Yes, what Guruji told is true. We all need to fight against Maya using will power & devotion to God
Toujours inspirant de lire et écouter les enseignements de la S.r.f
Thank u so very much dear Ma, for the much needed inspiration. Love u Ma from core of my heart. Bless me to strengthen my devotion. Thanks again
Amen💖thank you for such strengthening thoughts from Sri Sri Daya Mata! You are always inspired to post exactly what we all are needing🙏
Beautiful words of encouragement 🙏🏽
Aum...Amen...may it be so for All...
Thank you so much divine mother for this encouragement…. After every dark period, it feels I’ve let down my most benevolent Guru. Your divine guidance gives the courage and faith to keep toddling up the path.. please don’t ever forsake me 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Beloved Sri Daya Mataji, God has answered my prayers today by leading me to this message today. Lost in maya, I have been lost and overwhelmingly discouraged. This message has uplifted my spirit and fortifies my determination to rely on God, trust God, and continue to do the best I can with love and kindness towards others. It is a great comfort and I thank you so so much. 🙏❤️🌟
exactly what I needed to hear at this time . Thank you , dear Mother .
So much needed and so much very often needed!!
I am thankful for the wisdom and encouragement from the bottom of my heart.
Motivational and Inspiring words in the Spiritual Path. Jai Guru!!🙏🏼
What a timely advice from Ma for me and family. Jai Guru!
So very beautiful!
Jai Ma!
Thank you so much for posting this. It is such a help and very beautiful. Perfect for my life now and I love the thought of Divine Mother embracing us through our trials. Deep blessings to you all.
Thank you for these empowering words from Sri Daya Mataji! Jai Guru!
💜🙏💜