Experiment to Discover Truth Within Yourself

An introduction:

Many people feel a sincere longing to know whether the spiritual truths expressed by great souls can become for them more than momentarily inspiring ideas. They wonder how they can feel God’s presence and discover the deeper realities of life with the same certainty as saints.

Paramahansa Yogananda encouraged approaching these questions — and the spiritual path — as a “spiritual scientist.” He recommended we sincerely apply the spiritual principles of the ages and observe the results in the laboratory of our own consciousness and in our lives.

Through regular meditation, divine truths can become living realities for us rather than mere concepts. The great ones did not ask us simply to admire their experiences. They showed that each one of us has the capacity to verify soul-truth through personal practice.

As we make even small but steady efforts to experiment with the yoga-wisdom Paramahansaji brought to the world — a sampling of which we share below — we begin to discover an inner wealth of peace, wisdom, and joy that no outer circumstance can give, or take away.

From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:

There is a definite way to experience God. And what is that way? It is scientific experimentation with religious truths. And put into practice what you believe! It is possible to put religion into practice, to use it as a science that you can prove by experimenting on yourself. The search for Truth is the most marvelous search in the world.

Deep metaphysicians probe into the consciousness of the soul, and with its divine power drive out all traces of evil from their lives. This is the Yoga way of destroying all obstacles to the union of soul with God; it is not imaginary, but scientific. Yoga is the highest way to God. Through Yoga you leave behind all negative thoughts and realize the ultimate states of consciousness. Yoga is the path of the spiritual scientist. It is pure science throughout, a complete science.

A scientific spirit is very necessary in religion, for religious dogma is destructive to the human spirit....Someday — when religion is practiced not as dogmatic belief but as definite methods of perceiving spiritual truth — the scientists and religionists are going to shake hands and work in common cause for the all-round advancement of the human race.

You can acquire a mental concept from a story you read in a book, but its practical value in daily life remains to be seen. All too often the intellect becomes satisfied with just a theory about God. Great and glorious is the story of God’s presence; but greater and more glorious is the actual perception of the Infinite. I speak only of what I have experienced, for personal experience is the practical aspect of religion.

What is necessary in order to have that spiritual experience? The habit of daily meditation. God is realizable. You can know Him now, through meditation. Then without any question, without any doubt, without a speck of mental reservation you can say: ‘I am with God.’ Why not? He is your own.

When you sit quietly in meditation, and your mind is withdrawn within, you will have proof of God and of your own true nature. Experimentation with religious laws is marvelous because the result doesn’t take place outside yourself; it is right within you.

When I started in this path, my life at first was chaotic; but as I kept on trying, things began to clear up for me in a marvelous way. Everything that happened showed me that God is, and that He can be known in this life. When you find God, what assurance and fearlessness you will have!

If you practice one millionth of the things that I tell you...you will reach God. Success doesn’t lie in listening to my sermons, but in practicing what I have told you.