Excerpt from “Increasing the Power of Initiative,” by Paramahansa Yogananda. It can be read in full in Man's Eternal Quest, the first volume of Paramahansaji’s Collected Talks and Essays, published by SRF.
I was reluctant, at first, to become a teacher — the implications frightened me. A teacher has to be a shock-absorber; the minute he becomes disturbed, he cannot help those who seek his aid. A true teacher has to love everybody; he has to understand humanity, and to know God.
But when Sri Yukteswarji told me that my role in this life was to be that of a teacher, I called on the Lord’s infinite power to sustain me. When I started to give lectures, I made up my mind that I would speak not by book learning but by inner inspiration, holding the thought that behind my speech was the inexhaustible Creative Power. I have also utilized that Power in other directions, to help people in business and in many different ways.
I have used mortal mind to reflect Immortality. I did not say: “Father, do it,” but, “I want to do it, Father. You must guide me; You must inspire me; You must lead me.”
Do little things in an extraordinary way; be the best one in your line. You must not let your life run in the ordinary way; do something that nobody else has done, something that will dazzle the world. Show that God’s creative principle works in you.
Never mind the past. Though your errors be as deep as the ocean, the soul itself cannot be swallowed up by them. Have unflinching determination to move on your path unhampered by limiting thoughts of past errors.
Life may be dark, difficulties may come, opportunities may slip by unutilized, but never within yourself say, “I am done for. God has forsaken me.” Who could do anything for that kind of person? Your family may forsake you; good fortune may seemingly desert you; all the forces of man and nature may be arrayed against you; but by the quality of divine initiative within you, you can defeat every invasion of fate created by your own past wrong actions, and march victorious into paradise.
Though you be defeated a hundred times, be determined that you are nonetheless going to conquer. Defeat is not meant to last for an eternity. Defeat is a temporary test for you. Naturally God wants to make you invincible, to have you bring into play the almighty power that is within you, so that on the stage of life you can fulfill your high destined role.
What are you determined to accomplish in the new year?
You can find Man’s Eternal Quest and the other two volumes of Paramahansa Yogananda’s Collected Talks and Essays on the SRF online bookstore.
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, Paramahansaji’s comprehensive home-study program on the science of meditation and the art of balance living present his complete teachings and techniques for tapping the infinite potential of one’s own creative initiative to transform life completely.
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I needed to hear this.I was 10 days in the hospital divine providence decided to for me to continue.Now I will need to have this initiative to go forward!!!
Thank you,my dear dear GOD and Gurujii. Thank you thank you thank you ,that you in my life. Thank you thank you
This touched my heart this morning.
Never mind the past. Though your errors be as deep as the ocean, the soul itself cannot be swallowed up by them. Have unflinching determination to move on your path unhampered by limiting thoughts of past errors.
Thank you so much.
Unflinching determination!!!
Our Great Gurudev🙏🪷🦢✨
Jai Guru! Happy Birthday, Yoganandaji!
Thank you for these great words, dear Master. Thank you for reminding me, that God never forsakes me. Thank you for the reminder, that God guides me in all that I do, guiding me to victory.
Be forever in my heart, Dear Master, so that I may be kind and loving to others.
Thank you for this beautiful and inspirational reading. I am in a tearful place this evening and in need of the encouragement and reminders. My faith is strong, but the challenges of this world sometimes shake me. Love peace bliss 🫶
This is so unbelievably powerful. Love you Guruji.
Thank you for this beautiful post; many beautiful comments; Master is so kind and patient with me!🙏🌟💖
Thank you so much Guruji❤🌹🙏Jai guru!!
Happy Birthday Guru jee!!!
Thank you for becoming my Guru🙏🏻Jai ho!
It was such a blessing and joy to celebrate with everyone our great Gurus birthday. This has been an incredible weekend. Thank you Gurudeva. Your love and presence is so precious and special.
Thank you, Guruji. Thanks for being a guiding light in my life, bringing me solace, peace and deeper understanding. Happy Birthday, Paramahansa Yogananda, my great guru! And, thank you for this profound affirmation you have blessed us with: "I will radiate love and good will to others, that I may open a channel for God's love to all."
Happy Birthday beloved Gurudeva!!! Your teachings give me great hope and inspire me to overcome the difficulties. Please receive my gratitude and my Love for You!
Thanks for the thougths expresed in this text.
Jai Shri Parmahansa Yogananda Ji!!
It is very right that God works through us, when we are in communion with Him. And if we see a spiritual task difficult, we must call upon God - "God help me, so that I am able to accomplish this task".
This message from Master has reached my eyes just when I need it most. Life places us in difficult conditions: materially, spiritually and psychologically. In moments of weakness I find myself in negative thoughts: "Why is God doing this to me? Why can't I have some happiness from this life?" It is difficult to face these thoughts without the right perspective: God does not send us trials to destroy us but to forge us.
The temptation to give up on life is strong but we have access to a broader and deeper truth.
Jai Guru.
Thank you very much, the impact of your work truly has been timeless. 🙏
The spiritual path is like a razor's edge, but the spiritual training Guruji has given us, his disciples, and the world, has been and is perfect - quantitatively and qualitatively.
Jai Guru!
I love reading the comments to see Gurujis effect on others. I love the idea to bring something into the world that has not been done.
Stepping into our power and creativity takes courage and faith. With faith nothing is impossible.
Such a blessing to have @ hand the means to travel by Inspiration towards a place of Transcendence:: ie the means to pick myself up, dust myself off....& start all over again. OM OM OM
Diese Botschaft hat mich inspiriert, auch wenn ich ohne das germanisch-männliche Wort (Gott, den niemand kennt/god) versuche, den spirituellen Weg einzuschlagen.
Thank you for giving us those thoughts to consider. The difficult part is sometimes to find the right path to invest ones vitality in rather than doing it! I often pray, "Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me. Yet not My will, but Your will, be done." and Lord, I will reason, I will will, I will act; but guide Thou my reason, will, and activity to the right thing that I should do. I consitently pray to engage in the right action. Jai Guru, thank you dear Brothers and Sisters.
Thank you Master 🙏🙏🙏
The power of perseverance to achieve success in all our undertakings, that Master talks about in this article, I find is also helped by remembering this quote of Masters:
There is a Power which will light your way, which will bring you health, peace, happiness, and success if you but turn to that Light. Realize all power to speak, to think and to act comes from God and He is with you now guiding and inspiring you. As soon as you realize that a flash of illumination will come and fear will leave you. Dont beg at the door of matter, seek from Gods all powerful all bountiful hands.
Happy birthday, our dear Divine Gurudeva. Thank you for blessing us with your all-encompassing Love.
Yogananda Sharanam, Yogananda sharanam, Yogananda sharanam, sharanam.
Guru kripa he kevalam, kripa he kevalam, kripa he kevalam, kevalam.
Aum, Shanti, Amen.
Jai Guru!!
Jai Guruji
I am really inspired by this Gurujis message and encourage me to new spiritual journey 🌹🙏
Impossible has Become Possible in my life. Now, the Efforts are for The Destination. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti. Jai Guru Ji.
do something that nobody else has done, something that will dazzle the world.
The world will benefit a lot from us dazzling it.
God, please help me dazzle the world!
Thank You God.
I wasnt sure that the quote I have been affirming was from our guru. This article confirmed it. Now I know it is Yogananadaji who spurs us on to show the world that Gods creative principle works through us and that it is good to do something nobody else has done. Pranams.
Very valuable thought from
Guruji Paramhansa Yogananda which SRF shared. Many thanks for putting this short story and guidance from the Master in an email format.
Very inspiring and powerful words
Jai Gurudev
Feliz cumpleaños Gurudeva. Gracias.
I love the statement "Defeat is not meant to last for an eternity". This gives me great hope.
I loved his example of how he made his mortal mind reflect immortality: I want to do it Father. You must guide me. You must lead me. You must inspire me Jai Guru!
Soul-stirring words to power our will! Thank you, Guruji!
Great excerpt from Paramahansaji !!
Just what I needed to hear to start the new year right.