An introduction:
During this blessed season of Easter and commemorating the inspiring life of the beloved avatar Jesus Christ, Paramahansa Yogananda would want us to inquire: What would it mean for us to experience the power of resurrection in the here and now?
“Resurrection is not a change that takes place only after death,” Paramahansaji said. “You must resurrect yourself while living in this body.”
Below we present inspiration from Paramahansaji on the power we possess to resurrect our minds and souls from all limitations and personal trials — so that we can experience a transformative renewal of our lives and all noble hopes and ambitions.
And we share Easter inspirations from Paramahansaji in which he encourages us to experience, through the science of meditation, the ever-living universal consciousness that was manifest in Jesus, Krishna, and the great masters and yogis of modern as well as ancient times.
From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:
Do you ever think that you have been completely unsettled by circumstances — ruffled, shattered, whipped, lacking power? Banish such thoughts! You have power; you do not use it. You have all the power you need. There is nothing greater than the power of the mind.
Resurrect your mind from the little habits that keep you worldly all the time. Smile that perpetual smile — that smile of God. Smile that strong smile of balanced recklessness — that million-dollar smile that no one can take from you.
Trials do not come to destroy you, but to help you appreciate God better….All you have to do to overcome your trials is to resurrect your consciousness from the environment of spiritual ignorance. Ever affirm: “Heavenly Father, I know that Thou art coming to my aid, and that I will see Thy silver lining haloing the dark clouds. In this tumultuous sea of trial Thou art the polestar of my shipwrecked thoughts.”
Resurrect your soul from all dreams of frailties. Resurrect your soul in eternal wisdom. What is the method? It includes many things: self-control, proper diet, fortitude, an undaunted mental attitude, and relaxation of the consciousness from body identification by faithful daily practice of scientific concentration and meditation principles.
Meditation is the greatest way of resurrecting your soul from the bondage of the body and from the shackles of all your trials. Meditate at the feet of the Infinite. Learn to saturate yourself with the consciousness of God. Your trials may be heavy, may be great, but the greatest enemy of yourself is yourself. You are immortal; your trials are mortal. They are changeable; you are unchangeable. You can unleash infinite powers and shatter your finite trials.
What are you afraid of? You are an immortal being….Do not identify your immortality with human habits....Even in the midst of exacting trials, say: “My soul is resurrected. My power to overcome is greater than all my trials, because I am a child of God.”
You can choose from several Easter Inspirations to help you resurrect your soul-awareness, including a guided meditation, prayer, and affirmation for Easter from Paramahansa Yogananda; and a video of a guided meditation led by Brother Chidananda on how to let the light and joy of the spiritual eye — known as the Christ Consciousness center in the body — flow into your mind and soul.
On Sunday, April 5, SRF/YSS President Brother Chidananda will lead a special Easter sunrise service livestreamed from the SRF International Headquarters.
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March 03, 2026
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