Self-Realization Fellowship Blog

Paramahansa Yogananda on the Simple and Lasting Joys of Life

November 07, 2022

Paramahansa Yogananda With Puppy with lotus

From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:

Happiness is not dependent on external circumstances; rather, it is to be found in the simpler joys of life, and most of all in the ever new bliss of deep meditation....Be happy by clinging to the simple, true, and lasting soul-joys. They come by deep thinking, introspection, spiritual inspiration, and meditation.

Meditation is the effort to realize and express that pure consciousness which is the reflection, or image, of God within you. Do away with the delusion of body consciousness, and the concomitant demands of body and mind for “unnecessary necessities.” Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can become.

Don’t keep your mind engaged in too many activities. Analyze what you get from them, and see if they are really important. Don’t waste your time....I often say, “If you read for one hour, write in your spiritual diary for two hours; and if you write for two hours, think for three hours; and if you think for three hours, meditate all the time.” No matter where I go, I keep my mind continuously on my soul peace. You too should always point the needle of your attention toward the North Pole of spiritual joy. Then no one can ever disturb your equilibrium.

God has proven that when He is with me all the “necessities of life” become unnecessary. In that consciousness you become more healthy than the average person, more joyous, more bountiful in every way. Don’t seek little things; they will divert you from God. Start your experiment now: make life simple and be a king.

Would you like to absorb more wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on finding joy in simplicity? Please visit the “Taking Simplicity to Heart” page on the SRF website.

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