Self-Realization Fellowship Blog

Below is a short excerpt from “Spiritual Maturity Means Attunement With God,” a chapter in the new collection of talks by Sri Daya Mata, Journey With Paramahansa Yogananda (now available for pre-order). In this excerpt, the beloved third president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India conveys a few of Paramahansa Yogananda’s liberating truths and the importance of applying in a practical way the truths we want to manifest in our lives.

When Paramahansa Yogananda called us together for meditation, he would sometimes say very little; but in his few words there was a wealth of meaning, a wealth of truth. It seemed to me that every word, whether conveying discipline or praise, was meant for me. I took everything he said as guidance that I myself must apply. It was not my concern whether anyone else did so. I never assumed that his words, especially his scoldings, were meant for others. I picked up every pebble of truth and treasured it. I felt there was no use in his talking unless I took to heart whatever he said. The same holds true for all of us today. If we want to know God, we have to make this kind of effort to follow the guidance of the Guru.

One evening after meditation, as Guruji blessed us, he said three things that I have tried to put into effect ever since. I encourage you all to practice them from this day forward:

1. Be sympathetic.
2. Don’t criticize.
3. Be humble.

Returning to my room, I wrote them down, and put them where they could be a constant reminder.

Be sympathetic: This means to be more understanding and compassionate; to feel for others, be thoughtful of them, helpful in times of need, and to try always to think well of others.

Don’t criticize: Indulging in criticism can become a chronic psychological illness. It is easy to get into this bad habit because nothing in this world is perfect; there are obvious flaws in everyone — and certainly that includes ourselves. But there is a fine distinction between being negatively hypercritical of others and merely noting their mistakes privately as a personal lesson to avoid those errors ourselves. We have no right to pass judgment on one another; God alone has that right. Anyone who has a critical nature will find it a great drawback to spiritual progress.

Be humble: Humility is expressed in our attitude rather than in the hollow words, “I am humble.” It is a sweetly secret, silent, loving relationship with God, wherein we never feel credit is due us. When praised, we know that without the blessing, guidance, and help of God, we would not have attracted that recognition.

Pray for true humility, the self-forgetting inner attitude: “Lord, Thou art the Doer, not I.” Use this as a mental chant, concentrating deeply and asking God to free you from egotism. Without humility there is no solid foundation upon which to build a spiritual life. The more the mind and heart are filled with thoughts of God and love for Him, the less room there is for the selfish “I, I, I.”

It is my privilege and joy to pass along to you the liberating truths Guruji has given us, in as vivid a form as possible. It is his counsel. Apply these truths as part of your sincere effort to know God. Spiritual unfoldment is first of all an internal matter. If you take these truths to heart, dwell on them inwardly, and imbue your thoughts and prayers with them, they will begin to manifest outwardly in your life. “For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” *

Footnote:
* Proverbs 23:7.

We invite you to learn more about Journey With Paramahansa Yogananda, the third collection of talks by Sri Daya Mata, in which she shares lessons from her twenty years of spiritual training and practice with Paramahansaji — now available for pre-order.