#daya mata

[opalstream]

Prayer

May the Divine Friend guide and bless each one of us.

And May He inspire within us

a strong determination to help one another,

to treat one another with understanding and mutual respect -

and above all, may we have constant inspiration

to seek the Divine beloved Friend behind all human relationships,

first, last, and always.

God bless you all.

-Sri Daya Mata

Make the World a Little Better

The devotee of God applies only constructive criticism. He does not go through life finding fault with everybody; he does not constantly criticize conditions. If he has a suggestion to make, he expresses it constructively to the people who can do something about it, or he remains silent and concentrates upon bettering himself and his conditions. Yes, sometimes it is our duty to resist wrongdoing; I am not referring to that. I am speaking of those who forget that primarily we are here not as a gift from God to change others, but to change ourselves and thereby leave the world a little better for having been here.

-Sri Daya Mata, The Godward Life, SRF Mag Summer 1998

*It is human nature to notice the faults of others and to complain about external conditions such as the weather. But if you are becoming overly critical and dissatisfied, it is time for a spiritual reboot. As a soul traveler, every person you meet and every experience you have can lead to a deeper awareness of the Soul within all. Look for the positive. Associate with cheerful people. Serve those in need. And dedicate extended periods of time to devotional chanting and prayer. Finding God within will lead to discovering Him/Her without, in all people and all circumstances. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[shivaom99]

You Must Never Lose Courage” ~ Yogananda’s letter to Ananda Mataji

YOU MUST NEVER LOSE COURAGE. Divine Mother sent me to pilot you out of the clouds of your mind. Everybody’s difficulty is different, and he or she has to win that test of karma and Divine Mother.

Overcome all by constant inward calling on God and utmost devotion in words, thought, action, and obedience to Guru. God does not talk readily to the devotee, but a Guru does, and the easiest way out of all difficulties is to listen to him and obey him. Your troubles I do not mind. I will never give up my job about you. It is better to conquer evil and not go on living with it forever. Never for a moment identify yourself with momentary flashes of error. Have no fear, even when I am gone and no longer visible in your eyes. You will never be alone; I may not scold you then, but I shall ever be with you, and through Divine Mother guard you from all harm, and will constantly whisper to you guidance through your loving self.

So do not make life discouraged and tired, but be ever interested in doing for Divine Mother, no matter if war, sickness, and death dance around you. That is the secret of victory over delusion and all troubles. Be cut to pieces, but never give up. Be a divine leech — suck at the blood of wisdom even though torn to bits. A smooth life is not a victorious life. And I will give you lots of good karma, so you will get through. I will not only ever forgive you, but ever lift you up no matter how many times you fall. Keep unceasingly trying to conquer; then not only will I invisibly help you, but visibly through many here, all of whom know your inner self and love you very deeply. They all know what I think of your spiritual qualities. It is in kindness and continuous good behavior that you shine with happiness. Divine Mother will help you to win, through your own efforts and the blessings of the great Gurus. I am not building a mansion for you, or giving you riches that will perish; but I am making an imperishable home with all riches for you in my Divine Mother’s mansion.

Unceasing Blessings,

Paramahansa Yogananda

See also~

Stories of ANANDA MATA ~ Bro. Anandamoy

ANANDA MATA, “Her whole life was guru-bhakti” ~ Mrinalini Mata

Back To~

STORIES of the Gurus and Monastics

YOGANANDA’S DIRECT DISCIPLES

[opalstream]

Affirmation

I will try to perform only dutiful, noble actions to please God.

Don’t Think of Your Duties as Tedious Work, But as a Privilege to Serve

We should look upon all of our responsibilities as divine assignments. Our attitude should be, “The work I am doing is the work God has given me.” I am firmly convinced - I know it to be true - that nothing comes to us except from the hand of God. It may seem sometimes that someone has slipped something over on Him, but I don’t believe that. There is no doubt in my mind that God is directly involved in the life of everyone, even the least of His creatures. Nothing happens by chance. So we ought to relate more directly to God in whatever we are doing. That is what life is all about. Don’t think of your duties as tedious work, but as a blessed privilege to serve.

-Sri Daya Mata

SRF Magazine Fall, 1986 p 17

*Do you envy the work/dharma of others, feeling that your own is less interesting, prestigious, or rewarding? The spiritual seeker avoids this attitude even if it may seem that his life assignments are inferior to those of friends and associates. Each person has a unique purpose on the earth stage. The most humble tasks become profoundly meaningful when quietly offered back to God. Pause during free moments today to inwardly offer your thoughts and actions as oblations to Spirit. Notice how the consciousness immediately elevates each time this is done. Chronic mood disorders lighten. A mellow inner radiance gradually unfolds. If helpful, set a timer at self-determined intervals to remind you to break from outward work to connect with the Divine. The body, heart, brain cells, and nerves subtly enliven and are bathed in joyous communion. WorkPrayLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

I will bathe all souls in my unselfish love.

In the sea of my love,

My family members, my countrymen, all nations, and all beings will swim.

All creation, all the myriads of tiny living beings,

Will dance on the waves of my love.

- Paramahansa Yogananda

Simplify Your Life to Make Time for God & Live With the Consciousness of Brotherhood for the Global Family

Humankind has to embrace the art of balanced spiritual living, and it has to learn to get along as one global family. The pressures we feel and the anxieties that plague us in this era of exploding technological advances will sooner or later compel us to learn these lessons. Paramahansaji foresaw this years ago, and told us many times: “The day is coming when the world will have to get back to simple living. We must simplify our lives to make time for God. We must live more with the consciousness of brotherhood, because as civilization evolves into a higher age, we are going to find that the world becomes smaller. Prejudice, intolerance, must go.”

Jesus said, “ A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Science has brought the nations so close to one another that the once vast world is now more like a household, with each member interlinked and dependent on the others. Considering how difficult it is for even a small family to stay together amidst the disuniting trends of our times, is there hope for unity in the world at large? There is hope - for individual families as well as for relationships among the global family of nations - if we make time to nurture those goals and values that are conducive to real peace and spiritual understanding.

-Sri Daya Mata

SRF Magazine Spring 2020 p 27

*May your day be flooded with the peace and love of God and may you be an active instrument of service to mankind. OmLove, Annie

[opalstream]

Affirmation

O Spirit, reveal Thyself to me as Om, Om,

The call to prayer of the cosmos.

May I be conscious of my augmented being

In the vast cosmic body of Nature.

Life Becomes Entrancing When We Look Beyond Externals to See the Divine Hand Behind Everything

Paramahansa Yogananda taught us to appreciate even a grain of sand - no two are alike - and to notice the flowers, the trees, and to value the beauty in them. We learned from him to hold in highest regard all God’s creations, seeing their Creator behind the material forms. When one learns to live in that spirit, he sees heretofore beauties in nature - he beholds God’s handwriting across the vast blue sky. This insight that lifts the veils of nature to reveal God comes by continually practicing the presence of God. Everything in life, the multitudes, the many, can ultimately be reduced to One. God is the great Common Denominator of all creation, of all mankind. Keep Him always in your thoughts, no matter what you are doing.

-Sri Daya Mata, Only Love p 116

*Summer Solstice is an inviting time to witness nature’s many beauties. Avoid the crowds as much as possible. Take a peek behind the gorgeous displays of sky and earth. Feel the joy and peace of the Creator Himself hidden in His creation. Listen for the Om vibration in the sound of the wind and the murmur of the brook. Silently chant Om and let its healing vibration wash across every cell of your body, mind, and soul. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

My soul was made to be the channel through which Thy love might flow uninterruptedly into all thirsty souls.

-Paramahansa Yogananda

Be A Giver, Not a Taker

Scripture teaches us to give rather than take in life. Isn’t that a beautiful ideal? Be a giver, not a taker - materially, spiritually, morally, or in any other way. Of course, it is good to know how to receive graciously; this in itself can be a gift we offer the giver! But learn primarily to give of yourself - of your heart, of your understanding. Give of anything you have, but give. It is a very broadening experience, which takes you beyond thinking only of your little self. How essential this is. The circumscribed ego is the source of all of your problems; analyze it and you will find it to be so.

-Sri Daya Mata

*Explore the many dimensions of giving. Feel the peace that comes when the attention shifts from self interest to serving others. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Affirmation

God is within me, around me, protecting me, so I will banish the gloom of fear that shuts out His guiding light.

Look Fear in the Face - To Be Fit For Self-Realization, Man Must Be Fearless

When you are a child, you have the problems of a child; but when you become an adult, you have an adult’s responsibilities and difficulties. Likewise, as you grow spiritually, your challenges increase. But know this for certain: the Lord permits no experience to come to you that is beyond your strength. Never doubt this. Nothing can overwhelm you unless out of doubt and fear you permit it to do so. Whatever comes, face it with patience and faith in God: “Lord, bless me, that I may find the courage to deal with this experience; and through it, draw closer to You.” Do the best you can, given the circumstances, and trustingly leave the result in God’s hands.

Gurudeva Paramahansa Yogananda once said: “Fearlessness means faith in God: faith in His protection, His justice, His wisdom, His mercy, His love, and His omnipresence....To be fit for Self-realization, man must be fearless.”

-Sri Daya Mata, SRF Magazine Fall 2020 p 31 & 33; Affirmation Metaphysical Meditations p 92.

*Subtle and often unconscious fears are part of human psychology. Becoming aware of these and addressing them courageously is the daily task of the spiritual warrior. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes both through conquering your own fears and through shedding hope and strength in the hearts of others. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons

[opalstream]

Prayer

O Divine Friend,

Guide and bless each one of us.

Inspire within us a strong determination to help one another,

To treat one another with understanding and mutual respect.

May we have constant inspiration to seek Thee,

Our Divine Beloved Friend,

Behind all human relationships,

First, last, and always.

Make God Your Supreme Friend - Don’t Drag Your Consciousness Down with Criticism, Negation, Anger, or Moods - Give Inspiration to Others

In ever-increasing hunger for the love of God, all weaknesses are in time washed away. You cannot possibly be in love with God and keep your mind filled with criticism or negation or anger or moods. It is impossible. It is like trying to maintain darkness in a room filled with light. The darkness cannot stay. When the mind is intent on God, you want only to hear and to see God in everyone. You look for the Divine in everyone. You strive to bring out the Divine in everyone.

Inwardly, be with God as much as you can. Give to Him all the joys of your heart. Give to Him all the frustrations of your life. Give to Him all the desires that are within you. Give to Him all the friendship, all the love, that you have. Then you will see how sweet that relationship becomes, how sweet your life becomes. You will see how simple it is to love all, to give understanding to all. Without negative vibrations that drag down your consciousness, you will become a true friend, able to help the dejected or discouraged who need upliftment.

Sri Daya Mata

SRF Magazine Summer 1998 p30

*When we seek comfort, understanding, peace, and love from others, often we are disappointed. Yet, through our deepening relationship with God, we find a supremely loving Companion who abundantly supplies all of our needs. When God is the center of our consciousness, love overflows into our life. We need less and have more to give others. Experiment with holding the love of God in the forefront of your awareness today. See how many people you can uplift, comfort, and support. OmLove, Annie

*Learn to Meditate through Home Study - Share this with your friends who might like to learn:

https://yogananda.org/lessons