A Touch of Light Podcast

This age is badly out of balance. The angry, divisive, power-mad energy needs to be replaced with unconditional love. One of the best ways each of us can help the world is to open our hearts to Divine Mother in meditation and offer Her love, friendship, and support to everyone we meet.

Patient acceptance of oneself and others is the key to true happiness and ego-transcendence. In today’s turbulent times, patience brings strength to endure as well as hope for the future.

As for many at Ananda, Self-realization has become my personal life goal. But how do we achieve so lofty a purpose? Here are four steps to use as a guide.

My friends, every day we face choices—to take the path that brings us closer to God, or the one that seems easier, safer, or more rewarding in worldly terms.

We recently heard a beautiful example of how God responds to a sincere soul-call.

If you are reading this blog—whether you are a member of a spiritual community or meditation group or simply long for a better world—you are helping to bring about the future envisioned by great saints like Yoganandaji.

In this life, we incarnate not only with the influences of our personal karma, but also with the confining mindset of the age we live in, the family we are born into, and the country and culture we inhabit. If we are seeking freedom, we need wise guides to help us navigate delusion’s labyrinth.

Transcendence and self-forgetfulness are the answers to every problem that life presents us. Blame, self-pity, and anger only deepen our suffering. How often do we think, “This isn’t fair. Why do I need to suffer like this?” But if we ask, as Uma did, “What can I do to help?” then we break the hold that darkness and suffering have on us.

But I believe the real power of the one-minute solution lies in applying it to our inner lives.

If we tie our joy to a particular event or experience, when that ends we inevitably slide down the slope of sadness. Yogananda explained that most people live in an endless cycle: happiness when desires are fulfilled, sadness when those desires aren’t met or stop bringing satisfaction, and boredom in between. This is a roller coaster that we definitely want to avoid.

We live in a world that values effort, but often overlooks the importance of relaxation. We count our steps, track our workouts, and even “work” at our tennis games. Where is the element of fun in all this? Where is the relaxation? While discipline is essential, too much effort—especially if it becomes tense or joyless—can be counterproductive. This is true not only in our outer lives, but in our spiritual practices as well.

Many friends from around the world have been writing Ananda asking for prayers, guidance, and words of comfort. To offer hope and an understanding of what’s happening, we’ve chosen as the focus this year for our annual Spiritual Renewal Week “The Time for Knowing God Has Come.”

For the small things in life, follow the advice in one of Swami’s books: Do It NOW! Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink. Try answering all your emails before going to bed. You’ll be amazed at how much freer your mind will feel. For larger tasks, don’t let them languish on a shelf. Leaving something unfinished is like leaving a faucet dripping: It drains your energy. I’ve had this lesson brought home to me recently.

This little incident totally changed my experience of being in India. I realized that I could either “hold my breath” and live in fear, or follow reasonable precautions and enjoy the trip. I chose the latter. We traveled throughout the country, visited holy shrines, and fell in love with the spiritual depth and beauty of India and her people. None of our group ever got so much as a sniffle. Our minds are powerful receiving stations, and we’re constantly being bombarded by thoughts vibrating in the ether. Love, compassion, fear, anger—they’re all out there, waiting to be picked up by minds receptive to their vibration. It’s up to us to choose.

We need more stillness in our lives. Stillness—and silence. In our overstimulated world, nearly everyone lives amid a constant barrage of noise, distraction, and overstimulation. Periods of deep silence are not just a luxury; they are essential. Silence allows us not just to relax, but to reset our nervous system, and reconnect with our inner peace. Here's how.

Embarking on the journey of life is also like creating a garden. You need to start with a vision.

Paramhansa Yogananda tells us that there is no one whose prayers haven’t been answered in some way. But he warns us that God listens to our hearts, not just our words. The little wishes that loop quietly in the background of our thoughts—those are our real prayers.

If, when in the face of difficulties, we choose to be positive, undaunted, and filled with hope, then little by little, we’re transformed into a person of such strength and courage that nothing can defeat. That is the opportunity that obstacles offer us: to become our own highest self.

Fear of the unknown is deeply ingrained in human nature. But for the spiritual aspirant, fear becomes not an enemy, but a valuable teacher. I’d like to share three stories—each one illuminating a reason why it’s important to face our fears with courage and faith.

Why do thousands of people come each year to visit the tulips?