Paramhansa Yogananda

Egotism, pride, greed, anger, and other ugly outgrowths of self-centeredness are barriers to spiritual development, preventing man’s escape from the misery of soul ignorance. The right course is to follow the teachings of a spiritual master who has wisdom and who loves God above all else, and to tune in with the wishes of such a guru. That way leads to freedom. Your wishes are guided by habits of past lives and by new habits you are constantly creating. These hold the soul prisoner and make it impossible for you to race along the road to everlasting liberty.

On one side of the path of life is the dark valley of ignorance, and on the other side the eternal light of wisdom. When you follow the guidance of a true guru, you will safely tread the road to freedom. Then everything that you wish for will be born of wisdom, and will come to you without the slightest effort. The whole universe has been created by the Divine Will, and when you are attuned to it, whatever you want is accomplished just by mere willing. I dare not even wish anymore, for I know that whatever is in my mind will come to me.

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The true devotee says, “Lord, I have not desires. I have found all that I want in You; no other gain could be greater.”* Possessing His wisdom, love, and joy, all desires of the heart are satisfied. This is a tremendous state. When you are united with Spirit, you are king-a king of quietude and bliss, fully satisfied and complete within your Self. In your oneness with Him, you see the whole world standing before you, ready to do your bidding. Because God made man in His image, all those who find Him find also that His will in them fulfills their slightest command. [*The stated that, once found, the yogi considers as a treasure beyond all other treasures-a state in which he is immune to every grief” Bhagvad Gita VI:22]