An introduction:
All around the globe, in situations seen and unseen by the public at large, people courageously serve others daily with selflessness and humility, providing hope where it is most needed.
Paramahansa Yogananda and other great saints would say that these acts of service, along with being utterly necessary for the harmony of our world, are expressions of the soul’s pure nature as it expands to know itself as one with the Divine.
In this month’s newsletter, we are focusing on Paramahansaji’s wisdom concerning the crucial role that service to others plays in our lives and spiritual development.
From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:
Life should be chiefly service. Without that ideal, the intelligence that God has given you is not reaching out toward its goal. When in service you forget the little self, you will feel the big Self of Spirit. As the vital rays of the sun nurture all, so should you spread rays of hope in the hearts of the poor and forsaken, kindle courage in the hearts of the despondent, and light a new strength in the hearts of those who think that they are failures.
The soul is happy only when it finds opportunity for continuous expansion. Fulfilment of the law of service to others is a step toward fulfilling another law that leads to expansion of our consciousness in God: friendship.
As soon as you think kindly of somebody else, your consciousness has expanded. When you think of your neighbour, a part of your being goes forth with that thought. And it is not only thinking that is necessary, but being prepared to act on that thought.
It is not necessary to know and love all human beings and other creatures personally and individually. All you need do is to be ready at all times to shed the light of friendly service over all living creatures whom you happen to meet. This attitude requires constant mental effort and preparedness; in other words, unselfishness.
The way to freedom is through service to others. The way to happiness is through meditation and being in tune with God. Let your heart beat with love for others, let your mind feel the needs of others, and let your intuition feel the thoughts of others.
By teaching you the techniques whereby you may live in the joyous consciousness of the presence of God, nonattached to matter’s false securities, yoga frees you from the pangs of material disappointments, and enables you to enjoy a happier, more fruitful and meaningful life. It bestows a deep inner state of fulfilment, which you automatically want to share in willing service to others.
When you realize that life is a joyous battle of duty and at the same time a passing dream, and when you become filled with the joy of making others happy by giving them kindness and peace, in God’s eyes your life is a success.
Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings stress that concentrated prayer is a tremendous service we all can perform — to help our families, friends, neighbours, and the whole world. We invite you to watch a video from Sri Daya Mata, beloved third president and sanghamata of YSS/SRF, as she describes the importance that Paramahansaji placed on prayer and explains the great positive influence our prayers can have to uplift the lives of others.
