By Elisabeth Fayt, Founder of rnr Wellness
Thirty years ago, I was going through a particularly difficult time of my life. An abrupt end of a ten-year relationship left me searching for purpose, meaning and direction. A friend who knew my predicament and sad state of affairs, invited me to a workshop his mother was holding. Little did I know it was about “Meditation”. Had I known, I wouldn’t have gone. Honestly, I had no interest, nor did I want to be interested in, Meditation. I knew nothing about it, nor its benefits. Frankly, I wasn’t a naturally calm type of person. Looking back, I could describe myself as more of an anxious, restless, textbook “Type A”.
Anyway, long story short, the workshop was life-changing to say the least. One of the recommended books to read was WHERE THERE IS LIGHT, by Paramahansa Yogananda. My brother came to visit a few days later, saw the book on my counter and said “Where did you get this? I’ve been following the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda for years!!” There began my journey with Yogananda. I went on to read his spiritual classic, AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI, and many other books by him. I also signed up for his at-home Lessons Study Program which is chalk full of practical insights on how to live a happy life, which included, of course, daily meditation. I’ve never looked back.
Words can’t begin to describe the impact of Yogananda’s teachings on my life. In these past 30 years, all I’ve ever taught, written or counseled, has been based on his teachings, including these blogs!
I thought the best way to express his power is to share a few of his quotes. So I’ll leave you with these to ponder. And I highly urge you to read one of his books, whichever one speaks to you the most. And see for yourself.
Namaste,
Paramahansa Yogananda Quotes
On Love
“If you could feel but a particle of Divine Love, so great would it be, you could not contain it.” – Paramahansa Yogananda
On Prayer
Most men consider the course of events as natural and inevitable. They little know what radical changes are possible through prayer.” – Paramahansa Yogananda
On Meditation
“When the mind is calm, how quickly, how smoothly, how beautifully you will perceive everything.” – Paramahansa Yogananda
On Happiness
“If you want to be sad, no one in the world can make you happy. But if you make up your mind to be happy, no one and nothing on earth can take that happiness from you.” – Paramahansa Yogananda
