Gratitude

Acknowledgement with soul of the beneficence of love is gratitude. Love is creatively good. It is divinely active. Love is the self-manifesting attribute of God. The greater the realization of God, the more abundant is the manifestation of the qualities of love. Love offers the fulfillment of our desire, hope, aspiration and ideal. Only when the gifts of love are received with soul does the virtue of gratitude adorn the heart.

Swami Premananda
One Hundred and One Noble Qualities

Yoga in its Purest Form

How are we to discover our true self? Following what procedure can we reveal unto ourselves what we really are in our essential nature?

By the introspective absorption of consciousness and mind, with its potency of thoughts, determination of will, and absolute devotion, the direct perception of the indwelling self is attained. All concepts of duality fade away; thought rests in the stillness of illumination, will expands into dynamic immensity and devotion melts into all pervasive peace in an infinite effulgence of our expanding consciousness wherein our self is revealed in its truth, power, beauty and perfection.

This is yoga in its purest form. The ideal of yoga practice is the attainment of the realization of our true self. Self-realization leads to God-realization. Discover your true self and you will reveal unto yourself your identity with God.

Swami Premananda
The Blessedness of the Inner Life

Subjective Meditation

By the practice of subjective meditation the Self is revealed in its transcendental perfection as well as in its immanental existence; and the Yogi realizes that he is the Self, all-pervading yet absolute.

Meditation reveals in successive states of consciousness: I, the self, exist in the Self; the Self manifests itself through me; I am one with the Self; I am the Self; I am the Absolute.

The practice of Kriya unfolds the absolute divinity of one’s own Self, and the whole phenomenal universe, in all its diversities, is revealed as the manifestation of the one cosmic Self.

In the power of pure-consciousness the bliss of the Self transmutes the dual experiences of joy and sorrow in all states of existence. Bliss is the supreme power of self-realization.

As he aspires to liberate the mind from its identification with the sensory enjoyment of temporary pleasures the spiritual aspirant observes that the mind is incapable of independent existence, hence it seems that permanent tranquility is not its nature.

The sense-identified and sense-bound mind remains invariably objective in its tendency and stubbornly refuses to become subjective. Abiding calmness of the mind seems as impossible to attain as it is to gain perfect polarization of the currents of energy between the Muladhar and the Sahasraram.

The impression-bound mind is subject to ungovernable passion for objectivity and is consequently restless; but by continuous and steady practice of Kriya, as well as by complete renunciation of all relative desires, sensory and supersensory, the mind is made serene and is illumined by the Self.

The realization of the transcendental Self is a difficult task; this is the experience of every seeker after the state of self-liberation. But by the practice of subjective meditation the mind becomes steady, serene and self-composed, it is inspired by the strength of the self, and the power of remembrance reawakens the consciousness of self-transcendence, and finally the revelation of oneness with the absolute Self is attained.

Subjective Meditation 6:29-36
Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita: The Revelation of the Supreme Self
Swami Premananda

Pranayam and Meditation

Existence in the world of duality, even for an instant, is impossible without Prana, the cosmic energy, because the phenomenal universe is the differentiation of the undifferentiated Prana. Illumination does not come from merely attaining complete mastery over the sense-organs. But when mind transcends the influence of sense-impressions, the Self is realized. The enlightened mind must rule the senses. Control over the mind is attained by Pranayam and meditation. When the senses and the mind act in perfect harmony with the Self, then alone liberation is attained and the Yogi realizes himself as the absolute Self. Therefore practice Pranayam, the Kriya meditation, observing all major and minor laws in every detail. Pranayam regulates the entire system of the Yogi and enables him to attain higher realization, hence the practice of Pranayam is more desirable than living in an inharmonious state of body and mind. Besides, it is absolutely impossible to feel even the least sensory vibration without preserving in some measure the harmonious movement of Prana in the body. Pranayam must be practiced with the sole object of self-realization, otherwise it will become a veritable source of bondage. Therefore, discarding and thus being free from all phenomenal desires, practice Kriya. Since the beginning of creation, every soul has been endowed with the desire to regain its original state of absolute perfection. This desire inspires the spiritual aspirant to manifest his divinity in its fullest glory. Let him meditate on the six centers within the spine to awaken their spiritual vibrations. The spiritual vibrations of these centers, thus awakened, will keep his mind uplifted and enable it to remain established on Ajna, the spiritual eye; and finally he will be led into the Sahasraram where all consciousness of duality vanishes, and therein he will attain the supreme state of absolute, self-existent, conscious bliss.

Spiritual Interpretation of the Gita according to Kriya Yoga
Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita: The Revelation of the Supreme Self
Swami Premananda

Realization

Life, intelligence and love are truly within us. When these are spoken of in their universal nature, they are called absolute truths. We can only reveal and assert, but never prove them. We are Brahman, the Self, God. Yet at present we are not fully conscious of our true nature. The goal of our life’s journey is to realize our absolute divinity, otherwise called realization of our oneness with God. Is it possible to know, or realize God? Yes, it is most assuredly so.

There is a great difference between “knowledge” as we generally understand this term, and “realization.” To realize is to be come one with the reality which transcends sense perception. Realization is subjective. It rules that state of consciousness which intellect cannot penetrate. Knowledge is objective; it is finite. It is based on intellect. We know the phenomenal world; we realize the noumeal reality. We may know about a table, a picture, or any other object in the manifested universe, but in our knowledge of it we do not become one with it. It remains as a separate entity in our consciousness. Intellectual grasp is not realization. Let me further point out the difference between the two concepts from the illustration of a beautiful table. We acquire knowledge regarding its form, size and materials. These are external conditions. But we realize the beauty that is manifested through it. Beauty is a transcendental reality, which we realize.

Meditation is the gaining of control over our mind by turning it towards God. Meditation can be in two forms, subjective and objective. Subjective meditation is to meditate upon the Self within. “I am the absolute Self.” Thus meditate that you are Self, Spirit, God. Withdraw your mind from all other thoughts and firmly establish it on the Self within. Objective meditation is to realize God in all objects of the phenomenal world. Always culture recognition of the presence of God in all things. Unconditionally learn to see God everywhere. Never mind whether an object is pleasant or unpleasant, good or bad. See God in all. All these conceptions of the pairs of opposites are our own manufacture. Rise above duality and see God everywhere.

Our spiritual life should not be dominated by adverse material circumstances. Spiritual life must stand above all earthly conditions, as our Soul is above all effects of dualities. Do not always seek God, begin to see God. Blessed is he who sees God everywhere and beholds good in all things.

Swami Premananda
The Path of Pure Consciousness: Jnana Yoga

Thy Infinite Voice

“Thou dost speak unto me in the melody of thy infinite voice.

The gentle whisper of the passing breeze, the mystic call of the soaring skylark, the minstrel song of the wandering brook, the message of eternity from the mighty sea---thy voice all!---I hear in rapturous adoration because thou hast endowed me with the power of hearing.

The silent teardrops of the crushed heart, the distant cry of the lost wayfarer, the prayer of the penitent soul, bring me closer to thee because I have heard the voice of thy call of love and mercy.

Thy voice of truth would be lost in the nothingness of space if I could not hear thy revealed word of wisdom repeated unto me by enlightened men of realization.

Thou dost speak unto me because I possess the faculty of hearing thy divine utterance.

The resounding rhythm of thy cosmic creation which unites soul with thy transcendental Self, I perceive within me because thou hast given me the power to hear.”

The Sanctity of The Senses
Swami Premananda

Why do we desire peace?

Life has only one goal, it is the realization of blissfulness. All possessions are pain bearing if they are not blessed with peace. Life without peace is existence in eternal sorrow. The most powerful impelling force of all my aspirations and desires is my longing for peace. The yearning for happiness is the most secret as well as the most sacred desire of the human heart because all its hopes and aspirations spring forth from this innate and fundamental longing of the inner spirit of man. I am absolutely certain that even if I wanted to suppress, much less eradicate, my yearning for peace I would be utterly unsuccessful. I know that I want to live in peace and happiness, joy and contentment. I want to live in peace, peace for myself as well as peace for my fellowmen. The attainment of knowledge is the supreme purpose of life and the realization of peace is the divine goal of human existence.

Why do we desire peace? Because peace is the basic substance of our being. It is a constituent quality of our spiritual self. Peace is the divine essence of the soul. We long for that which belongs to us and we are never satisfied until we have regained our divine treasure. The longing for peace is the most blessed yearning of our soul, the most righteous desire of our being.

Within the immensity of my illumined pure consciousness I have discovered the abode of unbounded joy and ever abiding peace. This inner peace has no limitation either in depth or in expansiveness. It is immeasurable and infinite.

Furthermore, it is completely free from any objective association. It is the very essence of peace, the substance of happiness itself. It is peace in its purest perfection. It is happiness in its abundant fullness. It is the living joy of beatitude. It is the peace of soul in the blissfulness of God. It is there within my consciousness. It has always been there. It has not been passive and silent. On the contrary, it has been very dynamic and eloquent in my intuitive awareness of its presence within me. The power of peace is eternal and the voice of peace is heard within the heart and soul of every being. In searching for peace man seeks to regain the blessedness of his soul. I have found the peace of God in my soul, within the abode of my pure and illumined consciousness.

I often retire into the inner abode of my illumined pure consciousness to dwell in the peace of God within me. God has built a heaven of blissfulness within me.

Swami Premananda
The Abode of Peace Within My Consciousness

The Unselfish Life

It is impossible to withstand the inevitable tragedies of life on earth if we seek life apart from God. Life in God is universal life, it is life in the universality, wisdom and joy of the Self. We shall be drowned in the ocean of misery if we live in selfishness. A little straw in the river sinks down under a small weight. A log floats, though a crocodile may lie upon it. A selfish life is like the little straw which is unable to hold itself up against the burden of a little suffering. An unselfish man is like the log, though the monster of great misery be thrust upon him, he lives in serenity, wisdom and joy. The life of wisdom is to live in the realization of the Self in all. All is the Self. Realize the Self in all; love the Self in all. In such realization, life becomes a joyous progress and love a living power.

Realization of the Self
Swami Premananda

Autumn

The gentle autumn has arrived. Her very presence fills the heart with serene happiness. Tranquility composes the mind with calmness, a sublime stillness pervades the entire being with inexplicable beatitude, soul feels closer to one's own pure consciousness, and a contemplative attitude fills the whole environment with an inner spiritual well-being. A subjective awareness arises with the realization that the world is a holy place permeated with the presence of God, when autumn touches the inner eye of illumined perception and enlightened vision revealing the beauty of all and the perfect harmony of the God of love. Autumn brings down the beauty of God from heaven for our enjoyment of the earth.

There is something mystifying and mysterious about this singularly beautiful and enchanting daughter of nature that is hypnotic yet sublime, magnetic and transcendental in her graceful and charming appearance and expression. There is a halo of holiness around her and a radiation of sacredness emanating from her whole being that pervades the entire environment with subtle all-permeating spiritual liberation. In her presence spirituality becomes a tangible reality, and holiness of divine substance to be realized by the soul, and blissful happiness in deep exaltation of joyousness to be absorbed by the spirit.

Autumn is beautiful. The secret of her beauty is love. Love makes all individuals beautiful. Love is the ultimate perfection of divine harmony. Nature is beautiful in her cosmic harmony. Love unites all forms in all aspects of nature in one universal harmonious interrelationship and makes her the reality of beauty. Autumn is the ultimate perfection of the beauty of nature.

Autumn has a special message for the human soul. It reminds the soul that this terrestrial world of love and beauty, joy and happiness, is but a traveller's along the path of life's journey. The ultimate destiny of the existence and the aspiration of the human soul is the attainment of the transcendental state of God's absolute perfection. The soul must return to and realize its own absolute perfection as the divine spirit of the cosmos of the Infinity from eternity to eternity. The immortal soul must realize the ever-existing self.

The enchanting autumn comes sweetly sharing her beauty with all human souls, with all souls, in this panoramic world of color and completion and manifold revelations of art and abundance of aesthetic manifestations. Leaves have put on colorful garments of intricate patterns and delightful designs and joined in chorus company to meet the gentle breeze for their autumnal dance of farewell to the brilliant rays of the summer light.

Swami Premananda
Prayers of Soul

Self-Realization

“So long as our unfoldment requires us to continue our existence in the world of manifestation, we must have two ideals. One is the relative and the other is the absolute ideal. The relative ideal demands that we provide for the objective aspect of life; whereas the absolute ideal inspires us to realize the highest state of perfection, which is oneness with God, or Self-realization. These two ideals are complementary to each other. They are by no means contradictory, unless we make them so. Some live in the conviction that this world is altogether a source of bondage, unrighteousness, and misery. The cause of such belief lies in an ignorant perspective of the world they live in. The truth is that the world, to us, is like our two hands which we may use to strangle ourselves, or to save ourselves from being strangled.

Philosophy, religion, or truth does not make us rich, but it teaches us how to utilize what we possess, in order to regain our spiritual perfection. Philosophy lifts us into that state of consciousness at which the senses are instruments and Soul is the master. The ideal of life is not to be entangled by the world, but to live in it and remain free from its delusive influences. A true devotee loves God for God alone. No amount of disease, misfortune, poverty nor persecution can change his course of life from spirituality. He is firmly established on the Self. Spiritual perfection cannot be attained by casual effort. It takes time to accomplish any great task. It requires determination and unfaltering perseverance. To reach the spiritual ideal is the greatest undertaking in life.”

Realization of the Self
Swami Premananda

Noble Qualities

Experience, when rightly understood and wisely utilized, becomes a source of self-illumination, power and peace. I have lived in this world of ours, with its blessings and vexation, and have gained manifold experiences. I have lived a normal life, commensurate with my circumstances and spiritual ideal. I have found happiness and joy. Contentment and peace have not been alien to my inner life. I have also tasted the cup of sorrow and anguish. In its essence, my life is in no way different from that of any of you. Our problems and perplexities, in their basic nature, are the same. The difference is in the conditions of our environment.

Through all my experiences I have attained a higher perspective and a nobler vision. Humility before God and trust in his beneficence have been the fruits of my success and achievement. My failures have inspired patience and fortitude, and greater devotion to my spiritual ideal and faith. This I may say with the utmost sincerity and humility, that through all my accomplishments and disappointments, my life has been a success in the truest sense because all my experiences have guided me towards the attainment of ever-increasing spiritual unfoldment and realization, which in their turn have blessed me with happiness and peace.

In my life, especially during my spiritual ministry, I have come in contact with people of virtually all categories. In my association with my fellowmen, I often experienced a disturbing note in my friendship, love and devotion. It is true that I have received abundantly the spiritual blessings of fellowship, joy and happiness from kind and loving hearts. But what I want to emphasize here is that experiences of pain and agony have come to my life from those whom I have endeavored to serve, aid and assist. Nevertheless, I am not embittered by these untoward experiences. And the reason for this I want to reveal to you in order that you also under similar circumstances will be able to rise above all negative thoughts, desires and feelings within yourself.

I have discovered that man is fundamentally good and spiritual. In the innermost depth of his heart every man is kind and loving. This realization of the innate goodness of man has completely oriented my attitude towards my fellow beings. Today none can hurt me because I behold man in his spirit, and in his spirit man is good. Now my constant effort, under all circumstances, is to awaken man to his innate virtue and righteousness. I have come to realize that within every man are enshrined an endless number of noble qualities. However, among them, I will reveal to our knowledge and understanding one hundred and one. I have realized them within me. I am certain they also adorn your inner self.

Introduction to 101 Noble Qualities
By Swami Premananda
Originally Published 1956
Reprinted 2024

Liberation Through Work

What is Karma Yoga? It is Self-Realization in action; liberation through work; freedom by service. It is commonly called the path of action. In whatever state of self-expression we engage, that is action. We think, we love, we work. These are all actions. Karma Yoga is the regulation of all our actions in order that we may realize our innate spiritual perfection. The philosophy of Karma Yoga is the science of work. It teaches us how to perform all our activities that we may find peace and happiness in our daily life. Besides it opens our vision in wisdom whereby we may regain the full consciousness of our ever abiding state of subjective freedom, or salvation.

The beauty of the philosophy and science of yoga is this: That it does not require anything more from its follower than that which he already possesses. Starting on this foundation it helps him to utilize that to regain his absolute freedom.

Karma Yoga propounds this truth. It recognizes that we are constantly working; then why should we not use that activity for the highest purpose of life? Every action can be so directed as to bring us oneness with God.

But there is a secret key to this science of self-emancipation. Karma Yoga gives us that secret key. Therefore, Karma Yoga may be called the secret of work. The same work can enslave us to sense-identification, or reveal our innate freedom. It can drown us in misery, or bring us to the heights of peace. It can make us either restless, nervous, physical wrecks, or calm, dynamic, and strong. It can hide or reveal the Self. It can steep us in ignorance, or free us in wisdom. Karma Yoga tells us the secret of it all. It tell us how to become free from action not through abstention from, but by the performance of action.

The Law of Self-Manifestation (Karma Yoga)
Swami Premananda

Symbol of the Palm

Excerpt from Seven Mystic Holydays
Swami Premananda

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way! others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before and that followed, cried, “Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest”
—Matthew 21:8-9

Each year in the spring, when human hearts rejoice in the glory of new life resurrecting through all nature, certain religious rites are observed throughout the entire world. With only slight variations of time, all great religions enjoin upon the observance of Lent. Under different names it is celebrated as a period of fasting and purification. Its purpose is to lift the consciousness out of the domain of the sensory world into greater awareness of God and of divinity.

During this holy season, millions draw a little closer to God in consciousness. In that sense we say that it is an especially sacred time. Every moment is sacred because the all-permeating presence of God is ever with us. In reality each day is holy because all time is God’s time. Can there be a moment or second apart from God? But during special holydays, when millions of souls are awakened to the love of God, there is a spiritual radiation, like a cosmic broadcast, through the entire universe.

The Lenten period precedes Palm Sunday which commemorates an occasion of deep spiritual significance in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. After eighteen years of meditation and realization, Jesus began to preach the truths he had found within himself. The people of his home town and country heard of the spiritual glory which had come to their native son. So when word came that he was returning to Jerusalem, throngs came forth to meet him. They gave him a gala welcome, waving palms and shouting hosannas of praise.

In this homecoming, I believe, there was a deep human touch. Jesus had wanted to come back to the place where he had spent most of his early days. He knew that his earthly life was coming to an end. He could have observed the Passover anywhere for he had transcended the idea that there is virtue in mere external forms of rituals.

In the light of mysticism, the entry into Jerusalem symbolizes the journey of life, the pilgrimage of self-unfoldment which each of us must follow on the path of life. The life of Jesus sets forth a spiritual pattern to walk on the path of God. When he comes and enters into the center of the city, the people welcomed him by strewing their garments before him. It signifies the inner subjective discardance of false concepts and ideals, eradicating and dispersing the clouds which hide the light of purity and holiness.

The multitude, as they spread their garments, cried out “Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!” This chanting implies the consciousness of joy. Inner happiness is a prerequisite to spiritual realization. The reality of God is revealed only in subjective joy. One who is awakened to the love of God has an inner current of contentment in the heart. God alone is the source of all true joy and the palm is the symbol of joy and faith.

Nine Stages of Self-Unfoldment

The first is spiritual vision. Spiritual vision is that super-sensory perception wherein the transcendental truths are revealed. Infinity and eternity are innate qualities of our life. Immortality is the very substance of our soul. Universality is the essence of our spiritual being. The reality of our true self is beyond all finite categories. God is the absolute spirit. He is all pervading yet illimitable, revealed only in pure consciousness though known through the cognitive power of intelligence and discrimination. We are impelled by our spiritual nature to attain the knowledge of God and our true self. Our whole being demands it.

We are from spirit. Therefore, we reach out for the perfection of God. We intuitively know our ultimate spiritual destiny. We are convincingly aware within our consciousness that the perfection of God is the divine destiny of our soul, of all souls. We feel that God is the source, the substance and the sustenance of all. Desire to know God, soul and truths which are infinite, eternal and absolute, is the strongest of all urges within our innermost self. Nothing can obliterate this inner longing of the human spirit. Impelled by an irresistible force that is already within us, our mind, heart and soul ascend in continuous aspiration, transcending all concepts of time, space and duality, to gain the vision of the reality, perfection and glory of God.  

The second is spiritual aspiration. Spiritual aspiration is soul’s yearning for God and his perfection. It is the desire of the soul to unfold and manifest its divine qualities until they are perfected to the state of the attributes of God, wherein soul realizes its identity with the supreme Spirit. Spiritual ambition is the elevating force of the human spirit. In the innermost depth of our heart we all long to make our life beautiful, complete and joyous.  

Every one of us yearns for the grace of virtue and righteousness. Because it carries within itself all the attributes of God, our soul is unceasing in the endeavour to bring into full manifestation its divine potentialities. We not only desire the unfolding of our godly qualities but we also long to share their beneficence with our loved ones. We spiritually enrich ourselves as well as others by sharing our divine treasures of virtue and righteousness with all souls.

The third is intuition. Intuition is soul's power of direct apprehension of truth. We possess the faculties of the senses and mind wherewith to gain knowledge. We are also endowed with a spiritual power which gives us the ability to know the truth immediately and directly without the aid of the senses and the mind.

The power is intuition. We all possess the power of intuition because none of us is denied the reality of soul. All knowledge is gained within consciousness. Knowledge is revelation within consciousness. The purer the consciousness the more developed is the intuition. Truth is the ever-existing reality. It reveals itself within us when we have made our consciousness pure in its self-effulgence.

The fourth is contemplation. Contemplation is the total application of mind and consciousness to attain complete knowledge of truth and reality. It is the definite focusing of thought upon the subject of revelation. Meditation is profound contemplation upon God, soul and all other spiritual truths and realities. Meditation lifts our vision and consciousness into the realm of effulgent infinity wherein we become immersed in all-absorbing blissfulness.

The fifth is constancy. Constancy is the tenacity of the soul. It is the resolution of a devotional heart and the steadfastness of an unwavering mind. It is the courage of the inner self to pursue the course of a noble ideal amidst all obstacles. It is the firmness of the spirit that seeks the highest good.

The sixth is constructive attitude. A constructive attitude is the positive power of mind and heart. It has its origin in the soul. When the mind and heart are inspired and guided by the divine qualities of the soul that constructive attitude is attained. Spiritual idealism is the foundation of the constructive attitude. The closer we identify our life, thought, desire and feeling with spiritual qualities the more abiding becomes our constructive attitude. It not only keeps our own consciousness established on all that is beautiful and sublime within ourselves, but also guides our perceptive vision to cognize that which is good and elevating in all experiences of life.

A constructive attitude is indicative of inner spiritual unfoldment. Spirituality invariably awakens the consciousness of a positive approach within us. The constructive attitude, therefore, is an integral part of the inner thinking of a man of spiritual illumination.

The seventh is universality. Universality is the divine glory of our soul. It is as natural to our soul as freedom is to space. Our soul is universal, infinite and all-encompassing. It is limitless in all its divine qualities. The righteousness of our soul cannot be confined within the limitations of time, space and form.

The godly virtues of our soul grant us the realization that all are parts of our greater self and that we are one with all. God has endowed our soul with the attributes of universality in order that we may realize that in spirit we are one with all objects and beings of his infinite creation as well as with him.

The eighth is self-transcendence. Man is a transcendental soul. We are transcendental spirit. Nothing of this sensory world can confine our soul. Birth and death, pleasure and pain, and all other conditions of this plane of evanescent existence are merely the passing shadows of the divine reality of our soul.

There are other planes of existence and different worlds of manifestation in God's cosmic creation. Our soul journeys through them all, but none of these can hold our soul within its limitations. God has made our soul of the substance of his transcendent divinity that we may dwell in our spiritual glory forever.

The ninth is self-realization. Self-realization is the realization of our true self. It is the revelation of our godly self within our pure consciousness. It is the direct knowledge of what we are in our spiritual self. The realization of the self alone gives us the right understanding of every aspect of our life and its expressions. The knowledge of our true self accords us with the spiritual direction to our life, thought, will and emotion. Desire for self-realization is the supreme motive force of our life. Let a man know his real self and he shall conduct his life in conformity with ethical principles and spiritual idealism.

The light of the self is the true light in man. Self-realization is the highest goal of our life. We are irresistibly progressing towards that ultimate objective of our existence. In truth, through science, art, philosophy and religion we are drawing ever nearer to the realization of the full perfection and glory of God, our supreme Self. In the realization of our divine self we reach that state of self-perfection wherein we realize our identity with God and attain the realization that we are the absolute self.

From: Meditation and Self-Unfoldment: The Divine Way of the Soul, 1979
Swami Premananda

Love is Soul

Love is the inherent quality of the human heart. We, as yet, may not have developed the perfect intellect to understand metaphysical truths; our physical strength may not be adequate to allow us to work and serve; we may be mentally deficient, or physically weak, but the unending flow of the fountain of love is in every one of us. We are not truly alive until we have drunk from the fountain of love. Then alone we know the fullness of life when we have given ourselves to love. In love we truly live. Life unfolds itself in love, for love is life.

All possess love. We not only possess love, but we also have the spiritual strength to express it. To possess love is to manifest it. One whose heart is imbued with love can never hide it, for his whole being radiates it. Can a full-blown rose hide its fragrance? Then how can anyone ever conceal the sweetness of love? For love is sweeter than the rose.

We tend spontaneously to manifest love. Even from the day we are born, we try to express our love. None can ever fully express the love that fills his heart. Word and gesture are too finite to express the sublimity of infinite love that dwells in the human heart. Complete realization of love comes in the union of souls, for love is a quality of soul. Love is soul.

Swami Premananda
The Magnetic Power of Love (Bhakti Yoga)

That Indwelling Power

We are made in the spirit of God. This is the most sublime revelation we have attained in our advancement towards the realization of the highest goal of human existence. We are immortal spirit dwelling within this transitory body. God has created us in his spirit and he has endowed us with the very essence of his transcendental Self. He has infused into our soul all the qualities which are eternal and infinite. We instinctively feel that his divine potency is hidden within us. We intuitively know that within our innermost self abides the power of Spirit, the power which is so benign and efficacious that it must have its origin in God.

When we become consciously aware of the presence of that indwelling power, a new inspiration quickens our hearts and minds. A resplendent dawn of divine revelation awakens us to a realm of spiritual illumination wherein we gain direct perception of the immeasurable power of soul. An inner certainty stimulates our entire being with subjective vigor and strength. An indomitable courage, enlivened with sublime idealism, lifts our vision and aspiration, and we realize that the power of God is within us.

Life is creative progress. Progress is power in creative fulfillment. All true achievements are the results of the wise application of the power with which God has endowed us. In the course of civilization’s successive stages of growth, the vast constructive advancement which we have secured in our objective life is in final analysis, the fruit of the right utilization of God-given power enshrined within us. Each accomplishment that we have gained and every object that we possess in our outer life give concrete evidence of the existence of the extramundane power within us which is not only ever creative but also inexhaustible. The enormous progress that we have already made in the sensory world bears witness to the tremendous power that we carry within ourselves.

But it is in our inner life of spirituality that we attain to the full realization of the immensity and supremacy of the power which the omnipotent God has established within us. In our subjective struggle and unfoldment do we well comprehend the force and magnitude of our innate power.

From The Blessedness of the Inner Life
By Swami Premananda

One God, Variously Called by Thy Devotees

Lead us from the unreal to the real,
From darkness to light,
From death to immortality.

Bless us that we may realize thee within us,
And thy presence in each and every object and being of the universe:
That we may realize thou art sleeping in minerals,
Dreaming in plants, awake in animals, conscious in human souls;
That we may love all as part of our own soul in the cosmic Soul.

Awaken us to the realization that this manifested universe
Is but an infinitesimal part of thy stupendous whole.
Let us realize that thou art the Brahman of the Hindus,
Jehovah of the Jews, Christ of the Christians, Allah of the Muslims:
One God, variously called by thy devotees.

Thou art Consciousness-Existence-Bliss Absolute.
We are one with thee. We are immortal, blissful, perfect.

From Prayers of Self-Realization
By Swami Premananda
Based on a Vedic Prayer

Awakening

I was alone on the lonely mountain when I heard thy voice in the song of a spring bird. I opened my eyes and beheld thy form. I looked within and found thee in my heart. The light of the new dawn has touched my soul and I am awakened with the vision of thy all-pervading universality and thy transcendental infinity.

When I came out to greet the dawn thy light touched my soul and filled my heart with the peace of thy bliss. Thy life animates the seed to grow into the beauty of a plant. Thy divinity inspires my soul to unfold the glory and grace of thy perfection. Thou dost reveal thy splendor through thy created universe. I look at the grandeur and beauty of nature and a feeling of adoration overfills my heart. I bow before the grandeur of thy form. I lose myself in thy formless being. It must be that my soul has touched thy glory. Then, O all-pervading God, unveil thy mystery which is hidden within me that I may realize thy perfection in my soul and manifest thy divine attributes in my life and self-expression.

The dawn heralds thy coming to my heart and the twilight opens the door of thy immortality to my soul. I gather the morning flowers in my hands and I feel thee everywhere. Would my garden of flowers be beautiful without thy light? Then touch my heart with thy divinity that all the virtues of love and grace may blossom forth in their fullest glory in my being.

Why do the flowers not bloom in the winter? Is it because the spring then would be devoid of beauty and loveliness? The beauty of spring draws thee closer to my heart. With devotion and purity let me receive thee nearer to my soul.

The flowers and the foliage are my fellow devotees. I worship thee in the companionship of these souls of thy creation in the temple of thy cosmic nature. Only the thought of thee inspires beauty in my heart; then the exquisitely sweet pansy must be in ever-adoring contemplation of thy perfection.

Nature has put on the robe of beauty and I behold thy permeating grace and glory in all and everywhere. As the little lake plays with the stars above so let my senses catch the beauty of thy manifested glory.

Some mystic hand must have painted the butterfly, else how could such exquisite colors have decorated its wavering wings? The bluejay gathers the azure from the sky above. The cardinal borrows its beauty from the setting sun. The violet draws its sweetness from the kindly earth, but my soul imbibes the glory of God from everywhere. Then let me in humility receive the grace of thy wisdom, power and love to inspire my heart.

Like the song of the morning bird let thy wisdom and love awaken me from the slumber of spiritual forgetfulness.

“Awakening” by Swami Premananda
From The Inner Path to God

Five Ways of Meditation

Meditation is a very broad term in the field of philosophy and religion. It includes all righteous efforts of mind, heart and soul that lead to enlightenment, revelation and realization. Enlightenment is the result of the right comprehension of truth. Revelation is the result of the inner unfoldment of truth. Realization is the perfection of becoming one with truth. Mind enquires and comprehends. Heart feels and unfolds. Soul recognizes and realizes. Meditation begins with the mind, it is inspired by the heart and perfected in the soul.

Meditation may be practiced in the following five ways:

1.     Contemplation on a spiritual form or symbol. A spiritual form is the personified image of impersonal truths. A symbol is the visible manifestation of absolute ideals. The knowledge that an image or a symbol is but a finite representation of infinite truths and ideals must be recognized in this method of meditation.

2.     Contemplation upon the spiritual qualities which are associated with a sacred form or symbol. It is the concentration of mind exclusively upon the sublime qualities of a symbol. In this meditation, mind and thought are lifted completely beyond form and finiteness.

3.     Contemplation upon the divine attributes of one's own heart. Within the heart of each of us are enshrined all the attributes of divinity and perfection. Meditation upon each and all of these attributes fills the heart with inspiration, joy and blissfulness.

4.     Contemplation upon one's own inner self as a spiritual being. By deep introspection we recognize within us a self-conscious self. It is totally independent of body and mind. It is completely free from all finite thoughts and impressions. It is a distinct individual entity. It is our spiritual self, our soul. Contemplation upon the spiritual self is meditation on the soul. The light of God illumines and liberates the individualized self-consciousness.

5.     Contemplation upon the cosmic-consciousness. This is the unification of individual self-consciousness with infinite Self-consciousness. It is that inner profound meditation wherein the self, rejecting and transcending all subjective finiteness, becomes absorbed in meditation upon the absolute Self.

RAJA Yoga: The Yoga of God-Realization by Swami Premananda
(Translation and commentary on the first chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras)

The Philosophy of Love

Love is eternally within us. We feel its presence; we know it exists in us; we realize its power; yet we are unable to express it in words. Who has ever succeeded in giving the fullest expression of love in words? None. Love is transmitted from heart to heart, from soul to soul. In love we become silent. In the fullness of love, we are speechless. In love, our whole being vibrates in the rhythm of joy. Love needs no words to express itself. The moment we attempt to express love in words, it loses its charm, its magnetism is gone. Truly did the poet realize:

“When words are spoken, Love’s accent is soon forgot.”

Do not inquire about love, find it, live in it, and be immersed in the sweetness of joy. Love cannot be understood by intellect. Love dies when we try to analyze it. Love is a quality of soul, it is realized in soul alone.

By Swami Premananda, The Magnetic Power of Love (Bhakti Yoga)