I take this sacred vow: Never will I lower my love’s gaze below the eyebrow-horizon of my constant thoughts of Thee! Never will I turn my uplifted inner sight away from Thee!

Devotees who are unattached to the body, and who have achieved control over the life force, experience no loss of consciousness at death. They move consciously through the spiritual eye and experience what is known as “conscious death.”

One day, when the great Buddha and his disciples were resting in the cool shade of a tree, a courtesan approached him, attracted by the glowing body and face of the Master.

No more will I remain moving through the sea of cosmic consciousness—night and day, years, decades, and how many incarnations!—so close, yet never able to contact Thy sea.

A luxurious material life is pleasing only to the eyes; few realize “what price material comforts.” Don’t be a slave to money or possessions. Learn to live simply, renouncing unnecessary “wants” and ever-increasing desires.

This story illustrates that if you leave the world for God, see that you also forsake worldly thoughts from within. Otherwise, wherever you go, your worldliness will go with you, attracting to you a worldly environment.

My lot is small, and my life’s season is short, yet now I would produce a mighty harvest. I will expand my kingdom of will power. To do so, I must conquer new states of consciousness, enlarge my achievements, and outgrow, in consciousness, every limiting horizon.

Yogananda never forgot for an instant that the real Doer was God. Inwardly, he was always free and at peace.

I am Thy child.
The wealth of earth and universe
Belongs to me, belongs to me,
O belongs to me, belongs to me.

Why do people doubt God? Doubts arise from uncertainty, and uncertainty arises from attachment. Many people saw Jesus display miraculous powers, but failed to perceive his spiritual greatness.

Sananda was a great saint who traveled across the plains of India with a large group of disciples. Many householders considered it a privilege to entertain a true saint and his disciples.

I bring Thee all the honey from the hive of my heart. All that was ever mine is now Thine alone.

Always avoid the evil of selfishness. It is the root of all troubles, whether individual or national. Selfishness caused the 1930 depression in America. Businessmen and industrialists, by their indifference to the needs and sufferings of others, broke the spiritual law of equal supply. Thus, the richest nation on the globe suddenly became poor.

Just then, a huge Royal Bengal tiger came into the cottage and calmly sat down at the hermit’s feet, causing a near panic among the prince’s retinue. After the hermit petted the tiger on the head, it slunk slowly away into the dark jungle.

Each human being is but one Flame, separate-seeming from all others.

When you yield to bad habits, they become stronger and your will power becomes weaker.

Paul and Mike hated each other even when they were boys growing up in Philadelphia. They quarreled at school, and when they grew up, they were business rivals and loved the same fair maiden.

The voice of Thy wisdom roams through the ether of space, seeking everywhere hearts that are tuned to ecstasy.

In this 40th anniversary commemorative issue, we review events and developments that have shaped Ananda’s 40 year history and look ahead to future directions.

Parents and children should understand that their relationship is not fortuitous, but is due to a divine plan. Family life is the laboratory in which human love can be transformed into God’s perfect love.

Like the good child who is unaware of his goodness, the devotee who is absorbed in the beauty of God is unaware of his own divine qualities.

Everything we eat, think, and do affects bodily health. Periodically, we need to take inventory and ask ourselves: What we are aiming toward? How are we progressing toward that goal? Is it at the expense of our health?

Guide Thou my understanding and powers, so that I may turn evil, dark minds into sparkling wisdom rays.

Attachment destroys love and is the source of much misery. Only our love for God is ever fully requited.

John failed in every business he tried, but being crooked by nature, he became highly successful at undoing men of achievement.

All things are gifts of God even though He makes man work for them for the sake of his own evolution. They include health, prosperity, intelligence, creative ability, will power and, above all, spiritual qualities.

Love God with all your heart and soul for you cannot know love, nor love anyone or anything, without first receiving that love from God.

Teach us to feel that no duty is more important than our duty to Thee.

Surveys of present-day Christians show that a high percentage of them feel shaken in their faith by scholarly claims that challenge the very authenticity of the Gospels.