What does it take to lead a God-centered life? Only everything you’ve got. This insightful, inspiring explanation is from the book, Finding the Joy Within You, by longtime Self-Realization Fellowship president Sri Daya Mata. By “Guruji,” she is referring to Paramahansa Yogananda.
Guruji often said to us that no matter what the world is doing, no matter what it is passing through, you keep your mind fixed in God. If you want to know God, the mind must be with Him at all times. Keep on working toward it, and you will see that it will come. You must nourish that wanting, that yearning, with meditation. Nourish it by practicing the presence of God. Nourish it by constantly telling God, “I love You, I love You.” Even at those times when the heart feels dry, keep trying to feel love for Him. It must become a way of life; not for just a few minutes or hours a day, and not for just a few years, but through all the moments of the rest of your days. Then you will find at the end of the trail that the Divine Beloved is there waiting for you.
Is it possible to maintain awareness of God’s presence in every moment? Daya Ma suggested thinking of it this way: When you fall in love, you hold the thought of your beloved in the back of your mind throughout the day, even while concentrating on difficult tasks. Simply do the same with the Divine Beloved. Ultimately, it is not outer activity but inner restlessness that distracts you from God.
Our daily worship of God is not really the process of gradual acquisition of him, but the daily process of surrendering ourselves, removing all obstacles to union and extending our consciousness of him in devotion and service, in goodness and in love.
Rabindranath Tagore
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ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
Here is a three-minute video that introduces you to Phil and his book. Click here to buy Sixty Seconds. Click here to ask Phil to add you to his e-mail list for updates on his blog and books.
Reading this book is like spending a few minutes face to face with each of the contributors and listening to their personal stories. Click here to read unsolicited testimonials from readers. Learn more by visiting the official Sixty Seconds website.
Sixty Seconds was one of three finalists in the General Interest/How-To category at the 12th annual Visionary Awards presented by COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) in Denver on June 27, 2009.
