Free Choice - God's Greatest Gift

We can say taht God make this earth not only as a hobby, but also because he wanted to make perfect souls that would evlove back to Him. He sent them out under the cloak of delusion, or maya, but endowed with freedom. That is the greatest gift of God. He has not denied mankind the free choice that He Himself has. He has given man freedom to be good or evil, to do exactly as he pleases - even to deny God. Both godd and evil exist, but nobody compels you to be evil unless you choose to practice evil; and nobody can compel you to be good unless you want to be good. God created us with the ability to exercise His gifts of intelligence and freechoice, by which we can choose to go back to Him. God certainly means to take us back when we are ready to go. We are like the biblical prodigal son, and God is continuously calling to us to come HOME.

The ideal of every human life should be to be good, to be happy, and to find God. You will never be happy unless you do find God. That is why Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God." (Matthew 6:33 Bible). That is the purpose of our existence:that we strive to become perfect, and to use our free will to choose god instead of evil. God has given to us all the power we need to do so. The mind is like an elastic band. The more you pull, the more it stretches. The mind-elastic wll never break. Every time you feel limitations, close your eyes and say to yourself, "I am the Infinite" and you will see what power you have.

Paraphrased from "Self Realization Fellowship" by Paramahansa Yogananda

Introspecting our inner potential

“God made man in his image and all those who know him in spirit can realize the divinity sleeping within them by expanding the powers of the mind. Being children of God we have potential dominion over all things in his universe, even as he has.” Paraphrased from the chapter 'Receiving God's Answer's to your prayers' in Journey to Self Realization by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda - Guru and Founder of Self Realization Fellowship and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India.

The above paragraph contains the greatest truth ‘We are Gods’ and it is just that we have not realized it. Our true potential is hidden deep because our ego has taken over which says that we are limited to this body. We refuse to wake up from this slumber; at times, we wake up but fall asleep again. We make very little effort to awaken in us the cosmic consciousness. We have to remove the veil of ignorance by introspecting the way we live our lives on a daily basis. We must constantly make an effort to improve. The divine laws are so perfect that to master it may take more than a lifetime, however one must try one's best to acheive as much as possible within this lifetime that is given. That is why it is important we start the effort today and ensure we continue it devoutly. It should not be another routine but rather a time when you are going to be your own self. As we progress we realize our true self not only at a given time but all through – day and night. This will ultimately lead to simple living and high thinking.

Healing

Stubborn mental or physical diseases always have a deep root in the subconsciousness. Illnessmay be cured by pulling out its hideen roots. That is why all affirmations of the conscious mind should be impressive enough to permeate the subconsciousness which in turn automatically influences the conscious mind. Strong conscious affirmations thus react on the mind and body through the medium of the subconscious. Still stronger affirmations reach not only the subconscious, but also the superconsicous mind -- the magic storehouse of miraculous powers -- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, "Scientific Healing Affirmations'

We all have this tendency of thinking that we must have good health at all times. Our health is determined by our thought processeses and this is precisely what Paramahansa Yoganandaji is saying in the abovementioned quote. We are very eager to get healed or good health instanteneously however we forget that unless we are always in tune to the supreme consciousness or cosmic consciousness we cannot achieve it. When we are developing ourselves into being Self realized people it takes time for healing to happen. An moreover we have to have the attitude of complete surrender to the Almighty because only he directs everything. So doing our part of affirming good health in a strong manner without an element of doubt is essential. In the initial stages of our spiritual quest we always have doubts about the power of affirmations and being steadfast in it is the way ahead because in time your effort will see results. Paramahansa Yogananda put it very well stating that pain and pleasure is transitory and we have to endure the duality with belief and faith. God Bless every soul in this world, Amen