Excerpt from “Increasing the Power of Initiative,” by Paramahansa Yogananda. It can be read in full in Man’s Eternal Quest, the first volume of Paramahansaji’s Collected Talks and Essays, published by YSS.
I was reluctant, at first, to become a teacher — the implications frightened me. A teacher has to be a shock-absorber; the minute he becomes disturbed, he cannot help those who seek his aid. A true teacher has to love everybody; he has to understand humanity, and to know God.
But when Sri Yukteswarji told me that my role in this life was to be that of a teacher, I called on the Lord’s infinite power to sustain me. When I started to give lectures, I made up my mind that I would speak not by book learning but by inner inspiration, holding the thought that behind my speech was the inexhaustible Creative Power. I have also utilized that Power in other directions, to help people in business and in many different ways.
I have used mortal mind to reflect Immortality. I did not say: “Father, do it,” but, “I want to do it, Father. You must guide me; You must inspire me; You must lead me.”
Do little things in an extraordinary way; be the best one in your line. You must not let your life run in the ordinary way; do something that nobody else has done, something that will dazzle the world. Show that God’s creative principle works in you.
Never mind the past. Though your errors be as deep as the ocean, the soul itself cannot be swallowed up by them. Have unflinching determination to move on your path unhampered by limiting thoughts of past errors.
Life may be dark, difficulties may come, opportunities may slip by unutilized, but never within yourself say, “I am done for. God has forsaken me.” Who could do anything for that kind of person? Your family may forsake you; good fortune may seemingly desert you; all the forces of man and nature may be arrayed against you; but by the quality of divine initiative within you, you can defeat every invasion of fate created by your own past wrong actions, and march victorious into paradise.
Though you be defeated a hundred times, be determined that you are nonetheless going to conquer. Defeat is not meant to last for an eternity. Defeat is a temporary test for you. Naturally God wants to make you invincible, to have you bring into play the almighty power that is within you, so that on the stage of life you can fulfil your high destined role.
What are you determined to accomplish in the new year?
You can find Man’s Eternal Quest and the other two volumes of Paramahansa Yogananda’s Collected Talks and Essays on the YSS online bookstore.
The Yogoda Satsanga Lessons, Paramahansaji’s comprehensive home-study programme on the science of meditation and the art of balance living present his complete teachings and techniques for tapping the infinite potential of one’s own creative initiative to transform life completely.
