Welcome to the February edition of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India eNewsletter. This month we share inspiring thoughts from Paramahansa Yogananda on how to free ourselves from the influence of karma—the results of past actions, governed by the law of cause and effect.
Paramahansa Yogananda on Practical Methods for Overcoming Karma
You are the one who created your good and bad karma; and when you say there is no hope, you have failed. But when you think, “I am free, I am strong; even though bad karma strikes me, still I will not give up,” then you will see your good karma coming forth. No matter how bad your karma is, try to diagnose your life and strive to do good, to do right, according to your wisdom. Your karma will change; you will see that your bad karma will change into good.
The effects of your actions have much less power to hurt you when you do not allow the mind to give in to them. Remember that. You can also resist by counteracting the bad effects of past wrong actions with good effects set in motion by present right actions, thus preventing the creation of an environment favourable to the fruition of your bad karma.
When you realise yourself as a child of God, what karma have you? God has no karma. And you have none, when you know you are His child. Every day you should affirm, “I am not a mortal being; I am not the body. I am a child of God.” That is practicing the presence of God. God is free from karma. You are made in His image. You also are free from karma.
Material remedies—medicines, physical comforts, human consolation—have their place in helping to remove pain, but the greatest remedy is the practice of Kriya Yoga and the affirmation that you are one with God. This is the cure-all for every trouble, pain, and bereavement...
In this video excerpt, much-respected SRF/YSS Swami Anandamoy (1922-2016) shares insights on understanding and rising above karma.
