This week, Kriyabans from the Assisi Institute will share aspects of the spiritual life as Isha Das turns to other work on our behalf. Today’s reflection comes from Greg Schuler.
“Your trials did not come to punish you, but to awaken you – to make you realize that you are a part of Spirit and that just behind the sparks of your life is the Flame of Infinity.”
Yogananda
Sometimes I feel like my trials are too big, and I am not equipped to face them. This is when I pray to the Guru. As I discussed a challenge I am currently facing with a trusted spiritual friend, he advised me to just let my challenge flow through me and to let God flow through me. Our Gurus teach us that God is always present, and we are already at one with God. Yogananda’s quote tells me that trials bring out greater and greater experiential knowledge of this oneness. I have to face the fire of life’s trials so that they will burn away what is impeding God’s love from flowing through me and out into the world. I am trying to see these trials as invitations to put myself and my stories aside. From this perspective they are gifts that deserve my gratitude.
Yogananda, thank you for these challenges. Help me to realize and trust in your design for my life. Break down the door of my heart, and let Christ flow through me and out of me into the world.
