We have arrived at full summer, complete with long, light-filled days and warm temperatures. My calendar is full! During this time, I find it important to remind myself of Yogananda’s earnest devotion to knowing God on a daily basis. Likewise, my own devotion begins with my commitment to silence and meditation, but what about the rest of the day? As an active person with many worldly obligations, interests, and hobbies, I used to find it difficult to feel God’s presence every day and within every activity. It wasn’t until I was equipped with my “spiritual compass” that I learned how to keep my mind fixed on God and devote every act of participation in any activity as service to the Divine plan. Now, I am able to find my spiritual compass when I feel lost by slipping into the silence and fixing my attention at the point between the eyebrows. This is the Christ Consciousness center, the seat of the single eye spoken of by Christ: “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light” (Matthew 6:22). If I do this with a riveted heart, even for a moment, God is sure to be back with me, filling me with light and magnetically directing my way. I have also found that the practice of simplicity helps me to maintain my focus on God in these busy summer months. Yogananda wrote, “Everything has its place, but when you waste time at the cost of your true happiness it is not good. I dropped every unnecessary activity so that I could meditate and try to know God, so that I could day and night be in His divine consciousness.” Guruji’s words remind me that simplicity is important, especially as I am tempted to pack my schedule with summer activities. If I follow his example, I can avoid engaging in unnecessary activities which fill time, but not my heart and soul. Returning to my spiritual compass for a moment’s pause will allow God to direct my choices and bring me to a place of stillness and peace.
Beloved God, Christ, and Gurus,
Help me to keep my mind always fixed on you,
The true north of my heart,
So that you may direct my life
Into purposeful action.
This week, Kriyabans from the Assisi Institute will share their spiritual journey as Isha Das turns to other work on our behalf. Today’s reflection comes from Brahmacharyn Krystal Stimus.
