Morning Motivation: Paramahansa Yogananda's Optimism

Paramahansa Yogananda wrote a wonderful book called Autobiography of a Yogi in which he described his life’s spiritual journey. His eternal optimism and unwavering faith have made his book unforgettable to millions of readers, and you can now read his book online at Autobiography of a Yogi. During these difficult financial and political times, hearing the enthusiastic, joyful, and fully trusting voice of Paramahansa Yogananda would be especially appreciated. Fortunately, although he passed away in 1952, his written words can still touch our hearts. For example, Yogananda wrote a chapter describing a time during his youth when his older brother (frustrated with Yogananda’s complete lack of interest in material affairs) posed a seemingly impossible challenge to his faith. Over breakfast one morning, the older brother proposed that Yogananda find a way to journey to the neighboring Brindaban under the following conditions: “You must not take a single rupee; you must not beg, either for food or money; you must not reveal your predicament to anyone; you must not go without your meals; and you must not be stranded in Brindaban. If you return to my bungalow here before twelve o'clock tonight, without having broken any rule of the test, I shall be the most astonished man in Agra!” Of course, you might think a boy would pale in fear or immediately start backpedaling and explaining that the Divine should not be tested. However, this was Yogananda’s response: “’I accept the challenge!’ No hesitation was in my words or in my heart…. Never would I admit my ‘philosophy’ unequal to any tussle on the world's harsh proving ground!” The rest of the chapter reveals how Yogananda passed the test as the Divine amply provides for him, but my focus is on the way he enthusiastically said YES to the challenge itself. How courageous to say YES to life, even when life offers seemingly impossible challenges! Yogananda was firmly committed to his belief that with the Divine, anything is possible. Or as A Course in Miracles says, “Be humble before Him, and yet great in Him.” May you enthusiastically say YES to today’s challenges without hesitation! To read other motivational and inspirational thoughts throughout the day, follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/DrDebBrown