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Realizing
Our Highest Potential: Brother Devananda, whose name means “bliss in God,” has been a member of the Self-Realization Fellowship monastic community for 30 years and serves at the society's headquarters in Los Angeles. Known for his down-to-earth style, Brother Devananda lectures internationally on Yogananda's teachings. Q: The world offers more stimulation now than ever in history, yet all this stimulation seems to satisfy people less and less. Why? B.D.: More information, material wealth, entertainment, communication, are causing people to go into a permanent state of “overwhelm.” People are really doing their best to work as fast as they can, taking care of their kids, mates, jobs. But no matter how accelerated their pace, it never quite seems fast enough. It's not surprising that many of the people I counsel complain of feeling driven and very uncomfortable. They know something's wrong, that something's missing from their lives. In this maelstrom of sensory input, they've lost sight of their priorities. They know deep down, there's a lot more potential; but they donšt know how to let it out. Q.: What is most missing from people's lives? B.D.: We are living in a world which conditions us to believe that outer attainments can give us what we want. Yet our experiences reveal that nothing external can completely fulfill the deep longing within ourselves for “something more.” So what is the answer? The spiritual side is neglected for most people; it's the missing ingredient. If you don't have that, you can't be happy no matter what you've got outwardly. Temporarily, you might be satisfied, but not long-range. To open up our spiritual life, we have to trust ourselves, trust that it's okay to try something new. Attend a lecture. Read an article. Delve into spiritual teachings. It comes down to the idea of being open, of being willing to see that since my life is not quite working, maybe there is something out there that will enable me to grow. Trust that it's okay to try. This process of openness is what drew me to Self-Realization Fellowship 32 years ago and to its foundation - the science of yoga meditation. However, be careful not to become a changeable enthusiast, enamored with many spiritual paths, but committed to none. Yogananda noted: “Some students are led by curiosity to adopt a particular spiritual path, hoping to reach the destination of truth and wisdom; but they often become sidetracked by their insatiable curiosity. As they keep trying new ways for the thrill of a change, they never reach their goal. These people are interested in listening to spiritual truths, but not in making the effort to apply those truths in actual life and to realize them through experience, within the Self.” He continued by saying: “Some students who have only theoretically tried different teachings are still seeking, instead of applying in their lives the best teachings they have found.” Q.: Briefly describe the Self-Realization Fellowship techniques of yoga meditation. B.D.: The Bible says: “Be still and know that I am God.” In these few words lies the key to the Self-Realization Fellowship teachings as set forth by Paramahansa Yogananda. The science of yoga meditation offers a direct means of stilling the natural turbulence of thoughts and restlessness of body that prevent us from knowing what we really are. By practicing the step-by-step methods of yoga meditation, we come to know our oneness with God. Kriya Yoga, the particular system of meditation taught by Paramahansa Yogananda, enables the consciousness to be drawn to higher levels of perception, gradually bringing about an inner awakening more blissful and more deeply satisfying than any of the experiences of the mind or the senses or the ordinary human emotions can give. Q.: Aside from the initial benefits of meditation, such as increased health and a sense of peace, what are some of the lesser known effects as one progresses in their practice? B.D.: Many people don't realize how much meditation magnifies our intuitive abilities. God is speaking to us through our intuition, guiding us all the time. This heightened intuition guides us in our daily lives, but more important, it allows us to experience God's presence. When you meditate, you are able to intuitively perceive God, manifesting as deep peace, love, joy, upliftment and light. You're less judgmental. And you are more apt to love others, too. You can love more when you're not focused on judging. Q.: So meditation actually increases our capacity to love? B.D.: Yes, meditation increases our ability to give love and receive love. There are a lot of layers to us that we don't realize are there. When we slow down and meditate, our facades begin to drop. As we tune into our higher self as soul, we can embrace our real nature, which is love. Yogananda said: “If you meditate deeply, a love will come over you such as no human tongue can describe; you will know His divine love, and you will be able to give that pure love to others.” Brother
Devananda will present a lecture series in Atlanta |