Dear John,
Devi and I have been exploring the same basic theme for three blogs, allowing us to look more deeply at such an important topic. Two weeks ago I wrote about the importance of faith, followed by Devi’s blog about relaxing upward. Today, I want to write about a topic that concerns everyone: how to deal with our responsibilities.
The teachings of the scriptures and the Masters are quite clear on the topic: We have a responsibility to act to the best of our ability, with righteousness and with kindness toward all. Of course, we have to do our best to foresee the likely results of our actions, but then we must leave the results to God. We can’t control the thoughts and reactions of others.
Imagine a lighthouse: The keeper has to make sure that the light is operating well and is sending out its beam. But he isn’t responsible for the actions of every ship’s captain. Likewise, we need to project our light, and leave the rest to God.
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Last week we received a lovely letter from a friend that illustrates the point. She is a doctor and the medical officer for a large business in southern India. I’ve excerpted from her letter:
“There are many young girls working here and they have a lady welfare officer. This LWO is very friendly to me and a very nice person. One day I saw her at her workplace and was shocked to see how she was interacting with her subordinate girls. She seemed totally different. She was shouting at them with no basic respect at all and also showing irritation and anger towards them in words and actions.
“When she later came to my cabin, I told her that I was surprised that she behaves like that with those girls. She said that’s how we can get the work done from these people otherwise they cheat us. I just thought it’s difficult to change people with such a strong mind-set. I was judgmental at that time.
“I had the book Touch of Love on my table, intending to read it during my free time. My friend saw the book and quickly ran through the pages. She said that she reads a lot and so I offered her the book.
“In a week’s time she came back and she said it’s such a lovely book and asked me about the path and about the authors of the book!
“She said it has touched her so much that she should start being good and kind, especially to her girls and not shout at them with harsh words. I was so surprised and happy as I could see that gentleness in her eyes too.
“Dear Jyotish ji and Devi ji, I am so happy that you are changing lives, knowingly and unknowingly in many corners of the world, through the light of Master and Swamiji. I have been having that book for a year and she took it, read and got the essence of it in no time. I have been wanting to tell you this. It’s really so joyful at heart to actually see someone changing to become better.
“Thanks to You and Master and Swamiji for spreading this love and light.”
God knows how to do His work in the hearts and souls of all His children. We should play our roles as well as possible, and act with pure intentions. Be like a lighthouse shining your light into the darkness. But then leave the results and the responsibility to God.
In the light,
Nayaswami Jyotish
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| | | Jyotish and his wife, Nayaswami Devi, serve as Spiritual Directors of Ananda Worldwide. Longtime devotees of Yogananda, they worked closely with Swami Kriyananda for over forty years, and were personally trained by him to guide Ananda’s work worldwide. They have taught and lectured around the United States and in Europe, Russia, and India. Jyotish and Devi are both Kriyacharyas, designated by Swami Kriyananda to initiate people into the sacred art of Kriya Yoga. Since Swamiji’s passing in 2013, Jyotish has served as his designated spiritual successor.
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Listen to This Week's Commentary |
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| | Give God the Responsibility A Touch More Light is a behind-the-blog podcast series with weekly commentary by Jyotish and Devi. Listen to stories, inspirations, and expanded meanings of each week's topic.
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 | | Featured Video: Warm Handoff | In this new video blog series, authors Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi expand upon a theme from within their weekly blog, A Touch of Light. Featuring topics from their latest book, Touch of Peace: Living the Teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
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| Ananda’s tithing program, “Thank You, God” has been revisioned and is now launching with this wonderful short video. You will see and hear from friends from all around the world. Hear the stories of others, but test this teaching in your own life and see what transpires
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