A very powerful statement indeed, but how true it is and why should we believe in it?
It is a genuine question anybody would think of until and unless he or she experiences it. The same was my mode of thinking and by default being a doctorate, it had become my habit to analyse and validate each and everything that came to me. being raised in an environment where every new thing was first thought of, deliberated upon, then it had to be accompanied by logic and reason, it wasn’t that easy to embrace and imbibe new changes in life.
But when lot of things go wrong then what is the way out?
If you have failed to get results with certain tried and tested things and you are expecting different results, is there any harm in believing something different or accepting different thought patterns which have helped others. So for me, it was a big dilemma to accept and believe something which I have always doubted and denied. When somebody used to pronounce the above statement that ‘ask and it is given’, I used to find it ridiculous that how it is possible that you just ask and it is given.
Many questions used to come into my mind such as:-
1. Whom to ask?
2. How to ask?
3. Who is the giver? and why he gives?
4. Why only selected ones get and why only that selected ones get?
5. Why most of us live in misery and why we do not get what we want?
But when you desperately seek answers, answers do come but only one thing that matters the most while asking those questions is the power of intention…!!!
My new journey of life into the realm of self-awareness and self-acceptance began last october when I read the Power of Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy. It was my first step into the journey of self-consciousness where I was seeking answers for my troubles and tribulations. The biggest realization that came across was it’s me who was attracting everything in my life with my thoughts and belief patterns. It was a shocking revelation and was hard to digest and believe, but they say: “To change you must experience & explore further”.
From that day onward, I became more curious to know what is this science and how it can help me improve and move ahead in my life. The more I started seeking, the more the dots started connecting. I was accepting everything new that came my way and started doubting which I believed earlier. How my thought patterns changed without any coercion and coaxing, I am still amused and amazed. Beautiful things started happening, my confidence level scaled up and altogether a different set of highly motivated and inspiring people with full gusto and zeal started appearing on the horizon. Many wonderful books and amazing literature came across my way and my life took an amazingly new turn.
Then something happened and it was just an icing on the cake.
I had come to know about the wonderful book written by Paramahansa Yogananda titled, The Autobiography of a Yogi. I thought I will read it only when I will attain a certain level of awareness and alignment.
I deliberately postponed it as I was under the impression that to read such an esteemed book and that too written by the most distinguished authority on spiritualism, I need to prepare myself well. But everything is not in your hands. There is a divine power which guides and directs the whole universe, you are just a small speck in the entire cosmic world.
One day I had ordered a book by Dr. David Hawkins titled Power vs. Force online and was desperately looking forward to its delivery. The doorbell rang and the delivery boy handed me a book which I was expecting very excitedly. I was at the top thinking that I asked for the book and it had arrived. With great energy and enthusiasm, I tore open the packaged material, and as I opened it, I was just shocked…!!!
It was not the book by Dr. hawkins, it was the Autobiography of a Yogi… the cover of the book itself was so fascinating and mesmerizing that I kept on looking at it for a while.
The book was ordered by my husband for one of our friends, which I wasn’t aware of. I handed that book to him and thought I will read it afterwards. Though I thought I will read it later, Somewhere inside my thoughts weren’t matching my intent. The very next day, I just took hold of it and started reading. The first line itself was so profound, that I couldn’t stop myself. As I kept on reading it, the more it engulfed me and the more spellbound I was.
I couldn’t have asked for more. The Answer, the movie on Sri Paramahansa Yogananda released on August 31st. I was eagerly waiting to watch it and shared the same with my husband on September 10th and on 11th, I watched it.
The opening of the movie itself was so serene and soul-searching that one couldn’t have asked for more. It is the beautiful story of a noble soul in the search of god. Right from the childhood, his soul was in deep search and the best part was his parents were completely supportive and submissive to his soulful search.
He wandered alone in the deep woods, serene waters, and monastic places, but he wasn’t getting the answers. He continued his journey blissfully helping and serving others but wasn’t contented and gratified. He was absolutely alone and secluded in the company of others as his soul was not finding solace. He deeply immersed himself in books and music so that he could rejoice and regale his own company and be with his higher consciousness.
One fine day, he happened to come across the hindu philosophy about the science of spiritualism, that was the day of his enlightenment and enrichment. His soul quenched its thirst for the first time and a deep revelation dawned on him and he decided to become a monk, but the big question before him was that ‘who will be my guru? Who will guide me on this beautiful path of spiritualism?”
He discussed with his parents and went to new york. The destiny was waiting for him to reveal his journey, he happened to read the Autobiography of a Yogi and his course of the journey was unfolded and he decided to meet Sri Paramahansa Yogananda. He went all the way from New York to California to meet his spiritual guru.
But it is said Rome was not built in a day, so every beautiful destination comes with a hefty price. When he reached the ashram, he was asked to wait and finally, when he met the master, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Just a small glimpse of him was super astonishing and his aura was completely magnificent and magnetic. The master asked him some questions and his replies were honest and transparent. though the master knew his intentions and could read his mind, he wanted him to convey those specifically. Finally, his journey into the realm of spiritualism began and he overwhelmingly accepted and ordained it.
In a short time, the master grew fond of him and empowered him with his blessings and teachings so that he could carry out his noble mission to help mankind and serve the masses selflessly. Master’s deep teachings had a profound effect on him and he became one of his cherished disciples and after the master finally left for his heavenly abode, he spread his message by writing numerous books and setting up centers all over the world. The disciple is none other than Swami Kriyananda who is till date fondly remembered and revered by millions across the world.
Now I would like to share with you my why of writing this write-up and what I had learned from the beautiful story of Swami Kriyananda and his repertory with Swami Paramahansa Yogananda…
1. God is the supreme and we must respect the god within ourselves and thereby we must respect each soul as it is the creation of the same divine force.
2. We must obey the conscience connect of our consciousness with our subconscious mind.
3. We must seek answers to all the questions that throng our mind and while seeking those answers we must be connected to our source, the source from which we have emanated.
4. Love thyself and love others should be our guiding force to live this beautiful human life which is an amazing blessing by the almighty to scale the ladder of higher consciousness and evolution.
5. God resides in every living being on the earth whether humans, animals, and plants, we must be compassionate towards them and empathize with them.
6. Money is a delusion, money is not happiness, it is the source of happiness. We should not run after money rather we should respect it and use it wisely, constructively and judiciously. It should be used for the higher good and higher purpose.
7. To uplift others from misery is a daunting task and only an enlightened one can guide and groom others. Guru moulds, shapes, and perfects the mind of his disciple to alleviate him to the heights of spiritual glory with his profound love and affection.
8. Service to the mankind is the real service to god, and if the service is selfless, it is the true salvation of the soul.
9. Living and loving the purpose of life gives the utmost happiness and peace. It is a supreme joy finding one’s purpose and passionately pursuing it.
It was just a noble endeavor of mine to bring forth the beautiful message of this wonderful movie. A movie with a profound purpose and a strong message to inspire others.
In this era of commercial cinema, where violence, sex, and crime reign supreme, it is a complete spiritual retreat to enlighten and enrich one’s soul.
A heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful makers of the movie who have put forward such a superb effort to highlight the teachings of Swami Paramahansa Yogananda and a beautiful and blessed bond between the guru and his disciple.
Hare Krishna!!! About Dr. Gazal Goyal Bansal
Founder and CEO, Life Coach and Speaker, Dr. Gazal Bansal is a
Doctorate in Political Science, UGC (JRF), a Gold Medalist, Certified ISO 22000 Lead Auditor, a Licensed Practitioner of NLP from The Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (TM) & a Pranic Healer.
As a spiritual evangelist and a practical thinker, she is a radical enthusiast and a firm believer in the philosophy of conceptual pragmatism, logical reasoning, and the spiritual energy matrix. She is a staunch believer of the fact that before you speak, your energy speaks.