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Only Love: Living the Spiritual Life in a Changing World
This volume of informal talks and spiritual counsel by Sri Daya Mata, one of Paramahansa Yogananda’s foremost disciples, is a treasured guide to living a life of “Only Love.” Daya Mata shares details of the daily path of meditation and inner transformation by which Paramahansa Yogananda led her into the divine consciousness wherein the soul experiences the infinite love of God. With compassion and practical wisdom, she clearly outlines how each of us can find that incomparable fulfillment for ourselves.
Topics include:
• Understanding yourself and others
• The role of meditation
• Spiritual aspects of raising children
• Foundations of world unity
• Health and healing
• Making prayer effective
• Success in family life and business
• The right attitude toward world conditions
• Creating a personal relationship with God
Sri Daya Mata (1914-2010) was one of the foremost disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda. A true "Mother of Compassion," as her name signifies, she inspired those of all faiths and from all walks of life with the wisdom and great love of God conveyed through her talks, writings, and recordings. She met Paramahansaji in 1931 when he lectured in her hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah; and entered his ashram as a renunciant shortly thereafter. During the more than twenty years that she was privileged to receive Paramahansaji’s spiritual guidance and instruction, he personally prepared her to carry on his worldwide work after his passing. As president and spiritual head of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India for more than fifty-five years (from 1955 until her passing in 2010), she was a guiding force of inspiration, wisdom, and compassion for SRF/YSS monastics and members worldwide.
Topics include:
• Understanding yourself and others
• The role of meditation
• Spiritual aspects of raising children
• Foundations of world unity
• Health and healing
• Making prayer effective
• Success in family life and business
• The right attitude toward world conditions
• Creating a personal relationship with God
Sri Daya Mata (1914-2010) was one of the foremost disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda. A true "Mother of Compassion," as her name signifies, she inspired those of all faiths and from all walks of life with the wisdom and great love of God conveyed through her talks, writings, and recordings. She met Paramahansaji in 1931 when he lectured in her hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah; and entered his ashram as a renunciant shortly thereafter. During the more than twenty years that she was privileged to receive Paramahansaji’s spiritual guidance and instruction, he personally prepared her to carry on his worldwide work after his passing. As president and spiritual head of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India for more than fifty-five years (from 1955 until her passing in 2010), she was a guiding force of inspiration, wisdom, and compassion for SRF/YSS monastics and members worldwide.
- GenresSpirituality
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1976
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90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 16, 2016
I've read this book several times and from time to time open the book and randomly pick a page to read. Inspirational and full of wisdom.
July 11, 2023
A CLOSE DISCIPLE OF YOGANANDA GIVES ‘PRACTICAL’ ADVICE
The inside flap of this 1976 book explains, “Sri Daya Mata [1914-2010] was one of the earliest and closest disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda. During the more than twenty years that she was privileged to receive personal guidance and instruction, he personally prepared her to carry on his worldwide work in the future… it was evident that he had singled her out for a special role, and he encouraged the other disciples to pattern their lives after her example… In 1952, Paramahansa Yogananda’s life came to a close. Sri Daya Mata succeeded … Rajarsi Janakananda as president of the Self-Realization Fellowship.” She served as its president for 55 years.
An introductory section of the book explains, “This volume began as a small booklet published in 1971 entitled ‘Qualities of a Devotee.’ It contained several talks by … Sri Daya Mata, most of which were given in the 1960s. The present expanded anthology spans a twenty-year period, from 1955 to 1975, with selections ranging from major addresses in India and America to brief informal talks. Also included are some of Daya Mata’s candid responses to questions asked of her … Many of the talks appeared in print in the pages of ‘Self-Realization’ … magazine… people of all different faiths … found them to be a source of helpful and compassionate guidance. Thus in 1976, Self-Realization Fellowship published this first anthology of Sri Daya Mata’s talks; a second volume, ‘Finding the Joy Within You,’ was published in 1990.”
She stated in a 1967 talk, “Why should we seek God? What is God? How can we find Him? The first question can be answered very simply. We should seek God because we are made in His image, and only His perfection and permanency can give us lasting happiness. Man was given a mind and a body with five senses through which he perceives this finite world and identifies himself with it. But man is neither the body nor the mind; his nature is spirit, the immortal soul. As often as he tries to find permanent happiness through his sensory perceptions, so often his hopes… are shipwrecked… Everything in the material universe is essentially ephemeral and ever changing.” (Pg. 3)
She continues, “What are the fruits of a deep meditation? First of all, man becomes a peaceful being. No matter how life treats him, his consciousness remains centered within the Self… the moment we take our minds away from this world, it exists no longer for us. The moment we take our minds away from this world, it exists no longer for us. The moment we put our minds on the Infinite, we begin to perceive the natural state of our souls as individualized expressions of the Cosmic Self.” (Pg. 9)
In the 1965 talk, ‘Qualities of a Devotee,’ she outlines, “The first requirement on the spiritual path is a sincere yearning for God. Without that yearning, it is impossible to know Him… But even yearning is not enough in itself… it must be nourished by loyalty and dedication; first, to God, and then to the path and to the teacher whom God sends you… So the second important point is loyalty and dedication to God, and to the guru whose path one chooses. Now the third requirement is vital: … we should strive to behave in such a way that we inspire others who may be weak, rather than contribute to their negation or discouragement.” (Pg. 27) Later, she adds, “When the attitude of the devotee is right, it becomes Christlike. No one could insult Jesus… because his consciousness was anchored … in the Greater Self, God.” (Pg. 32)
In another 1965 talks, she suggests, “I believe a child should be encouraged to go to Sunday School, but that he should never be compelled to do so. It is a mistake to try to force a child into any particular religious mold… family worship should not be too long because children are restless and their minds are not controlled… An excellent practice is to read or tell children stories that will develop in them a sense of morality, faith, right behavior, and love for God.” (Pg. 53)
In a 1963 talk, she proposes, “By adhering to just four principles, the devotee can cope successfully with whatever difficulties he may encounter… First comes faith in God… The second principle is to meditate deeply, and pray for God’s guidance and help… The third point is surrender… The last rule is to relax and let go of the problem.” (Pg. 70-71)
She states, “I do not regard suffering as essential on the spiritual path…. I would never have taken up Yoga had I thought it to be a path of sorrow! I believed that seeking God ought to bring an end to all pain and unhappiness… I am convinced beyond any doubt that finding God and communing with Him does indeed put an end to human misery. This is not to say that the spiritual aspirant doesn’t pass through certain phases of difficulty. It is an unrealistic notion that merely because we pursue God, He ought to remove all obstacles from our path.” (Pg. 107-108)
She observes, “One of the vital points on the spiritual path is to see every day as a new beginning. And above all in importance is practicing God’s presence from the moment we awaken in the morning until we fall asleep at night. That was the training Guruji gave; he didn’t place first the external things in life, or the building of an organization.” (Pg.161)
She recounts, “The last period of Guruji’s life was lived in the unbroken ecstasy of God… I, along with a few others, was privileged to be present at the time he entered this state… He was sitting in a large chair… Suddenly his mind was sucked within in ecstasy… I had often been a ‘doubting Thomas,’ wanting definite proof of the existence of God. That night all doubt was removed forever…” (Pg. 173-174)
She notes, “In all my years in the ashrams of Paramahansa Yogananda, I cannot remember many occasions when he delved deeply into metaphysical questions in talking with the resident disciples. It was not because of lack of interest on our part; nor because of any lack of knowledge on his. He purposely refrained from such discussions in order to steer us away from intellectualizing. He did not want us to become preoccupied with philosophical speculations, lest we cease to feel first and foremost a burning interest in knowing, in experiencing, God.” (Pg. 195)
She says, “Our attention should be so riveted on the Divine Mother that we are not inwardly affected by changing circumstances in our outer life: sorrow and disappointment should not much move us, nor should material pleasures unduly attract us… Master [stated], ‘…when one is absorbed in the Divine Bliss, in the consciousness and awareness of the Divine Mother’s presence, one enjoys the good things of this earth with greater appreciation, but without the attachment and sorrow that usually result from engaging in worldly activities.” (Pg. 222)
She recommends, “The devotee who would know God has to work at it earnestly and long, but with a childlike sense of faith in God. If you can stop in your daily activities for a moment and immediately feel divine peace bubbling within, if within your heart you can feel love for God and for everyone, then you may now that you are progressing on the spiritual path.” (Pg. 235)
This book will be of keen interest to those studying Yogananda, Daya Mata, or the Self-Realization Fellowship.
The inside flap of this 1976 book explains, “Sri Daya Mata [1914-2010] was one of the earliest and closest disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda. During the more than twenty years that she was privileged to receive personal guidance and instruction, he personally prepared her to carry on his worldwide work in the future… it was evident that he had singled her out for a special role, and he encouraged the other disciples to pattern their lives after her example… In 1952, Paramahansa Yogananda’s life came to a close. Sri Daya Mata succeeded … Rajarsi Janakananda as president of the Self-Realization Fellowship.” She served as its president for 55 years.
An introductory section of the book explains, “This volume began as a small booklet published in 1971 entitled ‘Qualities of a Devotee.’ It contained several talks by … Sri Daya Mata, most of which were given in the 1960s. The present expanded anthology spans a twenty-year period, from 1955 to 1975, with selections ranging from major addresses in India and America to brief informal talks. Also included are some of Daya Mata’s candid responses to questions asked of her … Many of the talks appeared in print in the pages of ‘Self-Realization’ … magazine… people of all different faiths … found them to be a source of helpful and compassionate guidance. Thus in 1976, Self-Realization Fellowship published this first anthology of Sri Daya Mata’s talks; a second volume, ‘Finding the Joy Within You,’ was published in 1990.”
She stated in a 1967 talk, “Why should we seek God? What is God? How can we find Him? The first question can be answered very simply. We should seek God because we are made in His image, and only His perfection and permanency can give us lasting happiness. Man was given a mind and a body with five senses through which he perceives this finite world and identifies himself with it. But man is neither the body nor the mind; his nature is spirit, the immortal soul. As often as he tries to find permanent happiness through his sensory perceptions, so often his hopes… are shipwrecked… Everything in the material universe is essentially ephemeral and ever changing.” (Pg. 3)
She continues, “What are the fruits of a deep meditation? First of all, man becomes a peaceful being. No matter how life treats him, his consciousness remains centered within the Self… the moment we take our minds away from this world, it exists no longer for us. The moment we take our minds away from this world, it exists no longer for us. The moment we put our minds on the Infinite, we begin to perceive the natural state of our souls as individualized expressions of the Cosmic Self.” (Pg. 9)
In the 1965 talk, ‘Qualities of a Devotee,’ she outlines, “The first requirement on the spiritual path is a sincere yearning for God. Without that yearning, it is impossible to know Him… But even yearning is not enough in itself… it must be nourished by loyalty and dedication; first, to God, and then to the path and to the teacher whom God sends you… So the second important point is loyalty and dedication to God, and to the guru whose path one chooses. Now the third requirement is vital: … we should strive to behave in such a way that we inspire others who may be weak, rather than contribute to their negation or discouragement.” (Pg. 27) Later, she adds, “When the attitude of the devotee is right, it becomes Christlike. No one could insult Jesus… because his consciousness was anchored … in the Greater Self, God.” (Pg. 32)
In another 1965 talks, she suggests, “I believe a child should be encouraged to go to Sunday School, but that he should never be compelled to do so. It is a mistake to try to force a child into any particular religious mold… family worship should not be too long because children are restless and their minds are not controlled… An excellent practice is to read or tell children stories that will develop in them a sense of morality, faith, right behavior, and love for God.” (Pg. 53)
In a 1963 talk, she proposes, “By adhering to just four principles, the devotee can cope successfully with whatever difficulties he may encounter… First comes faith in God… The second principle is to meditate deeply, and pray for God’s guidance and help… The third point is surrender… The last rule is to relax and let go of the problem.” (Pg. 70-71)
She states, “I do not regard suffering as essential on the spiritual path…. I would never have taken up Yoga had I thought it to be a path of sorrow! I believed that seeking God ought to bring an end to all pain and unhappiness… I am convinced beyond any doubt that finding God and communing with Him does indeed put an end to human misery. This is not to say that the spiritual aspirant doesn’t pass through certain phases of difficulty. It is an unrealistic notion that merely because we pursue God, He ought to remove all obstacles from our path.” (Pg. 107-108)
She observes, “One of the vital points on the spiritual path is to see every day as a new beginning. And above all in importance is practicing God’s presence from the moment we awaken in the morning until we fall asleep at night. That was the training Guruji gave; he didn’t place first the external things in life, or the building of an organization.” (Pg.161)
She recounts, “The last period of Guruji’s life was lived in the unbroken ecstasy of God… I, along with a few others, was privileged to be present at the time he entered this state… He was sitting in a large chair… Suddenly his mind was sucked within in ecstasy… I had often been a ‘doubting Thomas,’ wanting definite proof of the existence of God. That night all doubt was removed forever…” (Pg. 173-174)
She notes, “In all my years in the ashrams of Paramahansa Yogananda, I cannot remember many occasions when he delved deeply into metaphysical questions in talking with the resident disciples. It was not because of lack of interest on our part; nor because of any lack of knowledge on his. He purposely refrained from such discussions in order to steer us away from intellectualizing. He did not want us to become preoccupied with philosophical speculations, lest we cease to feel first and foremost a burning interest in knowing, in experiencing, God.” (Pg. 195)
She says, “Our attention should be so riveted on the Divine Mother that we are not inwardly affected by changing circumstances in our outer life: sorrow and disappointment should not much move us, nor should material pleasures unduly attract us… Master [stated], ‘…when one is absorbed in the Divine Bliss, in the consciousness and awareness of the Divine Mother’s presence, one enjoys the good things of this earth with greater appreciation, but without the attachment and sorrow that usually result from engaging in worldly activities.” (Pg. 222)
She recommends, “The devotee who would know God has to work at it earnestly and long, but with a childlike sense of faith in God. If you can stop in your daily activities for a moment and immediately feel divine peace bubbling within, if within your heart you can feel love for God and for everyone, then you may now that you are progressing on the spiritual path.” (Pg. 235)
This book will be of keen interest to those studying Yogananda, Daya Mata, or the Self-Realization Fellowship.
March 20, 2019
Beauty, peace and practical living advice
Just reading passages brought deep peace and divine knowing. The universal wisdom and advice is deep, profound and simple. A great read for any religious path.
Just reading passages brought deep peace and divine knowing. The universal wisdom and advice is deep, profound and simple. A great read for any religious path.
December 7, 2017
Motivating and inspiring
This book made me get off my tush and get going . I am reading it again. My friends noticed a difference in me .
This book made me get off my tush and get going . I am reading it again. My friends noticed a difference in me .
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews