The message that Yogananda brought to the world was one of unity: the unity of all religions; the unity of science and religion; the unity of East and West; and the unity of all people: “world brotherhood.” His message is especially relevant today, as we see divisiveness—the spirit of “us against them”—dominating global politics and economics. Yet the light of Yogananda and this line of masters is not dimmed by human ignorance. In fact, it can shine even more brightly for those who try to live by it.

Here are some parts of the chapter, “The Science Behind Service,” a subject of interest to many. It’s remarkable how often the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda anticipated scientific discoveries made decades later.

Each of us must ascend our own stairway, which we ourselves have shaped by past thoughts and actions. Rather than wondering who we were in the past, it is far better to look at what challenges lie before us due to old karmic patterns. On every step of the stairway, we should ask: “What are the lessons I need to learn now in this lifetime?” Perhaps it’s softening a judgmental nature, or quieting reactive tendencies, or overcoming anger when things don’t go our way.

Imagine that we’re caught at sea with a hurricane approaching, and we can’t reach the shore in time. What should we do? The best course of action would be to race toward the eye of the storm.

In that moment we also understood that there is no real need for feelings of longing, regret, or grief. God’s love for us is eternal and can reach us in unforeseen ways.

So, if we know that we want happiness, and even know where to look for it, why does it remain so elusive? One simple reason is that when we try to clutch happiness for ourselves, it slips—like water—through our fingers. But ironically, when we seek to give happiness to others, we find it growing in our own hearts.

In essence, what we call “time” is dependent on the movement of material objects through space. The teachings of India tell us that time and space are both part of maya, or delusion, and have no ultimate reality. The seemingly objective thing we call “time” is, in truth, subjective, a mirage. True reality transcends time—it is eternal.

An experiment for us in the year ahead. How making a monthly sacred contract can help you to advance on the spiritual path.

For Jyotish and me, Ananda has been our home for all of our adult life—a place where we have sought God and served Him alongside our ever-growing spiritual family.

This has truly been an inspiring, even life-changing pilgrimage to sacred places in Italy, Spain, and India. And yet, travel also brings its challenges. During this time, we’ve given more than a hundred classes and satsangs, spent countless hours in cars and airplanes, and eaten—since we’re among friends here, I’ll be candid, overeaten—countless meals.

Like the mother squirrel, when we put determination, compassion, and service to others at the forefront of our life, miracles can happen.

Recently, we were blessed to go on pilgrimage to the sacred places of several such saints in Europe. On the surface, all these saints may seem separated by time and place, but as the pilgrimage unfolded, we began to perceive a deeper, repeating pattern.

During our time in Seville, Spain, we were asked to speak about “How to Live Autobiography of a Yogi.” Here are a few lessons from Yoganandaji’s life that can guide our own journey.

This age is badly out of balance. The angry, divisive, power-mad energy needs to be replaced with unconditional love. One of the best ways each of us can help the world is to open our hearts to Divine Mother in meditation and offer Her love, friendship, and support to everyone we meet.

Patient acceptance of oneself and others is the key to true happiness and ego-transcendence. In today’s turbulent times, patience brings strength to endure as well as hope for the future.

As for many at Ananda, Self-realization has become my personal life goal. But how do we achieve so lofty a purpose? Here are four steps to use as a guide.

My friends, every day we face choices—to take the path that brings us closer to God, or the one that seems easier, safer, or more rewarding in worldly terms.

We recently heard a beautiful example of how God responds to a sincere soul-call.

If you are reading this blog—whether you are a member of a spiritual community or meditation group or simply long for a better world—you are helping to bring about the future envisioned by great saints like Yoganandaji.

In this life, we incarnate not only with the influences of our personal karma, but also with the confining mindset of the age we live in, the family we are born into, and the country and culture we inhabit. If we are seeking freedom, we need wise guides to help us navigate delusion’s labyrinth.