From joy people are born; for joy they live; in joy they melt at death. Death is an ecstasy, for it removes the burden of the body and frees the soul of all pain springing from body identification. It is the cessation of pain and sorrow.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the idea that joy is central to our existence and that death is a release from physical suffering.
Paramahansa Yogananda's quote reflects a deep philosophical perspective on the significance of joy in life and the transformative nature of death. It suggests that life is fundamentally about experiencing joy, and through joy, individuals are born and live. The quote further implies that death should not be feared but rather viewed as an ecstatic release from the constraints of physical existence, liberating the soul from pain associated with identification with the body. Ultimately, it conveys a message of hope and a deeper understanding of life and death.
In practice
In a motivational speech about embracing life, this quote can inspire the audience to focus on joy.
Man is important in one sense only. He was made in the image of God: That is his importance. He is not important for his body, ego, or personality. His constant affirmation of ego-consciousness is the source of all his problems.
When, by meditation, we withdraw restless thoughts from the lake of the mind, we behold our soul, a perfect reflection of Spirit.
It is wisest to be impartial. If you have health, but are attached to it, you will always be afraid of losing it. And if you fear that loss, but become ill, you will suffer. Why not remain forever joyful in the Self?
It is better to meditate a little bit with depth than to mediate long with the mind running here and there. If you do not make an effort to control the mind it will go on doing as it pleases, no matter how long you sit to meditate.
Millions of people never analyze themselves. Mentally they are mechanical products of the factory of their environment, preoccupied with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, working and sleeping, and going here and there to be entertained. They don't know what or why they are seeking, nor why they never realize complete happiness and lasting satisfaction. By evading self-analysis, people go on being robots, conditioned by their environment. True self-analysis is the greatest art of progress.
As you find your soul-reservoir of peace, less and less controversy will be able to afflict your life.
Life on a small farm might seem primitive, but by living such a life we become able to discover the Great Path. I believe that one who deeply respects his neighborhood and everyday world in which he lives will be shown the greatest of all worlds.
Noble deeds that are concealed are most esteemed.
This world could not have been the work of an all-loving being, but that of a devil, who had brought creatures into existence in order to delight in the sight of their sufferings.
People count with self-satisfaction the number of times they have recited the name of God on their prayer beads, but they keep no beads for reckoning the number of idle words they speak.
There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it.
I would rather be adorned by beauty of character than jewels. Jewels are the gift of fortune, while character comes from within.
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