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.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-analysis for achieving true happiness and personal growth.
Paramahansa Yogananda suggests that many individuals live on autopilot, merely responding to the demands of their environment without true self-awareness. By failing to engage in self-analysis, they miss out on understanding their desires and ultimate fulfillment, likening them to robots devoid of personal insight. The quote asserts that the ability to reflect on oneself is crucial for meaningful progress in life.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal development.
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?
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.
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.
As you find your soul-reservoir of peace, less and less controversy will be able to afflict your life.
Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance
How many things I can do without!
I'm happy to say that at 62, I think I've reached that point where stuff doesn't bother me as much, and my gratitude level has gone way up, especially having gone through the loss that I've had, and losing so many of the great artists that I was close to. They taught me how to see it with a grain of salt and a lot of humor and perspective.
Each thought that is welcomed and recorded is a nest egg, by the side of which more will be laid.
One must know not just how to accept a gift, but with what grace to share it.
I sleep seven hours. If I go to bed at two, I wake up at nine. If I go to bed at midnight, I wake up at seven. I don't wake up before - the house can fall apart, but I sleep for seven hours.
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