The sense of being a separate, egoic self begins with the astral, not with the physical, body. The soul is individualized spirit.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that our perception of self stems from a deeper, spiritual essence rather than just our physical existence.
Paramahansa Yogananda emphasizes the distinction between the physical and the spiritual in understanding the self. He suggests that our identity as individuals, which is often attached to our ego, originates from a higher, astral aspect of being that transcends the physical form, thus highlighting the importance of recognizing our spiritual nature beyond the material world.
In practice
This quote can be used during a spiritual workshop to discuss the nature of the self.
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.
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.
I have yet to meet a single person from our culture, no matter what his or her educational background, IQ, and specific training, who had powerful transpersonal experiences and continues to subscribe to the materialistic monism of Western science.
Let everyone see the blood,' he said. 'Don't clean it up. That's the only way people remember.'... I could see the blood inside my head. It was with me forever, whether or not I wanted to forget.
There exists in the minds of men a tone of feeling toward women as toward slaves.
And then he greeted Death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, and, equals, they departed this life.
We act and walk and speak and talk in ways that consolidate an impression of being a man or being a woman.
Without war there are no heroes. What harm would that be? Oh, Lavinia, what a woman's question that is.
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