A swami may conceivably follow only the path of dry reasoning, of cold renunciation; but a yogi engages himself in a definite, step-by-step procedure by which the body and mind are disciplined, and the soul liberated.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the difference between mere intellectual understanding and the practical, disciplined approach of yoga in achieving spiritual liberation.
Paramahansa Yogananda contrasts two approaches to spirituality: that of a swami who may engage in detached reasoning and renunciation, and that of a yogi who actively participates in a disciplined practice. The yogi methodically trains the body and mind, working towards the liberation of the soul, implying that true spiritual growth requires more than just thought—it requires practice and dedication.
In practice
In a yoga class, the instructor might reference this quote to emphasize the importance of daily practice.
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.
How do you know that you are not part of a book? That someone's not reading your story right now?
Poverty in Egypt, or anywhere else, is not very difficult to explain. There are three basic causes: People are poor because they cannot produce anything highly valued by others. They can produce things highly valued by others but are hampered or prevented from doing so. Or, they volunteer to be poor.
What sense or thought do they have? They follow the popular singers, and they take the crowd as their teacher.
The Land of Israel will be small, but the people of Israel will make it great. Not _x000D_ in opulence, but in eminence will their destiny be fulfilled, and the elixir of their_x000D_ pride will be distilled not out of dominion or far-flung borders, but out of the_x000D_ faithful and skillful building of the good society.
Man marks the earth with ruin - his control stops with the shore.
Society highly values its normal man. It educates children to lose themselves and to become absurd, and thus to be normal.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.