At the Heart of Silence – the Eternal Word
Blessed Are the Inwardly Free
Reading and Affirmation for January
From the book The Beatitudes: Their Inner Meaning by Swami Kriyananda
Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within.
The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 1, these immortal lines appear:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Human vision beholds individuality and separation everywhere. Divine vision beholds the oneness of cosmic vibration, of which all things, no matter how diverse, are manifestations. Cosmic Sound – the “Word” of God – and Cosmic Light: These are eternal. The world, as revealed to us by our senses, is illusory.
In Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda relates an early experience he received of the divine aspect of reality:
Sitting on my bed one morning, I fell into a deep reverie.
“What is behind the darkness of closed eyes?” This probing thought came powerfully into my mind. An immense flash of light at once manifested to my inward gaze. Divine shapes of saints, sitting in meditationposture in mountain caves, formed like miniature cinema pictures on the large screen of radiance within my forehead.
“Who are you?” I spoke aloud.
“We are the Himalayan yogis.” The celestial response is difficult to describe; my heart was thrilled.
“Ah, I long to go to the Himalayas and become like you!” The vision vanished, but the silvery beams expanded in ever-widening circles to infinity.
“What is this wondrous glow?”
“I am Iswara. I am Light.” The voice was as murmuring clouds.
“I want to be one with Thee!”
Out of the slow dwindling of my divine ecstasy, I salvaged a permanent legacy of inspiration to seek God.
Wise are we if we meditate on that experience of Yogananda’s, and salvage from it even a breath of his inspiration. For, quite simply, there is nothing else! As the Bhagavad Gita says in the seventh Chapter:
I make and unmake this universe. Apart from Me nothing exists, O Arjuna. All things, like the beads of a necklace, are strung together on the thread of My consciousness, and are sustained by Me.
Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.
Whispers From Eternity
94. Demand for ridding the mind of Mental Bacteria
O Father, Thou art in my mind: I am clear and pure! O Father, Thou art my strength; Thou art my power — I am all Thy strength and power. I am whole!
Paramhansa Yogananda
Inspiration from the Rays of One Light
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The Gospel of St. John Chapter 1:1-5
We will take these meaningful words into our meditation together for deep reflection and contemplation. But firstly, we will listen to the beautiful Psalm of David, sung by Mary Kretzmann.
Psalm of David
Listen to the Psalm of David
Reflect, Meditate and Listen to Instrumental Music
Reflection from the Rays of the One Light
Peace Sangha Happy New Year!
We have come full circle and have now entered into the first week of the Rays of One Light. I have decided to maintain the same format for the time being. The Divine Sunday Service online will begin within the next month or two. I am looking forward to walking this spiritual path with each of you as we continue our spiritual journey together.
In today's reading, I was inspired by the biblical verse by St. John Chapter 1:1-5.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Reflecting on this, I believe Swami Kriyananda is inviting us to consider the power of words in our own lives, whether they come from light or darkness, kindness or harm. The passage invites us to be conscious of the words we speak, recognising their potential to either uplift or create wounds. It also challenges us to examine the source of our inner dialogue and the first words we use for ourselves, questioning whether they arise from higher, positive forces or lower, negative influences.
This introspection is important because words are not only sounds, they carry creative power and subtle vibrations that can influence thought patterns and manifest into real outcomes in our lives. Therefore, what we put out into the world is likely to be reflected and given back to us.
This passage also helps us to understand that Jesus’s light shines within all of us as the “divine word” which brings breath, life, light, and truth to us.
By embracing this truth, we are called to align our own words and lives with the light, cultivating truth, love, and life in the world around us. This teaching encourages us to be mindful, thoughtful architects of our speech, recognising that through our words, we contribute to the ongoing creation of life itself.
Prayer to the Divine Eternal Word That Created the Word, Light and Heals All
Divine Eternal Word, Source of All Life and Light,
You who were with God in the beginning and through you all things were made, shine your healing light on our hearts with your truth and grace. Help us to see the power and responsibility of the words we speak. May we be humble channels of your kindness, healing, and hope, rooted deeply in your divine light and love.
Armour and safeguard our minds and tongues from harm and from careless speech. May our inner dialogue create and release words of your peace and wisdom, and through you, may our outward speech build up rather than tear down.
Teach us to align our lives more fully with your eternal word of light. May we be mindful creators and faithful witnesses, shining your light in a world that is filled with darkness that is longing for truth, love, healing, mercy, and compassion.
May our words bring life, strengthen faith, and unity among all people.
Aum, Peace AmenMay our words bring life, strengthen faith, and unity among all people.
Aum, Peace Amen
