The entire universe is God's cosmic motion picture, and that individuals are merely actors in the divine play who change roles through reincarnation; mankind's deep suffering is rooted in identifying too closely with one's current role, rather than with the movie's director, or God.
Paramahansa YoganandaDo not think of yourself as the body, but as the joyous consciousness and immortal life behind it.
Paramahansa YoganandaPeople are running, running, but there is no place in the world to which they can flee to escape themselves. Ultimately, each one must face himself.
Paramahansa YoganandaRealize the tremendous spiritual power and beauty of the life of Christ, and try to live as he lived. Christ had no nationality. He loved all races as the children of God. Try to feel that brotherhood with all nationalities. Real brotherhood can never come unless we feel it in our hearts. Such feeling can be attained only through the actual contact of God in our hearts.
Paramahansa YoganandaThe way to freedom is through service to others. The way to happiness is through meditation and being in tune with God... break the barriers of your ego, shed selfishness, free yourself from the consciousness of the body, forget yourself, do away with this prison house of incarnations, melt your heart in all, be one with creation.
Paramahansa YoganandaAs you find your soul-reservoir of peace, less and less controversy will be able to afflict your life.
Paramahansa YoganandaWhen you came into this world you cried, whereas everyone else rejoiced. During your lifetime, work and serve in such a way that when it is time for you to leave this world, you will smile at parting while the world cries for you. Hold this thought and you will always remember to consider others above yourself.
Paramahansa Yogananda