We are often asked, “How can I keep the peace and joy I feel in meditation amidst the demands and distractions of daily activity?” This is, in fact, one of life’s ever-present tests. Another way of phrasing this question is, “How can I keep my energy flowing in a positive direction, in tune with my higher aspirations, so that the world does not pull me down?” Here are some solutions to this great challenge.

What I’d like to do is to walk you through a three-step process that may help you find renewed focus, energy, and enthusiasm for meditation.

Many readers will know that Ananda Village was mostly destroyed by a huge forest fire in 1976. Devi and I were new parents with an eleven-day-old infant when the flames devoured our home, our clothes, and virtually all of our possessions. In meditation this morning I was remembering that day and contemplating some of the cherished lessons I learned.

So what is our true value? It’s not what others think of us, or even what we can accomplish in this world. It’s the realization that God is the only reality behind everything that we do and are.

I’ve come across some amazing and amusing examples of advanced souls being guided by intuition. These stories are from a book of letters from Paramhansa Yogananda to his second-most-advanced disciple, Yogacharya Oliver Black.

As we enter the new year, remember, whatever the outer circumstances, to keep your love for God foremost in your mind. This is the most powerful and effective way to turn our resolutions into realities.

Here then, is a final challenge for this year. Look into your heart and find something that has “come your way, needs attention, and must be considered a duty” but that you have been avoiding. Take on the challenge, face it head-on , conquer it and free yourself from its limiting cage.

"Claim your soul’s freedom! Bless all who ever harmed you, or ever wished you harm. Give them your love, and your prayer for their freedom in God."

One of the fastest (and happiest) paths to Self-realization is simply to accept things as they are.

“God,” I asked inwardly, “was it really You who came in the form of that desperate man?” I never saw the stranger again. To this day I’ve suspected that the encounter was God’s way of showing me that He Himself receives any act of kindness we express to others.