An introduction:
What are affirmations? It might seem like a silly question, given just how widely-used and appreciated affirmations have become as a tool for centring oneself in a positive mindset and establishing a healthy sense of well-being.
But since Paramahansa Yogananda — who first introduced affirmations into his lectures and classes in 1924 — offers such depths of wisdom on the subject of affirmations, it can be instructive to ask from time to time: “What are affirmations really? What gives them their power? How far can they go in helping me experience my Higher Self and wholeness in body, mind, and soul?” And maybe most importantly: “How can I incorporate them more into my spiritual practice?”
Paramahansaji said: Affirmations are superior to the customary form of prayer. They remind the soul of what it already has; and of what it has temporarily lost because of forgetfulness. Affirmations are statements of all-powerful truth, and are far different from begging prayers. Beggars seldom get what they want from the Father. But he who has reformed himself, through God-communion, acts in a new awareness as a ‘son of God’; by means of affirmations, he can apply universal laws of creative vibration to acquire anything he seeks.”
The power behind affirmations comes, Paramahansaji stated, from the truth that each of us — no matter how isolated we may feel or perceive ourselves to be — in reality possesses an “inseverable unity with God.”
Through affirmations we can experience that unity more and more, as we gradually come in contact with superconsciousness — the intuitive, ever-blissful consciousness of the soul — and manifest that divine awareness and assurance in our life. With this month’s newsletter, we hope you can put wisdom from Paramahansaji into practice to do just that.
We hope you can put the following wisdom from Paramahansaji found below, and on our “Affirmations” page into practice to do just that.
From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:
As the perfect thoughts of God have created the cosmos and keep it in balance and rhythm, so the right thoughts of His children, when expressed in rightly uttered words, or affirmations, set up corresponding rhythmic, etheric vibrations in the cosmos and in the individual who utters them. These creative vibrations, in turn, harmonize all circumstances and activate the forces necessary to bring into manifestation the desired result.
Words saturated with sincerity, conviction, faith, and intuition are like highly explosive vibration bombs, which, when set off, shatter the rocks of difficulties and create the change desired.
All affirmations of the conscious mind should be impressive enough to permeate the subconsciousness, which in turn automatically influences the conscious mind. Strong conscious affirmations thus react on the mind and body through the medium of the subconsciousness. Still stronger affirmations reach not only the subconscious but also the superconscious mind — the magic storehouse of miraculous powers.
Any word spoken with clear realization and deep concentration has a materializing value….The infinite potencies of sound derive from the Creative Word, Aum, the cosmic vibratory power behind all atomic energies. The full power of this principle can be utilized when the mind becomes attuned with that superfine Aum vibration in meditation and superconscious perception.
Sincere words or affirmations repeated understandingly, feelingly, and willingly are sure to move the Omnipresent Cosmic Vibratory Force to render aid in your difficulty. Appeal to that Power with infinite confidence, casting out all doubt; otherwise the arrow of your attention will be deflected from its mark.
Thoughts have to be understood and applied rightly before they are effective. Ideas first enter man’s mind in a crude or undigested form; they need to be assimilated by deep reflection. A thought without soul conviction behind it has no value. That is why persons who use affirmations without comprehending the truth on which they are based — man’s inseverable unity with God — get poor results and complain that thoughts have no healing power.
Aloud, then in a whisper, and finally just mentally affirm: “Father, Thou and I are one.” Repeat the affirmation until you feel your oneness with Him, not only as an intelligent perception of the conscious mind and subconscious imagination, but as a superconscious conviction. Melt the words of the affirmation into intelligent flames of intuitive perception. Then pour those flaming, soulful affirmations into the mould of your calm, restful, firm faith. There your crude words will turn into a sparkling golden garland offering to lay at the feet of Cosmic Deity.
Also on the YSS blog you can read “Establishing Positive Thoughts in Your Subconscious Mind With Affirmations” by Paramahansa Yogananda, an excerpt from a talk he gave in 1940 in Encinitas, California. Absorb more wisdom on how affirmations can be a powerful tool to help you overcome doubt and difficulties — and ultimately realize the bliss of the Divine.
