The joyous Easter message of the
resurrection of Jesus Christ reminds us anew of his glorious victory over every
limitation of mortal life — and brings encouragement to each of us to awaken
the limitless freedom, power, and joy within our own souls. As you dwell on the
divine life of Jesus, may his example inspire you, and strengthen your
confidence that the universal light of Christ Consciousness manifest in him is
also within you. It is waiting to be resurrected from the confines of the ego,
to shed the covering of ignorance accumulated in dealing with the outer world
of duality and with the inner self-created environment of limiting habits and
thoughts to which most persons accustom themselves.
God created our souls in the beautiful
image of His love and goodness, and has given each of us the power to manifest
that image in our lives. The all-inclusive consciousness of Jesus reflected
perfectly that Christ-love which reaches beyond a small circle of caring to
encompass all of God’s children. He did not judge people by nationality or
social status; nor did he shun those who had erred. Even on the cross, he
sought forgiveness for his enemies. To see and respect God in all is a
wonderful way to expand our human consciousness into divine consciousness. Each
time we seek to understand someone whose opinions differ from our own, or
express consideration of others’ needs, we broaden the horizons of our minds
and enlarge the compassion of our hearts. Paramahansa Yogananda said: “One of
the greatest victories over the little self is to be sure of your capacity to
be always thoughtful and loving, to be secure in the knowledge that no one can
make you act differently.” The world thinks that power means the ability to
control others. But God-united souls like Christ have proven that there is no
greater power than to control one’s own consciousness in accord with God’s will
and His laws of love and truth. When we follow that example, we no longer need
to depend for our self-esteem upon the fickle world of maya or be ruled by the
short-sighted ego. We know the inner assurance and freedom of a calm mind and a
conscience at peace. That is the consciousness in which Jesus lived.
The fullest blossoming of our immortal
potential comes when, with ever-deepening yearning, we commune with God in the
silent temple of the soul. Each devotional effort to touch that
indwelling Divine Presence brings us closer to resurrection from human
consciousness into Christ Consciousness. By feeling even a momentary contact
with the all-fulfilling reality of Christ-love in our hearts, we know that
there is nothing else to want or need. Whatever our outer circumstances, we
find a deep security and trust within, knowing that we are in the loving hands
of Him who created us in His image of immortality and joy.
May
the dawn of that awareness in your soul be your blessed Easter awakening,
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