One of the most useful truths taught by Paramhansa Yogananda is: “The greater the will, the greater the flow of energy.” By pouring our energy into everything we do, we draw even more energy to accomplish it. Over time we discover that this increased energy flow comes from a higher source and enables us to succeed at whatever we’re doing.

But there’s a catch here. When we exert our willpower, there will be a continual demand to put out more energy with the next task before us. This makes some people hesitate and think: “This never-ending demand to put out more energy is too much for me. I won’t be able to sustain it. I’ve done enough already.”

Swami Kriyananda was an amazing example of someone whose ability to channel energy seemed limitless. He taught us that on the spiritual path there is no treading water—we are either moving forward or moving backward.

Swamiji wrote: “Sooner or later we have to discover that we either progress or regress, but that there’s no standing still. As devotees, we should never complain at having to work hard. We must reach the point where it’s fun to work hard, where we experience the flow of energy as a manifestation of divine joy. We should feel that it’s a privilege to work as hard as we possibly can for God, and to be able to look back and say, ‘I gave it my all.’ This is victory.”

One of my first lessons along these lines happened during my early years at Ananda when I worked at the Meditation Retreat. Its facilities were quite simple (if not to say, primitive), and it was our only retreat center at the time. There was no electricity and no phone, and computers had not yet come onto the scene. The only way we learned that guests were coming was through mailed-in reservation forms, but mostly people just showed up. For housing we could offer them tent platforms and campsites, along with an odd variety of much-used sleeping bags and pads.

Late one evening after a busy day of checking in many guests, I looked at our supply room and saw that all of the sleeping bags had been lent out. Thinking that it was unlikely for anyone else to arrive, I began locking up the office. Just then a car pulled up,;a man got out and said that he was here for the weekend. “Did you bring your own tent or sleeping bag?” I asked him with concern, because we had nothing to give him. “No,” he replied, “I didn’t know that I needed to.”

What a predicament! Then the thought occurred, “I can run back to my trailer, get my own sleeping bag and pad, and give him those.” This I did without letting him know, and spent that night sleeping on a hard wooden platform covered with my coat. (It wasn’t that bad.) It felt right to keep what I’d done to myself.

The next morning Swami Kriyananda was scheduled to give a class in the temple. Before entering, he came up to me and said with a sweet smile, “Now you’re getting the idea.” His words at first puzzled me, and then I understood his meaning: Give your all, and don’t think about yourself. I realized that I felt very free and joyful that morning.

half dome painting jyotish of devi meditation

“Half Dome,” by Nayaswami Jyotish. Inspired by Nayaswami Devi in meditation overlooking this winter scene in Yosemite.

Over the years, Jyotish and I have been asked to serve in many ways and increasingly to give of ourselves. We’ve seen that the more we’re willing to do whatever is asked and put out our best effort, the more we feel an increased flow of energy sustaining us. And the essence of that flow of energy is freedom and joy. This I first felt from my experience at the Meditation Retreat.

Swamiji does give us this reassurance: “God doesn’t expect you to do it all at once. There is at least that comfort. Take one step at a time. But always remember that whatever energy you’re putting out, you’re doing it so that you can develop the strength to put out more, and not so that you can say, ‘Oh, good, now I’ve done it. Now I can retire and sit in my rocking chair.’”

His song “The Hill That Was Tara” ends with these lines:

Ev’ry effort we spend Gives more strength in the end, Till our gladness in life’s ever new!

Onwards and upwards, dear friends.

With joy,

Nayaswami Devi

Listen to Devi as she first reads the blog, then expands on its meaning and messages for readers with behind-the-blog commentary. Subscribe to the podcast or download the audio recording by right-clicking here. Or listen to it here (8:44):

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