“Give me a light to light my way. Truth is the light so wise men say.”

These are the lyrics to one of Swami Kriyananda’s songs, “Give Me Light.” Seemingly simple, they contain deep wisdom: Truth is the light that shows us the way forward. More than ever, we need the guidance of truth to navigate today’s world and to find ways to be of help to others. Yet, given current circumstances, many ask themselves: Is there really anything I, as an individual, can do to help in these turbulent times?

Paramhansa Yogananda gave a powerful answer: “Individual effort can be even more important than mass karma. One who in every way tries to uplift himself, harmonizing body, mind, and soul with the Divine, creates positive karma not only in his own life, but in his family, neighborhood, country, and world.”

What do these words tell us about how we can bring the light of truth into our own lives, our families, our countries, and the world, so that we can truly make a difference?

First, we need to seek truth within ourselves—in our own soul nature—through the daily practice of meditation. Yogananda said, “Understanding is the most precious possession of each soul. It is your inner vision, the intuitive faculty by which you can clearly perceive the truth—about yourself and others, and all situations that arise in your path—and correctly adjust your attitudes and actions accordingly.”

Attunement with a true guru who is anchored in truth is also a great aid. Yoganandaji said that even if he was in a distracted state of mind, as soon as he entered Sri Yukteswar’s ashram he felt uplifted and centered within himself. As your attunement deepens, you will find the guru’s guidance inwardly helping you make your every decision in alignment with truth.

Next, with our family and friends, Master teaches that the true purpose of family life and friendship is not merely personal enjoyment, but learning selfless, impersonal love that excludes no one. He said: “Be loyal to your friends, and feel love for everyone. God gave you a family that you might expand your consciousness by caring and doing for others. In family life we learn love and self-sacrifice for our loved ones, and thus attain some expansion of consciousness. But this is not enough. Love that becomes personal is exclusive, confined; when love becomes impersonal, it expands.”

The light of truth, then, shows us how our love for family finds its true fulfillment by including everyone as part of our larger family. Our home environment should be filled with integrity, honesty, love for all, and devotion to God. In this way, our home becomes a shining beacon, sending God’s grace and blessings out to the world.

What is the guiding truth in our awareness of ourselves as citizens of a nation? Politicians and policies change over time, but we must seek to express the deeper truth upon which our nation is founded. Saints have spoken of guardian spirits that guide the destiny of nations—some based on spiritual values, others on refinement and culture, and still others on compassion and care for all citizens. We can strive to live as citizens who embody the highest values of our country.

Finally, we come to the truth guiding this world: We are all children of the one Father-Mother God. Master wrote: “The wisdom garnered by India, the elder brother among the nations, is a heritage of all mankind. Vedic truth, as all truth, belongs to the Lord and not to India. The great rishis, whose minds were pure receptacles to receive the divine profundities of the Vedas, were members of the human race, born on this earth, rather than on some other, to serve humanity as a whole. Distinctions by race or nation are meaningless in the realm of truth, where the only qualification is spiritual fitness to receive.”

And as he said in 1951, the year before his passing, “We must learn that it can no longer be Asia for Asiatics, Europe for Europeans, America for Americans, and so on, but a United States of the World under God, in which each human being can be an ideal citizen of the globe with every opportunity for fulfillment in body, mind, and soul.”

I’d like to close with a story from a member of Ananda Village that illustrates how we can live as citizens of a United States of the World. The woman who shared it manages a small boutique at the Village that sends photos and statues of the Masters around the world.

She wrote: “We received an inspiring email from a man in Qatar, which is near Iran and experiencing increased security threats and regional conflict. He wrote, ‘With profound joy and gratitude, we wish to share that the Babaji statue arrived safely today. The moment we opened the box and beheld Babaji, our hearts were filled with peace and a sacred presence. It felt as though a divine blessing had entered our home. Words cannot fully express the grace and joy we experienced in that moment.’”

God has given us messengers of truth to guide our way. Let us then, with faith in what “wise men say,” follow that truth, so that through us His light may shine more brightly out into this world.

Your friend in God,

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 (8:59):

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