Today we celebrate the Mahasamadhi (the conscious exit of an enlightened soul from the body) of my guru, Paramhansa Yogananda.
Thinking about his greatness and the blessing he has been in my life, I reflect on his powerful words:
“Remember this: When I am gone, only love can take my place. Be absorbed night and day in the love of God, and give that love to all.“
What a promise. And what an assignment. I have a ways to go to “be absorbed night and day in the love of God,” but still — I try my best to give God’s love to all.
As I was thinking of Paramhansa Yogananda today, the 69th anniversary of his Mahasamadhi, I was reminded of this poem. As far as I could find out, it was written sometime in the 1950’s by “a Western devotee.” I first encountered it when I was very new on the path and the message of it rocked my soul. It still does.
The Guru’s Love You may come to him for a few seconds then go away and do whatever you will. His love is unchanging. You may deny him to yourself and then curse him to any who will listen. His love is unchanging. You may become the most despised creatures and then return to him. His love is unchanging. You may become the enemy of God, Himself, and then return to him. His love is unchanging. Go where you will and do what you will, stay however long you will and come back to him. His love is unchanging. Abuse others, abuse yourself, abuse him and then come back to him. His love is unchanging. He will never criticize you; he will never minimize you; he will never desert you because to him you are everything and he, himself, is nothing. He will never deceive you; he will never ridicule you; he will never fail you because to him you are God Nature to be served and he is your servant. No matter what befalls; no matter what you become he awaits you always. He knows you; he serves you; he loves you. His love for you in the changing world is unchanging. His love, my beloved, is unchanging.
