Help Along The Way

From The Essence of the Bhagavad-Gita -- Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda

Directional Development

[quoting]

There are, according to India's ancient wisdom, many kinds of energy, emanating from the astral level of cosmic manifestation. We have discussed already some of their energies: conscious, egoic entities that produce and sustain life on this planet. Some of these entities are more highly evolved than others, and deserve the appellation devas, or shining ones. Others are nature spirits -- fairies and the like. Still others are lower spirits: demons and devils.

Low types of humanity attract low astral spirits. High types attract guidance and inspiration from devas, or angels, who can help them through their openness to receiving assistance from above.

Very few humans are ready for the highest spiritual blessing: the help of a true guru. That all human beings need whatever help they can get, however, is surely very evident to anyone but the most arrant egotist. The fact is that man, having reached his high ledge on the evolutionary climb and finding himself clearly possessed at last of an ego, wants to enjoy the awareness of it for a time. Alas, he doesn't realize how very long, probably, he has been enjoying it! A woman friend of mine was scolding her two-year old son, "Come on, now, you're not a baby any longer." He replied, "But I like being a baby!" Such also are most human beings: They like themselves as they are! They like being unique and separate from all others, made a fuss over and coddled (when they can be). The climb, however, isn't over for them until they can expand their self-awareness -- eventually to embrace infinity. Meanwhile, the "advantage" of greater awareness, especially of the egoic self, carries with it a disadvantage also: a susceptibility to greatly increased suffering.

The other "selves" whose help he may scorn to accept are, in fact, closely related to his own self. In infinity they are all expressions of the same one Self! Man's task in the great scheme of things is to learn that he is only a small manifestation of Infinite Consciousness. The work before him of achieving infinity is colossal! If he has any wisdom at all, he must surely see that he needs all the help he can get!

By helping others, he helps himself by expanding his sympathies. By helping those below him on the mountainside, he reinforces his appreciation for his own more advanced position. By accepting help from those above him, he finds it easier to climb. Without help from above he may think, smugly, "Why climb any further? I'm satisfied with this plateau, where I can enjoy the expansive view." And so, then: shall he starve to spiritual death up there, lacking nourishment from ever-subtler levels of joy? Many people, smugly centered in their egos, are content simply to settle in for the long wait until death. Life must be continually progressive. If it tries to remain stationary, it is already a living death.

It is time people included subtler beings in their reckoning. For they are there, willing to help us. What attracts their help is not flattery (if they are truly higher beings than ourselves: devas, or shining angels). Rather, what they respond to are lofty qualities like courage, selflessness, generosity, and -- above all -- love.

In our love for others, it is best always to give impersonal love: to see God in all, and not to look to anyone for personal gain. Love should be expressed as a concern for their well-being; its impersonality should be without self-interest.

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Help is ever available to those who have the humility to accept the outstretched hand.

~ g