In a recent interfaith discussion, the question of “Who is a saint” came up. On one side there were traditionalists who were inclined to say that a saint was one who had done miracles that could be proven and who otherwise lived a heroically spiritual life. On the other side, were those who said “We are all saints, potentially or in our souls.” So, which is it?
I suspect it’s another BOTH-AND. There are great saints like St. Francis and countless others East and West and, at the same time, the modern tendency and inclination is to affirm that we are all children of God made in His image.
Paramhansa Yogananda put it this way: “A saint is a sinner who never gave up.” Then he added at other times, “It is a sin to call yourself a sinner!”
In this modern age of self-affirmation, self-awareness and the belief that we can do whatever we set our minds to do, it is natural to reject the downcast affirmation “I am a sinner.” It is most certainly true, at least on some level, but to affirm this is increasingly lacking in resonance and inspiration.
Better it is for one’s “spirit” to affirm one’s own highest potential. And yet, honesty and truthfulness are also needed. As Swami Kriyananda (founder of Ananda) put it in his efforts to quit smoking at age 20, “I haven’t given it up YET.” One day, however, he made the resolution to quit and this time it was forever. Prior to that, he simply hadn’t achieved his goal but was resolute in his affirmation and intuition that he would, and he DID!
Since this week, indeed, this Sunday, May 19, we celebrate the birth of Swami Kriyananda in 1926, let us examine his life and attitude toward being or becoming a saint. While few of us can match his outward accomplishments, all of us can benefit from the example of his focused concentration and his deep devotion to his guru and to truth. His goal in life, he said, was to be a good disciple. As the years went by, friends and visitors alike could feel the bliss and soul-joy radiating from his countenance, vibrating in his words, and infusing his actions with spontaneous wisdom.
Our destiny is to become one with God and on the way to that supreme goal we will also become increasingly saintly. We will bless and help many others as we travel our own unique highway to soul freedom. Therefore, minimize smaller self-definitions and see your Self as your Soul, made in the divine image, and radiating the love and wisdom of our Creator. Along the way we, too, will see the “Promised Land” for which we were created.
“I am a saint in the making. Nothing can stop my progress. Move all ye mountains of delusion. Stand not in my way!”