On the way home from church, a little girl turned to her mother and said, “Mommy, the Preacher’s sermon this morning confused me.”
The mother said, “Oh! Why is that?”
The girl replied, “Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s true,” the mother replied.
“He also said that God lives within us. Is that true, too?”
Again the mother replied, “Yes.”
“Well,” said the girl. “If God is bigger than us and God lives in us, wouldn’t He show through?”

That little girl is onto something big! But, understandably, she cannot grasp how God, being so much bigger, can possibly be contained within her little body. To her, God would have to “show through” — or burst through the seams!

Yogic sages would say that God cannot be contained by anything. They describe God (Shiva) as the essence of the universe and of all things and beings within it, including you and me, your body and mine. God is not just bigger than each of us. God is also the essence of all that we are — body and soul. As Swami Nirmalananda states in this month’s teaching article titled One:

“You and I are different expressions of the One Reality…Each and every different thing and being is made of the same essence. Called Shiva in this yogic system, the One is not only outside of you, but is within you and is being you…” (underlining is mine for emphasis)

God is not just outside you or inside you but is also being you. The purpose of yoga is to give you the experience of your divinity, of God being you. Swami explains that yoga is a science (not a religion) that enables you to access your divinity. As a science, she explains that yoga is:

“…a tactile and practical process with reliable results: you get enlightened.

“Maybe neck pain or stress got you started in Svaroopa® yoga, but you’ve already become more enlightened than you used to be. You’re more centered and peaceful, calmer, happier and more creative. Your inner light shines more radiantly and more frequently. Not only do others enjoy it, but so do you. I promise you: it keeps getting better.”

Those of you who have been practicing yoga and/or meditating regularly know this is true. You are the answer to the little girl’s question. “If God is bigger than us and God lives in us, wouldn’t [H/She] show through?” You are learning how to let your divinity show through. Keep on shining! It keeps getting better!

As stated in last month’s newsletter, “Your own Divine Self is light, peace and joy. Let your Self shine!” And have a very happy new year!