With will, fire becomes sweet water;
and without will, even water becomes fire.
Rumi, Mathnawi I, 1336, quoted in: Helminski, Kabir (2000). The Rumi Collection. P.18.
Thus, intentionality is the star rising in the dark nights. It is the 'focus' of contemplative prayer. As long as our intention remains pure to serve God, to listen to God, to wait upon God, to surrender to God then thoughts of whatever kind do not make any difference. They do not affect the purity of our prayer. In a sense we are what our will is doing. If our intention is firm to wait God out, submitting to the Divine Therapy, then the Divine Therapy is working." Keating, Thomas. Intimacy with God. PP. 97-98. Submitted to L-Center Discussion group by Ann Potschka.
Anxious, nervous actions do not draw the power of God; but continuous, calm, powerful use of the will shakes the forces of creation and brings a response from the Infinite. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.34.
Mortal man's brain is full of "can'ts." (...) You have within you the power to accomplish everything you want. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.35.
Exercise your will continuosly. (...) Alone with my will power, I turn my thoughts in the desired direction until I have determined in my mind exactly what I wish to do and how to do it. (...). If you lazily leave everything to the Divine Power and neglect to use your God-given will, results will not be forthcoming. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.38.
The way to become receptive is to sit quietly and concentrate your thoughts on a worthy wish until your mind and thought become completely dissolved in that idea. Then will power becomes divine - omniscient and omnipotent - and can be successfully applied toward realizing your goal. You can't just sit there and wait for success to fall into your lap; once your course is set and your will is firm, you have to make a practical effort. Then you will see that whatever you require for success starts coming to you. Everything will push you in the right direction. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.39.
As soon as your will becomes powerful, God begins to answer. And when the Infinite condescends to break His vow of silence, you will not be able to contain your joy. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.40.
Never try to test God. Just go on praying unceasingly. Your duty is to bring your need to God's attention, and to do your part in helping God to bring that desire to fruition. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.41.
Every day undertake something that is difficult for you, and try to do it. (...) Will is the instrument of the image of God within you. In will lies His limitless power, the power that controls all the forces of nature. As you are made in His image, that power is yours to bring about whatever you desire (...). I constantly find that my slightest wish is answered. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.41.
(...) never use your will for evil purposes. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.41.
Man's will power is the great generator of energy. Through will power and willingness one is able to draw quickly on the infinite store of inner strength. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.56.
We cam alter ourselves very quickly with strong determination; but without it, one does not change effortlessly or in a minute the habit patterns of years. (...) Most persons don't have the necessary patience. But everyone should feel encouraged by this truth: whatever you have created or done, you can undo. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.75.
The greatest influence in your life, stronger than your will power, is your environment. Change it, if necessary. Until you are mentally strong, you can never be what you want to be without a good environment to help you. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.79.
(...) always the secret of my success was will power. I can truthfully say that destiny is what you make it. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.184.
Vague desire to improve is not enough. You have made yourself what you are now, and you can become whatever you want to be, but you have to use will power. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.185.
Any time you feel that your will is being overpowered, meditate until you feel the Divine Presence. Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.198
Every morning, remind yourself that you are God's child, and that no matter what the difficulties, you have the power to overcome them. Heir to the cosmic power of Spirit, you are more dangerous than danger! Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.206.
Men, men - these are wanted: everything else will be ready; but strong, vigorous, believing young men, sincere to the backbone, are wanted. A hundred such and the world becomes revolutionized. The will is stronger than anything else. Everything must go down before the will, for that comes from God: a pure and strong will is omnipotent. Vivekananda, quoted in: Nikhilananda, Vivekananda, A Biography, P.120.
A passion which we allow to grow active within us through our own choice afterwards forces itself upon us against our will. St. Mark the Ascetic (4th Century C.E.), quoted in: The Philokalia, Vol. I., P.132.
He who is under the power of sin cannot by himself prevail over the will of the flesh, because he suffers continual stimulation in all his members. St. Mark the Ascetic (4th Century C.E.), quoted in: The Philokalia, Vol. I., P.139.
Free will is the power of a deiform soul to direct itself by deliberate choice towards whatever it decides. Let us make sure that our soul directs itself deliberately only towards what is good, so that we always consume our remembrance of evil with good thoughts. St. Diadochos of Photiki (circa 400-486 CE), quoted in Philokalia, Vol. I., P.254.
Last updated: 2007/02/19
See the related subjects: Courage, Creativity, Discipline, Duty, Faith, God's Will, Leadership, Patience, Purpose, Strive for God, Work.