Imagine, as a weapon of war they are speaking of releasing vapours filled with germs that will infect whole populations, causing the people to suffer a lingering death. Such are the deadly instruments of destruction they are creating, instead of developing the weapon of love, which can destroy all the hatred, meanness, and selfishness in men’s hearts. In war, each side always blames the other’s actions as the cause of conflict. But remember, you can’t clap with just one hand; you have to have two hands. True, some people or nations are more evil at times than others; but those who are good should conquer evil, not by evil, but by good.
You must love people. Sometimes its hard, I know. I have loved my enemies, and I know that I shall never be an enemy to anyone. By a thought I could destroy them, but I have never done it, and I shall never do it. Jesus had that power. He could have used it when his enemies taunted him to save himself from the cross; he had said, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” He conquered by love. If the ordinary man is slapped, the great desire is to slap back. Therefore, God does not give His divine power to those who are spiritually weak, because they would misuse it. The desire and the strength to forgive come from attunement with God.
Someone once asked me, “Why do you go through the struggle of supporting so many people and having to deal with all their problems, when you are free and don’t have to?”
I responded, “Why does God do it? He is supporting every creature on the whole earth when He could be free from all of this bothersome creation. I do it because I know His will. And because I also find much pleasure in seeing the progress of those who respond, and in being able to build His temple in their hearts. “
How few you find in this world who are sincere and who want to be your friend for your sake, and not for something they can take from you. Those sincere souls are most enjoyable. Greater than all riches is true friendship. If you can be a true friend to people, you will find God. If you sincerely love people, you can know them; just as when you look through a clear glass, you can see what is in the glass. But your perception of people is unclear unless you love God, and unless you love others with the love of God.
Extract from the book ” The Divine Romance” by Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
