The War in Portland

Our humble and beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, is once again making national news with politics and controversy in the headlines. The state military has been federalized, and protestors are taking to the streets—yes, in chicken costumes, clown makeup, and more (after all, it is Portland)—to exercise their rights.

This is not to make light of current events, the horrors of real war, or the many difficult issues and concerns facing our government and society today. It is, rather, to frame the inner war of Light versus Darkness taking place not in Portland or Washington, but in the human heart. The outer conflicts and wars of this world are reflections of that inner struggle, and resolution must come from each heart seeking that “peace which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

There are many harmful weapons, words, and strategies causing great suffering in the outer world. Most of us are ill-equipped to respond in a meaningful or effective way outwardly, but would do well to follow the heart in the path of right action described by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita:

“It is better to die while trying to accomplish one’s own duty than to settle for another’s [though safer and easier], which course is filled with danger and uncertainty.” (3:35)

The real battle must be fought on the level of consciousness, where its origins lie: “Arise, O Arjuna! Take up your bow of discrimination and fight the inner battle!”

Paramhansa Yogananda’s own counsel to the yogi in battle is:

“Be calmly active and actively calm.”

This simple statement offers the profound key to victory. Daily meditation, spiritual discrimination, and intuition form the troops of our will and feelings into battle formation. Far greater than bombs or guns, the weapons of compassion and love wield a power infinitely stronger in this world. The little figure of Mahatma (Great Soul) Gandhi emanated greater power and peace than most kings, warriors and politicians down through history.

The chaos, division, and pain we are witnessing around us mirror the collective consciousness of the people within it. When the light of our spiritual power burns brightly, the world around us is filled with greater hope and harmony. To heal the pain and suffering in Portland, in the United States, in Palestine, Ukraine, and throughout the world, we must first heal the souls of people everywhere.

The power to change oneself through yoga, the power of prayer, and the grace of great Masters and Saints move divine currents across this world. Ocean waves may ebb and flow, heave and subside, but the silent depths contain the ocean’s real power. Every soul attuned to the ocean of Spirit has the power to bring divine peace and harmony to the world.

Portland is not at war—but there is a war raging in our consciousness. Let us fight that battle on the front lines of our hearts and minds, that we may win victory in the soul.

Each one has to win his own victory. Make up your mind that you are going to be supremely victorious. You don’t need an army or money or any other material help to gain the highest victory attainable; just a strong determination that you are going to win. All you have to do is sit still in meditation, and with the sword of discrimination cut off, one by one, the advance of restless thoughts. When they will all be dead, God’s kingdom of calm wisdom will be yours.         –Paramhansa Yogananda