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In his book “Sacred Science”, Normal Paulsen, one of Paramahansa Yogananda’s foremost devotees and disciples discusses twelve (12) virtues that we MUST cultivate along with our regular prayer and/or meditation practice. In other words, it behooves us to meditate and pray and yet live a life that is full of non-virtue.

After many years on the spiritual path, I have seen many people come and go, and the reason for this is because they “sway” to the right or left too much and lead unbalanced lives. So, for a short time, they are able to live with virtue, but after some more time, they fall by the wayside and end up falling victim to lower energies that eventually take them away from spirituality all together.

In this book, Normal Paulsen accurately describes twelve (12) virtues that we will all benefit from greatly, especially if life’s circumstances are such that we cannot pray or meditate on a regular basis. Here they are, and by the way, “Sacred Science” is a great read, just like “Autobiography of a Yogi”:

1. Loyalty: Once you have your mantra or prayer, please stick with it.
2. Patience: Emerson once wrote that patience is the ultimate tool to achieving success.
3. Honesty: Want absolutely NO skeletons in your closet? Then be honest.
4. Perseverance: Together with patience, perseverance will take you VERY far.
5. Compassion: Read the Dalai Lama’s books to truly understand this virtue.
6. Continence: Indeed, all good things remain good in MODERATION.
7. Equanimity: Are not all of us sons and daughters of God (Divine Spirit)?
8. Courage: Please have the courage to stand up for that which is right.
9. Humility: I personally prefer to share and embrace the team spirit.
10. Temperance: We need to be adaptable to different situations.
11. Charity: What you give will come back to you, eventually, many-many fold.
12. Faith: With faith, mountains indeed can be asked to move.

Remember, if your life is full of responsibilities and you miss your regular prayer or meditation practice, living with these virtues will still help you make great progress. Namaste, Keith

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