When I was a kid I’d ask my parents hard questions and they’d always respond with the two same two questions: “What does the bible say?” And “what would Jesus do?” So I was basically born with the paradigm of God is my real dad. To me that made Jesus like my big brother.

When I was 19 I was in a car crash and lost three hours of my life. 

For the next four years I questioned my faith, the meaning of existence, self-sabotaged everything good in my life, and contemplated suicide. 

In my suicidal decision moment I made a pact with God: As my last hurrah before nihilistic suicide, I would turn over every rock I was afraid to turn as a Christian. 

Centuries of dogma, prejudice, and cramped understanding have produced an “institutional church-ianity,” sterilizing the deep spiritual philosophies embedded in Jesus’ words.

At first I thought, best to not get wrapped up in another new age fringe Christianity cult. But Jesus did say “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” This Eastern perspective of Jesus and Christianity coincides with what I’ve experienced to be true of God elsewhere. I’ve chewed on this book for a few years and its knowledge has been a wellspring in my relationship with God. 

Using the philosophies in this book, let’s explore what Jesus the Christ might’ve said to the depressed guy.

Jesus learned to speak in a way that would alleviate existential suffering for thousands of years to come, despite being reinterpreted indefinite times. He knew that only the most ardent seekers would be able to truly understand, achieve, and sustain divine communion with God. He realized most people would only be able to drink a drop of the infinite spiritual ocean. Parables allowed Jesus to speak Truth once and yet teach it forever, to all levels of the intellect. 

“Blessed are ye who weep, for ye shall laugh.”

When I satisfy my existential mourning by material means, I will be left wanting when those things fade from my life. When I devote myself instead to inward reflection and meditation I gain long-term rewards: Inner joy, peace, self-understanding and divine entertainment.

Suffering is the only signal that points us toward opportunities for growth. The way out of feeling like there’s no meaning in life is to turn inward. By doing so you, like Jesus, like the phoenix, burn your husk alight and realize your true non-material self. Suffering is man’s only means of self-alchemy. When you finally stop numbing with materialistic and ego-fueled comforts and devote yourself to inward reflection, you will find divine resolution to all your soul’s problems.

“Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”

“You” is defined by your mind as your collective experiences plus what those experiences meant to you.

So in order to fix a broken destiny, you must change the identity component. 

Now: What are your biggest regrets? 

Write about your life. Be specific as possible. If your life is already over, you have all the time in the world to explain to yourself and God what could’ve gone differently.

Book of Thomas, verse 113

“The light of the body is in the eye; if thine eye be single-focused, the whole body becomes full of light.”

Jesus chose to be guru to 12 disciples and empowers them to also do superman-like feats with the spiritual science of meditation. To the uninitiated he teaches a mini-technique: Close the eyes, bow the head slightly, and say “Amen” (or “Aum” or “Om.”)

Everyone says meditation is a great thing to do for depression, but why? Because it gives you awareness of your soul, forcing your noisy ego-mind to become the observer instead of the bad actor.

Learning the basics of meditation unlocked an immediate storewealth of physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. My breathing improved and my resting heart rate decreased, I became more calm and clear-minded. With the removal of self-consciousness I started to understand my true self. Even though I still dip into despair from bouts of unconscious living, years later I’ve gained a rising tide of peace from my habit. Yogananda calls it “the psychological heavenly reward resulting from the law of habit: Anyone who becomes fixed in inner bliss by meditation will be rewarded with ever-increasing joy.” The difference in me is tangible.

The art of meditation can be practiced in many ways, but the general goal is the same: Inner concentration with the aim of experiencing Oneness with God, Universe, and/or Self. It is the bedrock philosophy of Jesus, and the eightfold path of the yoga sutras, and all that is required of you is to close your eyes, bow your head slightly, take an inward gaze, and determine to follow the “straight gate”, the “narrow road”, the path of Self-realization.

While I feel Yogananda may have taken some creative leaps in his interpretations, his yogic mastery and spiritual understanding has blessed Christianity with a lost Eastern perspective, and technology for God-communion through meditation. 

These unifying philosophies are invaluable in the understanding of God and oneself. Yogananda calls it Self-realization. I called it Self-understanding.

Whatever you call it, it is your enlightenment journey and it has already begun. Through it you will elevate your consciousness, radiate your truest identity, and liberate your soul from illusions of the past to truly make your mark on the world around you. 

 for your encouragement and constructive feedback on this essay. Couldn't have done it without you!