--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It takes a long time-many incarnations of…" description: "\"It takes a long time-many incarnations of right action, good company, help of the guru, self-awakening, wisdom, and meditation-for man to regain his so..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/paramahansa-yogananda-556_action_it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-o_446389.jpg" --- # It takes a long time-many incarnations of right action… ![“It takes a long time-many incarnations of right action, good company, help of the guru, self-awakening, wisdom, and meditation-for man to regain his soul consciousness of immortality. To reach this state of Self-realization, each man must practice meditation to transfer his consciousness from the…” quote by Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/paramahansa-yogananda-556_action_it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-o_446389.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/paramahansa-yogananda-556_action_it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-o_446389.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/paramahansa-yogananda-556_action_it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-o_446389.jpg) > “It takes a long time-many incarnations of right action, good company, help of the guru, self-awakening, wisdom, and meditation-for man to regain his soul consciousness of immortality. To reach this state of Self-realization, each man must practice meditation to transfer his consciousness from the limited body to the unlimited sphere of joy felt in meditation.” [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑realization requires sustained meditation, guidance, and virtuous companionship to awaken the soul’s immortal consciousness. **In simple terms:** Meditation and good company awaken the soul. Key Takeaway Cultivate meditation and seek wise mentors. Themes spirituality self‑growth mindfulness Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - daily meditation - seeking teachers - community gatherings - spiritual retreats Key Concepts consciousness immortality guru guidance Questions to Reflect On - How does community support deepen meditation? - What limits arise without a teacher? A Different Perspective Meditation alone may not guarantee insight without disciplined practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Awakening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awakening/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Consciousness Immortality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness-immortality-2960884/) [Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt/) [Good company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-company/) [Guru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guru/) [Guru Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guru-self-3904229/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Immortality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immortality/) [Incarnation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incarnation/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realization/) [Regain Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regain-soul-3904227/) [Right action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-action/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-realization/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Soul Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul-consciousness-417348/) [Spheres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spheres/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Transfer Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transfer-consciousness-3904228/) [Transfers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transfers/) [Unlimited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlimited/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Know that this universe is nothing but a dream bluff of nature to test your consciousness of immortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/know-that-this-universe-is-nothing-but-a-dream-bluff-of-nature-to/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [It is my belief that one of the most exciting things about the World Wide Web is that they allow minds, as Spock might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/it-is-my-belief-that-one-of-the-most-exciting-things-about-the-world/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Jnana is given neither from outside nor from another person. It can be realised by each and everyone in his own Heart. The jnana…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/jnana-is-given-neither-from-outside-nor-from-another-person-it-can-be/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [Beyond learning and unlearning is awareness, and beyond awareness is consciousness, and beyond consciousness is immortality, and beyond immortality is dharma and beyond dharma…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/beyond-learning-and-unlearning-is-awareness-and-beyond-awareness-is/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Ignorance is a killer of the soul and consciousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-g-ortiz/ignorance-is-a-killer-of-the-soul-and-consciousness/) [Kenneth G. Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-g-ortiz/) > [There is no soul; there is only consciousness, the highest thing man ever has! Losing the conscious means to die! Death is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/there-is-no-soul-there-is-only-consciousness-the-highest-thing-man/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [And now listen carefully. You in others-this is your soul. This is what you are. This is what your consciousness has breathed and lived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boris-pasternak/and-now-listen-carefully-you-in-others-this-is-your-soul-this-is-what/) [Boris Pasternak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boris-pasternak/) > [Someone who's awake in the middle of the night is a soul consciousness when everyone else is asleep, and that creates a feeling of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hirsch/someone-who-s-awake-in-the-middle-of-the-night-is-a-soul/) [Edward Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hirsch/) > [When we work from the Soul consciousness, we can shape our own destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-klemp/when-we-work-from-the-soul-consciousness-we-can-shape-our-own-destiny/) [Harold Klemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-klemp/) > [“In this method, it is important to note that when you fix a more youthful state of the Soul when you see how the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigori-grabovoi/in-this-method-it-is-important-to-note-that-when-you-fix-a-more/) [Grigori Grabovoi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigori-grabovoi/) > [“Most people in the world have no soul-consciousness or self-consciousness. They only have societal consciousness. They have no time to think uniquely. They just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/most-people-in-the-world-have-no-soul-consciousness-or-self/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [Irrespective of the karma that the other person does, always remember they are a pure, beautiful soul. This consciousness keeps our flow of love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-bk-satyanarayan/irrespective-of-the-karma-that-the-other-person-does-always-remember/) [Dr BK Satyanarayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-bk-satyanarayan/) > [“Be soul-conscious not self-conscious. Self-consciousness is egocentric and soul-consciousness is spiritual.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/be-soul-conscious-not-self-conscious-self-consciousness-is-egocentric/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [Nature supports right action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maharishi-mahesh-yogi/nature-supports-right-action/) [Maharishi Mahesh Yogi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maharishi-mahesh-yogi/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) ## More by Paramahansa Yogananda > [With the realization of God comes all power. If the little wave knew that behind it is the great ocean, it could say, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/with-the-realization-of-god-comes-all-power-if-the-little-wave-knew/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Love cannot be had for the asking; it comes only as a gift from the heart of another](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/love-cannot-be-had-for-the-asking-it-comes-only-as-a-gift-from-the/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [He who is persistent will realize God. So try your best to make meditation a regular experience in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/he-who-is-persistent-will-realize-god-so-try-your-best-to-make/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Truth is exact correspondence with reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/truth-is-exact-correspondence-with-reality/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [We should bathe our spirits in the deep, pure feeling that stirs within us when we gaze on the glories of His creation. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/we-should-bathe-our-spirits-in-the-deep-pure-feeling-that-stirs/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Since you alone are responsible for your thoughts, only you can change them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/since-you-alone-are-responsible-for-your-thoughts-only-you-can-change/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Mankind is engaged in an eternal quest for that ‘something else' he hopes will bring him happiness, complete and unending.For those individual souls who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/mankind-is-engaged-in-an-eternal-quest-for-that-something-else-he/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Just as oil is present in every part of the olive, so love permeates every part of creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/just-as-oil-is-present-in-every-part-of-the-olive-so-love-permeates/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [The mother's love is not given to us to spoil us with indulgence, but to soften our hearts, that we may in turn soften…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/the-mother-s-love-is-not-given-to-us-to-spoil-us-with-indulgence-but/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [“If one busies himself with an outer display of scriptural wealth, what time is left for silent inward diving after the priceless pearls?” Sri”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/if-one-busies-himself-with-an-outer-display-of-scriptural-wealth-what/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [When you meditate the glory of the Divine shines forth. You realize then that all along there was something tremendous within you and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/when-you-meditate-the-glory-of-the-divine-shines-forth-you-realize/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [He who knows his soul knows this truth: " I am beyond everything finite; I I now see that the Spirit, alone in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/he-who-knows-his-soul-knows-this-truth-i-am-beyond-everything-finite/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Possession of material riches, without inner peace, is like dying of thirst while bathing in a lake. If material poverty is to be avoided,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/possession-of-material-riches-without-inner-peace-is-like-dying-of/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [“Physicians must carry on their work of healing through God’s laws as applied to matter.” But he extolled the superiority of mental therapy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/physicians-must-carry-on-their-work-of-healing-through-god-s-laws-as/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [If you have a strong mind and plant in it a firm resolve, you can change your destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/if-you-have-a-strong-mind-and-plant-in-it-a-firm-resolve-you-can/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) [Explore all 466 Paramahansa Yogananda quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It takes a long time-many incarnations of right action, good company, help of the guru, self-awakening, wisdom, and meditation-for man to regain his soul consciousness of immortality. To reach this state of Self-realization, each man must practice meditation to transfer his consciousness from the limited body to the unlimited sphere of joy felt in meditation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paramahansa Yogananda" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-of-right-action-good-company/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-of-right-action-good-company/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/paramahansa-yogananda-556_action_it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-o_446389.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/paramahansa-yogananda-556_action_it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-o_446389.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/468/paramahansa-yogananda-556_action_it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-o_446389.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It takes a long time-many incarnations of right action, good company, help of the guru, self-awakening…” — Paramahansa Yogananda", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paramahansa Yogananda", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It takes a long time-many incarnations...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-of-right-action-good-company/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/it-takes-a-long-time-many-incarnations-of-right-action-good-company/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```