falls in love with him.

In the end he discovers that by perfecting his experience of that one day, he obtains his heart’s desire and brings happiness to everyone else as well.

Similarly, reincarnation teaches us through the repetition of similar experiences in multiple lifetimes where our true fulfillment lies.

Perhaps, like that Bill Murray character, we imagine our happiness will come from selfish behavior.

In time, we see that isn’t the answer.

Yogananda said that

Yesterday was Groundhog Day, and it reminded me of that popular movie with Bill Murray—one of my all-time favorites. I like to watch it every so often. It always leaves me feeling inspired.

Although, according to what I’ve read, the makers of that film didn’t intend it, the movie Groundhog Day is a wonderful metaphor for reincarnation.

For those who haven’t seen it, Bill Murray finds himself stuck in a time warp where he experiences the same day over and over again—dozens, even hundreds of times.

He’s stuck in this small town in Pennsylvania, and at first he’s confused that every morning it’s the same exact thing.

Then he thinks he might as well take advantage of the situation, so he tries to use and manipulate everything and everyone for his own selfish interests.

After he does that for a while, he gets bored. And then he realizes there’s something—or rather, someone—he really, really wants. So he focuses all his energies on winning the heart of this TV producer, played by Andie MacDowell.

Every day he learns something new about this woman and uses this knowledge to take their relationship further. At one point he’s almost got the thing consummated, and then it all falls apart.

The Bill Murray character falls into a deep depression and decides to take his life. But no matter how many ways he tries to end it all, the next morning, like clockwork, he wakes up in the same bed in the same hotel room.

Finally, after all these ups and downs, he becomes emotionally vulnerable and spiritually open. For the first time he has a real conversation with the woman he’s in love with, and she helps him to see the positive aspects of his situation.

He decides to improve himself. As he does so, he becomes a much better, more selfless person, and the world around him—the little world of small town America—improves also.

He becomes a sort of patron saint of this town, looking after everyone’s welfare, and the woman he had hankered after falls in love with him.

In the end he discovers that by perfecting his experience of that one day, he obtains his heart’s desire and brings happiness to everyone else as well.

Similarly, reincarnation teaches us through the repetition of similar experiences in multiple lifetimes where our true fulfillment lies.

Perhaps, like that Bill Murray character, we imagine our happiness will come from selfish behavior.

In time, we see that isn’t the answer.

Yogananda said that

s of times.

He’s stuck in this small town in Pennsylvania, and at first he’s confused that every morning it’s the same exact thing.

Then he thinks he might as well take advantage of the situation, so he tries to use and manipulate everything and everyone for his own selfish interests.

After he does that for a while, he gets bored. And then he realizes there’s something—or rather, someone—he really, really wants. So he focuses all his energies on winning the heart of this TV producer, played by Andie MacDowell.

Every day he learns something new about this woman and uses this knowledge to take their relationship further. At one point he’s almost got the thing consummated, and then it all falls apart.

The Bill Murray character falls into a deep depression and decides to take his life. But no matter how many ways he tries to end it all, the next morning, like clockwork, he wakes up in the same bed in the same hotel room.

Finally, after all these ups and downs, he becomes emotionally vulnerable and spiritually open. For the first time he has a real conversation with the woman he’s in love with, and she helps him to see the positive aspects of his situation.

He decides to improve himself. As he does so, he becomes a much better, more selfless person, and the world around him—the little world of small town America—improves also.

He becomes a sort of patron saint of this town, looking after everyone’s welfare, and the woman he had hankered after falls in love with him.

In the end he discovers that by perfecting his experience of that one day, he obtains his heart’s desire and brings happiness to everyone else as well.

Similarly, reincarnation teaches us through the repetition of similar experiences in multiple lifetimes where our true fulfillment lies.

Perhaps, like that Bill Murray character, we imagine our happiness will come from selfish behavior.

In time, we see that isn’t the answer.

Yogananda said that

er, played by Andie MacDowell.

Every day he learns something new about this woman and uses this knowledge to take their relationship further. At one point he’s almost got the thing consummated, and then it all falls apart.

The Bill Murray character falls into a deep depression and decides to take his life. But no matter how many ways he tries to end it all, the next morning, like clockwork, he wakes up in the same bed in the same hotel room.

Finally, after all these ups and downs, he becomes emotionally vulnerable and spiritually open. For the first time he has a real conversation with the woman he’s in love with, and she helps him to see the positive aspects of his situation.

He decides to improve himself. As he does so, he becomes a much better, more selfless person, and the world around him—the little world of small town America—improves also.

He becomes a sort of patron saint of this town, looking after everyone’s welfare, and the woman he had hankered after falls in love with him.

In the end he discovers that by perfecting his experience of that one day, he obtains his heart’s desire and brings happiness to everyone else as well.

Similarly, reincarnation teaches us through the repetition of similar experiences in multiple lifetimes where our true fulfillment lies.

Perhaps, like that Bill Murray character, we imagine our happiness will come from selfish behavior.

In time, we see that isn’t the answer.

Yogananda said that

he becomes emotionally vulnerable and spiritually open. For the first time he has a real conversation with the woman he’s in love with, and she helps him to see the positive aspects of his situation.

He decides to improve himself. As he does so, he becomes a much better, more selfless person, and the world around him—the little world of small town America—improves also.

He becomes a sort of patron saint of this town, looking after everyone’s welfare, and the woman he had hankered after falls in love with him.

In the end he discovers that by perfecting his experience of that one day, he obtains his heart’s desire and brings happiness to everyone else as well.

Similarly, reincarnation teaches us through the repetition of similar experiences in multiple lifetimes where our true fulfillment lies.

Perhaps, like that Bill Murray character, we imagine our happiness will come from selfish behavior.

In time, we see that isn’t the answer.

Yogananda said that

falls in love with him.

In the end he discovers that by perfecting his experience of that one day, he obtains his heart’s desire and brings happiness to everyone else as well.

Similarly, reincarnation teaches us through the repetition of similar experiences in multiple lifetimes where our true fulfillment lies.

Perhaps, like that Bill Murray character, we imagine our happiness will come from selfish behavior.

In time, we see that isn’t the answer.

Yogananda said that those who are spiritually awakened become aware of the repetitive nature of their lifetimes, and a sense of “anguishing monotony” sets in.

We may become bored, or seek a way out through drugs, alcohol, or any of the thousand-and-one other ways of becoming addicted to this world.

Finally, we give in. We surrender spiritually. We seek oneness with God and to express the highest octave of our natures.

From that point on, it doesn’t take long to find our way out. The way out is in. And the way in is up.

And, once we’ve got the whole thing figured out, we don’t have to come back. We become free, and one with the joy of our natures.