The body is only a garment. How many times you have changed your clothing in this life, yet because of this you would not say that you have changed. Similarly, when you give up this bodily dress at death you do not change. You are just the same, an immortal soul, a child of God.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes that the body is merely a temporary vessel, and our true self, the immortal soul, remains unchanged.
Paramahansa Yogananda's quote reflects the idea that our physical form is transient, much like clothing that we change multiple times throughout our lives. At death, shedding the body does not alter our essence; we remain as eternal souls connected to the divine. This perspective encourages the understanding that life is about the spirit, rather than the material body.
In practice
In a discussion on the nature of existence during a philosophy class.
Man is important in one sense only. He was made in the image of God: That is his importance. He is not important for his body, ego, or personality. His constant affirmation of ego-consciousness is the source of all his problems.
When, by meditation, we withdraw restless thoughts from the lake of the mind, we behold our soul, a perfect reflection of Spirit.
It is wisest to be impartial. If you have health, but are attached to it, you will always be afraid of losing it. And if you fear that loss, but become ill, you will suffer. Why not remain forever joyful in the Self?
From joy people are born; for joy they live; in joy they melt at death. Death is an ecstasy, for it removes the burden of the body and frees the soul of all pain springing from body identification. It is the cessation of pain and sorrow.
It is better to meditate a little bit with depth than to mediate long with the mind running here and there. If you do not make an effort to control the mind it will go on doing as it pleases, no matter how long you sit to meditate.
Millions of people never analyze themselves. Mentally they are mechanical products of the factory of their environment, preoccupied with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, working and sleeping, and going here and there to be entertained. They don't know what or why they are seeking, nor why they never realize complete happiness and lasting satisfaction. By evading self-analysis, people go on being robots, conditioned by their environment. True self-analysis is the greatest art of progress.
All wars are follies, very expensive and very mischievous ones. In my opinion, there never was a good war or a bad peace. When will mankind be convinced and agree to settle their difficulties by arbitration?
Absolute silence leads to sadness. It is the image of death.
A country cannot simultaneously prepare and prevent war.
The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter.
India has 2,000,000 gods and worships them all. In religion, all other countries are paupers; India is the only millionaire.
To give life a meaning, one must have a purpose larger than self.
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