Following is an excerpt from the book ‘Autobiography of a Yogi‘ by Paramahansa Yogananda – an incredible story about how Sri Yukteshwar cured himself overnight and gained 50 pounds. Sri Yukteswar (Yogananda’s Guru) shares this story with Yogananda about how when he was younger he learned about the power of the mind and the power of thoughts to manifest reality from his Guru Lahiri Mahasaya.

This story is worth sharing as it shows amazing capabilities of human mind. It shows that with power of mind and power of thoughts, we can create any reality we desire. I was amazed and in awe of our mind and thoughts as I read this.

“’Sir’,” I said, ‘I have been very sick and have lost many pounds.’

“’I see Yukteswar, you made yourself unwell and now you think you are thin.’

“This reply was far from the one I had expected; my guru however, added encouragingly:

“’Let me see; I am sure you ought to feel better tomorrow.’

“My receptive mind accepted his words as a hint that he was secretly me. The next morning I sought him out and exclaimed exultingly, ‘Sir, I feel much better today.’

“’Indeed! Today you invigorate yourself.’

“’No, Master,’ I protested. ‘It is you who have helped me; this is the first time in weeks I have had any energy.’

“’Oh, yes! Your malady has been quite serious. Your body is frail yet; who can say how it will be tomorrow?’

“The thought of a possible return of my weakness brought me a shudder of cold fear. The following morning I could hardly drag myself to Lahiri Mahasaya’s home.

“’Sir, I am ailing again.’

“My guru’s glance was quizzical. ‘So! Once more you indispose yourself.’

“My patience was exhausted. ‘Gurudeva,’ I said, ‘I realize now that day by day you have been ridiculing me. I don’t understand why you disbelieve my truthful reports.’

“‘Really, it has been your thoughts that have made you feel alternately weak and strong.’ My guru looked at me affectionately. ‘You have seen how your health has exactly followed your subconscious expectations. Thought is a force, even as electricity or gravitation. The human mind is a spark of the almighty consciousness of God. I could show you that whatever your powerful mind believes very intensely would instantly come to pass.‘

“Knowing that Lahiri Mahasaya never spoke idly, I addressed him with great awe and gratitude.: ‘Master, if I think that I am well and that I have regained my former weight, shall those things come to pass?’

“’It is so, even at this moment.’ My guru spoke gravely, his gaze concentrated on my eyes.

“I instantly felt an increase not only of strength but of weight. Lahiri Mahasaya retreated into silence. After a few hours at his feet, I returned to my mother’s house, where I stayed during my visits to Banaras.

“My son! What is the matter? Are you swelling with dropsy?” Mother could hardly believe her eyes. My body was now as full and robust as it had been before my illness.

“I weighed myself and found that in one day I had gained fifty pounds; they have remained permanently.”