Excerpts from a lecture by Yogi Bhajan, December 31, 1992

Breathe in, mentally utter the word ‘Victory’ and exhale. You’ll find the strength of a hundred angels behind you. ~Yogi Bhajan

You have not yet learned what spirituality is. Religion is not spirituality. Your knowledge is not spirituality. Your happiness is not spirituality. Your good luck and tragedies are not spirituality. Spirituality is facing yourself with a smile when life confronts you.

Everyone, whether a king or queen, pauper or beggar, lover or deserter, attorney or accused, is going to be challenged in life. One thing you cannot escape is challenge.Whether you challenge the challenge or you give in to the challenge, that is what decides your spirituality. Is your spirit higher than the challenge so you can face it? It is simple. If your face and your grace do not give in to the challenge, you are spiritual. Otherwise you are not. Period.

Just understand one word. Take it from me, I’m not giving you any Sanskrit word or any religious word or anything. I’m just telling you something which will help you survive through all odds.Whenever you face anything and you don’t have an answer, just call yourself inside and say, “Victory.” Lean on ‘Victory.’ Make it a guide word, make it a precious word. I don’t know what you are, who you are, why you are. Don’t ask questions. Don’t do your analysis. Don’t try to solve problems. Just utter the word ‘Victory.' With just the mental utterance of this word your whole life will change. Mentally utter the word ‘Victory.’ Try it.  You’ll find the strength of a hundred angels behind you.

You have your own life. Live it. You don’t have to belong to 3HO or Sikh Dharma or to Yogi Bhajan, but wherever you are, in whatever difficulty, neurosis, or psychosis: whenever you need help, breathe in and mentally utter the word ‘Victory.’ See what happens.

Bless you. Be beautiful, be bountiful, be your own grace. God made every man, every woman, and every person as one person. One God made everybody as one. Those who do not respect the Oneness of God, the oneness of themselves, and the oneness of others, are very self-destructive and they shall never be happy. But those who shall seek the Oneness of God, the oneness of themselves, and oneness of others, shall be happy, prosperous, and have a joyful life. That’s a promise.

So, it’s a very simple thing. Don’t interfere with another person’s psyche. Let it be. Live and let live. Never let yourself down. Never let your friends down. And never let your enemy down. Give him a good match. Enjoy.

It’s not something we’re joking about. We’re dead serious about it. And if you want to help somebody, give them this word. Basically it’s a chance to grow, a chance to be strong. Fit people will survive. Weak people will have difficulties, especially mental difficulties. It’s a very simple system. There’s not one person on this Earth who will not have a challenge. Challenge eventually comes. You need vitality for victory. If I start teaching you and going through the rhythms and all that, it will take a century. This is simple. You’ll get confidence on the spot. You’ll feel the kick. You’ll know something is with you better than you. That will give you headway for victory, and you’ll be fine. Remember: Breathe in, and mentally utter the word ‘victory.’  Just breathe in for one, two, or three seconds, repeat the word mentally, and after you say it, let the breath go.

Best of the New Year and life as may be. Let the wind be behind you, angels dance with you, and your consciousness guide you to Victory.

©1992 The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan