Truth is exact correspondence with reality.

The words of Paramahansa Yogananda—“Truth is exact correspondence with reality”—resound with the clarity of a bell struck in still air. In these few words, the great teacher reveals that truth is not opinion, not illusion, not the shifting shadow of perception, but the direct harmony between what we believe and what truly is. To live in truth is to align thought, word, and deed with the eternal fabric of existence. Anything less—distortion, denial, or illusion—is to fall out of tune with reality itself, and to live in disharmony with life and with spirit.

The ancients, too, taught this. The Upanishads proclaimed Satya—truth—as that which does not change, that which abides when all else fades. To the Greeks, Aletheia was not invention but “unconcealment,” the lifting of the veil so that reality could be seen as it is. Yogananda stands in this lineage of wisdom, reminding us that truth is not created by the mind, nor shaped by desire—it is already there, in correspondence with reality. Our task is not to invent it, but to perceive it, and to bring our lives into harmony with it.

History offers us countless lessons in this principle. Consider Galileo Galilei, who looked through his telescope and saw the moons of Jupiter, the phases of Venus, and the dance of the stars. The authorities of his time denied these revelations, clinging to their illusions. But reality could not be changed by decree. In the end, the truth of the cosmos—its vastness, its order—stood firm, and their denial crumbled. Here we see Yogananda’s words made flesh: truth is exact correspondence with reality, whether men accept it or not.

Yet this teaching is not only for philosophers or scientists; it is for every soul. How often do we live in self-made illusions? A man may deceive himself into thinking he is strong when he is weak, faithful when he is careless, wise when he is blind. These lies, though comforting, cannot shield him forever, for reality has a way of unveiling itself. To face the truth of oneself—one’s weaknesses, one’s flaws—is painful, but it is also the beginning of transformation. Only when we live in correspondence with reality can growth and freedom take root.

Yogananda also speaks as a spiritual master. For him, reality was not only the outer world but the eternal presence of the Divine. To live in truth meant to align the soul with God, to pierce through the illusions of the senses, and to awaken to the higher reality that lies beyond fleeting appearances. He taught that meditation, discipline, and devotion were paths by which seekers could quiet the noise of illusion and see reality clearly. In this way, truth was not merely factual—it was liberating, transforming, eternal.

The lesson for us is both humbling and empowering: if we would live nobly, we must align ourselves with truth, even when it is difficult. Do not hide behind excuses. Do not twist reality to suit your desires. Instead, train your heart to accept things as they are, and then work with them, not against them. When facing hardship, acknowledge it. When confronted with error, admit it. When seeking wisdom, look not for what flatters, but for what is real. This correspondence with reality is the foundation of all strength and serenity.

Therefore, O seeker, remember Yogananda’s words: truth is exact correspondence with reality. It cannot be bent by will, it cannot be silenced by denial, it cannot be altered by fear. It waits for the eyes that will see, the heart that will accept, and the soul that will live in harmony with it. Seek this alignment in your thoughts, your actions, your relationships, and your inner life, and you will find that truth is not a burden, but a liberation, not a chain, but the key that opens the gates of freedom.