The Wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda

Self-Realization Fellowship monk Brother Govindananda discusses Paramahansa Yogananda’s teaching on meditation—that not only do we want to experience God’s presence as peace, love, joy, in meditation, but to take that awareness with us during the day, no matter what’s going on around us.  The importance of seeing our spiritual efforts as a divine offering, Brother Govindananda points out, is discussed in detail in Lesson 5 of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, the home-study course on meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living from Paramahansa Yogananda.You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!To learn more about the Lessons: https://yogananda.org/lessonsHe also mentions the influence of Paramahansaji’s “Autobiography of a Yogi” and translation and commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita, “God Talks With Arjuna.”To read Autobiography of a Yogi: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...To read God Talks With Arjuna: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...To participate in a group meditation through the SRF Online Meditation Center: https://srfonlinemeditation.org/If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

Brother Anandamoy, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and longtime SRF minister, offers a clear, devotional take on Kriya Yoga. He describes scientific meditation, the spine as a spiritual highway, reversing life energy for inner illumination, and the need for steady practice, devotion, and guidance. Short, vivid teachings on karma, gradual transformation, and practical spiritual living.

In this episode, SRF nun Sister Usha conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda about the all-embracing Divine Mother, God in the aspect of perfect unconditional love.We all yearn to be loved unconditionally — fully understood and accepted without reservation. When we approach God as a child appealing to our Divine Mother, we can experience the sympathetic understanding, tenderness, and nurturing care that our souls crave. And as we draw closer we ultimately realize that the Divine Mother sees us as we truly are — a beautiful, shining soul, one with Spirit.This talk, which includes a period of meditation, was recorded at the SRF temple in Glendale, California, in May 2024.You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!During her talk, Sister Usha refers to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.orgSister Usha also refers to the following books published by Self-Realization Fellowship:“Autobiography of a Yogi,” Paramahansa Yogananda’s acclaimed life story, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/“The Divine Romance,” Volume II of Yogananda’s “Collected Talks and Essays,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-divine-romance-ebook/“Man’s Eternal Quest,” Volume I of Yogananda’s “Collected Talks and Essays,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/mans-eternal-quest-ebook/“God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita,” Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the teachings of Krishna, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/“The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You,” Yogananda’s commentary on the teachings of Jesus, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-second-coming-of-christ-ebook/“Paramahansa Yogananda: In Memoriam,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/paramahansa-yogananda-in-memoriam/“Enter the Quiet Heart: Creating a Loving Relationship With God,” by Sri Daya Mata, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/enter-the-quiet-heart-ebook/In addition, Sister Usha refers to a talk by Brother Anandamoy, a beloved minister of SRF, entitled “The Mother Aspect of God,” which you can view here: https://youtu.be/rqnS4by1Onk?si=EB7cytfhE8l_vbpWTo view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org 

Brother Bhaktananda (1914 – 2005), a longtime SRF monk and minister who became a disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda in 1939, explains how to develop and perfect the guru-disciple relationship: the Divine’s eternal plan to free each soul.He discusses how a commitment to simplicity, obedience, and loyalty in our daily lives leads to real freedom and happiness. From his long experience practicing the SRF teachings he offers three essential keys to spiritual development: practicing the presence of God, meditation, and study of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. He also discusses the importance of deep periods of stillness after practicing meditation techniques.This talk was given at the 1994 SRF World Convocation.You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!Learn more about the SRF Lessons, Paramahansa Yogananda’s home-study course on the science of meditation and art of balanced spiritual living: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo learn more about how to participate in SRF online group meditations and see the full calendar of events for the SRF Online Meditation Center: Home - SRF Online MeditationTo view the 2020 SRF World Convocation events:    • 2020 Convocation | Immersion in the T...To read Paramahansa Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Jayananda discusses positive ways we can approach all life’s situations as yogis in order to be successful spiritually: “When we talk about thanksgiving or gratitude, these are attitudes really—ways of thinking, or ways of approaching life.”  Drawing from Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings and his experiences with Sri Daya Mata, SRF’s beloved third president, Brother Jayananda explains that right attitudes are just as much a foundational aspect of the science and practice of yoga as are right behaviors. He delves into the subjects of karma and justice, positivity of mind, evenmindedness, and practicing the presence of the Divine in daily life; and stresses that no matter what problems occur, we can maintain an attitude of thankfulness to become aware of God’s guidance and protection.     You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!For further exploration, based on topics covered in this talk: Learn more about the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, Paramahansa Yogananda’s home-study course on the science of meditation and art of balanced spiritual living: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo read Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...To read Daya Mata’s Finding the Joy Within You: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...To read Yogananda’s The Science of Religion, available as paperback and ebook: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

In this episode, SRF monk Brother Jayananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on how we can find the true and lasting happiness that is the very nature of our souls.Would you like to experience a happiness that is all-satisfying and never ends? All of us are looking for happiness, but the joy we get from outer conditions and experiences quickly fades. When we practice yoga meditation and follow the principles of spiritual living we discover a great treasure of happiness within that stays with us through the ups and downs of life — and helps us become attuned to the bliss of Spirit.This talk, which includes a period of meditation, was recorded at the SRF temple in Hollywood, California, in November 2022.You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!During his talk, Brother Jayananda refers to one of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, titled “Control of Emotions Is the Key to Health and Happiness.” You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.orgBrother Jayananda also refers to the following works published by Self-Realization Fellowship: four books from Paramahansa Yogananda and a video of a talk by Sri Daya Mata, third president of SRF/YSS:“Autobiography of a Yogi,” Paramahansa Yogananda’s acclaimed life story, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/“Journey to Self-realization,” Volume III of Yogananda’s “Collected Talks and Essays,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/journey-to-self-realization-ebook/“Where There Is Light: Insight and Inspiration for Meeting Life’s Challenges,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/where-there-is-light-ebook/“The Law of Success: Using the Power of Spirit to Create Health, Prosperity, and Happiness,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-law-of-success-ebook/“Him I Shall Follow: Remembrances of My Life With Paramahansa Yogananda” by Sri Daya Mata, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/him-i-shall-follow-2/To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

In this episode, SRF monk Brother Padmananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on how we can awaken to the joy of Spirit that lies just behind the passing illusions of this world.The yogis of ancient India said that this material world is a dream — so how can we wake up from this dream and experience true reality? When we focus on the pleasures and pains of life and our emotional reactions to them, they seem all too real. But through the practice of meditation and striving for evenmindedness we can learn to see the Divine Hand behind everything — and live in eternal peace, joy, and love.This talk, which includes a period of meditation, was recorded at the SRF Temple in San Diego, California, in June 2024.You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.orgDuring his talk, Brother Padmananda refers to the following books published by Self-Realization Fellowship:“Man’s Eternal Quest,” Volume I of Yogananda’s “Collected Talks and Essays,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/mans-eternal-quest-ebook/“The Divine Romance,” Volume II of Yogananda’s “Collected Talks and Essays,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-divine-romance-ebook/“Journey to Self-realization,” Volume III of Yogananda’s “Collected Talks and Essays,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/journey-to-self-realization-ebook/“God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita,” Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the teachings of Krishna, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/“The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You,” Yogananda’s commentary on the teachings of Jesus, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-second-coming-of-christ-ebook/“The Holy Science,” by Swami Sri Yukteswar, guru of Paramahansa Yogananda, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-holy-science-ebook/To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

Self-Realization Fellowship monk Brother Achalananda discusses ways we can cultivate faith—which, as Paramahansa Yogananda explained, goes beyond mere belief and is grounded in actual experience of the Divine within ourselves.To cultivate faith, “we have to start with one quality which [Paramahansa Yogananda] mentions in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita as being the foremost quality that every devotee has to develop to succeed in returning to God,” Brother Achalananda says. “And that quality is fearlessness….Fearlessness means faith in God.” As we work to develop fearlessness, we have much more ability to make progress on the spiritual path because we are no longer holding ourselves back; we are going through life with the proper positive attitude, with increasing faith.You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!In his How-to-Live teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda has given to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — to create for themselves a life of enduring happiness and all-round success.To learn more about Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal instruction in the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo purchase the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...To purchase the ebook of Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, “God Talks With Arjuna”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

In this talk, SRF nun Sister Preeti addresses questions such as “Why is it that some people are happy and others are not? What can we do to increase our inner happiness? Why should we try to be happy? How does our personal level of happiness affect others?”She explains: “Our guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, assures us that happiness is the birthright of every soul. Each one of us, without exception, has access to the wellspring of inner spiritual happiness.”“Each mortal being has in his heart a terrible hunger for happiness, love, peace, joy,” Paramahansa Yogananda said. And Sister Preeti states, “That hunger is implanted in us by God as part of His beautiful divine plan. Its purpose is to help turn our consciousness away from the world — which we come to realize cannot satisfy us, cannot provide the inner happiness that we crave — and direct us toward God, the source of all happiness, the repository of all peace, and love, and joy.”This talk was given at the 2013 SRF World Convocation in Los Angeles. You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!In his How-to-Live teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda has given to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — to create for themselves a life of enduring happiness and all-round success.To learn more about Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal instruction in the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...To read the ebook of Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, “God Talks With Arjuna”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

Mukti Mata (1922 – 2008), a longtime SRF nun and minister SRF who became a disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda in 1945, discusses Paramahansaji’s teaching that prayer is an expression of the soul. She explains that the more we go directly to God with a trusting attitude in prayer, conversing naturally from our heart, the more we build a strong and intimate relationship with the Divine—one which will be a constant source of guidance and support, no matter the circumstances of life.Mukti Mata shares stories of her experiences with Paramahansa Yogananda and Paramahansaji’s own use of prayer to draw the help of God.You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!For further exploration, based on topics covered in this talk:Lesson 5 of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons gives Paramahansa Yogananda’s in-depth teachings on prayer in relation to meditation and the science of yoga: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo read Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...To read Whispers from Eternity, Yogananda’s book of mystical prayers: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...To read “Mejda”—The Family and Early Life of Paramahansa Yogananda, a book by Yogananda’s brother Sananda Lal Ghosh: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/p...If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org