The Wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda

SRF monk Brother Saralananda discusses how students of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons can make Paramahansa Yogananda’s living presence a tangible reality through their study of the Lessons—the very core of the Kriya Yoga teachings he was ordained to bring to the world. In the Preface to the new SRF Lessons, Sri Daya Mata and Sri Mrinalini Mata write: “The scriptures of India teach the value of shravana — listening with reverence and attention to the instruc¬tion received at the feet of one’s guru. Let your reading of these Lessons be that kind of ‘listening,’ which fully imparts the meaning of the words to your mind and heart.” And Paramahansa Yogananda said: “When this body shall be gone, still my voice shall always speak through these Lessons.”This class was part of the 2020 SRF Online World Convocation. The 2020 Convocation was a week of online classes, meditations, virtual pilgrimages to ashram centers where Yogananda lived, kirtans (devotional chanting), and more—offering all seekers of higher consciousness and balanced spiritual living a unique experience of peace and joy. 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 read Paramahansa Yogananda’s Introduction to the SRF Lessons, “Highest Achievements Through Self-Realization”: https://flipbooks.yogananda.org/15791/30007/index.html?convo&_ga=2.237627968.1925057532.1597017556-1151153180.1597017556To learn more and apply for the SRF Lessons: https://yogananda.org/lessonsIf you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

As part of the 2020 SRF World Convocation, SRF monk Brother Kamalananda provides answers to questions submitted by Self-Realization Fellowship students and members on applying Paramahansa Yogananda’s "how-to-live" teachings in daily life.The 2020 Self-Realization Fellowship World Convocation was a week of free online classes, meditations, virtual pilgrimages to ashram centers where Yogananda lived, kirtans (devotional chanting), and more—offering all seekers of higher consciousness and balanced spiritual living a unique experience of peace and joy. Please visit convocation.yogananda.org for more information about our annual 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!Paramahansa Yogananda viewed the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons as the very core of the teachings he was ordained to bring to the world as a special spiritual dispensation for the coming global civilization. To learn more and apply for the SRF Lessons: https://yogananda.org/lessonsIn addition to the Lessons, in his satsanga Brother Kamalananda mentions three other resources that can be a great aid to those on the spiritual path:Paramahansa Yogananda’s “Where There Is Light: Insight and Inspiration for Meeting Life’s Challenges: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/where-there-is-light/Paramahansa Yogananda’s “Scientific Healing Affirmations”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/scientific-healing-affirmations/And, a talk by Brother Anandamoy available as DVD or digital rental, “The Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-wisdom-of-the-bhagavad-gita/If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Balananda delivers a class on how, by embracing inner growth that builds both self-esteem and self-confidence, teens can learn to realize themselves as souls, made in the image of God—capable of accomplishing anything.This class, which is primarily oriented towards SRF/YSS teens, will explore how they can develop a strong spiritual foundation — so that when tests, trials, and challenges come they will be able to intuitively receive the soul’s wisdom-guidance and support. The sturdier this foundation, the smoother life becomes, and the happier one will be. This class was part of the 2020 SRF Online World Convocation. The 2020 Convocation was a week of online classes, meditations, virtual pilgrimages to ashram centers where Yogananda lived, kirtans (devotional chanting), and more—offering all seekers of higher consciousness and balanced spiritual living a unique experience of peace and joy. 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 read Paramahansa Yogananda’s Introduction to the SRF Lessons, “Highest Achievements Through Self-Realization”: https://flipbooks.yogananda.org/15791/30007/index.html?convo&_ga=2.237627968.1925057532.1597017556-1151153180.1597017556To learn more and apply for the SRF Lessons: https://yogananda.org/lessonsIf you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Bhumananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on how to make introspection a positive experience and use it as a powerful tool for spiritual growth.Our true nature is the perfect divinity of the soul. The flaws and bad habits we have acquired are only temporary. Through regular introspection we can learn to see not only our strengths but any negative qualities or moods that are holding us back — and then take definite steps to cultivate the opposite qualities, all the while maintaining a positive attitude. Our daily efforts to improve, along with practicing meditation, can transform our lives — bringing us greater peace and revealing ever more clearly the blissful light of Spirit within.This talk was recorded at the 2010 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!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 Bhumananda 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/“Man’s Eternal Quest,” Volume 1 of Yogananda’s Collected Talks and Essays, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/mans-eternal-quest-ebook/“Journey to Self-realization,” Volume 3 of Yogananda’s Collected Talks and Essays, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/journey-to-self-realization-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/“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/“Only Love: Living the Spiritual Life in a Changing World,” by Sri Daya Mata, third president of SRF/YSS, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/only-love-ebook/Brother Bhumananda also refers to “Self-Realization” magazine, established by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1925. Learn more and read free sample articles from past issues at https://yogananda.org/self-realization-magazineIf you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Nakulananda explains how the secret for success on the spiritual path lies in developing a “never give up” attitude: “We will be delving into the subject of perseverance and having that indomitable will and determination to accomplish whatever we set out to do in our lives; and in particular to be determined to seek God, to love God, until we have that final union with God”He points out that the highest goal in life is to experience the Divine within ourselves, and that to do so requires persevering until we reach that sacred goal. Citing numerous examples of spiritually successful individuals, most notably Paramahansa Yogananda, he explains how we can develop #perseverance and our desire for realization—despite all the tests of life—through practical spiritual methods such as:  • Understanding the purpose of life • Using affirmations as a means to know the divinity and strength of your true nature as a soul • Faithfully practicing scientific yoga meditation techniques, as those found in the SRF teachings“The scientific way of entering the superconscious state is by the methods of life-force control I am giving to you,” Brother Nakulananda quotes #Yogananda as saying about the pranayama (life-force control) techniques taught in the SRF Lessons. “If you faithfully practice these techniques and meditate deeply, I prophesy you will never give it up.” In this talk, which was recorded at the SRF Encinitas Temple in May 2020, Brother Nakulananda quotes from Yogananda’s commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita (“God Talks With Arjuna”) and the New Testament (“The Second Coming of Christ”) to show their underlying unity and emphasis on actual experience of God. And in drawing examples from the lives of saints, Brother Nakulananda tells us that we too can follow in their footsteps and achieve our own Self-realization.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 the meditation techniques of the science of Kriya Yoga by receiving the SRF Lessons: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/ To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “God Talks With Arjuna”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/ 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 shares insights from Paramahansa Yogananda into how to progress on the spiritual path. First, "What is the true purpose of life?" After revealing the answer to this, Brother Jayananda explains how to achieve this purpose by applying various universal methods of spiritual seeking found in the SRF/YSS teachings, especially that of the technique of Kriya Yoga.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.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 the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living of the Kriya Yoga path: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “God Talks With Arjuna”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Journey to Self-realization”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/journey-to-self-realization-ebook/To view the ebooks available from SRF: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product-category/books/ebooks/To subscribe to the SRF Newsletter or Self-Realization magazine: https://yogananda.org/subscribeIf you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Govindananda discusses Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings on how to harness the power of the mind through understanding its relationship to the spiritual eye and by applying the techniques of meditation taught in the SRF Lessons. Brother Govindananda explains that by practicing a powerful form of pranayama such as the Hong-Sau Technique, the yogi can gradually but surely bring the restless mind under control. He also shares how we can use other methods such as daily spiritual study and writing to enhance our ability to reach this goal.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.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 the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living of the Kriya Yoga path: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/To read the ebook of Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, “God Talks With Arjuna”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/ To view the collection of ebooks available from SRF: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product-category/books/ebooks/To subscribe to the SRF Newsletter or Self-Realization magazine: https://yogananda.org/subscribeIf you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Anilananda discusses the importance of having a true guru on the spiritual path, in this talk given at the 2014 SRF World Convocation.He quotes Paramahansa Yogananda’s words: “Most people could not become millionaires in this lifetime no matter how much they wanted, because it would take several lifetimes for them to bring about the right circumstances. But…all of us, ‘being already made in the image of God, can attain Him in one lifetime by making the proper spiritual effort under the guidance of a true guru.’”Brother Anilananda stresses that there are three ways in which we can cooperate and tune in with the Guru, who is trying to help us reach omnipresent liberation. “The Guru is our guide to eternal freedom,” he states. “To attune with him, we should remember the importance of love; and the techniques of meditation he has given us, which will help us go inside to awaken that love; and finally we must learn to ‘give that love to all.’”In his How-to-Live teachings, 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.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 the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living of the Kriya Yoga path: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/To view the collection of ebooks available from SRF: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product-category/books/ebooks/To subscribe to the SRF Newsletter or Self-Realization magazine: https://yogananda.org/subscribeIf you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Bhumananda shares insights into Paramahansa Yogananda’s stating that this world in which we live is—in an ultimate sense—a cosmic motion picture. He explains that although our life experiences seem so very real and compelling, the message from the great ones who know God—such as Jesus, Krishna, and the Self-Realization Fellowship lineage of Gurus—is that this ‘reality’ is not what it seems to be.The great spiritual masters come to wake us up so that we can know what we really are: beings of light and consciousness.This lesson is borne out in the Bible passage from the book of Matthew: “The ship was now in the midst of the sea tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them walking onto the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were troubled, saying it is a spirit and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spoke unto them saying, ‘Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid.’”Of this miracle Paramahansa Yogananda explains: “A master who by actual realization perceives the entire cosmos as a dream of God, and all matter as condensed light and consciousness, rises above the laws governing material creation….If a sleeping man dreams he is drowning, his consciousness would suffer a painful sense of suffocation. But if he knew the art of controlling his dreams at will he could save his dream self simply by changing his dream thoughts to behold his dream body floating safely on the dream waters. Jesus, perceiving his body, the sea, and the conglomerate world as differentiated dream waves of consciousness…could by mere willing change the…electronic composition of his body so that weightlessly it could walk on water.”Paramahansa Yogananda stated that Jesus and his close disciples practiced a form of yoga meditation very similar to Kriya Yoga. And it is through the practice of Kriya Yoga Meditation that a seeker after higher understanding can come to that realization that his or her essence is light and consciousness. Brother Bhumananda points out that when Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you,” the yogis of India would recognize that assertion as perfectly in harmony with yoga.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 teach seekers in the practice of Kriya Yoga meditation, Paramahansa Yogananda established the SRF/YSS Lessons as a comprehensive system for balanced spiritual living: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo read Paramahansa Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, God Talks With Arjuna: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/To learn more about the SRF World Convocation, a yearly week-long immersion for SRF members and friends from around the world in the “how-to-live” teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda: https://yogananda.org/convocationIf you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF/YSS President Brother Chidananda shares how the comprehensive science of Kriya Yoga—which includes the specific technique of Kriya Yoga as well as the other meditation techniques taught by Paramahansa Yogananda—works in a systemic way to “reverse the searchlights of the senses” away from matter so that we can discover the bliss of the Divine within ourselves.As Brother Chidananda states in his talk, “An understanding of the basic principles of this comprehensive science helps a great deal in the practice of not just the Kriya technique proper, but also the Energization Exercises, the Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration, and the Aum Technique of Meditation, all of which are part of this interrelated science of yoga meditation.”Yoganandaji explains that “the little searchlights of our mind’s attention and of the five senses ordinarily are focused on imperfect matter….Man’s attachment to matter keeps the soul confined to the bodily prison and prevents it from finding freedom with God in the realm of eternal bliss. The ego attempts to satisfy through material channels the soul’s constant, insatiable longing for God.”This talk was recorded at the 2016 SRF World Convocation in Los Angeles, a year before Brother Chidananda became the fifth president of Self-Realization Fellowship, the organization established by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920 to disseminate his teachings on Kriya Yoga meditation worldwide.Brother Chidananda points out that progress on the spiritual path begins from the very moment we start to feel what Paramahansa Yogananda described as “the soul’s constant, insatiable longing for God.” Brother Chidananda illustrates the incredible power of the science of Kriya Yoga for mastering the ego-principle, which allows us to realize the innate Joy of the soul—even in this modern age.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 about the SRF World Convocation, please visit: https://yogananda.org/srf-world-convocation-overviewTo learn about the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, the home-study course from Yogananda that presents his in-depth teachings on the Kriya Yoga science of meditation and art of balanced spiritual living, please visit: https://yogananda.org/lessonsTo learn more about the yoga path and the science Kriya Yoga in particular: https://yogananda.org/pathTo experience more SRF how-to-live inspirational videos and guided meditations: https://www.youtube.com/user/YoganandaSRFIf you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org