Yogananda Podcast

This episode covers the next part of chapter 34 from: 
“As I remained silent in awe, my guide made a sweeping gesture…”  
to 
“...Put your hand there and receive whatever food you desire.” 
This episode continues Lahiri Mahasaya's experience with Babaji's materialised palace. We examine how Babaji manifested a jewelled palace from cosmic rays to fulfil Lahiri's past life desire for a golden palace, with detailed discussions about the philosophical implications of what constitutes matter and reality. We explored Paramahansa Yogananda’s commentary on karma, particularly the four definitions of karma from Bhagavad Gita, and how Lahiri's experience fit into these categories. The conversation covered the palace's purpose as a testing ground for Lahiri's initiation into Kriya Yoga, the mystical nature of the initiation ceremony, and the eventual dematerialisation of the palace when Lahiri's desire was fulfilled.  
00:00 Introduction; 
0:40 Prior Episode; 
1:15 Transitoriness; 
16:20 Desire extinguished; 
26:50 Kriya Initiation; 
46:15 Dematerialised; 
56:55 Looking Ahead. 
Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 34 from: 
“I touched the broad, empty bowl; hot buttered luchis, curry…”  
to 
“... liberation is dependent on inner, rather than outer, renunciations.” 
#autobiographyofayogi  #autobiographylinebyline  #paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the next part of chapter 34 to: 
“Yonder light is the glow of a golden palace...”  
to 
“...When this structure has served its purpose, Babaji will dematerialise it.’” 
Lahiri Mahasaya shows that even liberated masters must temporarily engage with cosmic delusion to maintain a physical form, with Babaji fulfilling Lahiri Mahasai's latent desire for a palace as part of his (self-imposed) karmic completion. We take a deep dive into the spiritual significance of the materialised golden palace, including its devotional features like incense, roses, and lamps, and discussed how the story relates to the concept that all creation is mind-born and sustained by God's will. We also examined the importance of proper spiritual initiation through authorised channels and discussed how the story reflects the principle that every human wish must eventually be fulfilled, whether in this lifetime or future ones.  
00:00 Introduction; 
1:25  Prior Episode; 
2:11 Beginning of the end; 
23:23 Beauty in man-made creation; 
38:51 A Babaji production; 
52:04 Looking Ahead. 
Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 34 to: 
“As I remained silent in awe, my guide made a sweeping gesture…”  
to 
“...Put your hand there and receive whatever food you desire.” 
#autobiographyofayogi  #autobiographylinebyline  #paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the next part of chapter 34 to: 
“As I maintained a bewildered silence, the saint approached...”  
to 
“‘The hour is midnight.’ My guide laughed softly...” 
This section of the chapter focuses on the meeting between Lahiri Mahashaya and Mahavar Babaji in the Himalayas. The conversation centred on a profound reunion where Babaji touched Lahiri Mahasaya's forehead, triggering the recall of past lifetime memories. We explored the spiritual significance of this meeting, drawing parallels to Krishna's relationship with Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita, and discussed how Babaji had been watching over Lahiri Mahasaya across lifetimes with "deathless love".  
00:00 Introduction; 
1:00 Prior Episode 
2:30 The touch that awakens 
10:00 A love beyond death; 
30:10 You need purification; 
37:10 A light at midnight; 
38:00 Looking Ahead 
Links discussed in the episode: 
Dunagiri to Gogash River: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NwTVrqP8RngiguGX7 
Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 34 to: 
“Yonder light is the glow of a golden palace...”  
to 
“...When this structure has served its purpose, Babaji will dematerialise it.’ 
#autobiographyofayogi  #autobiographylinebyline  #paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the start of chapter 34 to: 
“... Lahiri, surely this cave seems familiar to you?” 
Summary: 
The chapter focusses on the miraculous story of Lahiri Mahashaya's meeting with his guru Mahavatar Babaji in the Himalayas, one of the most significant spiritual initiations in the book. We examine how Lahiri Mahasaya's journey from his accounting job to meeting Babaji involved multiple coincidental elements, including the location near Ranikhet Nanda Devi peak and the timing of his encounter with the voice calling his name. The group analyse Babaji's explanation of how unity consciousness allows gurus to work through all minds as transmitting stations.  
0:00 Introduction; 
1:48 Expectations from the Chapter; 
5:20 Setting of the scene; 
20:00 While out roaming your hear your name; 
34:45 The meeting of meetings; 
46:00 I remember; 
55:00 Looking Ahead. 
Links discussed in the episode: 
Dunagiri: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qrdvxeh8G4qTtJHHA 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanda_Devi 
https://yogananda.com.au/gurus/yoganandaquotes06.html 
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/56341262 
 
Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 34 to: 
“As I maintained a bewildered silence, the saint approached...”  
to 
“‘The hour is midnight.’ My guide laughed softly...” 
#autobiographyofayogi  #autobiographylinebyline  #paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the last part of chapter 33 from: 
“During my visit at Ranbajpur with Ram Gopal…” 
to the end of the chapter. 
Summary: 
This last part of the chapter covers Ram Gopal's significant meeting with Babaji and Mataji near Dashashwamedh Ghat in Benaras (Varanasi). We examined the supernatural elements of the encounter, including the appearance of light beings and the manifestation of Babaji's physical form, as well as the philosophical implications of Babaji's promise to remain physically present on Earth. We analyse the spiritual significance of bowing and reverence in Hindu tradition, discussed cross-references to Greek philosophy and biblical texts, and explored the concept of masters maintaining physical forms for specific missions. They also considered the broader implications of the chapter's themes about immortality, maya (cosmic delusion), and the nature of spiritual existence. 
0:00 Introduction; 
1:15 Prior Episode; 
2:20 Mataji; 
9:15 Flying without wings; 
26:15 Immortal promise; 
42:40 Coming back down to earth; 
1:01:40 Epic footnote; 
1:10:40 Reflections on the chapter. 
Links discussed in the episode: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashashwamedh_Ghat 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thales_of_Miletus 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiranjivi?wprov=sfla1 
Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the start of chapter 34 to: 
“...releasing the sweet seed-memories of my previous life.” 
#autobiographyofayogi  #autobiographylinebyline  #paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS