Yogananda Podcast

This episode covers the start of chapter 36 to: 
“...base its religious beliefs on the unshakable foundations of yogic science.” 
Chapter 36 features the first and only appearance of all four gurus in the book. We explored the significance of the Kumbh Mela festival, where Sri Yukteshwar met Mahavatar Babaji under a sacred tree, though he didn't recognize Babaji at the time due to Babaji's ability to prevent specific thoughts from arising in others' minds. We also examined Babaji's teachings about finding wisdom like a wise ant that seizes only the sugar and leaves the sand untouched, discussing how this metaphor applies to discerning spiritual truth amidst life's imperfections.  
0:00 Introduction; 
1:34 Expectations from the chapter; 
3:55 The Kumbha Mela; 
23:28 The Disguised First Meeting with the Master and Swamiji; 
34:48 Be like the wise ant; 
42:05 The East and West; 
49:29 Looking Ahead; 
Links mentioned in this episode:  
https://open.spotify.com/episode/58FyWOSvI9iGlDpO5enlYF 
https://www.youtube.com/live/wJSbq4YRkpc 
 
Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 36 from: 
“You, Swamiji, have a part to play in the coming harmonious exchange between...”  
to 
“...infuse greater divine faith in a wide circle of men who learn the story.” 
#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 35 from: 
“Lahiri Mahasaya’s handwriting and signature, in Bengali script, are shown...”  
to the end of the chapter. 
As we examined the beautiful Bengali lettering and signature from Lahiri Mahasaya, we review the scientific foundation of yoga mudras like Shambhavi Mudra, which involves fixing the gaze between the eyebrows without blinking. Lahiri Mahasaya's teachings on the Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata set the tone for the age, where modern science has confirmed ancient yoga practices dating back thousands of years. The conversation covered Paramahansa Yogananda’s approach to sharing miraculous stories, noting his discrimination in what to include in his writings, and emphasized the universal nature of Lahiri Mahasaya's teachings that transcended religious boundaries.  
0:00 Introduction; 
0:42 Prior Episode; 
1:25 Lahiri Mahasaya’s Handwriting; 
13:03 Knot-points; 
21:14 Passion and bondage; 
38:36 Kriya Mathematics; 
45:20 New Hope; 
1:00:00 Reflections on the chapter. 
Links mentioned in this episode:  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashupati_seal 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Carlyle?wprov=sfla1 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sartor_Resartus?wprov=sfla1 
 
Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the first part of chapter 36 to: 
“...base its religious beliefs on the unshakable foundations of yogic science.”  
#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 35 from: 
“If a disciple neglected any of his worldly obligations, the master would...” 
to 
“... Evidently the master’s blessing was a necessary ingredient” 
This section of the chapter covers Lahiri Mahasaya’s intriguing secular approach to including Muslims, Christians, and people of various faiths into Kriya Yoga practice in the 1890s. We explored how Lahiri Mahasaya maintained his Brahmin caste status while breaking social barriers by accepting students from different religious backgrounds, emphasizing that preparation and readiness were more important than faith background for Kriya initiation. We also have a discussion of how Kriya Yoga fits within the broader paths of yoga (Bhakti, Karma, Jnana, and Raja Yoga). 
00:00 Introduction; 
1:00  Prior Episode; 
2:24 The barbs that nobody fled; 
17:45 Brinda Bhagat, who could not deliver the letters; 
40:30 The fragrance, and the refusal; 
58:26 A pension, and an oil that would not distil; 
1:11:40 Looking Ahead; 
1:12:15 Panchanan Bhattacharya. 
Links mentioned in this episode:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Umz_yN2vY8 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6atoS1XS2GA&t=4s 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Bhaskarananda_Saraswati 
https://balanandaashrams.org/in/sri-sri-balananda-brahmachari-maharaj-ji/ 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda 
Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 35 from: 
“Lahiri Mahasaya’s handwriting and signature, in Bengali script, are shown...”  
to the end of the chapter. 
#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 35 from: 
“A significant feature of Lahiri Mahasaya’s life was his gift of Kriya...” 
to 
“...I have already initiated you, in a dream,’ Lahiri Mahasaya replied.” 
This section of the chapter covers Lahiri Mahasaya’s intriguing secular approach to including Muslims, Christians, and people of various faiths into Kriya Yoga practice in the 1890s. We explored how Lahiri Mahasaya maintained his Brahmin caste status while breaking social barriers by accepting students from different religious backgrounds, emphasizing that preparation and readiness were more important than faith background for Kriya initiation. We also have a discussion of how Kriya Yoga fits within the broader paths of yoga (Bhakti, Karma, Jnana, and Raja Yoga). 
00:00 Introduction; 
1:15 Prior Episode; 
1:40 Universal; 
15:20 Act now; 
23:10 Follow your path faithfully; 
39:27 Meditation has the answers; 
45:55 The Master's Omnipresence; 
55:10 Looking Ahead. 
Links mentioned in this episode:  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety-five_Theses 
https://yogananda.com.au/pyr/pyr_self-realization.html#self 
https://yogananda.com.au/gurus/yogananda_quotes31meditation.html#meditation 
https://www.kriya.org/guru/shrimat-bhupendranath-sanyal-mahashaya/en 
https://yogananda.com.au/lessons.html 
 
Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 35 from: 
“If a disciple neglected any of his worldly obligations, the master would...” 
to 
“... Evidently the master’s blessing was a necessary ingredient..” 
#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 35 from: 
“The timeless bond of guru and disciple that existed between John and Jesus...” 
to 
“... obeisance toward the guru is an ancient Oriental custom.” 
This section discusses Mahavatar Babaji and Lahiri Mahasaya’s part in the great spiritual renaissance they initiated, including the powerful story about an English superintendent who witnessed Lahiri performing a healing miracle for his critically ill wife. We explored the practical aspects of meditation and making time for spiritual practice despite busy lives. We also studied the famous photograph of Lahiri Mahashaya in lotus posture and discussed the significance of having dedicated spaces for meditation. 
00:00 Introduction; 
0:26 Prior Episode; 
1:05 The Babaji divine love connection; 
22:40 From Sickness to Health; 
41:16 Be in the world, but not of it; 
1:05:22 Lahiri Mahasaya Picture; 
1:10:56 Looking Ahead. 
Links mentioned in this episode:  
https://yssofindia.org/teachings-library/educating-the-youth-in-paramahansa-yoganandas-how-to-live-principles 
https://www.ysei.edu.in/ 
https://www.bengalitolaintercollege.com/History.aspx 
https://www.yoganiketan.net/reader/books/srimad-bhagavad-gita.html 
Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 35 from: 
“A significant feature of Lahiri Mahasaya’s life was his gift of Kriya...” 
to 
“...I have already initiated you, in a dream,’ Lahiri Mahasaya replied.” 
#autobiographyofayogi  #autobiographylinebyline  #paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS