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Questions and answers about meditation, yoga, the spiritual life, and more

Category: Other

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Michael
Ireland

Question

Hello, I have been enjoying Swami Kriyananda’s talks for quite long now, and every time I see a new video I watch it with enormous joy and interest. As I watched many of his videos I noticed that he in many of them mention that war is coming, but not a normal type of war he said that it will be global more than once there will be no corner where one can be safe then, so I imagine he is talking about nuclear war. Can you please clarify if this will come true, did Master say to him that nuclear war will come? God bless you!

Nayaswami Hriman

Ananda Seattle

Answer

I do not recall ever hearing Swami Kriyananda quote Paramhansa Yogananda saying that the wars to come would be specifically with nuclear weapons. Rather we hear Swami Kriyananda speaking of these wars and of the strong likelihood that nuclear weapons will be deployed.

March 21
2012

Alan
usa

Question

I have heard from various sources that say the hindu god Shiva is equated with Lucifer of the Christian and other faiths. Is this true?

Nayaswami Savitri

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Alan,

No, I would not say that Shiva could be equated with Lucifer from the Christian (or other) teachings.

In the Hindu tradition, Shiva is simply one aspect of God, the other two being Brahma (the creator) and Vishnu (the sustainer). Shiva is the destroyer.

Som
India

Question

Does one require an astrological consultation before wearing a bangle ?

I’ve read in the Autobiography that its a "general" bangle.

Is there a way to "fine-tune" the bangle’s composition to suit the wearer’s karma/planetary positions.

Similar to the way Sri Yukteshwar recommended a copper(?) bangle to Yogananda.

I’ve read on Kent’s site that Sri Yukteshwar’s techniques were lost.

Has anyone @ Ananda come up with any new knowledge/techniques ?

Kent White

Ananda Village

Answer

The General Purpose Astrological Bangle is made to a formula derived by Swami Sri Yukteswar, described as an Incarnation of Wisdom by Paramhansa Yogananda.

Although much of Sri Yukteswar’s mathematical works have been yet undiscovered, he left us with his books and the two formulae for astrological bangles.

Cyril
ireland

Question

Hi,

I am feeling some stiffness in parts of the body ( like in the elbow joints ) after some months of daily Yogoda practise (Energization Exercises). Could this be a sign that I am doing them correctly and am drawing energy into my body in the way described.

Are there any things to watch out for, some markers of improvement etc.

Also it says that it should take 15-20 mins to do the whole 39 steps but at the moment that seems impossible unless I was rushing them and not catching my breath in between.

Thanks as usual

C

Nayaswami Pranaba

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Cyril,

The stiffness could perhaps be a result of the energy moving through your body, especially through body parts such as your joints that haven’t been actively engaged.

In time, the Energization Exercises should help to ease any physical stiffness.

Rekha
India

Question

I have a lovely niece who is now turning out to be rude and arrogant with me.My sister tells her negative things about me.My niece feels that we are attacking her mom and overreacts for everything.Last night I was tired of her arrogance and told her to either speak to me politely or stay quiet.I love her dearly but am unable to handle her animosity.At the same time the relationship with my Sister has strained so much that now I cant mend it. Please guide me.

Thank you

Rekha

Tyagi Hanuman

Ananda Laurelwood

Answer

Hi Rekha,

It sounds like there is more going on than the issue of you and your niece. Is it possible that there is a larger family issue going on? In any case, you can’t change individuals; you can only change yourself.

You might ask yourself what is more important to you: your relationship with your sister and your niece, or being right? As I said, there is something else going on here.

CAF
Europe

Question

Why are there so many Biblical Contradictions ?

Nayaswami Savitri

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear CAF,

The Bible as we have it today was composed and compiled in a very dark time for our planet (Descending Kali Yuga). In the thousands of years since it was written, much has been distorted, mis-translated, left out, and so on.

Nevertheless, Paramhansa Yogananda said about the present Bible that parts of it were divinely inspired, and can still be very spiritually inspiring for us to read. These parts are especially the books of Genesis, Revelation, and the first four gospels in the New Testament.

maia
usa

Question

(from a friend living in Egypt:) the feeling of helplessness is soooo bad ... I wish this is all over though i don’t know how but I also feel bad about myself and feel ashamed that my life is almost normal ... I go to work,study,eat, drink while people are raped &murdered.am I a coward to start planning to immigrate??? it seems there is no simple solution for me ... now the SCAF is ruling and it is killing people as easy as blinking an eye if they protest ... am I a coward to not go protest?

Nayaswami Parvati

Ananda Village

Answer

Our hearts and minds are with you as you try to understand what the dharmic (righteous) action is to take in the situation you find yourself in in Egypt at this time.

I will begin by saying that a choice like this should always be an individual one. Each person has unique individual karma (influences from past lives). Therefore, what might be a right action for one person, may not be for another. The dharmic action (right moral action) for each individual can be very different.

Robert
USA

Question

I always prided myself on being the ideal husband. I did my best to follow the teachings to the last word. In the past few months, a co-worker and I became extremely close very quickly. There is a physical attraction which I have found difficult to fight. I now find myself violating my own ideals and everything I have ever stood for. I feel like my spirituality is crumbling to loss of control, physical desire and breach of marital loyalty. Something I never thought I would ever do. Please advise

Nayaswami Gopal

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Robert,

I commend you in seeking advice relative to your situation. I highly recommend you continue seeking advice with professional couples counseling. If your wife refuses to go please go for your self. You have some serious decisions that need to be explored and investigated with a professional. If you are willing to learn and improve your thought process, you may gain insight into what you are looking for outside of your your self and your marriage. You may also learn how to clean up the mess you and your co-worker may have created. But, most important, learn how to keep this from happening again.

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