Ask Ananda’s Experts
Questions and answers about meditation, yoga, the spiritual life, and more

Nayaswami Pranaba

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Bill,

This is indeed, an interesting question!

It’s helpful to understand that any images or expressions of the divine, such as Jesus or Krishna, are simply there to support us in our spiritual growth. It’s not so much about “worshipping” these expressions; the point is to tune into the consciousness behind those expressions.

It seems that you, like many others, have been only exposed to the outer layers of those pure expressions. The tendency unfortunately, is to “throw the baby out with the bathwater”. I would recommend that you read Swami Kriyananda’s book, The Hindu Way of Awakening. It will help you cut through a lot of misunderstanding and confusion around this issue.

Ultimately, the most important aspect of our spiritual journey is to align ourselves with a true guru and spiritual path. Through deepening attunement in this way we are able to put into context the various expressions of the divine.

You might also like to explore Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings on Jesus and Krishna, in these books edited by Swami Kriyananda: Revelations of Christ and The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita. You’ll find in these writings very deep universal teachings that go beyond dogma and theology.

In divine friendship,
Nayaswami Pranaba

Nayaswami Hriman

Ananda Seattle

Answer

Dear Friend,

Your inner conflict is not an uncommon one. Each of us has our inner obstacles to overcome, and money is one of the core issues for the ego that many, many people must wrestle with.

Yes, there are organizations who give charity a bad name but look within yourself. Is it not, perhaps, also an issue around money and what it represents to you? I cannot say, of course, but I have worked so often with individuals on this particular question, that I inevitably find the issue is not about organizations but attachment, fear, insecurity, habit and so on.

Nayaswami Gopal

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear One,

You asked two very good questions. I hope and pray I can answer them proficiently.

Regarding the first question: "Is practicing Kung (Fu) negative on the path to God?" — to make a short story long, Kung Fu originally meant, "Way of Life." It had little or nothing to do with being combative, and the movements were taught as yoga in motion.

Nayaswami Hriman

Ananda Seattle

Answer

Dear Friend,

There is a saying from India to the effect that, "Where there is dharma (right action), there is victory." If you act according to your conscience and in harmony with universal truth teachings, the results will support your spiritual growth.

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Margo,

You’re right: there are many translations and condensations of those scriptures. Although I have not read them all, I find the condensations by Kamala Subramaniam to be extraordinarily good. I have read a literal translation of the Mahabharata, and Subramaniam’s condensation is very faithful to it (it’s also much, much less tedious!)

Nayaswami Anandi

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Carina,

Negative thoughts are something we all have to deal with to greater or lesser degrees.

I heard a wonderful story. A grandfather told his grandson, "You have 2 wolves inside of you: a good wolf and a bad wolf." The grandson’s eyes opened wide in alarm, and he asked, "Which one will win?!" The grandfather replied, "The one you feed."

Nayaswami Asha

Ananda Palo Alto

Answer

Dear Pankaj:

Can negative thoughts be overcome?

Yes, of course negative thoughts can be overcome. As Master explains in Autobiography of a Yogi, thoughts are universal not individually rooted. Thoughts are a reflection of our state of consciousness. Change your level of consciousness and your thoughts also change.

Nayaswami Savitri

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Kuldeepak,

It is not unusual at all for people who first come into contact with Paramhansa Yogananda through his Autobiography of a Yogi to have wonderful inner experiences and feel great joy. I’m sure they were true experiences! This is probably a fairly sure sign that you were reconnecting with someone (Yogananda) who has been your Guru/teacher in many past lives.