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

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The following response is from Byasa Steinmetz, long-time Ananda minister and scientist. Byasa has done extensive research on the subject of the Yugas, and is collaborating with another Ananda member, Joseph Selbie, on a book about it.

Anandi Cornell

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Dear James,

From my understanding, as long as the person is alive, the soul is present. There are still lessons that can be learned on many levels, even in a seemingly unconscious state. My husband, Bharat, has a friend who was in a coma with a serious illness. While in that seemingly unconscious state, she had a powerful and life-transforming experience of the Light. After the experience, she suddenly came "awake" again. Since that experience, she has been rushed to the hospital many times because of recurring bouts of this illness, but she says that, while her family is afraid for her, she is never afraid, because she has experienced that Light and has no fear of dying.

Savitri Simpson

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Swami Kriyananda defines devotion as the ruling passion of your life. Devotion to God and Gurus comes naturally  when you want God as a drowning man wants air or as a thirsty man wants water. We all truly thirst for a heart full of love for God, even if we don’t know it. But if you know it enough to ask how to increase your devotion and to awaken the natural love of your heart, then that’s got to put you a long ways towards achieving it. Congratulations!

Maria Warner

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Dear one,

I am so sorry for your loss. You mention that Yogananda’s writings have brought you peace in the past. I would like to encourage you to continue reading his books. Make his words your every-day companion. You can read his Autobiography for free on our website. You can also buy his books from Crystal Clarity Publishers. One in particular, How To Be Happy All the Time comes to mind.

Gyandev McCord

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Sooner or later, this happens to everyone: We conclude that the material world – which we hoped would bring us happiness – simply cannot give us the lasting fulfillment that we seek, yet the higher spiritual realms seem far away and little more than an unproven promise. We are adrift between two worlds. And we get discouraged. What to do?

Dave Warner

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I think you’ve answered your own question - if you have experienced tremendous transformation meditating this way, then it’s clear that what you’re doing is just fine and proper! Many people don’t have a large enough home to have a separate meditation room. Do the best you can. Make a small altar in your bedroom, or put up a small screen to create a separate ’space’. But even if you can’t do that much, rest assured that meditation can be practiced anywhere, and that the grace of God can come to us wherever we are, when we practice meditation with deep devotion and sincerity.

Dave Warner

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It’s not uncommon for people to hear ringing, or the heartbeat, when they use earplugs or do the Aum technique.  Rather than trying to force ourselves to ignore those sounds, or to push them away, try and listen to those sounds as an aspect of Aum. All sound and vibration comes from Aum - if we listen to even physical sounds with reverence, it will help to take us deeper into ourselves. It can also take us deep enough where we begin to hear the various sounds of Aum. I know one person who has a case of tinnitus, which is ringing in the ears that they hear most of the time. Over time, they’ve learned to use that sound to help them concentrate and to go deep in meditation.

Savitri Simpson

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Certainly this is a good question! Before we offer you one of the answers (there are several), we’d like to HIGHLY recommend that you read the book Karma and Reincarnation, from the "Wisdom of Paramhansa Yogananda" series available from Crystal Clarity, our publishing house.