Gyandev McCord

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Sanjay,

You say that others take advantage of you, so that tells me some good news: You know what is right and what is not right, what is healthy interpersonal behavior and what is not.

Then comes your big question, “Why do I not stand up for what is right? What attitude of mine makes me willingly participate in unhealthy behavior? Is it fear of others’ disapproval? Fear of making a mistake? Low self-esteem? Not caring enough about anything to take a stand?” Work out the answer for yourself. Then will you know better what to do about it.

Gyandev McCord

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Jacob,

I’m not clear from your question whether your deja vu’s have been with Paramhansa Yogananda, or with our line of masters, or with life events in general. I’m going to assume it’s the first of these, since "it always feels exciting and comforting" to you, and mundane deja vu’s might not make you feel that way.

Gyandev McCord

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear K,

When one looks at what is happening in this world, it’s easy to understand why one might ask this question!

We must realize, however, that "sanatana" means what it says: "Eternal." It’s eternal because it is based, not on theology, but on the nature of reality, which is not likely to change in the coming 100 years. :-)

Seva Wiberg

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Christin,

Don’t feel foolish about asking any question. We've all had them.

In having them and asking for understanding helps us grow on the spiritual path. What I think you are really asking is how do I not concentrate on myself so much? How, instead, do I think more about God and guru? How do I know myself so that others’ thoughts of me are suddenly not my problem?

Pranaba Hansen

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Deepak,

The purpose of life is to find our way back to our true home, that of oneness in God. The yoga teachings refer to this oneness as “satchidananda,” which Paramhansa Yogananda explained as “ever-existing, ever-conscious, ever-new bliss.”

Anandi Cornell

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Shyam,

Ananda has published a book of Yogananda’s original writings from before 1943, called Spiritual Relationships.

You can order this from Crystal Clarity in the U.S. (see link above), or from a website like amazon.com if you live in India. One of the most useful quotations in the book about the subject of choosing the right spouse is this:

Seva Wiberg

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Diana,

I understand what you mean. We have a friend here in the community who is similar. She was a teacher and thinks she knows all. It’s difficult to be around her, but then I realize she’s ours and therefore someone to work with and respect.

Anandi Cornell

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Amanda,

One thing you may find is that the more you meditate and try to experience the presence of God within yourself, the more familiar everyone looks to you.

More and more we want to live as if all the world is our very own — people who are related, people you've never met. Try to feel the presence of God’s love and joy in your own heart, and feel you are sharing it with the whole world.