What Is the Significance and Purpose of Receiving a Spiritual Name?

Nayaswami Hriman

Question from Nayaswami Shankari: I am writing to ask for some guidance regarding spiritual names. Could you share some insights on the significance and purpose of receiving a spiritual name? Specifically, I would like to know: — What did Master and Swamiji say about the purpose of receiving a spiritual name? — Are spiritual names ultimately meant to be transcended? — Is there anything…

What Does Yogananda Mean by “Knowing, Knower, Known as One”

Nayaswami Hriman

Question from Will: In Paramhansa Yogananda’s poem Samadhi, he writes “knowing, knower, known as one.” I wondered what each aspect represents within human consciousness or even if they do. Could the knower correspond to the individual of self or ego, the known to the object of awareness including our physical bodies, the knowing the superconscious that unites them? Viewed through a Christian lens,…

Having an Altar with Pictures of Saints Seems Like Idolatry. Is It?

Nayaswami Hriman

Question from Sarah: I am uncomfortable with having an alter with pictures of Jesus, gurus or saints. It seems a bit like idolatry to me when I am meditating to be in union with God who has no physical attributes. In Autobiography of a Yogi which I just started reading, Yogananda describes the alter/shrine that he and his mother meditated before, which included…

If the “Wrong” Version of Willpower Involves Strain, What Is “Right” Willpower?

Nayaswami Hriman

Question from Samuel: Yoganada talks about willpower in his talks. However, I’ve noticed that I (and probably most of humanity) tend to equate willpower with internal mental forcing, strain and effort. Ie forcing yourself to wake up at 5am to go to the gym every day. I get the feeling this is the “wrong” version of willpower, because if we have to brace…

Can Artificial Intelligence Have Consciousness?

Nayaswami Dharmarajan

Question from Andrew: Reincarnation can include minerals. Could artificial intelligence have a consciousness since the chips are made from silica?

Did Saint Paul Not Realize that the Kingdom of God Is Within?

Nayaswami Hriman

Question from Gabrielle: Hi, why did Paul in the Bible not realise that the kingdom of God was within..as he was such an advanced spiritual person. In the Bible he says that there is no need to marry or plan anything as the kingdom of God is comjng so soon. I would have thought that he would have known that it’s a state…

What Is the Method for Getting Inspiration from Higher Great Souls?

Nayaswami Hriman

Question from Bhss: Namaste, what is the method and requisites for getting inspiration from higher great souls or saints or gurus or spiritual beings or similar great ones who are no longer present in their physical form,how do we know they are inspiring us or its own thoughts which are coming, any books or articles for the same, thanks

Everyone Expects Me to Have a Baby. I Don’t Have a Strong Desire and Am Not Sure why?

Nayaswami Mukti

Question from Anu: Hi there. As I am a spiritual person and in search of who am I, what is my purpose/desire to come here, where am I going (the realms of spirit world or somewhere else). How can I be one with god or experience god? Along with those questions and search, I am married. I have experienced loss, fear, heartache in…