How Important Is the Astrological Bangle?

Question

How important is it to wear the gold, silver, and copper astrological bangle talked about by Paramhansa Yogananda.

I know meditation is the single most important thing in ones life, but I would like your thoughts on the bangle.

I figure every little bit helps and I need all the help I can get.

The cost of a bangle would be high but I can sell my existing gold jewelery for a bangle if it would make a big difference in my life.

As always, Thank You for answering my numerous questions.

—D.P., USA

Answer

Dear DP,

I appreciate your question. You are quite right that wearing a physical object cannot help our consciousness as much as spiritual practices; I believe Yogananda said, “Devotion is the greatest ‘bangle'”.

On the other hand, when Yogananda himself questioned the use of bangles, his guru, Sri Yukteswar, replied, “It is only when a traveler has reached his goal that he is justified in discarding his maps. During the journey, he takes advantage of any convenient short cut.”

For this reason, I wear the bangle prescribed by Sri Yukteswar and Yogananda. I don’t have a dramatic story of how the bangle has made a huge difference in my life, though I believe it has. There are such stories: you can read some here on the bangle website. You can also read what Yogananda and his guru Sri Yukteswar said about the bangle.

Whether or not to invest in a bangle is your decision, of course. But even from a financial point of view, selling gold to buy gold is not too risky. And you’ll enjoy a spiritual “profit”!

Joy,
Dharmaraj