I must admit that meditation has not been easy for me lately. I have so many things calling for my attention including the daily priorities of family life, longer-term goals, creative projects, and of course, spontaneous desires. It has been almost impossible to keep still long enough to go deeper in meditation. I was humorously sharing with a friend recently … Read More
In the Autobiography of a Yogi (AY), Paramhansa Yogananda describes many of the miraculous events that he personally witnessed. He speaks of yogis levitating, sitting in a state of suspended animation without any trace of heartbeat or breath, and he further delights us with stories of his own guru’s powers. Yogananda also shares with us a number of mind-expanding scientific … Read More
The writings of the great sages who lived and dedicated their lives to truth have long been spiritual lifelines for me. The saints and masters have endured and arisen victorious over the many hardships and temptations of life on the physical plane. They’ve left many footsteps for us to follow in their scriptures and other written experiences. Many of the … Read More
Some might say relationships are a distraction on the path to God. There was a time when I thought this was true. Ram Gopal, the sleepless saint from Paramhansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi had a strong impact on my earlier opinions about this with his personal story: For twenty years I occupied a secret grotto, meditating eighteen hours a … Read More
Kalidas shares an uplifting story about learning to recognize and accept the flow of energy and grace. He says that “the liberating power of faith is obscured by our doubts and resistance to His will in our lives. Swami Kriyananda said, “Faith is my armor.” Faith is the constant assurance that nothing is out of order, that God is in charge. “‘
Becoming present is central to the practice of meditation. Being present is to let go of the past and future to dwell in the eternal now—the only moment that truly exists. The sages tell us it’s in the present moment that we are to find God. Paramhansa Yogananda said, “We are just as much a part of Him now as … Read More
Though it humbly poses as a “beginner’s meditation technique,” the Hong-Sau Technique packs quite a punch in the quest for freedom. Anyone who walks in the door at Ananda can learn this technique in five to ten minutes. It is simple and profoundly effective. However, as we continue to practice meditation and receive other techniques, this one can sometimes seem … Read More
When I was first embarking on Yogananda’s path about 10 years ago, I was thrilled to be given such effective techniques to relax the body and calm the mind. The energization exercises were of particular interest to me and I dove into them with great earnestness. Having received the lessons through the mail with no personal training, I did my … Read More
A number of years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the home of Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi for the first time. I happened to notice a large picture on their meditation altar of Swami Kriyananda with a garland around it. Having been brought up, spiritually speaking, to feel that our lineage contained strictly Jesus, Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri … Read More
“By serving wise and ignorant sadhus, I am learning the greatest of virtues, pleasing to God above all others…humility.” These are the words of the great master, Babaji, in the Autobiography of a Yogi. Endlessly enlightening truths fill the pages of this book but this passage seems one of the most important. What is humility? How do we achieve it? … Read More
