On This Day In The Life of Paramhansa Yogananda

THE PATH OF SELF-REALIZATION

The true basis of religion is not belief, but intuitive experience. Intuition is the soul’s power of knowing God. To know what religion is really all about, one must know God.

—Paramhansa Yogananda from The Essence of Self-Realization

The lasting contribution brought by Yogananda to the West is the non-sectarian, universal spiritual path of Self-realization.

Yogananda gave this definition to the term Self-Realization:

Self-Realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God’s omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing.

As the means of attaining this exalted spiritual state Yogananda initiated his followers into the ancient technique of Kriya Yoga, which he called the “jet-airplane route to God.”

The path of Kriya Yoga, which combines the practice of advanced yogic techniques with spirituality in daily life, can be learned through the Ananda Kriya Sangha.

1893

Yogananda was born as Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur, India.

1929

Yogananda presented a play with the Boston branch of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of America titled “The Little Clay Cart” at Jordan Hall in Boston.

1939

Yogananda celebrated his birthday in Encinitas, California.

1949

Yogananda gave a talk at his birthday celebration that was later published as In the Glory of the Spirit.

1949

Yogananda gave a talk at an informal birthday gathering that was later published as Beholding the One In All.

1951

Yogananda was unable to attend his birthday party in person, but addressed the participants over the “loudspeaker.”

1952

Yogananda gave a talk at his last birthday celebration that was published as Awake in the Cosmic Dream.