Attunement

Attunement is aligning your energy and thoughts with those of another, which is important for a disciple to do with their spiritual teacher. How is this done?

If your spiritual teacher is in his or her body, then it is simpler. You need to be with them as much as possible. In seeing them interact with their disciples, in listening to them lecture on spiritual topics, and in just meditating in their presence, you will be blessed and changed.

If your teacher is not in their body, attuning yourself to them is more challenging. Here at Ananda we have a community of disciples of Paramhansa Yogananda, with Swami Kriyananda as a spiritual guide. Swamiji was with Yogananda for three years until Yogananda left his body. He is very clear on the master’s teachings and has written many books on the spiritual path. So one way is to read these books, as they can also help you tune into your own guru if he is not Yogananda. Another way is be with other disciples of your guru as much as you can.

Deeper attunement is one of the most important aspects of the spiritual path and is also a subtle and personal development. If you’ve chosen Paramhansa Yogananda as your guru try to feel his constant presence with you; you can do this by visualizing, or even feeling, him in your own thoughts and in your words and actions.

You can also try chanting, either out loud or silently, “Aum Guru” throughout the day. Allow yourself to offer all your successes and failures to God and Guru and open up to their flow of divine grace. When you meditate, explore having Yogananda meditate through you or with you.

Visualizing the Master’s eyes can also be a powerful means to deepen your attunement; feel ih his eyes the unconditional love and compassion that invites you to dissolve all ego desires and attachments.