Where does wisdom come from? • What is clear discrimination? • What is the role of reason? (Conversations with Yogananda: 366)
Video and Audio
How to Pray
A disciple who took many photos of the Master • Does God answer our prayers? • How to pray (Conversations with Yogananda: 364-365)
Yogananda’s Interpretations of the Rubaiyat
Yukteswar’s training: deep scriptural study • Yogananda’s interpretations of The Rubaiyat • How people come to the spiritual path • Yogananda as “just a bulge in the ocean” • The importance of taking care of the body when younger • “Fools argue, but wise men discuss” (Conversations with Yogananda: 358-363)
What Is Raja Yoga?
Which branch of Yoga did Yogananda teach? • What is Raja Yoga? • If you love yourself, how can you love God? • Offer the good and bad you do to God • How to break the barrier of egoic self-identity • God as the doer • What does it mean to “be practical in your idealism”? (Conversations with Yogananda: … Read More
Simplify Your Life
What is superstition? • Fascinating astrological and related instructions Master gave to his disciples • “It is easy to be spiritual if you follow a few rules” • SImplify your life • Don’t mix too much with others • “Seclusion is the price of greatness” • Yogananda teachings) a new expression of religion • Why materially poor Indians are generally … Read More
This Life: Dream or Reality?
What does it take to have a relationship with someone also deeply serious on the spiritual path? • Master often compared life to a movie • What is the benefit of good karma, during this lifetime? • How much is this life a dream? How much should we relate to it as a reality? • Master’s concern for suffering in … Read More
God Is Ever in the Present
God is ever in the present (Conversations with Yogananda: 340-342)
“The Thought That You Are Not Free Keeps You from Being Free”
Why did Yogananda sometimes go to the movies? • Movie theaters: symbolic of earthly life and God’s influence behind the changing scenes • “The thought that you are not free keeps you from being free” • “Samadhi is not something one needs to acquire. You have it already” (Conversations with Yogananda: 336-340)
Why Overcome the Ego?
When did Yogananda achieve final liberation? • Is ego-consciousness the same as self-consciousness? • The story of Byasa, Krishna, and cheese • How should one act in the world? • Yogananda’s praise for Sister Gyanamata’s consciousness • Shouldn’t we develop our own will, and not submit always to our teacher’s will? • Casting out ego-consciousness • The inner relationship with … Read More
Three Wise Men (by Swami Kriyananda)
We wish you a joyful Christmas and many blessings with this beautiful song by Swami Kriyananda “Three Wise Men”, performed by members of the Ananda Palo Alto choir. Three Wise Men Then three wise men came from afar, Guided by the heavenly star. Christ, the light of God, had descended, That, receiving him, all might be saved. Thus, the promise … Read More
