Inspiring Talks and Classes by Swami Kriyananda

“Whatever comes of itself, let it come”, Swami Kriyananda says, “I think you’ll find great freedom in that”. Feelings tie us to the ego and make us restless. Only when we become calm, but not apathetic, can we perceive truth. The way to become calm is by not being attached to the body. When you’re not attached to the body, … Read More

Spirituality begins when you start thinking: “What is true? How can I discover what life is all about?” The goal of spirituality, Swami Kriyananda explains further, is to become free of the ego — and he talks about the ways to do so. Many people are interested in spirituality, but don’t know where to start. Do you have any advice … Read More

Every attitude is self-reinforcing, Swami Kriyananda shows in this recording. Negative attitudes are wrong not because religions say they are wrong, but because they make us less happy. The best way to change an attitude is to change our own state of consciousness. Questions include: I’d like to ask you about the right attitudes in which to live. Many people … Read More

We want to fill children not just with knowledge, but with the ability to use that knowledge to help others, says Swami Kriyananda. That requires from the student a certain level of spiritual evolution. Topics of discussion include the caste system in India, racial prejudice in America, the Education for Life education system founded by Swami Kriyananda, and the scale of … Read More

Self-sufficiency is very important, but it doesn’t mean that you need to live alone. Having the support of others is very strengthening. Questions include: In this age, there’s a lot of talk about being self-sufficient — to get away from all the political drama, the economic crisis — could you talk a little bit about self-sufficiency? It seems like your … Read More

We have to stop justifying our wrong actions, Swami Kriyananda says. Courage is the willingness to accept whatever comes, because the results, the benefits, are worth the difficulty. Questions include: How can we accept where we are and grow at the same time? What is courage? Courage must be rooted in faith, then. Otherwise, how would you know to continue … Read More

The world is consciousness, and responds consciously to our intentions and energy. The law of magnetism operates automatically and can also be controlled at will. Questions include: Could you describe the law of magnetic attraction? What you’re describing sounds like it could be dangerous. It sounds like the law operates automatically, but it is possible to operate it consciously? Can … Read More

Religion is the form — of rituals and beliefs — and spirituality is your relationship with God. How would you differentiate between religion and spirituality? Does God have a particular form? How did reading Autobiography of a Yogi change your life? What does intuition mean to you? How can we develop intuition?

“If you could point to a single greatest accomplishment in your life, what would that be?” Swami Kriyananda talks about Yogananda’s mission, his own role in helping to fulfill that mission, and shares advice for how to face any obstacle in life and still come out on top. Questions include: Can you describe Yogananda’s mission? Do you see yourself as … Read More

One way to overcome fear is to imagine the worst possible happening to you, and then accept it. But what if it looks like the worst possible thing is going to happen? Cooperative communities are a great help in that way, and even more so in a spiritual way. Questions include: How can one overcome fear? Swamiji, suppose that some … Read More

Is there life after death? A better question might be, ‘Is there death after life?’ The good news is there is only LIFE, only consciousness. Swami Kriyananda explains and answers this profound question. The truth is all around us, and the Masters tell us that God does not want us to find out too soon! Our departed loved ones are … Read More

Mental illness, depression, how to be happy, and the evolution of the soul through many lives as animal and humans. Questions include: It seems that mental illness in this age is in the ascent. Many people suffer from depression, melancholy, or other things like it — such as anger and other kinds of emotional disruption. Do you have any advice … Read More

Whatever energy you give out has to come back — that is one way to explain the law of karma. In this question and answer session, also discussed is how to neutralize and overcome karma. Questions include: Can you explain to us the law of karma and how it works? Will someone who is striving for success automatically experience failure … Read More

How should we see karma? And can we do anything to change it? Questions include: Some people will speak of karma as a burden, and will say, “It’s my destiny, I can’t avoid it.” A fatalistic approach. Is that correct? What is dharma? What does the word “freedom” mean to you? How do we get our energy to flow upward? … Read More

Integrity is “supremely important,” says Swami Kriyananda. It means to be true to yourself, and to be true in your statements, but in a helpful way. “Truth is always beneficial.” Questions include: What is integrity, and how important is it? What if you are supposed to give something to someone, but your suppliers let you down? Is there a power … Read More

“I’ve never tried to teach people. I’ve tried to share what I know.” Swami Kriyananda talks about developing self-confidence in lecturing (and in everything), and offers many pointers on sharing truths with an audience. Questions include: How can one develop sweetness in oneself? How do you develop self-confidence? For people who are trying to develop that kind of centereness where … Read More

We can all develop intuitive and psychic abilities. We cultivate them by deliberately focusing, by increasing our attention, and by sensitivity to the words and feelings of others. Superconsciousness is the intuitive part of our awareness. Everything is consciousness. The ability to know both what can come and what the right choices are in life is possible. The body is both … Read More

You can’t change karma that was created in the past, but you can change how that karma affects you. You were discussing karma earlier; could you explain family karma, group karma? Is there any way to alleviate group karma? How could Germany offset their karma from World War II? In turbulent times of atomic warfare, the only truly reliable bomb … Read More

Do you need a Guru? No, Swami Kriyananda says — unless you want to understand deeper realities. Questions include: Would you explain what a Guru is? Can a Guru come to you through books, or things of that nature? What was your Guru like? What is the right attitude for people to have when they are seeking a Guru? How … Read More

How does one overcome loneliness? Any negative emotion cannot be overcome by passivity. Putting out energy is vital, even if it is to begin making friends with yourself. To achieve a calm mind and calmness within oneself, the first thing needed is to get rid of distractions. Making a habit of television is a terrible thing. A meditation technique to … Read More

Love everyone equally and see God in everyone, and no one will be able to hurt you. Love people for themselves and not what you can get out of them. Learn to be content in yourself by feeling the presence of God in your own being. Questions include: Isn’t getting rid of negative and positive emotions the same as apathy? … Read More

Listening to rock music is harmful because it emphasizes the ego and lowers your vibration. In order to raise it, listen to soothing music, such as Bach and Mozart. Questions include: Can you elaborate on the detrimental effect of rock music? What is good music to listen to? If you could pick a melody from your music that best expresses … Read More

Swami Kriyananda talks about reality as we perceive it, and how real it really is (and isn’t!), and about dreams. Should we look to our dreams for guidance? He also talks about the best way to pray to God, for ourselves or others, and tells us what he himself does in situations of extreme pain or personal trial. The Indian … Read More

Emotions are disturbed feelings. “Positive and negative emotions alternate constantly; we have to go beyond emotions”, says Swami Kriyananda. To go beyond emotions, concentrate the feeling in the heart, then direct it to the brain. Give up your suffering to God and you will find you can endure anything. Questions include: How do we transform emotions? When does feeling become … Read More

The music we listen to affects our consciousness very directly. Music, indeed, is an expression of consciousness. Swami Kriyananda offers thoughts on the ramifications of this truth. You mentioned in a recet program the detrimental effect of rock music. Could you elaborate on that? What would be good music to listen to? What about Mozart? If you had to pick … Read More

Yantras, a type of spiritual design, could be what crop circles are — this is the thought with which Swami Kriyananda starts a fascinating discussion  of life on other planets, reincarnation, and where we go after we die. How do you think crop circles are created? That response pre-supposed life on other planets, then? (Implied) When the population on Earth … Read More

Swami Kriyananda wrote a book called Education for Life (available online for free and for purchase) and talks about Yogananda’s interest in education, and how the non-sectarian principles he taught have been implemented at Ananda Village. He talks about the different stages of development that children go through and offers thoughts for how to bring the best and the highest … Read More

“Many religious traditions emphasize surrender, which seems rather passive. Is that true?” From the concept of passive vs. active surrender, the discussion ranges to willpower, free will, if we can see our own spiritual progress, and the effect that being a vegetarian has on our consciousness. What is the limit of acceptance? There must be situations where acceptance isn’t appropriate — … Read More

Questions of whether or not we have free will and whether our lives are pre-destined have for centuries kept philosophers awake at  night. What is the truth? Swami Kriyananda shares it as it was presented by his guru, Paramhansa Yogananda. Questions include: A lot of people wonder what their purpose in life is. How does one discover his destiny? You … Read More

Attitudes that bring success, and how to face hard times — Swami Kriyananda shares practical tips for the material and spiritual aspects of our lives. Questions include: So much has changed in 100 years. We have electricity, we have computers, we have Internet and cell phones, so many things. And yet the world seems to be getting crazier and crazier. … Read More

Moral value is not relative, Swami Kriyananda explains, and uses examples to illustrate why this is so: because our moral choices effect who we are and who we become. He also explores situations when moral choices may not be so straightforward. Questions include: Throughout the 20h century, truth was considered to be relative. My truth is different from your truth. … Read More

In the first episode of Ask Me About Truth, Swami Kriyananda addresses what truth is, and how we can find it.