Featured Articles, Courses, Events and Book Releases
Book Study — Kriya Yoga: Spiritual Awakening for the New Age
Starting Tuesday, May 3, 6–7 PM, Pacific Time
Both instructive and inspiring, Kriya Yoga: Spiritual Awakening for a New Age is a signpost to the aspiring devotee for how and why to take up the lifelong practice of Kriya Yoga. Simultaneously the book is a roadmap for the already practicing Kriya Yogi.
Kriya Yoga teaches demonstrable principles to enable us to change our moods, calm the restless mind, control our emotions, and ultimately attain our highest divine potential.
Stories from India, Volume Two
This volume picks up where Volume One left off: with stories shared by the great yoga master Paramhansa Yogananda and his close disciple, Swami Kriyananda.
Told for generations, these stories impart lifelong values of compassion and understanding, virtue, dharma, and ability to relate to another’s reality.
The tales are an excellent resource to turn to again and again for inspiration, sharing, and personal study, whether you are a teacher, parent, student, or devotee.
Spiritual Q&A
Is there a Separation Between a Saint and God?
Dear Friend, I don’t have the advantage of reading the article but I would caution you from taking the exchange too literally. The phrase “surrender to the Divine” is something even great saints and avatars will express. In any case,
Why Should I Seek God in this Birth with an Unholy Past?
Dear Friend, Sanatan Dharma, taught in various forms and languages throughout the world, declares “Tat twam asi.” Thou art THAT. The life within you, the intelligence, and the feeling all are manifestations of the One. Why imagine you would want
How Can I Balance My Material and Spiritual Needs?
Dear Subramanian, Ah! The battle of life! Read the beloved Gita as often as you can. I can recommend my teacher’s magnum opus: The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita by Swami Kriyananda. Lahiri Mahasaya of Benares (1826-1894 approx) was a
I Am Pregnant. What Can I Do to Help My Baby Spiritually?
Dear Cookie, Congratulations! This period of time in pregnancy is very, very important spiritually for both you and the child: as you obviously know! Chanting aloud during the day and as part of your daily prayers and meditation is an
I Had a Dream of Babaji. What Does it Mean for Me and My Meditation?
Dear Sri, The experiences you describe are there to encourage you in the inner path of meditation. You need not be concerned; you are doing your meditation correctly. It takes time and practice to be able to calmly enter into
I Keep Wavering Between Two Paths
Dear Marcel, Yours is a curious situation. In such cases, however, ask Yogananda and the kriya masters for guidance. It’s not as if they have any exclusive claims. Their concern is only your spiritual growth. Yet they have appeared in
I Am Spiritually-Minded but Am Losing Interest in Studies
Dear Friend, I am most sorry to hear these troubles for you, both in outer life and the inner path! Here are some thoughts to share with you: The more we focus on devotion and inner stillness, offering the ego-self
I Enjoy Meditation But Have Many Spiritual Questions
Dear Naman, I am very happy that you are having a beautiful experience with your meditation in watching the breath. Yogananda said that this technique (from ancient times) brings us to great peace of mind and heart. It sounds like
How Can I Cope with Existential Doubts after Meditation?
Dear Kevin, Your use of the term existential is exactly correct. If we really knew what the creation is and what our soul really is, we would indeed be shocked. I have had students who were attending a meditation class
I Saw a Dark Entity Around My Sister. Do I Tell Her?
Dear Nuni, In this case, your go-to is prayer. Each day at the end of your meditation, visualize your sister surrounded by the light of her soul and especially surround her with the presence of Christ, one of the masters,
How Can I Approach Diet in a Compassionate and Wholesome Way?
Dear Tova, It is important health-wise (mental, physical and spiritual) not to make diet a religion; not to be a fanatic. Yogis have long recommended vegetarianism but nowadays with vegan diets so popular among the health-minded (including yogis), the options
How to Calm a Restless Mind During Meditation?
Dear Supriya, In my meditation teacher training course I have several “mantras” I encourage the use of and one of them is: “To meditate well, you have to want to meditate!” You’ve heard the quote from Yogananda “The soul loves
What Is a Helpful Diet for Meditation?
Dear Sushman, The subject of diets in this modern age is fraught with challenges and opinions. But in former times in India, as you presumably know, a vegetarian diet was considered best for yoga practice and Self-realization. But even this
What Do Our Masters Say About Earth’s Cycles of Time?
Dear Friend, Paramhansa Yogananda’s guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar of Serampore (Bengal), wrote in the introduction to his only book, The Holy Science, a re-calibration of the traditional Hindu yuga cycle calendar. In his recalibration he determined by mathematical and intuitional
How Can I Keep Motivated on the Spiritual Path?
Dear S, You are echoing Arjuna’s famous lament in the Bhagavad Gita. Surveying the battle that lay before him, he slumped in his chariot with discouragement. Fear not, friend. Krishna’s response to his beloved disciple included reminders that in life
My Family Is Not Very Supportive of My Spiritual Interests
Dear Don, One of the common tests of the devotee is the rejection or indifference of friends and family. Don’t be concerned about their views at this time. If you carry on with love and respect for them and hold
Does Kriya Yoga Affect Past Karma? Bad Karma? Good Karma?
Dear Shikha, Your questions are excellent and insightful. My response to most things inspired by Yogananda’s teachings and the guidance of Swami Kriyananda is simply: both-and. Yes, past karma can be impacted, but my understanding of the soul’s achieving nirbikalpa
How Can I Move Forward After a Difficult Childhood?
Dear Diksha, I am saddened to hear of the pain of your childhood and how it is affecting your friendships now, as an adult. There is no simple or easy way to expunge pain that is deeply embedded into your
How to Be Humble
Dear Evelyn, True humility is to be self-forgetful rather than reactive; to respond appropriately and not according to some script of what one is supposed to say or do. To be humble is not to be a doormat. To be
Is My Deceased Husband at Peace?
Dear Donna, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. He who “fought the good fight” surely rests in peace now. What you have seen in meditation is a sign of that peace. Though you didn’t comment upon it,
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February 14, 5:00 pm PST
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March 20, 12:00 pm PST
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March 20, 5:00 pm PST
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Sharing the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda – Learn How to Live!
Kriya Retreat: Taking Kriya for the First Time
April 4 – 7
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July 30 – August 6
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