Yogananda Podcast

This episode covers the next part of chapter 34 from:  “As I remained silent in awe, my guide made a sweeping gesture…”   to  “...Put your hand there and receive whatever food you desire.”  This episode continues Lahiri Mahasaya's experience with Babaji's materialised palace. We examine how Babaji manifested a jewelled palace from cosmic rays to fulfil Lahiri's past life desire for a g...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 34 to:  “Yonder light is the glow of a golden palace...”   to  “...When this structure has served its purpose, Babaji will dematerialise it.’”  Lahiri Mahasaya shows that even liberated masters must temporarily engage with cosmic delusion to maintain a physical form, with Babaji fulfilling Lahiri Mahasai's latent desire for a palace as part of his (...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 34 to:  “As I maintained a bewildered silence, the saint approached...”   to  “‘The hour is midnight.’ My guide laughed softly...”  This section of the chapter focuses on the meeting between Lahiri Mahashaya and Mahavar Babaji in the Himalayas. The conversation centred on a profound reunion where Babaji touched Lahiri Mahasaya's forehead, triggering...

This episode covers the start of chapter 34 to:  “... Lahiri, surely this cave seems familiar to you?”  Summary:  The chapter focusses on the miraculous story of Lahiri Mahashaya's meeting with his guru Mahavatar Babaji in the Himalayas, one of the most significant spiritual initiations in the book. We examine how Lahiri Mahasaya's journey from his accounting job to meeting Babaji involved...

This episode covers the last part of chapter 33 from:  “During my visit at Ranbajpur with Ram Gopal…”  to the end of the chapter.  Summary:  This last part of the chapter covers Ram Gopal's significant meeting with Babaji and Mataji near Dashashwamedh Ghat in Benaras (Varanasi). We examined the supernatural elements of the encounter, including the appearance of light beings and the manifestation o...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 33 from :  “Two amazing incidents of Babaji’s life are known to me…”  to  “…the people which stand by I said it ,  that they may believe that thou hast sent me”.  Summary:  This section of the chapter covers two dramatic stories about Mahavatar Babaji and his group of Himalayan disciples. We examined how Babaji intervened to help his devotees overcome t...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 33 from :  “Krishna, Rama, Buddha, and Patanjali were among the ancient Indian avatars…”  to  “…he occasionally accepts fruits, or rice cooked in milk and clarified butter”.  Summary:  This episode uncovers more about Mahavatar Babaji, described as the deathless yogi of the Himalayas who has guided spiritual history throughout centuries. We discuss Baba...

This episode covers the start of chapter 33 to:  “…could Christ indeed be followed except in the overarching Spirit?”  Summary:  The meeting focused on discussing Chapter 33 of "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda, which introduces the character of Babaji. The participants, including Chris, Priyank, Michael, and Lauren, explored Babaji's significance as an avatar, his m...

This episode covers last part of chapter 32 from:  “Very scanty information about the life of Lahiri Mahasaya and his universal doctrine…”   to the end of the chapter.  Summary:  The last section of chapter 33 focuses on the biography of Lahiri Mahasaya. We explore the details about Lahiri Mahasaya's life, including his birth in 1828, his traditional Brahmin upbringing, and his eventual meetin...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 32 from:  ““Yogananda,” he said with unusual gravity...”  to  “... vital to man’s happiness and to a nation’s longevity.”  Summary:  Swami Sri Yukteswar's profound prophecy and teachings about the Dwapara Yuga (atomic age) and the need for global unity make up the core of this episode. We explore the significance of Lahiri Mahasaya’s prediction that...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 32 from:  “Another disciple came in; I asked him to remain in the house....”  to  “...he had to cure Rama of death, a disease usually final!”  Summary:  This section of the chapter continues the story of Rama's resurrection and the teachings about faith and following one's guru. The discussion centred on how Swami Sri Yukteswar's friend Rama...

This episode covers the start of chapter 32 to:  “...a lover of quiet, now he had attained the utter stillness of death.”  Summary:  This first part of the chapter covers the resurrection story of Rama, which mirrors the biblical story of Lazarus. The group examined Sri Yukteswar's interpretation of Jesus's reference to being the "Son of God" and explored how this concept relates...

This episode covers the last part of chapter 31 from:  “Faith in the automatic adjustments of righteousness...”  to the end of the chapter.  Summary:  This last section of the chapter continues the themes of revenge and divine justice. Paramahansa Yogananda offers a fresh interpretation on divine retribution rather than seeking personal vengeance align with biblical (and Jesus Christ’s) messages,...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 31 from:  “On many occasions the swami was seen to drink, with no ill effect...”  to  “...The sinner, healed by Trailanga’s words, slunk feebly away.”  Summary:  This section of the chapter explores Trailanga Swami’s mastery over the body and mind, including his ability to drink poison, walk on water, and remain unbothered by extreme heat, and we look a...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 31 from:  “One of Lahiri Mahasaya’s disciples, the venerable Kali Kumar Roy...”  to  “...awakening of the seven cerebrospinal centres constitutes the true path to the Infinite.”  Summary:  Lahiri Mahasaya offers a unique case study for our own habits on sleep and meditation, and we review Paramahansa Yogananda's teachings on transcending sleep throu...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 31 from:  “On the following day I returned to her home and enjoyed...”  to  “... in 1935, when I made enquiry, she was still living.”.  Summary:  This section of the book explores stories about Lahiri Mahashaya's disciples, particularly discussing a miracles surrounding one particular devotee named Abhoya for whom a train was stopped in its tracks,...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 31 from:  “My guru asked me to receive initiation into Kriya...”  to  “...for sharing with me her wondrous experiences”.  Summary:  This section of the chapter focuses on the spiritual significance of taking Kriya initiation and the role of a guru in one's life. We explore the unique experiences of Srimati Kashi Moni, the wife of Lahiri Mahashaya, e...

This episode covers the start of chapter 31 to:  “their refulgent forms vanished. The room darkened...”  Summary:  This unique chapter covers a first person account of how it was to be with the Avatar Lahiri Mahashaya's. We explore Srimati Kashi Moni’s background, including her marriage age and the mystical experience that transformed her perception of Lahiri Mahashaya from husband to guru. Th...

This episode covers the last part of chapter 30 from:  “One day I entered a cinema house to view a newsreel...”  to the end of the chapter  Summary:  In this section of the chapter Paramahamsa Yogananda explores Guruji's prayer and the biblical references to Elijah and Elisha, discussing how these stories relate to the concept of miracles. We share our personal experiences of miracles, both gr...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 30 from:  “One day I entered a cinema house to view a newsreel...”  to  “... I looked up to the throbbing stream of lifetrons and spoke entreatingly. "  Summary:  This section of the book Paramahansa Yogananda focuses on the concept of life as a motion picture and using his experiences with visions of war and suffering. We explore the philosophical...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 30 from:  “In 1915, shortly after I had entered the Swami Order, I witnessed...”  to  “...making them actors as well as audience in His planetary theatre."  Summary:  This section of the chapter explains how historical events (1915) influenced Paramahansa Yogananda’s meditation practices and enhanced his understanding of consciousness. We examine v...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 30 from:  “Masters who are able to materialise and dematerialise their bodies...”  to  “...rise up as master of maya, knowing his dominion over the cosmos."  Summary:  Paramahansa Yogananda describes a masters' abilities to materialize and dematerialize their bodies, and examining scientific perspectives on reality and consciousness. Reva joins...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 30 from:  “The frank realization that physical science is concerned with...”  to  “...this conception brings us to the law of miracles. "  Summary:  In this episode we focus on the concept of "mind stuff" and scientific breakthroughs, particularly the development of the electron microscope. Paramahansa Yogananda explains how electrons exh...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 30 from:  “To surmount maya was the task assigned to the human race...”  to  “...but that atomic energy is essentially mind-stuff".  Summary:  This section further explores the miracles from the perspective of both spirituality and physics. Paramahansa Yogananda examined how the Vedic understanding of Maya, or illusion, relates to modern scientific...

This episode covers the start of chapter 30 to:  “...but what gravitation and electricity are, no mortal knoweth.”  Summary:  As we start this heavy chapter and think about our expectations, the chapter explores miracles and religious perspectives, with particular focus on Leo Tolstoy's teachings and their connection to nonviolence. We review Tolstoy's views on Christianity and his similar...