Yogananda Podcast

This episode covers the next part of chapter 23 from:   " Thinking over the examination in English literature, I realized...”   to  “...I could not have passed the Bengali examination.”  Summary:  As Mukunda expounds spiritual and educational themes, we share our own exam experiences, readings about divine intervention, and the importance of following intuition and guidance from gurus. Mukund...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 23 from:   "One night about eleven o’clock, as I was putting on my shoes in preparation...”   to  “... which had been arranged by the faculty of Calcutta University.”  Summary:  This section of the book explores the tug of war between spiritual pursuit and academic exams through Mukunda's experiences. We share personal reflections about exams a...

This episode covers the start of chapter 23 to:   "...I scarcely noticed when darkness changed into dawn.”  Summary:  The beginning of Chapter 23 explores the themes of spirituality, education, and personal growth through life’s varied experiences. We examined the various teaching methods throughout the world, cultural differences in perceptions toward education, and the balance between acade...

This episode covers the last part of chapter 22 from:   "‘You little fool,’ my brother-in-law blurted out...”  to the end of the chapter.  Summary:  We use’s Satish’s excellent life to focus on our own transformative experiences, divine interventions, and cultural perspectives on spirituality and death. Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings encourage us to explore the related themes such as the p...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 22 from:   "Reluctantly I opened my eyes, and saw that the temple doors...”  to  “...It was one o’clock; the divine vision had lasted an hour.”  Summary:  The Indian temple customs surrounding the lunchtime closure have a varied and fascinating history. With Samadhi being the ultimate form of escapism, we examine the lesser forms utilised today by...

This episode covers the start of chapter 22 to:   "...a devout Christian sees Jesus; a Hindu beholds Krishna, or the Goddess Kali, or an expanding Light if his worship takes an impersonal turn.”  Summary:  As we start this chapter we reflect on its intriguing title and why Paramahansa Yogananda included it in the book. Guruji’s expert handling of religiously critical family members leaves muc...

This episode covers the large footnote at the last part of chapter 21 from:   " Only a Self-realized master can transfer his life force or convey...”  to the end of the chapter.  Summary:  We review the ways in which self-realized masters can transfer life force via the yogic methods as well as devotion and the importance of the devotee maintaining physical health for spiritual progress. They...

This episode covers the large footnote at the next part of chapter 21 from:   "In Kashmir a large number of the people, world-famed for their beauty...”  to  “... receive the omnipresent consciousness or Holy Ghost that later descended upon them.”  Summary:  Paramahansa Yogananda touches on the various complexions of Indians - we look at the fascinating modern scientific research in this fiel...

This episode covers the large footnote at the next part of chapter 21 from:   "We continued on the labyrinthine way, delighting in views of rivers...”  to  “...mirrored in underground waters, present a glimpse of other worlds as fancied by man.”  Summary:  Paramahansa Yogananda's journey through Kashmir is described in glorious detail – the beautiful landscapes, equine pastimes and compar...

This episode covers the large footnote at the first part of chapter 21 to :   "... Auddy had not carried any cigarettes from Calcutta.”  Summary:  We start by describing our expectations from chapter 21. Mukunda described in beautiful detail the beginning elements of the trip with Sri Yukteswar and 4 other disciples. As ever, there are multiple life lessons during the mundane aspects of their...

This episode covers the large footnote at the end of chapter 20.  Summary:  A footnote dedicated to the divine mother in the form Parvati, her consort Shiva and his numerous exalted devotees.  Why does Paramahansa Yogananda hint at the significance of these being rather than stating it clearly for us?  We share our personal experiences and insights on Kailash, the types of pilgrims it attracts and...

This episode covers the last part of chapter 20 from: “Getting up from my blanket seat, I staggered suddenly...”  to the end of the chapter (excluding the footnote).  Summary:  The most pertinent themes of this section of the book is surrendering to the Guru (Sri Yukteswar) and the importance of faith and trust in God for divine protection and healing. We also research additional content from the...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 20 from:  “I soon reached the schoolmaster’s house...”  to  “....please serve Mukunda’s food. His train leaves soon.”  Summary:  Mukunda (Paramahansa Yogananda) is determined to go to Kashmir despite no-cooperation from his everyone in his life! We ponder the reasons behind a sudden change in Behari's behaviour when Kashmir was mentioned, uncle Sara...

This episode covers the first part of chapter 20 to   “...My guru silently resumed his walk;”  Summary:  As Mukunda uses his nous to make his trip to Kashmir happen, Sri Yukteswar does everything he can to politely postpone it – almost as if he knew what was about to happen! We explore the themes of aligning our plans with divine will, the hidden protection behind not getting what you want, and th...

This episode covers the last part of chapter 19 from:  “A crestfallen Dijen soon entered the room...”  to the end of the chapter.  Summary:  The highlights of the end of the chapter is the subtle reference to the Bible passage where Jesus walks on water and Peter attempts to join him, as discussed in Paramahansa Yogananda’s epic work The Second Coming of Christ. Was Sri Yukteswar Jesus Christ in t...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 19 from:  “As the room was rather dark, I moved nearer to a window...”  to  “...I had not been the victim of a hallucination.”  Summary:  Reva joins us as we break down the dazzling appearance of Sri Yukteswar to an awe-stricken Mukunda (Paramahansa Yogananda). Guruji provides infinitesimal detail about this divine experience, and we hypothesise why Sri...

This episode covers the first part of chapter 19 from:  “I am often beset by atheistic doubts. Yet a torturing surmise sometimes haunts me...”  to  “... Dijen made for the door and closed it noisily behind him.”  Summary:  As we gauge our expectations for this chapter, we ponder over the similarities between those that have come and those that are yet to come. We take another dive into the mindset...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 18 from:  “Guruji,” I interrupted, “if Afzal could easily secure such things as gold...”  to  “... Farewell, world! I go to seek the forgiveness of the Cosmic Beloved.”  Summary:  The confessional story of Afsal Khan is one of remorse and sorrow, accompanied with a drop of transformation. We explore the themes of supernatural powers, desires, and spirit...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 18 from:  “Ignoring his master’s warning, Afzal began to misuse his powers...”  to  “...there was no sign of the glittering plates or the remnants of the meal.”  Summary:  The daunting task of analysing the character of Afzal and his supernatural abilities and their moral implications can only be done if you have some fun with it – which we did! We admi...

This episode covers the start of chapter 18 to:  “This invisible entity was able to fulfil the fakir’s slightest wish...”  Summary:  Chapter 18 is perhaps one of the most intriguing of the book, and we take a moment to explore why we feel that could be, before delving in! Sri Yukteswar visits Mukunda’s halls of residence (subtly exposing a very sweet relationship between the pair) while he tells t...

This episode covers the the last part of chapter 17:  “On his return from Puri, Sri Yukteswar...”  to end of the chapter (and the long footnote).  Summary:  How did Sri Yukteswar intervene to enhance the academic offering of Serampore College (solely for the benefit of his principal disciple Mukunda)? An intriguing question, one which we discuss in this section along with the long footnote provide...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 17 from:  “The first two years of my course at Scottish Church...”  to   “...mixed with ejaculations betraying their astonishment.”  Summary:  In this short and seemingly simple section of the chapter lies some gold dust, but you have to explore underlying meanings behind the narrative as experienced by Paramahansa Yogananda (and orchestrated by Swami S...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 17 from:  “It was my proudest privilege to bring college friends to meet my guru...”  to   “...effect of stiffening his will and impairing his manners.”  Summary:  Using the example with Sri Yukteswar, Paramhansa Yogananda and Sasi - we delve into the significance of personal effort in spiritual growth, the pivotal role of faith and trust in our lives,...

Priyank is asked to give a talk on his experiences of the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. He speaks about its historical significance, why 660 million devotees attended and the link to Mahavatar Babaji and our lineage of Gurus. 0:00 Agenda; 1:55 Significance of Prayagraj; 6:23 Kumbh Legend from scripture; 12:23 Astrological timing; 16:23 Naga Babas and their Akharas; 20:47 Mahavatar Babaji; 23:33 What do...

This episode covers the start of chapter 17   to   “...boundless in his kindness when responding to an urgent prayer of a devotee.”  Summary:  This episode focusses on the different types of seekers, we share our personal strategies for engaging with them and how to handle situations where people show interest in our way of life, but actually use it against us! The ‘natural death’ paradigm inspire...