Yogananda Podcast

This episode covers the long footnote on the end of chapter 16.  Summary:  Paramahansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar discuss the many misinterpretations of the Bible of both the Old and New Testament. We bolster these discussions with details provided in Second Coming of Christ – The Resurrection of Christ Within You and provide our take on the controversies surrounding the Council of Constantinople...

This episode covers the last part of chapter 16:  “The animal forms were too crude to express...”  to the end of the chapter.  Summary:  Sri Yukteswar further elaborates on the depth and symbolism of teachings from Genesis,, to the complete satisfaction of paramahansa Yogananda’s keen intellect. First we look at the grossness of the consciousness present within animal kingdom when compared with th...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 16:  “The Adam and Eve story is incomprehensible to me...”  to  “…produced through an act of special creation by God.”  Summary:  Sri Yukteswar explains the profound symbolism expressed in the Adam and Eve narrative from Genesis to Paramahansa Yogananda. We carefully dissect the concepts with Cian, drawing inspiration more complete explanation from the...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 16:  “Men, one by one, escape from creation’s prison...”  to  “…those that attain a liberating knowledge of the One Father.”  Summary:  We are forced to undertake a deep dive into the spiritual texts and philosophies mentioned in this section of the chapter, including the concept of Yugas, the importance of focusing orientation of the eyes during medita...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 16:  “The starry inscription at one’s birth, I came to understand...”  to  “...the contrasts and relativities of the phenomenal universe.”  Summary:  As Paramahansa Yogananda explains some detail surrounding the Yuga science as revealed to him by Swami Sri Yukteswar, we explore the depths of the teaching from a general perspective. The debate is made mo...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 16:  “On later occasions, when I brought my friends...”  to  “... formidable than are influences flowing from the heavens.”  Summary:  This section further explores the concepts of destiny and fate – but what is the difference between the two? We focus on the importance of personal effort and spiritual training, with readings from the writings of Parama...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 16:  “Sir, of course I shall take your advice...”  to  “...I was living with a personage indeed superhuman.”  Summary:  Mark joins us as we review Sri Yukteswar’s hints about the divine astral beings associated with the planets and Paramahansa Yogananda’s expositions on the complex subject matter in God Talks with Arjuna: Bhagavad Gita. We explore the r...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 16:  “A child is born on that day and at that hour when...”  to  “... secured and unless the remedial agent is worn next to the skin.”  Summary:  Cian joins us again as Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda further explore astrological science starting with natal charts and horoscopes. This opened up the concept of destiny, free will and personal resp...

This episode covers the start of chapter 16 to:  “...equilibriums that each man has set into motion in the past.”  Summary:  Chapter 16 starts the fundamentals of astrology as understood by a god realised master in Sri Yukteswar: its relation to belief, and its potential influence on human destiny. We also cover the significance of astronomy in ancient literature, its connection to karma, the impo...

This episode covers the last section of chapter 15 from:  “The sankirtan issuing from Sri Yukteswar’s second-storey sitting room...”  to end of the chapter.  Summary:  Mark re-joins us for this episode, which starts with the efficacy of kirtan and chanting in day-to-day life as well as spiritual growth. Paramahansa Yognaanda and Swami Sri Yukteswar host some late-night guests, and this helps him (...

This episode covers the next section of chapter 15 from:  “Bach, among Western composers, understood the charm and power of repetitious...”  to  “...a dim memory comes to him of his divine origin.”  Summary:  The concept of talas, subtle variations in repetition and rhythm is brought to life with musical examples in this fascinating explanation of Paramahansa Yogananda. The religious influence beh...

This episode covers the next section of chapter 15 from: “The foundation stones of Hindu music are ragas...” to “... all its subtle microtonal and rhythmic variations.” Summary: We dissect Paramahansa Yogananda’s detailed explanations of the significance of chants and music in the context of Indian classical music and ragas, highlighting their role in connecting with God and our own path. The subj...

This episode covers the next section of chapter 15 from:  “Sri Yukteswar sponsored four yearly festivals...”  to  “...the human souls wandering in maya-delusion.”  Summary:  Sri Yukteswar encourages ashram residents to partake religious festivities, particularly those tied to the equinoxes and solstices, and we discuss the cultural and spiritual significance of these events. Paramahansa Yogananda...

This episode covers the next section of chapter 15 from:  “A humorous occurrence took place a few days after...”  to  “...faith in the loving-kindness of their Omnipresent Father.”    Summary:  Shiraz joins us again for the important spiritual concepts in this section of the book, including the importance of faith, the power of intuition, and the concept of miracles and powers in relation to Jesus...

This episode covers the next section of chapter 15 from:  “Intuition is soul guidance, appearing naturally in man...”  to  “...indignant that anyone should dare to experiment further.”    Summary:  Our friend Shiraz joins us as we explore the concepts of intuition, willpower, the role of the heart in receiving and transmitting information, and the importance of self-responsibility and working on o...

This episode covers the next section of chapter 15 from:  “I asked Sri Yukteswar that evening to explain...”  to  “...and go to a certain room for a single cauliflower.”    Summary:  Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda discuss the intricacies of the cauliflower robbery and the concept of radio and its impact on society. We explore the idea of thoughts as subtle vibrations moving through the et...

This episode covers the start  of chapter 15 from:  “Master, a gift for you! These six huge cauliflowers...”  to  “... had yielded the object of his singlehearted desire?”    Summary:  We start chapter 15 be exploring the our expectations for the chapter and how Paramahansa Yogananda has surprised us with the content in this intriguing section of the book! We discuss the nuanced ways in which Sri...

This episode covers the last part of chapter 14:  “Sri Yukteswar taught me how to summon...”  to  “...who but He bears the burden of the cosmos?”    Summary:  As Paramahansa Yogananda adjusts to life after attaining to Samadhi, he still introspects and asks Sri Yukteswar the pertinent questions to make sure sure that he has made it! How does intuition help us in our lives and is this a precursor t...

This episode covers the heart of chapter 14:  The Samadhi Poem  Summary:  The most profound poem in all of English literature is Samadhi, by Paramahansa Yogananda. We dedicate an entire episode to the poem, sharing our experiences and joy gleaned from its detailed study, with Chris describing this as our best episode yet!  1:11 Introduction;  5:44 Maya;  19:00 Becoming One;  48:00 Cosmic Joy;  1:0...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 14:  “Suddenly the breath returned to my lungs...”  to  “...endeavoring to convey a glimpse of its glory.”  Summary:  What does it mean that breath is mentioned in this section, how does Paramahansa Yogananda relate it to cosmic consciousness and what does it mean? We also have a delightful discussion on the role of a spiritual master in achieving divin...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 14:  “Poor boy, mountains cannot give you what you want...”  to  “...Aum, the vibration of the Cosmic Motor.”  Summary:  Sri Yukteswar grants Paramahansa Yogananda the pinnacle of human experience: Samadhi. But is it Savikalpa or Nirvikalpa? Has he experienced glimpses of this before? Guruji splits the experience in subtle but distinct steps, which are...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 13:  “You are asking illumination from me...”  to  “...to the star of unqualified divine attainment.”  Summary:  Mukunda assesses the spiritual impact of Ram Gopal Mazumdar’s austere sadhana and is surprised that the latter considers it of little consequence when contrasted with the eternal existence of God. We share our experiences of the difficulty/ea...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 13:  “Ram Gopal took my hand and led...”  to  “...burn as though every cell were on fire.”  Summary:  Mukunda’s interactions with the "Sleepless Saint" allow us to explore a range of interesting topics such as cultural differences in hand-holding, food consumption, and the concept of 'guest is God'. We share our own experiences with ad...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 13:  “The saint’s censorious attitude vanished...”  to  “...I feel great love for you.”  Summary:  Young Mukunda (Paramahansa Yogananda) receives some gentle words of wisdom from Ram Gopal Mazumdar on following your guru, having a space to meditate and love. We dig a little deeper into the significance of these lessons in terms of the Guru-disciple rela...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 13:  “I was not sure of the way...”  to  “...Such faith in the directions given.”  Summary:  Makunda's long and tiresome journey has a deeper meaning associated with his growth – as with all good and worthwhile journies in our life. We share our personal experiences of hospitality and its biblical spiritual significance, and the role of prayer and a...