Yogananda Podcast

This episode covers the next part of chapter 13:  “The following morning I sought out Behari Pundit...”  to  “...walked briskly toward the outlying village of Ranbajpur.”  Summary:  Mukunda is ecstatic to have a starting point for his much sought-after sojourn to the Himalayas via the sleepless saint: Ram Gopal Mazumdar. Along his route he visits the blessed Tarakeswar Linga shrine, that is compar...

This episode covers the last part of chapter 12: “My guru personally attended to the details...” to “...and egotism whose fall is the height of a man.”  Summary:  In this section Sri Yukteswar shows us the way to outwit unscrupulous souls seeking to take advantage of us. We reflect on more of Sri Yukteswar’s traits and qualities, precisely as Paramahansa Yogananda wanted us to do for this long par...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12:“Men who were pridefully conscious of their wealth...”to“...ignorant men who are not seeking God, and wise men who are.” Summary: Sri Yukteswar’s influence on those around him was not limited to dedicated devotees, but also to visiting magistrates! We focus on the importance of humility, respect, and composure in the various situations we may find ou...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Master stressed on other occasions the futility...” to “...His ego is pleased, that he can grasp such erudition.”  Summary:  We discuss the importance of understanding sacred writings through careful and deliberate reading, rather than focusing on quote memorisation and dinner conversation topic building. The importance of truly imbibing Paramahans...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Among the philosophers, professors, lawyers...” to “...to any scourging inner discipline!”  Summary:  The guests that came to visit Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage did not always leave with their pre-conceptions intact, indeed they were jarred and dissected to the point of no return. What lessons should we learn from this challenge to our method of accum...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12:  “Sri Yukteswar’s mother lived in the...”  to  “... finding God will mean the funeral of all sorrows.”  Summary:  This section covers the subtle balancing act that is played by both the parent and the child for a harmonious, nurturing and growth facilitating symbiotic relationship. Shankaracharya, Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda all adapted...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12:  “My guru mixed freely with men and women...”  to  “...a love solitary because omnipresent.”  Summary:  The soul's is birthless, genderless and transcendent. Sri Yukteswar helps us to understand these high principles through some profound and inspirational philosophical dialogue. We reflect on how to live by these high thoughts, the benefits of...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “During my early months with Master I experienced...” to “...his bounty pouring peacefully over my being.”  Summary:  Mukunda is an exemplary of leader – even from a young age, including the appointment as a young supervisor of the Hermitage. We discuss the challenges of leadership roles, and the case of a disciple named Kumar who struggled with his...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “During my early months with Master I experienced...” to “...his bounty pouring peacefully over my being.”  Summary:  The extrapolation of Sri Yukteswar’s critical attitude goes even further in this section with a special focus on how he would respond to devotees that resisted the dissection of their ego. The lighter side of taking this medicine is...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12:  “It was Master’s practice to point out...”   to   “... permitted the fitful sleep of ignorance.”    Summary:  This episode focusses on the themes of self-criticism, constructive feedback, and the challenges of ‘converting’ individuals toward the spiritual path. We also delved into the complexities of concepts such as criticism, detachment, and the...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12:  “My guru could not be bribed...”   to   “...win a farther dominion—in men’s souls.”    Summary:  How could bribery be used in the Guru-disciple relationship? We discuss this, along with the importance of discipline and loyalty through mundane tasks. The unique and fascinating leadership style of our paramguru Swami Sri Yukteswar offers some interes...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12:  “Sri Yukteswar counselled his students to be...”  to  “...when you have attained the final perfection.”  Summary:  This section focuses on the concept of a "living liaison" and the appeal of Western principles in India during the early 20th century vs. the timeless eastern spiritual ideals. We also have in a lively discussion about the se...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Master always had young chelas (disciples)...” to “...change the orientation of human thought.”  Summary:  This episode focuses on spiritual education of young disciples, the importance of devotion, discipline, and discipleship in the context of Sri Yukteswar’s ashram. They also explored the linguistic skills and ochre robes of the Master and discu...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12:  “The silence habitual to Sri Yukteswar was caused by...”  to  “... improve if you are making a spiritual effort now.”  Summary:  Paramahansa Yogananda uses every opportunity to focus on the key themes of silence and stillness, we explore their spiritual significance and draw on personal experiences using noise in the workplace and environment. Sri...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12:  “My guru was a peerless interpreter of the scriptures...”  to  “... A saint will not encroach on that independence.”  Summary:  This part deals with the challenges and benefits of spiritual practices, with a focus on the importance of concentration and self-awareness as taught by Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda. We delve into the future arc...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “One afternoon during my early months...” to “... severed by one of the disciples.”  Summary:  Masters like Lahiri Mahasaya and Sri Yukteswar employ intriguing techniques to impart wisdom, in this episode we focus on the impact of alternative healing methods on medical diagnosis, the importance of personal responsibility in health, and the potential...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “My early months with Sri Yukteswar culminated in...” to “...guru is beyond fear of hurt from any creature.”  Summary:  We reflect on personal experiences with mosquito control methods, associated spiritual practices on self-control, and the philosophy of Ahimsa non-violence. We also review how this relates to a similar passage in Chapter 44 with Ma...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Daily life at the ashram flowed smoothly...” to “... ended many of my periods of nocturnal edification.”  Summary:  In this section the emphasis Paramahansa Yogananda and Swami Sri Yukteswar placed on the importance of routine and meditation, and the challenges of maintaining them. Mukunda notices the minute mannerisms and qualities of Swami Sri Yu...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12:  “Sri Yukteswar chose the following morning...”   to   “...minimum passing grades from time to time.”    Summary:  Mukunda received a transforming Kriya Yoga initiation, which is different this time because of the authority of the initiator: Swami Sri Yukteswar. We talk about how this applies to modern Kriya initiates and importance of the role of S...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Led by my guru, I strolled about the house...” to “...sweet the first night under my guru’s roof.”  Summary:  As Mukunda takes his first steps inside Swami Sri Yukteswar’s ashram in Serempore he takes the opportunity to get to know him better. He got lessons that would stay with till he became Paramahansa Yogananda. We delight in bolstering the int...

This episode covers the start of chapter 12 to:  “...blessing my infancy, had guided my steps to this hour.”  Summary:  A profound start to one of the longest chapters of the book, ranking amongst the most influential and memorable written. We discuss our expectations as well as the detailed breakdown of Mukunda’s pleas and Sri Yukteswar’s eventual acquiescence. There are many hypotheticals discus...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 11 from: “The heat outdoors was merciless...” to  “...then walked slowly to the station.”  Summary:  Jitendra resumes his yo-yo traits of tentative faith – with moments of extreme elation followed by extreme doubt, perhaps representing qualities of many devotees. Mukunda meanwhile becomes a Guru for the first time in this life, with an eager new devotee...

This episode covers the next part of chapter 11 from::  “A half hour later Jitendra and I were...”  to  “...an attractive invitation to revisit the hermitage.”  Summary:  Mukunda and Jitendra embark on their journey with an unlikely promise from Ananta regarding becoming a disciple! Jitendra starts his doubting straight away (a theme for this chapter) and quickly regrets it when the divine hand ca...

This episode covers the start of chapter 11 from: “It would serve you right if Father disinherited you...” to “...and, very likely, a fellow victim!”  Summary:  Ananta attempts to use all the tools at his disposal to bring Mukunda back to the conventional family ways and challenges him to an epic dare. Paramahansa Yogananda agrees without a second thought and remembers the rewards of faith from pr...

This episode covers the long footnote at the end of chapter 10.  Summary:  The footnote has so much depth that it is easy to gloss over in our eagerness to start the fun next chapter. However, hidden in-between the lines of this page Paramahansa Yogananda has planted some ancient truths that have shaped our path, cosmic chants and overall lineage over millennia. Although on first reading it is see...