Yogananda Podcast

This episode covers the following section of 7 paragraphs—   “Lahiri Mahasaya left this world shortly after...”   to...   “...instantly recovered from a usually fatal disease.”    A very intimate section of this first chapter, where Paramahansa Yogananda describes beautifully how Lahiri Mahasaya subtly, silently and secretly influenced his adolescence. From inspiring him to stay on the path of tru...

This episode covers the following section of 11 paragraphs— “Early in their married life...” to... “... the master’s blessing never fails.” We discuss the first mention of Lahiri Mahasaya and what he means to us devotees of Paramahansa Yogananda. Guruji very subtly inserts a sentence on the importance of moderation and we explore his deeper teachings on the subject from God Talks with Arjuna. The...

This episode covers the following section of 19 paragraphs— “I was born on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur...” to... “...man arrives penniless in this world, and departs without a single rupee.” We talk about Paramahansa Yogananda’s family background, Indian culture, horoscopes, Mahabharata and Ramayana among many other tangential but pertinent threads from this fascinating section of our book. 0:00...

Our first episode to cover the chapters themselves for the following section of 7 paragraphs—   “The characteristic features of Indian culture...” to... “I have heard very early recollections from the lips of veracious men and women.” Topics of podcast include the guru-disciple relationship, Indian spiritual heritage, yogis, ancient civilization, past lives and adolescent memories. Paramahansa Yog...

We found that the “Introduction” written by SRF in 2007 is important to absorb, as it provides background information and general gold-dust pertinent for readers of this century. We start the episode by reflecting on the first biblical quote referenced in the book and further information provided for the same verse in Discourse 20 of Paramahansa Yogananda’s ground breaking work “Second Coming of C...

The spiritual legacy of Paramahansa Yogananda merely begins with the Autobiography of a Yogi. How much of his ‘literary corpus’ have you read? The ‘Author’s Acknowledgements‘ are quite revealing if you scratch beneath the surface, the life of Tara Mata for example provides an inspiration for us all. The reader’s first glance at the contents page can be quite daunting as well as exciting, as an asi...

This, our first episode dedicated to the Autobiography of a Yogi proper covers essential background material relevant to both the time-tested devotee and new reader alike. We discuss the background to the title of the book, the different editions of the book as well as the Self-Realization Fellowship logo — as expertly designed by our beloved guru Paramahansa Yogananda (or is it Paramhansa [sic] Y...

Welcome to our podcast about the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, written by our beloved guru Paramahansa Yogananda. Before diving into the main content, you may wish to listen to this introductory episode to provide you some basic information on our podcast, our goals and to meet the hosts! Jai Guru. 0:00 Why are we doing this podcast?;   1:55 Introducing ourselves and our experiences w...

Everything is joy, especially when we reflect on a wonderful 18-month journey that explored every nook and cranny of our favourite film Awake: The Life of Yogananda. Carolina, Daanish, Grace, Marguerite, Mark, Reva and Tahiel join us on a special panel discussion for this beautiful ending to the film (we recommend you watch this on YouTube!). We are reminded that Paramahansa Yogananda’s mahasamadh...

The final scene of this film features some hard-hitting and thought-provoking lines by the great Krishna Das himself. He relates a beautiful story about how the guru-disciple leela is constantly being played out through our very-own eyes(!) and we take the opportunity to share some stories about Neem Karoli Baba (his Guru Maharaj-ji). The music in this minute is by Alanis Morisette and we reflect...

This minute starts with Paramahansa Yogananda’s oft used analogy of the wave and the sea, reminding us of the famed chant: “I am the bubble, make me the sea”. Krishna Das weighs in heavily on his own particular take on the guru-disciple relationship and coining the amazing phrase: Guru-ness. How does this definition apply to disciples of the Self-Realization Fellowship of Gurus?  0:00 Preamble on...

This minute has some exceptionally moving scenes giving the viewers a glimpse (and those fortunate devotees present one final darshan) of the blessed bodily temple that once housed the infinite spirit of Paramahansa Yogananda. Erin joins us to discuss the yogic tradition of taking Mahasamadhi, the ‘heart attack’ medical ‘cause of death’ paradigm and the incorruptibility of Guruji’s mortal frame. W...

Paramahansa Yogananda’s mahasamadhi was spectacularly timed and delivered his life message as a timeless yogic testament.  Daya Mata speaks beautifully about her experience as if it were yesterday and we dig into this experience in the detail it deserves. We also discuss how this anniversary is still celebrated across the world.  1:08 Daya Mata's remarkable account of the blessed moment; 19:50 Par...

This minute provides an apt climax that sets the background for Paramahansa Yogananda's glorious Mahasamadhi and emphatic (conscious) exit from the body. We discuss the background to this momentous occasion with the Indian ambassador Dr Sen's beautiful impressions of SRF and the incredible story of Daya Mata's prior knowledge of what was to transpire. Swami Kriyananda's inclusion in this film woul...

Professor Wadhwa and Clooney speak about Paramahansa Yogananda's teachings of limitless possibilities of the soul and overcoming diseases. We reflect and discuss Guruji’s reaction to India's independence and the scenes of inspiration included in the minute. There are also segues that include speculation of divisions in Hiranyaloka, sleeping during meditation and the most impactful audio & video ev...

The recognition of an International Yoga Day is a culmination of events starting from Paramahansa Yogananda’s USA sojourn and the subsequent epoch-making release of the Autobiography of a Yogi. It is no coincidence that Steve Jobs arranged for the distribution of the same book to all those who attended his funeral and that he was able to sit in perfect Padamasana (lotus pose) while designing epoch...

We take the opportunity to pay our homage to the current president of Self-Realization Fellowship and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, Brother Chidananda, especially reflecting on what his leadership and guidance has meant to us. This minute also contains more on Gandhi, where the topic of self-reformation is the order of the day. Ananda Malhotra inspires an intriguing (and rare) one to one discu...

In following acclaimed motivational speakers, writers and philosophers we often find that they have clearly read the Bhagavad Gita, kept it in some marrow of their consciousness, and then paraphrase the pearls of wisdom into their own phrase. This is a case in point with the speakers from this minute: Russell Simmons, Phil Goldberg and Georges Billard-Madrieres. Paramahansa Yogananda often quoted...

Grace joins us for a largely philosophical and scientific discussion that reflects on the key points of interest of the minute: experimentation, consciousness, parts of the mind and whether to conceptualise God from the outside in, or the inside out. We focus on Paramahansa Yogananda’s writings on these subjects in God talks with Arjuna to frame the conversation and the complex topics therein.  0:...

Grace and Nik join us to discuss Anita Goel’s epic dialogue on Einsteinian notions that elegantly interweave science, consciousness, spirituality and man’s relentless pursuit for dominion in this material world. Paramahansa Yogananda had many emphatic literary contributions to these complex subject matters, not least to “Stand unshaken midst the crash of breaking worlds”. A wonderful minute that o...

Living in spiritual communities would certainly be supportive to our sadhana but do we really need to go down this extreme social lifestyle vs living the “householder Yogi” norm, does an adequate spiritual community even exist? The discovery of atomic bomb and the Atomic Age was predicted by Paramahansa Yogananda and the other great ones and we discuss how this is related to the human race’s own Y...

The Autobiography of a Yogi was a phenomenally influential work which is still the most popular route to devotees taking refuge in Kriya Yoga as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda. Guruji also wrote many other books (God Talks with Arjuna, Second Coming of Christ and the lessons), numbering many thousands of pages, Tara Mata, Daya Mata and Mrinalini Mata have their seva stretched to the limit in typi...

We discuss the benefits of experiencing your body as stone, consciousness and light, as expounded by Paramahansa Yogananda in this minute. We also reflect on what Asana/posture would be most conducive for this experience. Brother Chidananda talks about the importance of Yogananda’s writings during this time (after returning from India in 1936) and how Sri Mrinalini Mata was crucial in this respect...

Paramahansa Yogananda is surprised by his devotees with a hermitage in Encinitas, and Brother Chidananda, Leo Cocks, Sri Daya Mata and Sri Mrinalini Mata provide their insight how it was different being with Guruji after he returned from India, after Sri Yukteswar had mahasamadhi. Nita joins us to share her reflections of this minute. 0:00 Meet Nita; 8:51 Summary of minute; 10:30 Encinitas "surpri...

Paramahansa Yogananda spoke often about the ramifications of war and the way of peace. We dig a little deeper and explore the wealth of Guruji’s writings to find relevant material to discuss, relevant for both this minute and the current, troubling, state of affairs around the world. A sombre episode, but with reason for hope. 0:00 Preamble; 1:10 Summary of Minute; 2:03 World War 1 and the Cosmic...