Yogananda Podcast

Paramahansa Yogananda shares some optimistic reflections on how to consider home as anywhere and everywhere. Our guest Lauren joins us to discuss what this means for us, using the apt example of the lovely Cosmic Chant “Divine Gypsy”. We recite and reflect on Guruji’s related poem “God’s Boatman”, inciting both indebtedness and gratitude by devotees. We also explore a comment put forward by a foll...

The Mahasamadhi of Sri Yukteswar has an intriguing background, we share the stories and sequence of events as covered by Paramahansa Yogananda in the Autobiography of a Yogi, as well as the last moments they shared together. Was it right for the producers to include the scenes of Sri Yukteswar’s soul-free frame? The documentary only hints at Yogananda's experience of Sri Yukteswar’s resurrection,...

Paramahansa Yogananda dedicates a whole chapter of his Autobiography to Anandamayi Ma. In this minute we only have a small glimpse of their divine tryst, but as a picture tells a thousand words, so we thought it only right to elucidate our experience of this beautiful moment in our Guru’s history. The narrator reflects that Paramahansa Yogananda had no ‘attraction’ to return to America, but if he...

This minute is filled with a beautiful collage of images and moving pictures of Paramahansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar. It gives us the opportunity to discuss the significance of taking Darshan of saints, temples and holy places. We also ask ourselves about the importance of physical proximity to a spiritual master. The narrator mentions the spiritual zeal and ardour of the devotees surrounding G...

In this minute Mahatma Gandhi welcomes Paramahansa Yogananda into his ashram. Our guest Philip joins us to discuss the spiritual background of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (before his Kriya initiation) and some epic philosophies he founded that are as applicable today as they were a century ago. Paramahansa Yogananda is then reunited with his own guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri in a compelling cinema...

Sri Yukteswar recalls Paramahansa Yogananda back to India, with a lightening force! We discuss the beautiful and rare images used in this minute, as well as the background of the Great Depression that would have made Guruji’s sojourn back quite difficult. Yogananda established the London Centre of Self-Realization Fellowship while in England as well as taking the route through the Middle East and...

Leo Cocks shares his beautiful life experiences with Paramahansa Yogananda. He talks about self-transformation and unconditional love in such a heartfelt way that it warrants an entire hour discussion on these important topics. Our friend Deeksha joins us during her lunch break to share her unique reflections.  0:00 Meet Deeksha; 7:56 Summary of Minute; 10:47 Memoires of Leo Cocks; 33:24 Psychiatr...

The unique oratory skills of Brother Anandamoy, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, beautifully expressed the main theme of this minute: rechannelling. Through George Harrison we discuss how this was achieved through sound and through Sister Parvati through outward sight and inner vision. We dissect these topics with sniper like precision!  0:00 William the Conqueror; 5:37 Summary of Minut...

Paramahansa Yogananda tells us about electrical pathways in the brain, but we ask the difficult question – why do we take the paths that we take in life? What grooves do our lives follow? How does Kriya help determine the path? The latter question is answered by Dr Andrew Newberg, confirming Yogananda was talking of neuroplasticity some 50 years before modern-day scientists. Fellow devotee Marguer...

We talk about Paramahansa Yogananda rebuilding his organization. The approach is quality over quantity, enabling the transformation of the Mt. Washington community into a full-fledged monastery. We discuss the relevance, to us, of the monastic vows of loyalty, celibacy, obedience and simplicity. Furthermore, actor and singer Herb Jeffries makes an appearance and talks Guruji's acceptance of his re...

“A picture tells a thousand words” does not apply for us in this minute, as there is far too much inspirational personage hastily included in this minute to do it justice. We explore the glorious lives and contributions of some of those souls shown in this minute including Ananda Mata, Sri Gyanamata and Durga Mata, and are lives are certainly richer after this devotional discussion.  0:00 Meet Jua...

Sri Daya Mata’s sweet line “He began to draw disciples... One of them was me” is perhaps the most understated elements of the entire script. Daya Mata deserves a more detailed look, and this podcast is the perfect excuse to offer this to the world! Paramahansa Yogananda looks to rebuild the Self Realisation Fellowship, after facing severe trials and tribulations. Seeing God in all beings, even his...

This episode really is an ode to detail. Priyank and Pablo rejoin us to discuss soil for food, and soil for grace, both no doubt sanctified by God and Gurus in nuanced ways. We also discuss incense, signs and fasting. Paramahansa Yogananda ponders over the age-old question: "is it really worth it"? As usual we break this down into some detail with our main discussion topics, attachment in the jung...

This minute discusses Paramahansa Yogananda's grief after discovering the news about Swami Dhirananda leaving the swami order. We* also discuss his visit to Mexico and meeting with the then President Dr. E. Portes Gil. The minute also shows Brother Vishwananda's pilgrimage to Babaji's cave (Dwarahat), which is unpacked and reflected upon with our friend Ben, from the London Centre. 0:00 Meet Ben;...

This episode focusses on the legal battle between Basu Kumar Bagchi and Swami Yogananda, and the subsequent sorrow felt by Guruji at having lost a long-time disciple (Swami Dhirananda). Some say their relationship spans nine centuries! Paramahansa Yogananda would have had to deal with so much remote litigation during his time in India in 1935, it is a wonder how he managed. Guruji also goes to Mex...

Swami Dhirananda decides to part ways with Swami Yogananda and Self-Realization Fellowship. What could the reasons have been? Why would people follow him and not stay with an avatar such as Paramahansa Yogananda? Where do all the fantastic little videos of Guruji come from, why do we not have all the footage available free online? All superb topics of conversation from this minute. 0:00 Summary of...

The ramifications of the Swami Dhirananda ‘scandal’ had to be handled with poise, patience and pragmatism by Paramahansa Yogananda. There were legal, public relations and general management challenges for Guruji to navigate. They enabled a resilient SRF to develop into the strong organisation it is today. Anya joins us to discuss how Guruji fought the good fight and the legacy he left behind, so r...

This episode contains messages that are relevant in today's world as they were in 1931, woman’s rights and freedom to marry who you wish.   There is a beautiful, if elaborate, wedding ceremony conducted by Paramahansa Yogananda himself. Priyank discusses how this differed from the SRF vows he took during his own ceremony (conducted by an SRF monk). We also take a detailed look at the vow...

Markus joins us from Frankfurt to discuss the famous incident involving a bruised Swami Dhirananda and battling Swami Yogananda. We review the incident itself, the aftermath, misinformation in the printed press and why this became a mountain from a molehill.  0:00 Meet Marcus; 4:37 Summary of minute; 5:23 The incident and context; 24:20 Hypothesis on misunderstandings; 28:43 Damage limitation; 33:...

Cosmic delusion would have been a difficult hurdle to overcome for Gandhi (in the Indian Independence) and equally so for Martin Luthar King Jr. (in the American Civil Rights movement). Although the latter had great admiration and took inspiration from the former, they both relied on Ahimsa, non-violence to achieve their glorious aims. We discuss all of this in the context of the Paramahansa Yogan...

We are joined by our friend, Daanish, who introduces himself with a heartfelt and divinely inspired poem. This episode discusses Paramahansa Yogananda’s meeting the President of USA, the civil rights and racial segregation issues he faced in Washington DC, and how he went on to establish the Afro-American Yogoda Centre.  0:00 Meet Daanish, ready with a poem; 10:29 Setting the scene and Summary of...

Jay joins us from California to discuss Anita Goel’s monopolisation of this whole minute. Thankfully she has some quite thought-provoking dialogue. We relish the discussion on the Vedas, unity in nature, consciousness and Paramahansa Yogananda’s life long goal of marrying the East and the West. The majority of the scenes are filmed in the Harvard Faculty Club, but thankfully we, as guests, will be...

This minute starts with the narrator (Paramahansa Yogananda) asking you “to create a church within yourself”. We dig a little deeper into what this would mean, taking inspiration from Guruji’s famous book: Journey to Self-Realization. Dr. Andrew Newberg talks more about brain scans, and the impact of the meditation. Dr. Newberg suggests there is a decrease in a sense of yourself, orientation of sp...

What is the purpose of the display of miracles and how are some souls able to perform abilities of the supernatural variety? Paramhansa Yogananda talks about this in detail in the Autobiography of a Yogi, chapter 30: The Law of Miracles. This minute also has Bikram talking about the topic, with old footage of him doing a stunt. We talk about Robert Love, an eloquent speaker that has a big part to...

Brother Chidananda talks about willpower and energy, but how are the two connected? Brother Jayananda tells a story about Paramahansa Yogananda using both of those dimensions together to catapult six men across a stage! Did you know energization exercises were first titled: “Yogoda or Tissue Will System of Physical Perfection”? Mas Vidal tells us of another story of Guruji being able to control hi...