The Wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda

Would you like to know how to develop your will power so that it can accomplish things that may seem impossible? In this episode, SRF monk Brother Prafullananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on how we can attune our limited human will with God’s infinite divine will.

Every one of us has the potential to develop “dynamic will” that is constantly improving and expanding. When we use that will power for a good purpose, divine laws operate to bring about the desired result — especially to help us reach our highest goal: realizing our oneness with the Divine.

This talk, which includes a period of meditation, was recorded at the SRF temple in Fullerton, California, in May 2022.

You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!

During his talk, Brother Prafullananda refers to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org

Brother Prafullananda also refers to the following books published by Self-Realization Fellowship:

“God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita,” Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the teachings of Krishna, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/

“The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You,” Yogananda’s commentary on the teachings of Jesus, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-second-coming-of-christ-ebook/

“The Law of Success: Using the Power of Spirit to Create Health, Prosperity, and Happiness,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-law-of-success-ebook/

To view talks from this series as videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

In this deeply encouraging talk Sri Daya Mata, beloved third president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, shares many beautiful insights from her personal experience as one of Paramahansa Yogananda’s closest disciples. The God-love and tangible divine realization Sri Daya Mata so naturally radiates allows all to come away with renewed strength, inspiration, and commitment to making God’s unconditional love a reality in daily life.

Topics include:
    • Experiencing the infinite love, joy, and peace of God
    • The inestimable value of a true guru’s example and guidance
    • The transforming power of daily communion with the Divine in meditation
    • How learning to love God expands our hearts to want to help others
    • Cultivating love, compassion, and understanding in our homes and in our world

Sri Daya Mata served as president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India from 1955 until her passing in 2010.

This talk was recorded on August 2, 1985, at the annual SRF World Convocation in Los Angeles.

During her talk Sri Daya Mata often refers to Paramahansa Yogananda, guru and founder of SRF/YSS, simply as “Guruji” — “ji” being a suffix denoting respect, added to names and titles in India — or “Master,” one who has achieved self-mastery.

She also speaks of the Convocation participants as having had their “Kriya today” — referring to the sacred Kriya Yoga Ceremony that many of those present had attended. The Kriya technique, which is bestowed on eligible students of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, is the highest technique in the system of meditation techniques taught by Paramahansa Yogananda and his lineage of gurus, known as Kriya Yoga. The Kriya Yoga path also embodies a complete philosophy and way of life.

You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his SRF Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org

To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6

To view more talks by Sri Daya Mata: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvhD6uSSA-9ZLNc67KBonSFf

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

How can we experience pure divine love in meditation and give that love to others in daily life? In this video, Self-Realization Fellowship monk Brother Kamalananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on how expressing the love we experience within can transform our lives and world.

Accepting that God loves us unconditionally enables us to reciprocate that love more and more — with the Divine in our meditations and through even small acts of loving kindness, which have the power to impact others in profound ways while also bringing us tremendous joy.

This talk was recorded at the SRF temple in Glendale, California, in September 2024. 

During his talk, Brother Kamalananda refers to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org

Brother Kamalananda also refers to the following books published by Self-Realization Fellowship:

“Autobiography of a Yogi,” Paramahansa Yogananda’s acclaimed life story, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/

“The Divine Romance,” Volume 2 of Yogananda’s Collected Talks and Essays, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-divine-romance-ebook/

“In the Sanctuary of the Soul: A Guide to Effective Prayer,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/in-the-sanctuary-of-the-soul-ebook/

To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

How can we bring God closer, so that lasting peace and joy become part of our everyday reality? Paramahansa Yogananda explained that God is “ever-existing, ever-conscious, ever-new Bliss.” And in this talk, SRF monk Brother Kartikananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansaji on how, through regular meditation, we can experience within ourselves that same bliss, which is the true nature of the soul as a reflection of the Divine.

As we strive to carry that happiness with us throughout the day, we find our actions infused with a positive attitude and we more selflessly serve others — steadily progressing on the spiritual path.

This talk, which includes a period of meditation, was recorded at the SRF temple in Glendale, California, in September 2024.

You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda's practical wisdom and teachings of yoga by clicking “like” above. We greatly appreciate your support!

During his talk, Brother Kartikananda refers to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org

During his talk, Brother Kartikananda refers to the following books published by Self-Realization Fellowship:

“The Divine Romance,” Volume 2 of Yogananda’s Collected Talks and Essays, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-divine-romance-ebook/

“God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita,” Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the teachings of Krishna, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/

“In the Sanctuary of the Soul: A Guide to Effective Prayer,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/in-the-sanctuary-of-the-soul-ebook/

“Only Love: Living the Spiritual Life in a Changing World,” by Sri Daya Mata, third president of SRF/YSS, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/only-love-ebook/

To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

In this talk by one of Paramahansa Yogananda’s direct disciples, Brother Anandamoy identifies the universal needs that lie at the core of all spiritual seeking, and demonstrates how true spirituality, found in the esoteric traditions of the world’s great religions, fulfills these needs through direct personal experience of God.

In his How-to-Live teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda has given to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — to create for themselves a life of enduring happiness and all-round success. 

To learn more about Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal instruction in the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, “God Talks With Arjuna”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/

To view the collection of ebooks available from SRF: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product-category/books/ebooks/

To subscribe to the SRF Newsletter or Self-Realization magazine: https://yogananda.org/subscribe

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

A talk given by Sri Daya Mata at the 1993 SRF World Convocation in Los Angeles as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Paramahansa Yogananda’s birth. Sri Daya Mata was the president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India from 1955 until her passing in 2010. 

In this talk Daya Mata explains that Paramahansaji was sent to the West to address humanity’s hunger for direct personal experience of God. She provides insight into the deep underlying reasons for the current difficulties in the world situation, along with uplifting counsel to help us to connect with the Inner Source of security and reassurance.  

She says: “We must change. That was the message of Master [Paramahansa Yogananda]; that is why this work will grow on and on and on—because it can and will help people to change. 

Afflicted by suffering, people say: ‘Why did God do this to me?’ He didn’t do it to us. We must take responsibility for ourselves. When we hit a stone wall, the wall doesn’t mean to hurt us; but we may break our knuckles, or our head! This is what we must learn.  

“That is why God created divine laws and set them forth as guidelines in all the great religions of the world. To each of us He is saying, ‘My child, these are the absolutes you must follow.’ He knew that we were weak; He knew that we were frail. He knew we had lost contact with Him by our becoming too much immersed in this material world. Those laws are there to help us know when we are doing wrong. We must not go against those ancient divine principles.” 

In his How-to-Live teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda has given to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — to create for themselves a life of enduring happiness and all-round success. 

To learn more about the SRF Lessons, which present Yogananda’s personal step-by-step instruction in the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living of the Kriya Yoga path: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/

To view the collection of ebooks available from SRF: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product-category/books/ebooks/

To subscribe to the SRF Newsletter or Self-Realization magazine: https://yogananda.org/subscribe

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Sattvananda explains that enthusiasm—the ability to motivate ourselves and feel joy in whatever we are doing—is not only important in every aspect of life, but especially in order to achieve our highest spiritual goal of communion with God. He shares Paramahansa Yogananda’s ideas on how to cultivate spiritual enthusiasm and understand the relationship between will power and maintaining enthusiasm in all our pursuits.

With a deep sense of understanding for the trials we all face as we strive to grow spiritually, Brother Sattvananda encourages us to be regular in our spiritual practices—and to keep reminding ourselves of the daily blessings that come from meditation—in order to infuse our lives with divine enthusiasm.

In his How-to-Live teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda has given to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — to create for themselves a life of enduring happiness and all-round success.

To learn the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living of the Kriya Yoga path: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, “God Talks With Arjuna”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/

To view the collection of ebooks available from SRF: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product-category/books/ebooks/

To subscribe to the SRF Newsletter or Self-Realization magazine: https://yogananda.org/subscribe

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Saralananda discusses how students of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons can make Paramahansa Yogananda’s living presence a tangible reality through their study of the Lessons—the very core of the Kriya Yoga teachings he was ordained to bring to the world. 

In the Preface to the new SRF Lessons, Sri Daya Mata and Sri Mrinalini Mata write: “The scriptures of India teach the value of shravana — listening with reverence and attention to the instruc¬tion received at the feet of one’s guru. Let your reading of these Lessons be that kind of ‘listening,’ which fully imparts the meaning of the words to your mind and heart.” And Paramahansa Yogananda said: “When this body shall be gone, still my voice shall always speak through these Lessons.”

This class was part of the 2020 SRF Online World Convocation. The 2020 Convocation was a week of online classes, meditations, virtual pilgrimages to ashram centers where Yogananda lived, kirtans (devotional chanting), and more—offering all seekers of higher consciousness and balanced spiritual living a unique experience of peace and joy. 

To read Paramahansa Yogananda’s Introduction to the SRF Lessons, “Highest Achievements Through Self-Realization”: https://flipbooks.yogananda.org/15791/30007/index.html?convo&_ga=2.237627968.1925057532.1597017556-1151153180.1597017556

To learn more and apply for the SRF Lessons: https://yogananda.org/lessons

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Balananda delivers a class on how, by embracing inner growth that builds both self-esteem and self-confidence, teens can learn to realize themselves as souls, made in the image of God—capable of accomplishing anything.

This class, which is primarily oriented towards SRF/YSS teens, will explore how they can develop a strong spiritual foundation — so that when tests, trials, and challenges come they will be able to intuitively receive the soul’s wisdom-guidance and support. The sturdier this foundation, the smoother life becomes, and the happier one will be. 

This class was part of the 2020 SRF Online World Convocation. The 2020 Convocation was a week of online classes, meditations, virtual pilgrimages to ashram centers where Yogananda lived, kirtans (devotional chanting), and more—offering all seekers of higher consciousness and balanced spiritual living a unique experience of peace and joy. 

To read Paramahansa Yogananda’s Introduction to the SRF Lessons, “Highest Achievements Through Self-Realization”: https://flipbooks.yogananda.org/15791/30007/index.html?convo&_ga=2.237627968.1925057532.1597017556-1151153180.1597017556

To learn more and apply for the SRF Lessons: https://yogananda.org/lessons

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

As part of the 2020 SRF World Convocation, SRF monk Brother Kamalananda provides answers to questions submitted by Self-Realization Fellowship students and members on applying Paramahansa Yogananda’s "how-to-live" teachings in daily life.

The 2020 Self-Realization Fellowship World Convocation was a week of free online classes, meditations, virtual pilgrimages to ashram centers where Yogananda lived, kirtans (devotional chanting), and more—offering all seekers of higher consciousness and balanced spiritual living a unique experience of peace and joy.

Paramahansa Yogananda viewed the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons as the very core of the teachings he was ordained to bring to the world as a special spiritual dispensation for the coming global civilization. To learn more and apply for the SRF Lessons: https://yogananda.org/lessons

In addition to the Lessons, in his satsanga Brother Kamalananda mentions three other resources that can be a great aid to those on the spiritual path:

Paramahansa Yogananda’s “Where There Is Light: Insight and Inspiration for Meeting Life’s Challenges: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/where-there-is-light/

Paramahansa Yogananda’s “Scientific Healing Affirmations”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/scientific-healing-affirmations/

And, a talk by Brother Anandamoy available as DVD or digital rental, “The Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-wisdom-of-the-bhagavad-gita/

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

How do you respond when you see habits or qualities in yourself that you would like to change? SRF monk Brother Bhumananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on how to make introspection a positive experience and use it as a powerful tool for spiritual growth.

Our true nature is the perfect divinity of the soul. The flaws and bad habits we have acquired are only temporary. Through regular introspection we can learn to see not only our strengths but any negative qualities or moods that are holding us back — and then take definite steps to cultivate the opposite qualities, all the while maintaining a positive attitude. Our daily efforts to improve, along with practicing meditation, can transform our lives — bringing us greater peace and revealing ever more clearly the blissful light of Spirit within.

This talk was recorded at the 2010 SRF World Convocation in Los Angeles.

You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org

During his talk, Brother Bhumananda refers to the following books published by Self-Realization Fellowship:

“Autobiography of a Yogi,” Paramahansa Yogananda’s acclaimed life story, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/

“Man’s Eternal Quest,” Volume 1 of Yogananda’s Collected Talks and Essays, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/mans-eternal-quest-ebook/

“Journey to Self-realization,” Volume 3 of Yogananda’s Collected Talks and Essays, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/journey-to-self-realization-ebook/

“The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You,” Yogananda’s commentary on the teachings of Jesus, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-second-coming-of-christ-ebook/

“God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita,” Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the teachings of Krishna, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/

“Only Love: Living the Spiritual Life in a Changing World,” by Sri Daya Mata, third president of SRF/YSS, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/only-love-ebook/

Brother Bhumananda also refers to “Self-Realization” magazine, established by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1925. Learn more and read free sample articles from past issues at https://yogananda.org/self-realization-magazine

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF minister Brother Bhumananda shares insights into Paramahansa Yogananda’s stating that this world in which we live is—in an ultimate sense—a cosmic motion picture. He explains that although our life experiences seem so very real and compelling, the message from the great ones who know God—such as Jesus, Krishna, and the Self-Realization Fellowship lineage of Gurus—is that this ‘reality’ is not what it seems to be.

The great spiritual masters come to wake us up so that we can know what we really are: beings of light and consciousness.

This lesson is borne out in the Bible passage from the book of Matthew: “The ship was now in the midst of the sea tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them walking onto the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were troubled, saying it is a spirit and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spoke unto them saying, ‘Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid.’”

Of this miracle Paramahansa Yogananda explains: “A master who by actual realization perceives the entire cosmos as a dream of God, and all matter as condensed light and consciousness, rises above the laws governing material creation….If a sleeping man dreams he is drowning, his consciousness would suffer a painful sense of suffocation. But if he knew the art of controlling his dreams at will he could save his dream self simply by changing his dream thoughts to behold his dream body floating safely on the dream waters. Jesus, perceiving his body, the sea, and the conglomerate world as differentiated dream waves of consciousness…could by mere willing change the…electronic composition of his body so that weightlessly it could walk on water.”

Paramahansa Yogananda stated that Jesus and his close disciples practiced a form of yoga meditation very similar to Kriya Yoga. And it is through the practice of Kriya Yoga Meditation that a seeker after higher understanding can come to that realization that his or her essence is light and consciousness. Brother Bhumananda points out that when Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you,” the yogis of India would recognize that assertion as perfectly in harmony with yoga.

To teach seekers in the practice of Kriya Yoga meditation, Paramahansa Yogananda established the SRF/YSS Lessons as a comprehensive system for balanced spiritual living: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To read Paramahansa Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, God Talks With Arjuna: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/

To learn more about the SRF World Convocation, a yearly week-long immersion for SRF members and friends from around the world in the “how-to-live” teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda: https://yogananda.org/convocation

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF minister Brother Jayananda shares insights from Paramahansa Yogananda into how to progress on the spiritual path. First, "What is the true purpose of life?" After revealing the answer to this, Brother Jayananda explains how to achieve this purpose by applying various universal methods of spiritual seeking found in the SRF/YSS teachings, especially that of the technique of Kriya Yoga.

In his How-to-Live teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda has given to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — to create for themselves a life of enduring happiness and all-round success.

To learn the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living of the Kriya Yoga path: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “God Talks With Arjuna”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Journey to Self-realization”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/journey-to-self-realization-ebook/

To view the ebooks available from SRF: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product-category/books/ebooks/

To subscribe to the SRF Newsletter or Self-Realization magazine: https://yogananda.org/subscribe

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF minister Brother Anilananda discusses the importance of having a true guru on the spiritual path, in this talk given at the 2014 SRF World Convocation.

He quotes Paramahansa Yogananda’s words: “Most people could not become millionaires in this lifetime no matter how much they wanted, because it would take several lifetimes for them to bring about the right circumstances. But…all of us, ‘being already made in the image of God, can attain Him in one lifetime by making the proper spiritual effort under the guidance of a true guru.’”

Brother Anilananda stresses that there are three ways in which we can cooperate and tune in with the Guru, who is trying to help us reach omnipresent liberation. “The Guru is our guide to eternal freedom,” he states. “To attune with him, we should remember the importance of love; and the techniques of meditation he has given us, which will help us go inside to awaken that love; and finally we must learn to ‘give that love to all.’”

In his How-to-Live teachings, Yogananda has given to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — to create for themselves a life of enduring happiness and all-round success.

To learn the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living of the Kriya Yoga path: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/

To view the collection of ebooks available from SRF: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product-category/books/ebooks/

To subscribe to the SRF Newsletter or Self-Realization magazine: https://yogananda.org/subscribe

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF minister Brother Nakulananda explains how the secret for success on the spiritual path lies in developing a “never give up” attitude: “We will be delving into the subject of perseverance and having that indomitable will and determination to accomplish whatever we set out to do in our lives; and in particular to be determined to seek God, to love God, until we have that final union with God”

He points out that the highest goal in life is to experience the Divine within ourselves, and that to do so requires persevering until we reach that sacred goal. Citing numerous examples of spiritually successful individuals, most notably Paramahansa Yogananda, he explains how we can develop #perseverance and our desire for realization—despite all the tests of life—through practical spiritual methods such as: 

 • Understanding the purpose of life
 • Using affirmations as a means to know the divinity and strength of your true nature as a soul
 • Faithfully practicing scientific yoga meditation techniques, as those found in the SRF teachings

“The scientific way of entering the superconscious state is by the methods of life-force control I am giving to you,” Brother Nakulananda quotes #Yogananda as saying about the pranayama (life-force control) techniques taught in the SRF Lessons. “If you faithfully practice these techniques and meditate deeply, I prophesy you will never give it up.” 

In this talk, which was recorded at the SRF Encinitas Temple in May 2020, Brother Nakulananda quotes from Yogananda’s commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita (“God Talks With Arjuna”) and the New Testament (“The Second Coming of Christ”) to show their underlying unity and emphasis on actual experience of God. And in drawing examples from the lives of saints, Brother Nakulananda tells us that we too can follow in their footsteps and achieve our own Self-realization.

To learn the meditation techniques of the science of Kriya Yoga by receiving the SRF Lessons: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/ 

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “God Talks With Arjuna”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/ 

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF minister Brother Govindananda discusses Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings on how to harness the power of the mind through understanding its relationship to the spiritual eye and by applying the techniques of meditation taught in the SRF Lessons. Brother Govindananda explains that by practicing a powerful form of pranayama such as the Hong-Sau Technique, the yogi can gradually but surely bring the restless mind under control. He also shares how we can use other methods such as daily spiritual study and writing to enhance our ability to reach this goal.

In his How-to-Live teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda has given to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — to create for themselves a life of enduring happiness and all-round success.

To learn the science of meditation and the art of balanced spiritual living of the Kriya Yoga path: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/

To read the ebook of Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, “God Talks With Arjuna”: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/ 

To view the collection of ebooks available from SRF: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product-category/books/ebooks/

To subscribe to the SRF Newsletter or Self-Realization magazine: https://yogananda.org/subscribe

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF minister Brother Vishwananda discusses how we can more quickly and effectively achieve the ultimate goal of human life—Self-realization, oneness with the bliss of God—by understanding what devotion truly is and practicing it daily as we learn to “live in the moment.” He explains:

“Very few people understand what the purpose of life is. But our guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, has told us: The purpose of life is to find God. If we can cling to this one thought alone, how our lives will change! That thought gives perspective and power of direction to every aspect of our lives. We now have a measure for our every thought, feeling, and action: is this taking me closer to God, or is it taking me away from God? This reflects the real meaning of yoga: It is not just practice of techniques that we perform a few times per day and then go about our lives. It is a way of life that impacts us on all levels—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.” 

Recorded at the 2012 SRF World Convocation, Brother Vishwananda states how wonderful it is to be at the Convocation—a weeklong immersion in the Kriya Yoga teachings of Yogananda—with SRF students from all over the world, gathering to set aside “all thoughts and cares of the world, the challenges that we all may be facing in our day-to-day lives, and just focus on loving God.”

Brother Vishwananda reminds the audience of words spoken by SRF’s fourth president, Sri Mrinalini Mata, earlier in the Convocation week, in which she pointed out that Convocation experience, though soon to come to and end, could serve as a beginning of a lasting and deeper awareness of and true devotion to the Divine. (This talk by Mrinalini Mata was published as “Filling the Vessel of Your Life With God’s Love” in the Winter 2012 and Spring 2013 issues of Self-Realization magazine.)

To learn about the SRF World Convocation please visit: https://yogananda.org/srf-world-convocation-overview

Topics discussed in True Devotion include:

• The purpose of life

• The importance of living in the moment

• Making you relationship with God and Guru personal

• Yama-niyama—the first two steps in Patanjali’s Eightfold Path of Yoga, extolled in his Yoga Sutras, as the foundation of the spiritual practice of meditation

In his “how-to-live” teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda has given to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — to create for themselves a life of enduring happiness and all-round success.

To learn about the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, the home-study course from Yogananda that presents his in-depth teachings on the Kriya Yoga science of meditation and art of balanced spiritual living, please visit: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To experience more SRF how-to-live inspirational videos and guided meditations: https://www.youtube.com/user/YoganandaSRF

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF/YSS President Brother Chidananda shares how the comprehensive science of Kriya Yoga—which includes the specific technique of Kriya Yoga as well as the other meditation techniques taught by Paramahansa Yogananda—works in a systemic way to “reverse the searchlights of the senses” away from matter so that we can discover the bliss of the Divine within ourselves.

As Brother Chidananda states in his talk, “An understanding of the basic principles of this comprehensive science helps a great deal in the practice of not just the Kriya technique proper, but also the Energization Exercises, the Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration, and the Aum Technique of Meditation, all of which are part of this interrelated science of yoga meditation.”

#Yogananda explains that “the little searchlights of our mind’s attention and of the five senses ordinarily are focused on imperfect matter….Man’s attachment to matter keeps the soul confined to the bodily prison and prevents it from finding freedom with God in the realm of eternal bliss. The ego attempts to satisfy through material channels the soul’s constant, insatiable longing for God.”

This talk was recorded at the 2016 SRF World Convocation in Los Angeles, a year before Brother Chidananda became the fifth president of Self-Realization Fellowship, the organization established by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920 to disseminate his teachings on Kriya Yoga meditation worldwide.

Brother Chidananda points out that progress on the spiritual path begins from the very moment we start to feel what Paramahansa Yogananda described as “the soul’s constant, insatiable longing for God.” Brother Chidananda illustrates the incredible power of the science of Kriya Yoga for mastering the ego-principle, which allows us to realize the innate Joy of the soul—even in this modern age.

To learn about the SRF World Convocation, please visit: https://yogananda.org/srf-world-convocation-overview

To learn about the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, the home-study course from Yogananda that presents his in-depth teachings on the Kriya Yoga science of meditation and art of balanced spiritual living, please visit: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To learn more about the yoga path and the science Kriya Yoga in particular: https://yogananda.org/path

To experience more SRF how-to-live inspirational videos and guided meditations: https://www.youtube.com/user/YoganandaSRF

If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF minister Brother Nakulananda explains how we can face all of life’s challenges through applying Paramahansa Yogananda’s scientific Kriya Yoga teachings on meditation and balanced spiritual living and how-to-live principles:

“Our Guru [Paramahansa Yogananda] has given to us so much in his vast teachings—in his lectures, his writings, his recordings, his how-to-live principles, the techniques of meditation—showing us the supreme purpose for which we are here on earth, and how to achieve that goal of God-realization, which is our divine birthright, our divine heritage.”

He also cites the counsel of Sri Daya Mata—one of Yogananda’s earliest and closest disciples, and the third president of SRF/YSS—who explains that nothing in this world is stable: everything is changing except God, and that “lasting peace can only come from within, from attunement with God.”

Brother Nakulananda explains that by becoming anchored in God through meditation and right activity, “we are not only helping ourselves, but we are also helping our family and our friends and our loved ones just by our example of the calmness and the evenmindedness that we are exemplifying in our daily lives.”

He again quotes Daya Mata: “The more you fix your consciousness in the reality of His presence within you, the more you will learn, as stated by Master, ‘to stand unshaken midst the crash of breaking worlds.’ Established in the evenmindedness of soul consciousness and the constancy of God’s presence, you will not only be able to keep your own head high in times of crisis or tragedy, but also to give strength and comfort to others and to the world through the spiritual consciousness emanating from your uplifting thoughts, actions, and prayers.”

In concluding his talk, Brother Nakulananda quotes solacing insight that Paramahansa Yogananda gives in his Autobiography of a Yogi concerning the promise that the SRF teachings on Kriya Yoga hold for not only this moment but the unfolding future:

“The blessed role of Kriya Yoga in East and West has hardly more than just begun. May all men come to know that there exists a definite, scientific technique of Self-realization for the overcoming of all human misery!”

This service was recorded at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple in Encinitas, California.

In his “how-to-live” teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda has given to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — to create for themselves a life of enduring happiness and all-round success.

Learn more about Self-Realization Fellowship and the path of Kriya Yoga meditation: https://yogananda.org

Learn Kriya Yoga by applying for the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, the home-study course in the science of meditation and art of balanced spiritual living established by Yogananda: https://yogananda.org/lessons

Learn more Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda’s spiritual classic: https://yogananda.org/autobiography-of-a-yogi

Purchase Autobiography of a Yogi as an ebook: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/

Read selections of Yogananda’s “how-to-live” wisdom on a variety of topics: https://yogananda.org/how-to-live-wisdom

SRF nun Sister Draupadi discusses the Mother aspect of the Divine, and explains that by applying Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings, we help our families live in a higher age of understanding and spiritual balance. She further affirms that as parents deepen their own relationship with God, they also guide the lives of children with ever-increasing love and acceptance.

At the beginning of this service given at the SRF International Headquarters in Los Angeles, Sister Draupadi reads from "The Second Coming of Christ” and “God Talks With Arjuna,” Paramahansa Yogananda’s commentaries on the New Testament and the Bhagavad Gita, respectively.

After describing the ennobling instruction given to children before they entered householder life in the Golden Age of ancient India, she points out that we are truly blessed in our present time to have the Kriya Yoga teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda — which we can apply in our lives in order to live in a higher age, right now. “All of us who have embraced Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings are actually following the teachings of Vedic India,” Sister Draupadi affirms.

To learn how to receive the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons—which include the advanced techniques of meditation, including Kriya Yoga, and instruction on balanced spiritual living as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda: https://yogananda.org/lessons

To read the book Mejda, the account of the early years of Paramahansa Yogananda written by his brother Sananda Lal Ghosh: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/mejda/

To purchase the ebook of God Talks With Arjuna, Yogananda’s translations and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita: https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/