This episode covers on the last part of chapter 24 from:
"There are a number of great men, living today in American...”
to the end of the chapter.

Summary:
Michael and Priyank explored the distinctions between yogis and swamis, while discussing Paramahamsa Yogananda’s inclusive perspective on Western spiritual practitioners who embody yogic qualities despite not following traditional Hindu practices. We also examine the historical criticisms of yoga and its evolution into a more universal and secular practice, particularly focusing on Carl Jung's contributions to psychology and spirituality, including his theories on archetypes and the scientific approach to yoga.

0:00 Previous episode;
10:55 Yoga is Misunderstood;
15:57 Carl Jung;
42:00 The inner conquest;
47:20 The Yoga of Patanjali;
56:25 Reflections on the Chapter.

Links discussed in the episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadasiva_Brahmendra

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the start of chapter 25 to:
"...in all family affairs he played this dual parental role.”

#autobiographyofayogi #autobiographylinebyline #paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers on the next part of chapter 24 from:
" The ancient rishi Patanjali defines yoga as “neutralisation of the alternating waves in...”
to
“...with egotistical desires and plays his part in life as a willing instrument of the Divine.”

Summary:
Paramahansa Yogananda focusses on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and the eightfold path of yoga, including the author Patanjali himself. We examine each limb of the eightfold path in detail, from yamas and niyamas (moral restraints and observances) to asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), and the final samyama stages of pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi, emphasizing that yoga is a universal path accessible to everyone regardless of temperament. Guruji concludes with reflections on how a true yogi can maintain divine consciousness while fulfilling worldly duties. We draw on readings from God Talks with Arjuna to bolster our understanding.

0:00 Previous episode;
3:35 Patanjali the celestial Naga;
16:50 The six Hindu systems
32:16 Yoga Sutras
1:05:15 Yogi or Swami?
1:12:00 Looking Ahead.

Links discussed in the episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patanjali
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbhodakshayi_Vishnu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shesha
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabhashya
Yoga Sutra Chant: https://youtu.be/jIvVvztmyys
Yoga Sutra book: https://www.arlingtoncenter.org/Sanskrit-English.pdf
A History of Indian Philosophy book: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12956
Manjushri Buddhism chants: https://youtu.be/Ag174BBdqm8

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 24 from:
"There are a number of great men, living today in American...”
to the end of the chapter.

#autobiographyofayogi #autobiographylinebyline #paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

* This episode had to be republished due to Spotify instructed copyright removal of small snippet used from John Lennon music, for full version you may see it on youtube at ~12mins *

Our second guest of the show Carolina from Brazil joins us to discuss what the word "Guru" means to her and the impact of yoga to the world.

00:00 Meet Carolina;

04:00 Minute summary;

04:38 Yoga and brotherhood;

20:50 Being a guru;

38:37 Gloria Schultz and Yogic powers;

51:00 Aarti and YSS;

01:00:11 Unravelling and intrigue.

* This episode had to be republished due to Spotify instructed copyright removal of small snippet used from George Harrison music, for full version you may see it on youtube at ~48mins *

This minute starts with a profound prayer then more from Krishna Das about Paramahansa Yogananda's impactful voice. We discuss Guruji's voice in some detail. George Harrison has had a profound impact on each of the hosts and this is discussed in detail along with his music and famous dialogue from the film.

03:42 - Minute summary;

04:34 - Hearing Guruji’s voice for the first time;

11:13 - What is your favourite prayer?;

23:10 - SRF Monastic robes;

28:49 - Guruji singing and using chants for meditation;

34:52 - Krishna Das singing;

39:19 - Cosmic Chants;

48:07 - George Harrison & Ravi Shankar;

59:38 - Final Reflections.

This episode covers on the next part of chapter 24 from:
"As I knelt before Sri Yukteswar, and for the first time heard...”
to
“... a manifest need exists for yoga: the science of mind control.”

Summary:
Mark and Reva from the London centre join us to discuss Mukunda's initiation ceremony into the Swami order, the historical significance of Shankaracharya in reorganizing Hinduism, and the distinctions between monastic traditions. The group explores the deeper meaning behind monastic names, vows, and symbols while emphasizing that true spiritual practice involves maintaining divine awareness regardless of one's life circumstances. Paramahansa Yogananda clarifies in this section that while Swamis are monks connected to religious orders, Yoga represents a universal scientific method for spiritual realization available to everyone regardless of background.

0:00 Previous episode;
2:20 Mukunda becomes a Swami;
26:35 The Swami Order;
32:43 Monastic Name;
50:35 Goals and ideals;
55:10 Yogis and Swamis;
1:07:17 Looking Ahead and Bhaja Govinda.

Links discussed in the episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6f20Fob44A
https://hindupedia.com/en/Anandagiri
https://www.wisdomlib.org/concept/anandagiri
https://youtu.be/KRzka46U_wc?si=RaDidafggFbFIX6u
https://yogananda.org/blog/yoga-teaches-to-seek-the-divine-first-and-find-balance-in-everything-by-paramahansa-yogananda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNVwHeMVeQU

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 24 from:
" The ancient rishi Patanjali defines yoga as “neutralisation of the alternating waves in...”
to
“...with egotistical desires and plays his part in life as a willing instrument of the Divine.”

#autobiographyofayogi #autobiographylinebyline #paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers on the start of chapter 24 to:
"...such as: “This atma is Brahma” or “Thou art That” or “I am He.”.

Summary:
This section is all about Mukunda’s journey to becoming Swami Yogananda. We reflect on our own Kriya initiation experiences and the need to balance spiritual life with family responsibilities. Paramahansa Yogananda quotes of John Ruskin, we take a closer look at the life of the great man, who was an English polymath known for his contributions to art, literature, and social reform. The we also discuss the blessings of having spiritually inclined peers, the significance of rituals (or Sri Yukteswar’s lack thereof, traditional cloth dyeing methods, and the proper pronunciation of spiritual names.

0:33 Expectations for the chapter;
4:50 Initiation to the Swami Order;
16:33 One Sensitive Desire;
35:28 The Most Memorable Day;
53:40 Initiation Begins;
1:07:57 Looking Ahead.

Links discussed in the episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ruskin
http://www.dbooth.org/guat2000/small/teresa.htm
https://yogananda.org/monasticorder
https://yssofindia.org/about/the-four-stages-of-monastic-life

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 24 from:
"As I knelt before Sri Yukteswar, and for the first time heard...”
to
“... a manifest need exists for yoga: the science of mind control.”

#autobiographyofayogi #autobiographylinebyline #paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

Title:

Autobiography Chapter 23, Part 4: Dear Guruji, you inspire me because...

Description:

This episode covers on the last part of chapter 23 from:
" The second instruction on the sheet read...”
to the end of the chapter.

Summary:
As Mukunda answers the easiest of exam questions (how his Guru inspired him), we share how we would answer that critical question on guru-disciple relationships. Some things would be quite universal, such as experiences of transformation and gratitude for spiritual guidance, but what would you write? We also discussed educational perspectives and the impact of caring teachers, examining the importance of empathy and continuity in student-teacher relationships. The discussion covered various spiritual concepts including yoga, enlightenment, and the teachings of saints and enlightened rulers, while also touching on academic achievements and their relationship to spiritual growth.

0:00 Prior Episode;
1:37 Ode to your guru;
14:33 Romesh and father;
28:23 Brother Sun, Sister Moon;
33:10 Footnote;
56:18 Reflections on the chapter.

Links discussed in the episode:
https://www.rudrameditation.com/sutra-3-23-patanjalis-yoga-sutras/
https://www.literaryboston.com/history/divinity-school-address
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtavakra
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janaka

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes of the start of chapter 24 to:
"...such as: “This atma is Brahma” or “Thou art That” or “I am He.”.

#autobiographyofayogi #autobiographylinebyline #paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute
Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the next part of chapter 23 from:
" Thinking over the examination in English literature, I realized...”
to
“...I could not have passed the Bengali examination.”

Summary:
As Mukunda expounds spiritual and educational themes, we share our own exam experiences, readings about divine intervention, and the importance of following intuition and guidance from gurus. Mukunda and Romesh demonstrated trust in divine will and inner guidance during challenging situations, while also emphasising the role of human effort in decision-making processes. Ben from Normandy makes a brief special guest appearance.

0:00 Prior Episode;
1:54 Cheer Up;
12:53 The Divine Altar;
27:51 The Hunch;
38:12 Thanksgiving;
55:20 Looking Ahead.

Links discussed in the episode:
https://yssofindia.org/spiritual/intuition
https://yogananda.org/blog/solving-your-problems-with-guidance-from-within-by-sri-daya-mata
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishwar_Chandra_Vidyasagar
https://yogananda.org/blog/paramahansa-yogananda-on-practicing-gratitude-and-thanksgiving

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 23 from:
" The second instruction on the sheet read...”
to the end of the chapter.

#autobiographyofayogi #autobiographylinebyline #paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute
Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS