Ask Me About Truth

With Swami Kriyananda

With Swami Kriyananda

A question about Swami Kriyananda's mission in life turns into a discussion of the mission of Paramhansa Yogananda, his place in history, and in the cycles of time known as the Yugas.

Kriyananda says that we are in a period of time in history when there may be much conflict, but that peace is I'll come in time, and spiritual communities are part of the answer.

Questions include:

Would you describe yourself as having a mission in life, and if so, what is that mission?

What will Yogananda's impact on civilization be?

Do people from other countries live in the communities you've founded?

Swas I Kriyananda shares thoughts on the best ways to pray for others — and whether one tshould go to "heroic measures" to save someone's life.

Questions include:

When someone that we know is in need of healing, or in some other urgent situation, what is the best way to pray for them?

Modern medicine has no made it possible for people to get stuck in a kind of limbo place — they aren't able to experience things consciously but are stuck in their body. Is it still helpful for people to hang on to life in a situation like that?

Is suicide ever appropriate or helpful?

What about assisted suicide (euthanasia), if someone is just hooked up to machines... ?

When praying for someone, is it helpful to visualize a particular result for that person?

Are prayers for others effective?

How can we learn how to concentrate better?

Some people find their meditations deeper in a group — how can they bring that depth into their own private meditations?

In this wide-ranging spiritual conversation, Swami Kriyananda explores the relationship between devotion, meditation, and self-transcendence within Paramhansa Yogananda's lineage. Drawing on Indian scripture, including the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam, he describes the spine as a map of spiritual ascent, with energy rising from base impulses toward divine union.

He argues that chanting, while essential for cultivating devotion, is to be followed by silent, receptive meditation to be truly transformative. Reflecting on encounters with Prabhupada, Allen Ginsberg, and others, he distinguishes ego from soul and contends that genuine spiritual progress requires surrendering the sense of personal authorship to God.

With Swami Kriyananda

These answers explore the quest for balance and mental clarity in an often turbulent world. Acknowledging the prevalence of violence and imbalance around us, the importance of grounding oneself amidst external chaos is highlighted.

True balance, Swami Kriyananda suggests, stems from staying centered and not swayed by societal trends or fleeting emotions. The need for self-awareness, contentment, and mental hygiene is emphasized, including avoiding toxic thoughts like anger and greed.

Through stories and reflections, compassion is encouraged over judgment, acceptance over resistance, and calmness over reactivity. A life grounded in these principles fosters even-mindedness and resilience, enabling one to navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs with grace. Ultimately, balance is presented not just as an ideal state but as an active, compassionate engagement with the world that fosters internal peace and clarity.

With Swami Kriyananda

With Swami Kriyananda

In this interview, Swami Kriyananda shares some of his personal stories and reflections that emphasize the direction, scope, and approach of his creativity and work – working with people and selectively working with them from where they are – which in a best-case scenario, may not be where he would like or need them to be.

Kriyananda emphasizes the need to work with things as they are and to respect and listen to all people. He says that, “God can use people and therefore wisdom can come to me in many different ways and from unexpected sources.” Admittedly, there are always challenges working with others but Kriyananda encourages us to be practical, harmonious, honest, and genuine in our work and relationships.