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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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