Join Naren Schreiner, devoted disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and bhajan chanter, for a soul-stirring exploration of devotion—from high school choir to the heart of Indian chanting. Why does God, with infinite power and wisdom, seek our freely given love? How does Divine Mother embody unconditional embrace? Discover practical wisdom for loving meditation, taming ego in community, and surrendering like a child.

Recorded at Yogaville, this episode weaves personal stories with Yogananda's teachings on Autobiography of a Yogi, Kriya Yoga, and bhakti. Naren shares:

• His awakening to Amma's devotional circle and the magic of 1993 chants.
• Guru-disciple bonds and Yogananda's poetic emphasis on Divine Mother (from Kali to formless love).
• Antidotes to "competitive humility": "You won't feel left out if you're right within."
• Chanting as vulnerable gateway to unconditioned love and inner child healing.
• Balancing yielding love with discipline in sadhana, parenting, and teaching.

Ends with a serene Shiva chant for Shravan—pure upliftment!

"The soul loves to meditate, because that's communion with the divine. So if I'm resisting, it's not the soul resisting, it's something else. - Naren K. Schreiner.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro & Welcome

03:00 Discovering Indian Chanting & Devotion

07:00 Becoming Yogananda's Disciple at 14

12:00 Sacred Privacy: Keeping Spirituality Intimate

16:00 Ego & "Competitive Humility" in Community

23:00 Divine Mother: Unconditional Love & Forms

32:00 Loving Meditation: Discipline Meets Surrender

39:00 Self-Parenting: Balance of Comfort & Strength

47:00 Teacher-Student Bonds: Humility Over Hierarchy

58:00 Closing Prayer: Shiva Chant in Shravan

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Naren (Kamalakanta) Schreiner has been a disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda for over thirty years. After living as a brahmachari yogi (monk) in the SRF Ashram for fourteen years, he continued his religious vocation of service and spiritual support to individuals, families and communities throughout the US and Mexico. He lived at the Kali Mandir for ten years and was ordained as a Hindu priest (archaka) in 2012. He has received the blessing of diksha and instruction that enable him to serve the Indian community and the tradition of Sanatana Dharma through puja, yajna, weddings and other rituals. He helped establish Mexico's first Hanuman Mandir and Ram Mandir, and serves as a spiritual advisor to organizations. Sacred music is an important part of his life and worship; after receiving classical India vocal training here and in India, he recorded five albums, much loved by devotees worldwide, available on all music platforms under his name. Naren's offers his services through www.avahana.net and music through www.sangitayoga.com

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