A few unlikely set of circumstances brought us together for this Monastic visit, we snuck away from the venue to huddle, review and reflect. Chris received his blessed Kriya Yoga deeksha (initiation) after years of devoted practice of the teachings. The Monastic visit was attended by Brother Sevananda, Brother Nikhilananda, Brahmachari Klaus as well as devotees from across the UK and Europe.

0:00 We are gathered here today because…;

5:52 Kriya Initiation;

8:02 Fellowship with Monastics;

27:06 Fellowship with devotees;

38:35 Friends House and final reflections.

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This episode covers the next 17 paragraphs of chapter 4 from: 
“Deeming it advisable to leave Hardwar at once...” 
To 
“...but in the stomachs of tigers!” 

In their pursuit of a divine encounter, our two remaining travellers find themselves in a police station, longing to escape captivity and seek the enlightened sage of the Himalayas. In this episode, we delve into the policeman’s miraculous story about a sadhu who displayed great yogic powers. 

0:00 Preamble and summary of episode;

4:42 Blessed soil;

11:56 The policeman’s story;

35:45 Miraculous healing and mastery over the senses;

47:00 Seeking forgiveness and bowing to someone’s feet;

1:02:05 The policeman’s threefold transformation;

1:16:01 Looking forward

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next 23 paragraphs of chapter 4 from: 
“Ananta and Amar’s brother arrived...” 
To 
“...prudent instinct of self-preservation!” 

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This episode covers the next 24 paragraphs of chapter 4 from: 
“At the station we bought tickets to Burdwan...” 
to 
“... A premonition of capture weighed on my mind.” 

Our three heroes – Mukunda (Paramahansa Yogananda), Amar and Jatinda embark on their pilgrimage despite yet more ominous signs. We enjoyed unwrapping this amusing section of the chapter, Guruji weaves into the narrative timeless spiritual gems such as truthfulness, overcoming doubt with faith and infinite compassion.  

2:47 Places of pilgrimage;

9:00 Doubting Tom;

13:48 - The two types of friends;

33:00 - Mukunda’s doubt, doubt on the path and faith;

52:03 - Mukunda and Amar’s plan, and the subject of Truth;

1:12:16 - Thomas and Thompson’s first appearance!;

1:23:09 - Ananta’s telegram and the journey to Bareilly;

1:32:04 - Mukunda’s premonition;

1:36:08 – Looking forward.

Links referenced in this episode: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kal_Ho_Naa_Ho 
https://yssofindia.org/spiritual/conquering-fear-anxiety-and-worry 
https://yoganandasite.wordpress.com/2017/03/28/never-be-ashamed-to-cry-for-god-bro-achalananda/ 
 

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This episode covers the first 8 paragraphs of chapter 4 from: 
“Leave your classroom on some trifling pretext...” 
to 
“... straps from my English-made sola topee (helmet).” 

Paramahansa Yogananda flexes his linguistic muscle to the already captivated reader with a marked change in writing style— one of fast paced adventure, intrigue and comedy. We discuss our expectations for this chapter, the details surrounding Mukunda’s careful planning, baggage allowance and unholy leather stained Himsa.   

4:30 Chapter 4 content;

9:40 Mukunda’s mischievous plan;

15:49 Yogananda’s spiritual yeast and Yukteswar’s sweet ambrosia;

27:12 The culture in an Indian household;

36:00 A dedicated meditation space;

44:39 Weather and packing for all eventualities;

01:00:30 Mukunda’s inspirational leadership;

01:12:15 Vegetarianism;

01:25:00 Looking forward to the next section.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next 24 paragraphs of chapter 4 from: 
“At the station we bought tickets to Burdwan...” 
to 
“... A premonition of capture weighed on my mind.” 

Links referenced in this episode: 
https://www.4garpar.com 
yogananda.com.au/gurus/yoganandaquotes05d.html 

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This episode covers the last 12 paragraphs (and footnote) of the chapter 3 from: 
“Pranabananda’s face was suffused with divine light.” 
to 
“...Alas, two bodies are not yet for me!” 

Swami Pranabananda elucidates more of his exchanges with the divine Lahiri Mahasaya and subsequently blesses Mukunda and reveals, to his utter delight, that he will indeed become a Paramahansa Yogananda. In between there are important topics of discussion such as the Pranab Gita, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and our first “ask us anything” topic: Astral Bangals.  

8:55 Truth and honesty in the workplace;

15:50 Sabikalpa Samadhi and Nirbikalpa Samadhi;

29:07 Retiring into silence;

37:00 The redundancy of the spoken word of niceties;

46:27 Does Kedar Nath Babu consider this a joke?;

1:00:27 The importance of gratitude;

1:06:56 Reflections of the chapter;

1:09:03 Pranab Gita:

1:20:38 Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the bilocation technique;

1:25:22 Astral Bangles – raison d’etre;

1:40:43 Looking forward to Chapter 4.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the first 8 paragraphs of the chapter 4 from: 
“Leave your classroom on some trifling pretext...” 
to 
“... straps from my English-made sola topee (helmet).” 

Links referenced in this episode: 
https://yogananda.org/blog/awakening-the-spine-through-kriya-yoga-by-brother-chidananda 
https://yoganiketan.net/reader/books/pranab-gita-volume-1.html 
https://yoganiketan.net/reader/books/pranab-gita-volume-2.html 
Patanjali: https://www.arlingtoncenter.org/Sanskrit-English.pdf 
Astral Bangles: https://www.astrogems.com 

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This episode covers the next 8 paragraphs of the chapter from:  
“The master sought to banish...” 
To... 
“...eyes behind any screen of delusion.” 

Swami Pranabananda inspires Paramahansa Yogananda by reminding him of the greatness of Lahiri Mahasaya. With sublime supplication and humility, the young devotee Pranabananda sought out Lahiri Mahasaya’s assistance in overcoming the final hurdle to embracing the Infinite form. Some important themes are touched upon in this beautiful section of the chapter and we dissect them with devotion.   

0:00 Summary of episode;

1:13 Guruji’s divine English;

3:50 Homage to Lahiri Mahasaya;

9:14 The gaze of a Guru;

22:12 Long meditations;

45:27 Group meditations, Bhadraka and years of dedicated saadhana;

1:01:45 Petitioning the Guru;

1:11:42 Emmerson’s poem - Brahma;

1:19:05 Giving thanks to the grace of the Guru – Namo Namaste;

References from the chapter: 

Namo Namaste 

God Talks with Arjuna - Bhagavad Gita 11:39-49 
namo namas te ’stu sahasrakṛtvaḥ punaś ca bhūyo ’pi namo namas te 
namaḥ purastād atha pṛṣṭhatas te namo ’stu te sarvata eva sarva 

To Thee praise, praise without end! To Thee my salutations thousandfold! 
O Endless Might, O Invincible Omniscient Omnipresence, O All-in-All! I bow to Thee in front and behind, I bow to Thee on the left and the right, I bow to Thee above and beneath, I bow to Thee enclosing me everywhere! 

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This episode covers the next 17 paragraphs of the chapter from:  
“Sir, how do you happen to come here?” 
To... 
“...were he or his counterpart before me.” 

We conduct a deep dive into the subtle narrative specifics of Swami Pranabananda’s epic bilocation, considering the unique perspective of each person in the room, including Mahavatar Krishna. Paramahansa Yogananda could write a movie with this scene! 

0:00 The two challenges from last week;

15:33 Summary of the episode;

17:00 The bilocation paradigm vs. Krishna’s method;

28:20 Holding hands and mundane wooden sandals;

39:22 Kadarnath Babu’s experience;

55:28 Swami Pranabananda’s illumination;

1:06:00 Who can be your guru?;

1:13:53 The footnote on Astral and Radio Television.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next 8 paragraphs of the chapter from: 
“The master sought to banish...” 
To... 
“...eyes behind any screen of delusion.” 

Links from this episode: 
Madhuram (sweetness, see link’s description) Bhajan: https://youtu.be/7D198nSeAT0 
https://yogananda.org/the-role-of-a-guru-in-ones-spiritual-search 
https://explore.globalhealing.com/natural-medicine-secrets-revealed-giuseppe-calligaris/ 
 

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This episode covers the next 10 of the chapter from: 
“You know, I am enjoying two pensions...” 
To... 
“...were profoundly influenced by its study.” 

A perplexing section of the autobiography that only makes sense as you carefully read, re-read and cross reference the events that transpire. The second pension is a paradigm that could transform how humanity looks at retirement but what does it take to get it? 

0:00 Summary of episode;

2:01 The second pension;

16:27 Join our movement with the double challenge;

27:14 The most noble industry;

31:00 Pauciloquy and bluetooth;

52:18 Choto Mahasaya vs “little sir”;

55:08 Time and Space, and the annihilation thereof;

1:02:56 The details and techniques surrounding the bilocation;

1:13:12 Looking forward to the next episode.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next 17 paragraphs of the chapter from: 
“Sir, how do you happen to come here?” 
To... 
“...were he or his counterpart before me.” 

For the next 7 days – make each meditation deeper than the last and join the second pension movement challenge.  

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This episode covers the first 10 paragraphs of the chapter from: 
“Father, if I promise to return home...” 
To... 
“...affectionate references to my parent.” 

A fun introduction to "The Saint with Two Bodies”, the first of many intriguing (if not completely baffling) chapter titles: were you receptive when you first read it? Though somewhat hidden, there are many morals that can be gleaned from this short section of the narrative where Mukunda requests permission to visit Benaras from his father and his meeting with Swami Pranabananda, and we certainly enjoyed uncovering them.  

0:48 The many wild chapter titles;

8:38 Our expectations of this chapter;

11:31 Mukunda’s (innocent?) request and Indian culture;

24:43 The divine Swami Pranabananda;

29:41 Fathering divinity and spiritual company;

45:44 Is travelling spiritually beneficial?;

59:35 Entering Swami Pranabananda’s home;

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next 6 paragraphs of the chapter from: 
“You know, I am enjoying two pensions...” 
To... 
“...were profoundly influenced by its study” 

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This episode covers the large footnote at the end of the chapter from: 
“The amulet was an astrally produced object... 
To... 
“...were profoundly influenced by its study” 

In this ‘light’ episode we take a closer look at the multitudinous subjects covered in the footnote at the end of the chapter. The matters were clearly important enough for Paramahansa Yogananda to fill a full page of footnotes, so they are definitely deserving of our attention.  

0:00 Summary of episode;

3:33 Amulet references in rest of the book and wider culture;

20:35 Mantra – consecrated sound;

26:17 Threefold aspects of divinity;

35:08 The inadequacy of English and beauty of Sanskrit;

55:46 Indus Valley Civilisation;

1:03:24 Western discovery of Sanskrit and rethinking history.

Book referenced in the footnote, Wilson’s The Miraculous Birth of Language: 
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.462145/mode/2up 

Jyotirlingas: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyotirlinga 

Recommended Sanskrit Primer: 
The Sanskrit Language: An Introductory Grammar and Reader by Maurer, Walter Harding 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilisation 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohenjo-daro 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harappa 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lothal 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the beginning of chapter 3 from: 
“Father, if I promise to return home...” 
To... 
“...affectionate references to my parent.” 

Bonus homework – reflect on the title of chapter 3, what does it mean to you now compared to when you first glanced at it?  

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