Yogananda Podcast

This episode covers the next part of chapter 10 to: 
“I was pleased that my new home...” 
to 
“... I completed a twenty-four-hour fast.” 

This short part of the autobiography that covers life in Bharat Dharma Mahamandal ashram holds many lessons for young Mukunda. He has good reason to request clarifications from the ashram’s head Dayananda, who takes the opportunity to iron out a few wrinkles to ensure Mukunda is ready for his long sought after meeting with Sri Yukteswar.  

0:00 Lauren’s surprise;  
3:30 A new life in an ashram; 
11:50 Mukunda's divine complaint; 
22:30 Renounce your father's wealth; 
31:40 Curb your hunger. 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 10 from: 
“With doubled zest I awaited...” 
to 
“...this lesson in a Banaras hermitage!” 

Link from the episode: 
https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/5-famous-breakfast-dishes-from-bengal-1806410 

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Autobiography of a Yogi  
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 10 to: 
“In my new dignity, I was now openly planning...” 
to 
“...His fair face had a Buddhalike composure.” 

Mukunda is finally free to renounce his family home for a life in a Banaras hermitage, Sri Bharat Dharma Mahamandal, in pursuit of his life goal. Before he does that, he shows us the way to detach ourselves from familial attachments and responsibilities while keeping the Highest goal of our minds. We enhance the narative with additions from Sananda Lal Gosh’s book “Mejda” and Swami Satyananda’s book “Paramhansa Yoganandaji As I Have Seen And Understood Him”. 

0:00 Preamble;  
2:00 Leaving Home; 
18:08 Having an avatar sibling; 
36:30 Family Plea; 
50:10 Cordial Greeting 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 10 from: 
“I was pleased that my new home...” 
to 
“... I completed a twenty-four-hour fast.” 

Link from the episode: 
https://dakshineswar.yssashram.org/article/view/283 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishnu_Charan_Ghosh 
https://yogananda.org/sananda-lal-ghosh-on-paramahansa-yogananda 
 

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#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
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Self-Realization Fellowship 
#SRF

This episode covers the first part of chapter 10 to: 
“...cadavers is a shortcut to a high school diploma!” 

Chapter 10 may rightly be considered the best chapter in the book, principally because of the first meeting (in this lifetime) between disciple and Guru. We discuss what this chapter and title means for us. This episode then focuses on the start of the chapter – the best attitude toward faith and gratitude when concerned with education.  

0:00 Title and expectations; 
8:25 Exam stress is Maya; 
24:22 Necromancy over scholarly pursuits; 
35:20 God sends help; 
56:28 Don't forget Sanskrit; 
1:07:20 Gratitude. 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 10 from: 
“In my new dignity, I was now openly planning...” 
to 
“...His fair face had a Buddhalike composure.” 

Link from the episode: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%81%E1%B9%87ini (Panini) 
https://youtu.be/hEQikpo6X5c?si=MaiebIHzOjMrC9SG (Giving Thanks SRF Talk) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvr8eWbeKwc (Namo Namaste Chant) 

#autobiographyofayogi  
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#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
#SRF

This episode covers the last section of chapter 9 from: 
“Trying with poor words to do justice...” 
to the end of the chapter. 

A wonderful chapter is concluded with Mukunda paying more homage to the great Master Mahasaya. Paramahansa Yogananda is in a reflective mood as he writes lovingly about all those saints that crossed his path and we delve into what that means to us. We also discuss the absolute vs. the personal aspect of God, and the benefits of worshiping the latter form. We end with a reflection on the chapter and look ahead to one of the most important chapters in the book.  

0:00 Preamble on pilgrimage; 
2:50 Prophesy of writing this book; 
9:25 Reconciliation of opposites; 
18:20 God as Joy; 
22:25 Footnote on St. John of the Cross; 
30:35 In God's eyes nothing is large or small; 
37:25 Pictures in the chapter; 
40:35 Last days of Master Mahasaya; 
43:15 Chapter reflections and looking ahead. 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the first part of chapter 10 to: 
“...cadavers is a shortcut to a high school diploma!” 

Link from the episode: 
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/157984/the-dark-night-of-the-soul 
https://www.boloji.com/mystic-songs-details/21/nirbhay-nirgun-gun-re-gaunga 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1tXJu-1O8U 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tridevi 
 
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#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
#SRF 

This episode covers the next section of chapter 9 from: 
“Little sir, you were disappointed in that...” 
to 
“...were sympathetically drunk with God.” 

A spiritual alcoholic is born! Mukunda continues his journey with the great Master Mahasaya, who generously rewards him with an experience of the great motion picture of life, which leaves both he and the Master in an intoxicated state of joy. It takes a Paramahansa Yogananda to describe this ‘inexpressible ecstacy’ as succinctly and perfectly as it is here.  

0:00 Preamble 
2:00 The ultimate bioscope; 
37:23 God is in your temple (also). 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last section of chapter 9 from: 
“Trying with poor words to do justice...” 
to the end of the chapter. 

Link from the episode: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI_UV--_XIk 

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
#SRF 

This episode covers the next section of chapter 9 from: 
“Hand in hand, the saint and I walked...” 
to 
“...that the hall was again illuminated.” 

The divine romance between Master Mahasaya, Mukunda and Merciful Mother is the main content for this episode. Important themes of the impartiality of the Guru, benefits of being non-critical and group meditation are also discussed. The first bioscope proves to be somewhat dull, but perhaps this was prelude for magic to come?  

0:00 Divine Mother’s promise and deliverance; 
12:10 Lack of devotion at the temple; 
36:55 The abysmally dull bioscope.  

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next section of chapter 9 from: 
“Little sir, you were disappointed in that...” 
to 
“...were sympathetically drunk with God.” 

Link from the episode: 
https://yogananda.org/blog/paramahansa-yogananda-on-the-benefits-of-spiritual-company 

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
#SRF 

This episode covers the next section of chapter 9 from: 
“Let us go tomorrow to Dakshineswar...” 
to 
“...that the hall was again illuminated.” 

Ramakrishna Paramahansa was influential not only in India and Hinduism in general, but to our guru Paramahansa Yogananda and paramguru Sri Yukteswar in quite nuanced ways. We share some highlights from the Gospel of Ramakrishna Paramahansa as they are relevant for this section of the Autobiography, especially where Guruji pays tribute to the great saint who is so well known for his devotion to Divine Mother. 

01:15 A Christlike Master - Ramakrishna Paramahansa; 
20:25 Samadhi through Kali Ma; 
34:45 Divine Mother everywhere stays 
47:22 To Scribe; 
54:47 Ramakrishna links to SRF; 
59:47 Mahasamadhi of Ramakrishna and taking on Karma. 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next section of chapter 9 from: 
“Hand in hand, the saint and I walked...” 
to 
“...that the hall was again illuminated.” 

Links from the episode: 
https://estudantedavedanta.net/THE%20GOSPEL%20OF%20SRI%20RAMAKRISHNA.pdf 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keshub_Chandra_Sen 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarix 
 
#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
#SRF

This episode covers the next section of chapter 9 from: 
“His role in the world was humble...” 
to 
“...egotistical consideration could gain foothold.” 

Master Mahasaya did not become world famous as did his brother disciple Swami Vivekananda but his subtle influence and dedicated service allowed many near-by souls to flower. His humility is experienced in beautiful terms both through his actions and through Paramahansa Yogananda’s description of their fellowship.  

1:15 An ideal education; 
31:00 Saintly but not Yogananda's Guru; 
50:15 Evading Mukanda's garland. 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next section of chapter 9 from: 
“Let us go tomorrow to Dakshineswar...” 
to 
“... considered his thoughts to be his own.” 

Links from the episode: 
https://estudantedavedanta.net/THE%20GOSPEL%20OF%20SRI%20RAMAKRISHNA.pdf 
 
#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
#SRF 

This episode covers the next section of chapter 9 from: 
“My steps were eager as I returned...” 
to 
“...met with sweet acquiescence?” 

The divine to-and-fro between Master and disciple is both spiritually motive and comical. We uncover many subtle lessons in this section such as introspecting on how eager we are to meditate, the personal preference of each devotee’s conception of the divine and the universality of Divine Mother.  

0:00 Summary of the chapter so far; 
2:00 The vision of Divine Mother; 
25:00 Mukunda's desire; 
38:00 Doubts and revelations 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next section of chapter 9 from: 
“His role in the world was humble...” 
to 
“...egotistical consideration could gain foothold.” 

Links from the episode: 
https://estudantedavedanta.net/THE%20GOSPEL%20OF%20SRI%20RAMAKRISHNA.pdf 
https://yssofindia.org/spiritual/living-in-the-presence-of-the-mother-divine 
 

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
#SRF

This episode covers the the start section of chapter 9 from: 
“Little sir, please be seated...” 
to 
“...my grievous hurts and final healing.” 

Master Mahasaya and Mukunda kick off the chapter with some beautiful fellowship, you would be forgiven if you thought it was between Guru and disciple! Paramahansa Yogananda gets into the mood of the devotional sentiment expressed in Ramakrishna Paramahansa lineage of eminent saints. Univeral Mother or Divine Mother is the main subject of this section of the chapter, or rather the distinct lack of immediate connectivity between Her and Mukunda!    

0:00 The mystical title; 
4:45 Angelic Master Mahasaya; 
12:05 The effect; 
28:53 The plea; 
38:40 The answer; 
49:00 50 Amherst Street. 
 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next section of chapter 9 from: 
“My steps were eager as I returned...” 
to 
“...met with sweet acquiescence?” 

Links from the episode: 
https://estudantedavedanta.net/THE%20GOSPEL%20OF%20SRI%20RAMAKRISHNA.pdf 

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
#SRF