This episode covers the start of chapter 18 to: 
“This invisible entity was able to fulfil the fakir’s slightest wish...” 

Summary: 
Chapter 18 is perhaps one of the most intriguing of the book, and we take a moment to explore why we feel that could be, before delving in! Sri Yukteswar visits Mukunda’s halls of residence (subtly exposing a very sweet relationship between the pair) while he tells the unlikely story of another disciple-guru relationship, defying the social societal norms, scientific understanding and logical reasoning.  

0:00 Expectations from the chapter; 
8:14 Synchronicity; 
16:12 Guru's promise; 
33:39 Diksha; 
1:01:15 Looking ahead. 

Links discussed in this episode: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinn 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 18 from: 
“Ignoring his master’s warning, Afzal began to misuse his powers...” 
to 
“...there was no sign of the glittering plates or the remnants of the meal.” 
 
#autobiographyofayogi  #autobiographylinebyline  #paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the the last part of chapter 17: 
“On his return from Puri, Sri Yukteswar...” 
to end of the chapter (and the long footnote). 

Summary: 
How did Sri Yukteswar intervene to enhance the academic offering of Serampore College (solely for the benefit of his principal disciple Mukunda)? An intriguing question, one which we discuss in this section along with the long footnote provided by Paramahansa Yogananda on the importance of spirituality in education, and the limitations of materialistic and scientific understanding. We also explored the concept of a Gurukula, a type of spiritual boarding school, and reflected on the significance of a captivating picture of Mukunda meditating (at the age of 16). The conversation ended with a discussion on the key learnings from chapter 17. 

0:00 Prior episode; 
3:34 Moving Mukunda to Serampore; 
10:41 The divine hand at work; 
15:40 That only which we see within...; 
28:37 Avidya - false knowledge; 
31:40 Schools in ancient India; 
39:10 Picture of Mukunda; 
46:05 Reflections on chapter. 

Links discussed in this episode: 
https://yssofindia.org/spiritual?srsltid=AfmBOooTAbLHGGwH0X2AjBZsjX5P-Cps67QgSeXRUHrEoJprxeF9IclY 
https://yogananda.com.au/gurus/yogananda_quotes_habits40.html 
Book – on Indian Culture: https://archive.org/details/indianculturethr029329mbp/mode/2up 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurukula 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandipani 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the start of chapter 18 to: 
“This invisible entity was able to fulfil the fakir’s slightest wish...” 
 
#autobiographyofayogi  #autobiographylinebyline  #paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS 

This episode covers the next part of chapter 17 from: 
“The first two years of my course at Scottish Church...” 
to  
“...mixed with ejaculations betraying their astonishment.” 

Summary: 
In this short and seemingly simple section of the chapter lies some gold dust, but you have to explore underlying meanings behind the narrative as experienced by Paramahansa Yogananda (and orchestrated by Swami Sri Yukteswar!). We weigh in by sharing our personal experiences and reflections on the importance of faith, perseverance, and balancing spiritual pursuits with academic responsibilities. We also felt it right to include some readings on concepts of success, hard work, and reincarnation, as well as the gleaning on some messages from the book Mejda.  

0:00 Prior episode; 
3:05 A controversial regularity; 
17:15 A lifeline; 
27:27 Art of Cramming; 
44:15 Scraping through an exam; 
59:00 Looking ahead. 

Links discussed in this episode:  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Church_College 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alumni_of_Scottish_Church_College 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 17: 
“On his return from Puri, Sri Yukteswar...” 
to end of the chapter (and the long footnote). 

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the next part of chapter 17 from: 
“It was my proudest privilege to bring college friends to meet my guru...” 
to  
“...effect of stiffening his will and impairing his manners.” 

Summary: 
Using the example with Sri Yukteswar, Paramhansa Yogananda and Sasi - we delve into the significance of personal effort in spiritual growth, the pivotal role of faith and trust in our lives, and the profound concepts of spiritual healing, humility, and forgiveness. We also reflect on the importance of priorities, the role of astrology, intercession and fate in our lives – providing us with some key takeaways from this intriguing section of the book. 

0:00 Progress review; 
1:05 Prior episode; 
2:40 An introduction to Sasi; 
37:50 Woeful Sasi; 
47:20 Sasi is healed; 
1:11:40 Looking ahead. 

Links discussed in this episode:  
https://yoganandasite.wordpress.com/2019/01/09/the-gurus-help-mrinalini-mata/ 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 17: 
“The first two years of my course at Scottish Church...” 
to  
“...mixed with ejaculations betraying their astonishment.” 

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS

Priyank is asked to give a talk on his experiences of the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. He speaks about its historical significance, why 660 million devotees attended and the link to Mahavatar Babaji and our lineage of Gurus.

0:00 Agenda;

1:55 Significance of Prayagraj;

6:23 Kumbh Legend from scripture;

12:23 Astrological timing;

16:23 Naga Babas and their Akharas;

20:47 Mahavatar Babaji;

23:33 What do you do during the mela?;

38:50 Organisation and Planning;

45:18 Maha Shivaratri

47:20 Q&A;

Image:

Samudra Manthan (The churning of the ocean of milk), Cambodia, 12th Century in Sandstone. Guimet Museum, Paris

This episode covers the start of chapter 17  
to  
“...boundless in his kindness when responding to an urgent prayer of a devotee.” 

Summary: 
This episode focusses on the different types of seekers, we share our personal strategies for engaging with them and how to handle situations where people show interest in our way of life, but actually use it against us! The ‘natural death’ paradigm inspires a discussion on the concept of destiny and free will, as well as the inevitability of death 

0:00 Expectations of this chapter; 
5:10 Casual interest; 
28:26 A dark prophesy and redemption opportunity; 
50:25 Prevention is better than cure; 
56:00 The mystery of death; 
1:08:04 Looking Ahead. 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 17: 
“It was my proudest privilege to bring college friends to meet my guru...” 
to  
“...effect of stiffening his will and impairing his manners.” 

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the long footnote on the end of chapter 16. 

Summary: 
Paramahansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar discuss the many misinterpretations of the Bible of both the Old and New Testament. We bolster these discussions with details provided in Second Coming of Christ – The Resurrection of Christ Within You and provide our take on the controversies surrounding the Council of Constantinople and Nicaea. We also review our personal highlights from this immense chapter.  

0:00 Prior episode; 
02:45 Adam, Manu and Eve; 
11:46 Jesus not the sole son of God; 
31:55 Karma and reincarnation in the Bible; 
38:15 The second Council of Constantinople; 
50:45 Highlights of the Chapter; 
58:45 Looking ahead; 
 

Links discussed in episode: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavata_Purana 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manu_(Hinduism) 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhruva 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapila 
 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the start of chapter 17  
to 
“...boundless in his kindness when responding to an urgent prayer of a devotee.” 

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS 

This episode covers the last part of chapter 16: 
“The animal forms were too crude to express...” 
to the end of the chapter. 

Summary: 
Sri Yukteswar further elaborates on the depth and symbolism of teachings from Genesis,, to the complete satisfaction of paramahansa Yogananda’s keen intellect. First we look at the grossness of the consciousness present within animal kingdom when compared with the human capacity for self-realization, then we look at the methods of transmuting our sexual energy as well as the higher method of conception.  

0:00 Prior episode; 
3:53 Expressing full divinity; 
20:30 Consciousness of immortality; 
28:25 Dualism; 
40:14 Looking ahead. 

Links discussed in episode: 
https://yssofindia.org/spiritual/beyond-thought-and-intellect-the-unlimited-insight-of-soul-intuition 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the long footnote on the end of chapter 16. 

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS 

This episode covers the next part of chapter 16: 
“The Adam and Eve story is incomprehensible to me...” 
to 
“…produced through an act of special creation by God.” 

Summary: 
Sri Yukteswar explains the profound symbolism expressed in the Adam and Eve narrative from Genesis to Paramahansa Yogananda. We carefully dissect the concepts with Cian, drawing inspiration more complete explanation from the Ashwattha Pipal tree text from the Bhagavad Gita (God Talks with Arjuna) Chapter XV:1.  We also review the benefits of having predominantly feeling or reason to govern our lives.   

0:00 Prior episode; 
2:35 The Tree of Life; 
20:45 Adam & Eve; 
26:50 The creation of man; 
36:00 Divine love vs Lust; 
42:45 Is it better to be a feminine or masculine?; 
1:03:10 Looking ahead. 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 16: 
“The animal forms were too crude to express...” 
to the end of the chapter.  

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the next part of chapter 16: 
“Men, one by one, escape from creation’s prison...” 
to 
“…those that attain a liberating knowledge of the One Father.” 

Summary: 
We are forced to undertake a deep dive into the spiritual texts and philosophies mentioned in this section of the chapter, including the concept of Yugas, the importance of focusing orientation of the eyes during meditation, and the teachings of Jesus and Indian saints. They also explored the concept of atheism and its relation to spiritual growth, and the significance of divine ideals in achieving liberation, as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar. 

0:00 Prior episode; 
1:50 Reading world scripture 
13:55 Variegated practices 
28:55 Meditate to Know 
45:33 Yogi-Christs 
57:58 Looking ahead.: 
 

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 16: 
“The Adam and Eve story is incomprehensible to me...” 
to 
“…produced through an act of special creation by God.” 

#autobiographyofayogi  
#autobiographylinebyline  
#paramahansayogananda 
Autobiography of a Yogi  
awake.minute 
Self-Realization Fellowship 
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 
#SRF #YSS