Yogananda Podcast

By Chris, Lauren, Mike & PriyankReligion & Spirituality Spirituality

Yogananda Podcast episodes

October 31, 2022 Awake Minute 74: Actualize Yourself
The recognition of an International Yoga Day is a culmination of events starting from Paramahansa Yogananda’s USA sojourn and the subsequent epoch-making release of the Autobiography of a Yogi. It is no coincidence that Steve Jobs arranged for the distribution of the same book to all those who attended his funeral and that he was able to sit in perfect Padamasana (lotus pose) while designing epoch-making technology. All these delightful subject matters create apt topics of conversation inspired by this minute of the film.
0:00 Summary of Minute;
1:33 International Day of Yoga;
9:34 Autobiography of a Yogi translations;
18:34 Marc Benioff;
20:50 Steve Jobs' Memorial and Hare Krishna Procession;
25:40 Which edition of the AoY do you have?.
The Autobiography of a Yogi's evolution:
https://yogananda.org/autobiography-of-a-yogi#Origins%20and%20Evolution
Steve Jobs’ Memorial Service:
https://youtu.be/Zj3x_3ZxA_8
48 min
October 24, 2022 Awake Minute 73: Pranam Brother Chidananda
We take the opportunity to pay our homage to the current president of Self-Realization Fellowship and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, Brother Chidananda, especially reflecting on what his leadership and guidance has meant to us. This minute also contains more on Gandhi, where the topic of self-reformation is the order of the day. Ananda Malhotra inspires an intriguing (and rare) one to one discussion on what it means to be an eco-warrior in the ascending Dwapura age.
0:00 Summary of last few episodes;
2:06 Summary of minute;
4:35 Self reformation;
22:41 Brother Chidananda;
48:02 To live in a concrete jungle vs an actual jungle.
Guruji's words on 'Right Attitude':
http://yogananda.com.au/gurus/yoganandaquotes04b.html
Talk by Brother Chidananda;
https://youtu.be/fna7IbLoGJo
1 hr 2 min
October 17, 2022 Awake Minute 72: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting
In following acclaimed motivational speakers, writers and philosophers we often find that they have clearly read the Bhagavad Gita, kept it in some marrow of their consciousness, and then paraphrase the pearls of wisdom into their own phrase. This is a case in point with the speakers from this minute: Russell Simmons, Phil Goldberg and Georges Billard-Madrieres. Paramahansa Yogananda often quoted the famous biblical passage “The kingdom of God is within you”, which is particularly pertinent for this minute. Lauren join us in song, both literally and metaphorically. 0:00 Preamble; 2:00 Meet the guest; 4:54 Summary of Minute; 6:46 Kipling's poem - If; 31:41 Kingdom of God is within; 41:19 Lake Shrine dedication; 44:08 Berlin Wall, Isreal and Palestinians praying image. Lux’s spiritual musical concerts: https://www.instagram.com/p/CgzxfqNPTL_/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Poem by Rudyard Kipling, If—: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46473/if--- Paramahansa Yogananda’s commentary on the Kingdom of God being within you: http://yogananda.com.au/sc/new_testament_kingdom_of_God_l17-20.html Affirmation given to Lux: I am God’s warrior princess; I am peaceful, I am strong; Divine peace and strength; Flows through met. Aum technique referenced in the class: Go to Convocation 2022 videos, class: Aum technique, with Brother Kalyananda, time location 39-25. Bro. also informs us that it is discussed in Supplement Lesson 37
58 min
October 10, 2022 Awake Minute 71: I think, therefore I am
Grace joins us for a largely philosophical and scientific discussion that reflects on the key points of interest of the minute: experimentation, consciousness, parts of the mind and whether to conceptualise God from the outside in, or the inside out. We focus on Paramahansa Yogananda’s writings on these subjects in God talks with Arjuna to frame the conversation and the complex topics therein.
0:00 Summary of minute;
2:01 The subject-object split;
20:04 Lake Shrine Funerals and cremations vs burials;
23:58 Mindstuff and schooling;
38:41 The Cloud Gate sculpture and the vastness of God.
Parts of the mind article discussed in the minute: https://isha.sadhguru.org/yoga/yoga-articles-mind-stress/parts-of-mind/
54 min
October 03, 2022 Awake Minute 70: Matter, Energy and... Consciousness?
Grace and Nik join us to discuss Anita Goel’s epic dialogue on Einsteinian notions that elegantly interweave science, consciousness, spirituality and man’s relentless pursuit for dominion in this material world. Paramahansa Yogananda had many emphatic literary contributions to these complex subject matters, not least to “Stand unshaken midst the crash of breaking worlds”. A wonderful minute that opens many vistas for our intellectual faculties to explore.
0:00 Meet Grace;
10:28 Summary of Minute;
17:14 Einsteinian thought and "The Law of Miracles;
26:55 Energy, Matter and (Cosmic / Christ) Consciousness;
46:26 Oh to "stand unshaken midst the crash of breaking worlds".
Readings on Energy and Prana:
http://yogananda.com.au/g/g_prana.html
Readings on Consciousness:
http://yogananda.com.au/gurus/yogananda_quotes36consciousness.html
Health and Healing: A Spiritual Perspective
https://youtu.be/bDdla-7Qqkk
56 min
September 26, 2022 Awake Minute 69: I am become Death, the destroyer of Worlds (sic)
Living in spiritual communities would certainly be supportive to our sadhana but do we really need to go down this extreme social lifestyle vs living the “householder Yogi” norm, does an adequate spiritual community even exist? The discovery of atomic bomb and the Atomic Age was predicted by Paramahansa Yogananda and the other great ones and we discuss how this is related to the human race’s own Yuga story (Chris again!). Oppenheimer's famous, moving speech about the Atom bomb heavily referenced (and made even more famous) the Bhagavad Gita, we discuss the ramifications of the use of that lethal weapon in Japan all those decades ago. We also discuss how Oppenheimer’s own translation of that verse (11-32) varies substantially to Guruji’s in God Talks with Arjuna.
0:00 Summary of minute;
7:39 Living in spiritual communities;
19:00 Atomic bomb;
35:09 I am become Death - The Gita's vision of visions;
49:42 'Fun with flags'.
Other translations of that verse:
“I am become death, the destroyer of Worlds”: www.waggish.org/2020/now-i-am-become-death-the-destroyer-of-worlds/
Paramahansa Yogananda’s Great Samadhi “Vision of Visions” of 1948:
https:// yoganandasite.wordpress.com/2016/10/21/masters-great-samadhi-vision-of-visions-of-1948-mrinalini-mata/
52 min
September 20, 2022 Awake Minute 68: To serve, scribe and strive for Guruji
The Autobiography of a Yogi was a phenomenally influential work which is still the most popular route to devotees taking refuge in Kriya Yoga as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda. Guruji also wrote many other books (God Talks with Arjuna, Second Coming of Christ and the lessons), numbering many thousands of pages, Tara Mata, Daya Mata and Mrinalini Mata have their seva stretched to the limit in typing the truth for us future devotees. We discuss how this process would have been transformative their own sadhana as well as professional skills!
0:00 Meet Michael;
6:00 Summary of minute;
7:40 Keeping a spiritual blog;
10:59 Autobiography of a Yogi;
20:11 Which Guru is most important?
31:40 Paramahansa Yogananda's vast bibliography;
45:00 Being a scribe for Guruji;
53:21 Images used in the minute.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramahansa_Yogananda_bibliography
57 min
September 12, 2022 Awake Minute 67: Pranam Sri Mrinalini Mata
We discuss the benefits of experiencing your body as stone, consciousness and light, as expounded by Paramahansa Yogananda in this minute. We also reflect on what Asana/posture would be most conducive for this experience. Brother Chidananda talks about the importance of Yogananda’s writings during this time (after returning from India in 1936) and how Sri Mrinalini Mata was crucial in this respect, we recollect some the most moving moments from her memorial service. Guruji’s writings in English are just as powerful as ancient Sanskrit mantras to devotees around the world, encapsulating the famous quote: “When I am gone, the teachings will be the Guru”.
0:00 Hopes and dreams;
3:31 Summary of Minute;
5:06 The "New" Lessons;
9:54 Guruji and meditating with body "as if like stone";
22:42 Master's Great Samadhi;
28:18 Mrinalini Mata.
NB: the recording at the end of this episode is not by Daya Mata, but Mrinalini Mata.
Mrinalini Mata - In His Presence:
https://yssofindia.org/about/mrinalini-mata-in-his-presence
Sri Mrinalini Mata Memorial Service:
https://youtu.be/A-Ut2SB-dU8
50 min
September 05, 2022 Awake Minute 66: A surprise turn
Paramahansa Yogananda is surprised by his devotees with a hermitage in Encinitas, and Brother Chidananda, Leo Cocks, Sri Daya Mata and Sri Mrinalini Mata provide their insight how it was different being with Guruji after he returned from India, after Sri Yukteswar had mahasamadhi. Nita joins us to share her reflections of this minute.
0:00 Meet Nita;
8:51 Summary of minute;
10:30 Encinitas "surprise";
19:23 Guruji entering different states of consciousness;
24:33 Glassy eyes;
40:03 Mrinalini Mata;
43:57 Why did guruji enter this state?
Video on Mrinalini Mata discussed in the video:
https://yssofindia.org/about/mrinalini-mata-in-his-presence
50 min
August 29, 2022 Awake Minute 65: War and Peace
Paramahansa Yogananda spoke often about the ramifications of war and the way of peace. We dig a little deeper and explore the wealth of Guruji’s writings to find relevant material to discuss, relevant for both this minute and the current, troubling, state of affairs around the world. A sombre episode, but with reason for hope.
0:00 Preamble;
1:10 Summary of Minute;
2:03 World War 1 and the Cosmic Dream;
21:31 The End of the World;
50:13 Hitler;
53:36 The need for the teachings.
Articles discussed in minute from East West Magazine July – August, 1927 Vol 2-5:
www.mysticalportal.net/2-5.html
1 hr 1 min

About Yogananda Podcast

From the publisher's feed

A podcast focussed on the teachings of our guru Paramahansa Yogananda, in a way that is intended for the general populace, following a structured but informal format and presented by devotees: Chris, Lauren, Mike & Priyank. NB: we are not experts & not everything mentioned is fact checked, but if you enjoyed the book/film, this unofficial podcast for you!