Yogananda Podcast

Paramahansa Yogananda shares some optimistic reflections on how to consider home as anywhere and everywhere. Our guest Lauren joins us to discuss what this means for us, using the apt example of the lovely Cosmic Chant “Divine Gypsy”. We recite and reflect on Guruji’s related poem “God’s Boatman”, inciting both indebtedness and gratitude by devotees. We also explore a comment put forward by a follower on the subject of whether following the “News” should be a mandatory part of our lives. 

0:00 Mike sings a song that none have sung;

2:12 Meet Lauren;

3:33 Summary of Minute;

6:16 Divine Gypsy and the beauty of Cosmic Chants;

27:00 God's Boatman;

31:07 Images and music used in minute;

38:45 Q&A Should we follow the "news"?.

Music from the minute – Krishnadas's “Sita's Prayer / Hey Mata Durga":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABBl1a6kxKU

The Mahasamadhi of Sri Yukteswar has an intriguing background, we share the stories and sequence of events as covered by Paramahansa Yogananda in the Autobiography of a Yogi, as well as the last moments they shared together. Was it right for the producers to include the scenes of Sri Yukteswar’s soul-free frame? The documentary only hints at Yogananda's experience of Sri Yukteswar’s resurrection, we fill in the gaps and also reflect on our experiences of death within our own families. A minute to stop, think deeply and savour our journey of life. 

0:00 Preamble;

1:37 Summary of minute;

3:54 Sri Yukteswar gives Yogananda signs;

10:20 God's to help us to deal with death;

23:50 Scenes from the minute and handing of Sri Yukteswar's body;

32:03 Guruji's vision and images of him conducting the ancient Hindu rites;

41:20 The resurrection as depicted in the film;

45:05 The priceless pearls from resurrection chapter in the Autobiography of a Yogi.

Paramahansa Yogananda dedicates a whole chapter of his Autobiography to Anandamayi Ma. In this minute we only have a small glimpse of their divine tryst, but as a picture tells a thousand words, so we thought it only right to elucidate our experience of this beautiful moment in our Guru’s history. The narrator reflects that Paramahansa Yogananda had no ‘attraction’ to return to America, but if he had actually followed through, how would the world have been different for us devotees? The narrator also speaks of Krishna and the Jamuna river, reminding us of Master’s cosmic chant: My Krishna is Blue. Will Mike or Chris take the hint and finally don their chanting voices?

0:00 Meet Padmini;

11:09 Anandamayi Ma;

23:55 Being near her in Samadhi;

47:59 What if Guruji did not go back to America in 1936?;

58:56 Krishna's India and that famous Tamal Tree;  

1:07:07 Pictures used in the minute.

This minute is filled with a beautiful collage of images and moving pictures of Paramahansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar. It gives us the opportunity to discuss the significance of taking Darshan of saints, temples and holy places. We also ask ourselves about the importance of physical proximity to a spiritual master. The narrator mentions the spiritual zeal and ardour of the devotees surrounding Guruji while he was in India and that they did not need coaxing, but why do we have so much inertia?  There is a lovely video of Ramana Maharshi and we share our experiences of this famous spiritual master of South India. 

1:35 Summary of minute;

3:20 Darshan, bringing in the presence of the Gurus;

21:00 Images of Guruji in minute;

27:10 Why do we need coaxing?;

40:25 Swami Gyanananda;

44:26 The great Ramana Maharshi;

53:10 Final reflections.

Video extract from the minute - “Creating Your Spiritual Environment” by Brother Anandamoy:

https://youtu.be/PaNngy76hK4

In this minute Mahatma Gandhi welcomes Paramahansa Yogananda into his ashram. Our guest Philip joins us to discuss the spiritual background of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (before his Kriya initiation) and some epic philosophies he founded that are as applicable today as they were a century ago. Paramahansa Yogananda is then reunited with his own guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri in a compelling cinematography sequence. We also discuss Richard Wright and his witnessing the magical scene as it unfolded. 

0:00 Meet Philip;

4:47 Summary of Minute;

6:53 Mahatma Gandhi;

12:25 A fast on silence;

17:42 Challenging the caste system;

28:40 Was Gandhi already a Yogi before his initiation by Paramahansa Yogananda;

38:39 Priyank's favourite Gandhi quotes;

49:48 Renunciation;

55:01 Richard Wright;

1:05:26 Scenes from Guruji's reunion;

1:15:15 Philip describes how he is preparing for his Kriya Initiation.

Links discussed in the podcast: Gandhi’s video and jovial voice:

https://youtu.be/Zt_MmVBUv84 

Richard Wright background:

https://yoganandasite.wordpress.com/2017/01/08/tribute-to-richard-wright-his-great-contribution-to-gurus-work/

Sri Yukteswar recalls Paramahansa Yogananda back to India, with a lightening force! We discuss the beautiful and rare images used in this minute, as well as the background of the Great Depression that would have made Guruji’s sojourn back quite difficult. Yogananda established the London Centre of Self-Realization Fellowship while in England as well as taking the route through the Middle East and other important places of pilgrimage, providing an excellent tour guide for future generations of disciples such as us!

1:09 Summary of minute;

2:12 An image of an austere Sri Yukteswar;

9:12 The timing of Sri Yukteswar calling Guruji back;

27:25 The route back to India;

43:40 Other images used in the minute.

Leo Cocks shares his beautiful life experiences with Paramahansa Yogananda. He talks about self-transformation and unconditional love in such a heartfelt way that it warrants an entire hour discussion on these important topics. Our friend Deeksha joins us during her lunch break to share her unique reflections. 

0:00 Meet Deeksha;

7:56 Summary of Minute;

10:47 Memoires of Leo Cocks;

33:24 Psychiatry vs Guruchiatry;

1:05:22 Pictures from the minute and closing Prayer.

References: Leo Cocks Book: I Became My Heart.

Brother Ananadamoy's talk: https://yssofindia.org/blog/your-thoughts-can-change-your-life

The unique oratory skills of Brother Anandamoy, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, beautifully expressed the main theme of this minute: rechannelling. Through George Harrison we discuss how this was achieved through sound and through Sister Parvati through outward sight and inner vision. We dissect these topics with sniper like precision! 

0:00 William the Conqueror;

5:37 Summary of Minute;

7:02 George Harrison and gifting the AoY;

18:01 Brother Anandamoy;

39:00 Sister Parvati.

Brother Anandamoy's book referenced by Priyank:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RYME4lvhvvsGP3aAogO6QajobuioLKu3/view?usp=sharing

Brother Anandamoy's talk on Loyalty:

https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/loyalty/

Paramahansa Yogananda tells us about electrical pathways in the brain, but we ask the difficult question – why do we take the paths that we take in life? What grooves do our lives follow? How does Kriya help determine the path? The latter question is answered by Dr Andrew Newberg, confirming Yogananda was talking of neuroplasticity some 50 years before modern-day scientists. Fellow devotee Marguerite, who is great supporter of the podcast, joins us to share her insightful reflections. 

0:00 Meet Marguarite;

14:55 Summary of the minute and Yogananda's advanced vocabulary;

21:20 Preparing for death;

29:13 Neuroplasticity;

59:47 Marguerite's feedback about our podcast.

Hear more about Dr. Andrew Newberg and brain scans in Minute 42. 

Book discussed in this minute: Death: An Inside Story by Sadhguru

We talk about Paramahansa Yogananda rebuilding his organization. The approach is quality over quantity, enabling the transformation of the Mt. Washington community into a full-fledged monastery. We discuss the relevance, to us, of the monastic vows of loyalty, celibacy, obedience and simplicity. Furthermore, actor and singer Herb Jeffries makes an appearance and talks Guruji's acceptance of his renegade lifestyle. We delve a little more into their relationship, musing over topics such as self-transformation, miracles and free will. 

0:00 Minute Summary;

1:38 Re-organisation and renunciation;

9:03 Getting to know Herb Jeffries;

24:11 Miracles and whether to believe;

39:32 Vows - Simplicity, Celibacy, Obedience and Loyalty.

Talk by Brother Anandamoy discussed in the episode:

“Loyalty: The Highest Spiritual Law” - https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/loyalty/