Yogananda Podcast Chris, Lauren, Mike & Priyank

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!” 

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

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.  


0:00 Preamble and summary of episode;

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.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next 17 paragraphs of chapter 4 from: “Deeming it advisable to leave Hardwar at once...” To “...but in the stomachs of tigers!” 

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/  

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

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.   


0:00 Introducing others to SRF;

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 

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

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.  


0:00 Devine light, peace and an end to fear;

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 

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

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;

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last 12 paragraphs of the chapter from: “Pranabananda’s face was suffused with divine...” to “...Alas, two bodies are not yet for me!” 

References from the chapter: 
Yogananda on Meditation
yogananda.com.au/gurus/yogananda_quotes31meditation.html https://www.meditationbench.com/yogananda-on-meditation/ https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ralph-waldo-emerson https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-importance-of-a-true-guru/?_ga=2.122436098.829121879.1680814996-794184172.1673628159 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jguc-vhBdc  

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! 

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

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/  

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