Quotes from the writings, talks, and recordings of Paramahansa Yogananda; © SRF Publishers LA USA

“Truth is one…  Divine incarnations do not come to bring a new or exclusive religion, but to restore the One Religion of God-realization.  The great ones, like waves, all bathe in the same Eternal Sea… “

      (The Second Coming of Christ)” Said Paramahansa Yogananda.

“They shall come from all parts of the world, thousands and thousands of them, just as you have, for Self-Realization is bringing the original Christianity of Christ and the original Yoga of India’s Krishna so that all people of all religions can follow one highway to the Infinite.”

  Said Paramahansa Yogananda.

Above Comment was made by PY at Self-Realization Fellowship annual convocation, c 1951, LA USA .

A Major part of Paramahansa Yogananda’s world mission/dispensation was to clearly demonstrate/encourage/clarify the basic unity and harmony of the primary elements  and purposes of all true world religions. This is the nature of pluralism – the main concept that alone brings peace and cooperation among all religious communities! It’s opposite is “exclusivism” which is the main cause of stress, intolerance, and violence between religions and cultures world wide.

These conflicts are mainly caused by original teachings literary errors through time, and political manipulation of works by those in power, or by a false prophets pretending to have received his comments from some God.

One should examine all claims closely as there are many charlatans in the world of religion. Especially test and examine those teachings that you were raised in!

This can be better understood with searching your history and your heart. Are today’s common beliefs followed by your faith what those prophets really intended or taught? Academia is seldom the best place to learn about comparative religion and true philosophy.  Better to do your own personal searching and the truth of all this will become clearer as you go beyond your earlier programming. As a seeker of truth you owe that much to your personal integrity. We all have the same challenge, from birth we were mostly misled led by the spiritually blind in every religion.

This was the story of my own sadhana, when I was ready Yoganandaji introduced himself to me, and the rest is history. Many positive results eventually came since that amazing day of divine grace.

It was mainly India and the far east that has kept the truly ecumenical principal of global pluralism, tolerance, and the spiritual science of Kriya Yoga alive through countless millenniums. Such is the light giving nature of India’s “Sanatana Dharma.” This is what it takes to produce a Gandhi or a Paramahansa Yogananda.

Yoganandaji’s particular emphasis above re the historical words of Jesus and Krishna are for specific reasons as follows. The Master’s original mandate was to show the harmony between Original Christianity and Original Yoga . This however evolved into showing the plurality in all world true major spiritual scriptures. It is not unusual for a great Prophet to adjust the nature of His mandate part way through His world mission.
Yogananda, like Jesus, changed or upgraded several of His main emphasis for the immediate and long term goals.

In today’s world of global communications, mobility, and sciences, those documents provide the clearest elements referencing the highest Yoga spiritual sciences. Which Yogananda has made transparent and available for the “man in the street.” Which He has fully demonstrated in His extraordinary life. The value of any claims by any authority/prophet lies in all the results and examples of that life and statements. That becomes a living proof! If you don’t know why you believe something, you are in a state of blind belief situation going nowhere. What does the record say?

This move away from the narrowness of dogma, academia, and the secrecy of ancient monastic traditions will restore real spirituality in the hearts of many true seekers of reality world wide. It will spark a healing revolution in the hearts of a humanity that is now experiencing an emptiness and psycho derangement from the pace and direction of today’s world.

Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings via Self-Realization Fellowship are leading the way! Our first duty is to change ourselves!

Monuments to the World’s Major Religions, SRF Court of All Religions, Lake Shrine

from- Aims and ideals of Self-Realization Fellowship –

“To reveal the complete harmony and basic oneness of original Christianity as taught by JESUS CHRIST and original Yoga as taught by BHAGAVAN KRISHNA; and to show that these principles of truth are the common scientific foundation of all true religions.”        Paramahansa Yogananda

“To point out the one divine highway to which all paths of true religious beliefs eventually lead: the highway of daily, scientific, devotional meditation on God.”

~excerpt from ‘Aims and Ideals’ set forth by Paramahansa Yogananda

Everything published these days immediately goes world wide, especially in the English language. So the quality of any new spiritual message/dispensation must become more sensitive, advanced, esoteric, and universal, and pluralistic. It must also appeal to our reason and common sense. Does it’s originator have a reliable history ?When we can see past the common notions of what is popularly believed by the masses, we begin to see the whole picture in proper
 perspective.

The average person is also far more educated and literate than in centuries past. Peoples of many widespread cultures/religions are living side by side all over the globe, and even more interested in what is true in religion.

This is the “information age,” with the literature/history of most ancient and modern scriptures easily available, along with clearer, verifiable records of many more recent true and false prophets, available to all.
The Devotees Dilemma!
Many seekers fall into the trap of assuming they know who is either a true Guru, or which teachers are even Avatars. The novice devotee uses such wild assumptions to feel good about his/her judgement on such matters.
Most of these wrong estimations take years and growth of consciousness to overcome. You must go well beyond your cognitive dissonance.

The essence of holy writs as historically recorded in the New Testament Gospels and the Bhagavad Gita of India are not only the purest and clearest statements of what is called “the perennial philosophy” (re A. Huxley c 1945). The life example and teachings of Jesus and Krishna are two of the most exalted examples of exemplary lives among the worlds Avatars. Extremely high on the human spiritual evolutionary consciousness scale! The message and the wisdom level are very similar and equal!

Before you can read those subtle messages and change your own life, you may have to do a lot of work on yourself! Just what are you really looking for, reinforcement of your emotionally based blind programming, or the truth that will demand serious changes in your behavior, attitudes, and your total way of understanding the world and consciousness?

Essentially, these 2 documents, at their esoteric level of interpretation are not onlythe same direct teachings at the highest spiritual level of understanding and inspiration,  they were parts of great dispensations to cultures that were at a very high level of human civilization. Societies relatively free of tribalism. Without taking anything away from all other true spiritual paths which were suited to other cultures. Yogananda will make this all very clear to the seeker who studies His other teachings. Yogananda’s legacy has cleared up a mountain of problems in the field of today’s religions/spirituality.

The quality, sophistication, and purity of a spiritual dispensation is seldom rated solely by the lineal historical time period in which it was introduced.
The wisdom of its content, the suitability of its message for that specific peoples, and the character of its deliverer are more important than how recent that teaching is. Which should ideally appeal to the local culture of the prophetic messenger of that culture and era.
Claims that this new message is some Gods greatest is vain compared to the long term results of its followers. Did it bring peace and light or violence in the name of power and conquest? Time is the test for all things in this world!

On a global scale therefore, a new revelation may be more advanced or less advanced than earlier previous spiritual dispensations. One may ask – how does one assess the value and level of a particular spiritual message and its claims? Who can be believed without doubt? Certainty, without clear evidence blind belief is the maintainer of blindness and ignorance.

In the King James Version of the Bible reads: Matthew 7:16
Answer! “Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”     ///////////

Such “prophets” and dispensations must also stand as true guides to remove ignorance and enhance mind awareness/expansion of consciousness for all sincere devotees who want to awaken from this dreamworld of relativity. This is the way to salvation. Jesus tells us that very few will ever find it! It may not happen after death at all . There is so much history to know!

Thus Yogananda’s dispensation is the key to Self-Realization and world peace for the masses in today’s world! In fact Paramahansa Yogananda, like others before Him sometimes made a temporary shift in their mandate.
One of the ones made by Him was to expand His mission from America to uplift all world religions who have the wisdom to add the science of kriya Yoga to their traditions. We read in various SRF/YSS publications His work as being described more and more as a Global mission. It is truly worthy of that classification!

“Whispers from Eternity “;

[the acknowledgements]-by Paramahansa Yogananda ( Founder of Yogoda Sat Sangha/Self-Realization Fellowship.)
And unto; 
The multicolored lamps of various true teachings,

In whom the Cosmic Heart is ever throbbing equally.
And unto; The multicolored lamps of various
true teachings,  
Dedicated unto; Christians, Muslims, Buddhists,
Hebrews, Hindus, and all other Religionists,
In which shines the same white flame of God.
And unto; All churches, mosques, Viharas, tabernacles,
pagodas and Temples of the world,
Wherein the One Father dwells impartially 
in the fullness of his glory.

  by Paramahansa Yogananda

           [© Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers LA USA]

This acclaimed avatar Paramahansa Yogananda, gave the world community updated, advanced, wisdom saturated, esoteric scientific commentary and living example of how to live a life of spiritual and material harmony and peace.

“Truth is one…  Divine incarnations do not come to bring a new or exclusive religion, but to restore the One Religion of God-realization.  The great ones, like waves, all bathe in the same Eternal Sea…” (Page 242 The Second Coming of Christ) x           Paramahansa Yogananda, ©  SRF Publishers LA USA.

For the Christian world He clarified the true meaning of the Bibles Gospels.

“The Second Coming of Christ; Resurrecting the Christ Within You” 1994

For the Orientals He clarified the true meaning of the Holy Bhagavad Gita.

“God Talks With Arjuna” 2004

For the Muslim world He gave the higher teachings from one of their greatest Saints – Omarr Khayyam’s “The Rubaiyat.”  in “Wine of the Mystic.”  1996

All 3 above commentaries are published under Copyright by Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers LA USA.

The Master said ,” A new scripture is born,” upon the completed dictation of these sacred commentaries of divine inspiration and wisdom. 

The great question we are now faced with?

Why did Yogananda not give a commentary on the Koran, Hadiths, or Sira to share His spirituality advanced  teachings with the Muslim world? He did use the key scriptures of other religious prophets to share their truths of esoteric spiritual wisdom. This is a major deviation that may rightly or wrongly maybe perceived as a slight by those who play the victim card.
Although His prime mission was to share the wisdom of the Gospels and the Bhagavad Gita, it seems that He wanted to wean the Muslim world into a Higher level of understanding with the Rubaiyat of Omarr Khayyam (great middle Eastern saint) as a basis to work from. Yogananda’s commentary on Khayyam’s Rubaiyat is titled “Wine of the Mystic” and is published by Yogananda’s true publisher, Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers LA USA.

The fact being, that all the worlds teachings/dispensations/revelations were presented at specific levels (grades) suitable for the culture into which they were introduced. On a global scale, this does not necessarily mean that the latest is the greatest or most advanced teaching or more advanced than previous revelations! This was more often true only on a local level for that specific culture where is was introduced. Some cultures are always less advanced than others, it all depends on many factors. Have they been involved for centuries in warfare , research, exploring human consciousness – simple agrarian activities, or just reproducing themselves?
Often various parts of the same continent or hemisphere would be centuries apart in their development and goals.
In today’s world- the latest may or may not be the Greatest – or even new!

The serious scholar or spiritual seeker will find that even many so-called New religions are not much more than the rehashed previous teachings with a new book cover. Until you have done your research you are a potential victim of all the slogans and false prophecies of many so-called prophets. Attracting large numbers of people is not necessarily an indication of a new celebrity having any divine knowledge of status. A Celebrity can merely be another popular figure for the masses to blindly follow, Don’t follow the crowds – they love running over cliffs!

If that culture was more primitive, nomadic, tribal, it would of course receive a less advanced teaching than previous dispensations given to more advanced cultures in a different geological location. For such a culture the first order would be to secure a firmer sociological structure often requiring many strict rules while maintaining the color of certain local elements such as ancient Gods and rituals. So, on a global scale there was not necessarily any “progressive revelation” going on by reason of historical timelines global timelines.
Too many persons -groups- cults are over touchy at the idea that “they” are not the greatest new kid on the block. Well, if you’re nowhere’s near the top, there are others more advanced that can get you closer. As long as you think unrealistically that you are something you are not, there will be little if no immediate progress for your chosen group!

There are often false claims such as “this is God’s final revelation to mankind,” and “there will never be another new religion or prophet sent to earth,” as Mohammad said in the seventh century. Or “the true gospel and priesthood has now been restored for the world” as said Joseph Smith not so long ago. The wise know that it is the “priesthoods” (and Mullahs, bishops, elders, etc) of institutional religions that serve the lower levels of all religions – not the higher more advanced levels. Time is the proof of all things in this world. “You will know them by their fruits” said JC. There have been a number of greater prophets and new religions since the seventh century. And many earlier vain claims have now turned to dust! in fact , the evidence is intensely mounting – as to the very existence of a particular prophet. This may have been a politically inspired movement choosing a figurehead as a focal point. It is so easy to claim one is an emissary of some god. And those who desperately want power [the politicos] will do anything to acquire that power.

Many of the great prophets of recent millennia have been from India alone since the seventh century and even before that era!

This is revealed/evidenced in Yogananda’s spiritual classic “Autobiography of a Yogi,” from SRF Publishers LA USA. Being one of the 20th centuries greatest spiritual classics and divinely inspirational revelations by one who was a living example of all he taught.

Apparently, even though Yogananda had no serious condemnation re certain other writings and groups, by simply not using them in His great world wide spiritual dispensation, and breaking with His own pattern of literary usage for commentary, His actions made a clear statement on the truth of this whole subject of progressive revelations. Vive la difference!

The oft misunderstood concept of “progressive revelations” mostly applies only to the particular area / culture into which they were introduced.  It may only be an advanced timely teaching for that culture/peoples in that specific geographical area of the world.

There may be a possible exceptions in today’s advanced techno world.
With the increasing intermixing of the worlds cultures it is possible to introduce a spiritual dispensation that is globally more advanced. For the content of the message and record of its blessings, but not solely because of the date of its occurrence.

Content, quality, and living examples of truth are the determining factors of the greatness of a dispensation. Does it bring wisdom, harmony, and peace to the world. Does the message truly enhance human consciousness, or is it just a plagiaristic rehashing of all the old ideas from the past while saying it is from some God with no witnesses?

Paramahansa Yogananda did not make such egoistic claims, and when He used ancient quotations/sources He gave proper credit to those sources. Although there is considerable evidence that His communication with the infinite was very true and profound He always credit to others. Time is the test of all things.
The message and example of Yogananda’s great dispensation is universal and enlightening to all who wish to wisely change themselves. It is the way of the “few” that Jesus described, the way that leads to real salvation.

If “you” think you have an opinion on this particular matter, there are a few things you need to do before criticizing these comments. First you must understand clearly what the Guru was doing and what changed in his presentations on certain subjects, and for what reasons.

A beautiful ideal is one thing, yet the timing and practicality of promoting that ideal must sometimes by put on hold or be revised as changing situations/needs dictate.  Yogananda, like Jesus, had to redirect/reassess his promotions of some very important opinions/mandates.

In this case of not using Islamic sources to share higher teachings with the Islamic world – what kept Yogananda away from this situation? He claimed that His method of commenting on ancient holy writ was to actually time travel to the time and place where these prophets lived and taught. Thereby experience and ascertaining their true meanings. When we read His reveletory commentaries, this claim becomes very believable. So, what did He see to warn Him away from Islamic writ? This was back in the last century. Since that time a lot of questions have arisen about the way in which these so called holy writs of Islam came about. So our present day knowledge of these matters gives great credibility to the Masters conduct in this matter. He never got caught up in that hornets nest.

The problem most devotees experience is a form of cognitive dissonance, they become too attached to the old idea and are unable to see the Gurus redirection. This causes some stumbling on the part of the devotee who may have heard the first words but were not open to the Master’s redirections .
Jesus said his original mandate was “salvation of the Jews,” that being rejected He then told his apostles to baptize all sincere believers into his new path. This does not apply to every so called missionary who is far from the realization of the Holy Spirit. Few are capable of actually baptizing others at that level.
Paramahansa Yogananda’s great ideal of world brotherhood colonies became impractical in the near future so he rephrased the sense of community to be around SRF temples and meditation groups. There simply was not the spiritual leadership in the West to do this properly. And there was so much other work to prioritize to grow this sacred path.

Most of all, unless you have spent a few years serious study of Islam and its prophet, you will probably have little idea what you are talking about. First take a few years to do this – then we can talk. Remember that in most religions very few of it adherents know what it is all about, and even fewer study the global picture of history and scripture. That is the bigger picture. The avoiding of commentary on the Koran has serious implications.

You will clearly know why He did it this way when you do your own research!

Originality especially, with true inspiration is a great indicator of divine creativity!

There are also many other dubious aspects of the historical Koran that renders it unsuitable to have a comparative association or inclination with certain more advanced scriptures of other prophets (already mentioned by Yogananda).

Here are the addresses of some videos that partially reveal why the Koran could

not be used in a pluralistic, spiritually advanced dispensation for the modern world; “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUsk39rrONE”

(shared with appreciation to Jay Smith),

or  see this doc by Tom Holland “Islam The Untold Story” 

or, shared from the Positron channel : Why Caliph Uthman Burned All Original Qurans? see  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-OX362ff74
latest research on this matter; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxjAClZJMao&t=533s

Finally, n the King James Version of the Bible reads: Matthew 7:16

“Ye shall know them by their fruits…..JC

Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”  ….end

Why do so many people ignore the serious simple wisdom

in these Biblical comments? They do not take time to read!

This is some of the wisdom that Jesus suggests as a way to test true souls;

Another aspect to Yogananda’s comment above; “Truth is one…  Divine incarnations do not come to bring a new or exclusive religion, but to restore the One Religion of God-realization. ” 

Few persons in history claiming prophet hood tried more loudly and brutally to create a new, most exclusive, intolerant religion than Mohammad. If anyone finds this statement untrue – then you must figure out what went wrong, when, and by whom. Because something is seriously out or whack with that ideology! fp

If someone attempts to introduce a new spiritual dispensation and make
any claims of superiority and exclusivism, or of being the “true church”, or the only true church it will have to stand the tests of time and comparison. We now know too much about such vain claims!  We now have so much info available at any moment to test all such claims. Remember, one who makes many claims and prophecies must answer many questions and may have many schemes.

Examine and test all claims made by those who attract a lot of ego and emotional popular attention!

“There never was only One Way!

There never was only One holy Writ of truth, or one way to Salvation!

There never was only One exclusive Prophet/Savior/Guru!”…..    by PYislove

eg.  Krishna’s date in the Holy Land [India] was circa 3000 BC.
Yet spiritually, sociologically,  scientifically, and politically, Krishna’s teaching has far more refined and consciousness enhancing directives than that of  the Hebrew prophets of much later dates which follow the timeline. Not from any lack therein of the profound wisdom of life, but there are missing detailed pieces of that ancient picture. Much of this may have been deliberate. 
India’s spiritual and civilizational heritage predates the Mediterranean areas perhaps by thousands of years.
Vedic holy scriptures of the Sanatana Dharma also contain esoteric locked up wisdom. Some great seers of modern times have unlocked from them the worlds most advanced mathematics and psychophysical spiritual exercises for human development. 

Archaeological findings from the Mohenjo-Daro civilization have uncovered an intact skeleton of a Yogi sitting in Lotus posture meditating, dated at 7,200 BC. How many millennia before that date was the spiritual science of Yoga perfected?
There was also the Harrapan civilization in Western India.

After the Hebrews had practiced their religious traditions for a few millennia, only then did Jeshua return from His long sojourn in India to give them the highest ways to live and worship Brahman. Brahman(That) is the name given to the nameless reality in the wisdom of the Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism).

Again, their history shows politics of the Hebrew priesthood generally rejected Christ’s message and attempting to shut down his personal ministry. 

Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well;

John 4:21,  “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Yogananda concludes with this far reaching statement;

Paramahansa Yogananda said;

“We in Self-Realization Fellowship have not come to bring a new religion, or a new cult or new interpretation. We have come to teach practical methods, the exact technique of widening the channel of human consciousness, so that truth may flow in ceaselessly, endlessly, without obstructions of dogma or unproved beliefs. We seek to point out the path of concentration on a practical system of realization as well as words and personality of saints and prophets. We teach step by step progress to individual personal realization and attainment of divinity.”

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