The above photo is “Moraine Lake, Banff National park, Alberta, Canada Copywrite by Astral Media Artists photo by Federico Parente , astral@srfrediscovered
In this auspicious year -2018, we gratefully celebrate the 125th anniversary of Paramahansa Yogananda’s divine birth. The yoga master known as “the Father of Yoga in the West” is a great educator and founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Sat Sangha , a world wide New Religious Movement.
Yogananda was without doubt the world’s most significant spiritual prophet/luminary of the 20th and 21st centuries to date. Leaving behind an impeccable spiritual life and literary legacy that is revolutionizing the spiritual life, outlook, and consciousness of millions of seekers in today’s world .
Although this reinventing of the truly scientific spiritual approach is most widespread in Hindustan and the Caucasian worlds, many other cultures and faiths are slowly discovering the uplifting transformational message and living presence of this world teacher/prophet. Acclaimed by both those who intimately follow Him as their Guru/Avatar/Savior/mentor, and those who have just become aware of His amazing life and Legacy.
He was a modern outstanding real life example of the truth of much of the worlds greater spiritual literature as were originally intended. As for the popular beliefs of the masses, he approached those many misunderstandings with compassion and profoundly clear and simple clarifications that appeal to common sense. As a living demonstration of the love, light, peace, wisdom, and joy that we read about in sacred writings (eg the Holy Bible and the Holy Bhagavad Gita.) His strongest witness as a modern living prophet is in that divine life record he left us. Yogananda’s real life drama has transformed the myth of ancient scripture into the clarity of scientific modernity. There’s no more denying then! Inharmonies just fade away for those who know how to read.
It takes considerable research, time, and faithful practice to
to fully appreciate and understand the extensive practical blessings that this humble Master bequeathed to the world during His short life of 59 yrs. I suggest starting with His “Autobiography of a Yogi” and other works that are still in publication by Self-Realization Publishers LA USA. There are also various videos and doc films available on the net (see image sidebar) and search on YouTube under Self-Realization Fellowship -or Paramahansa Yogananda, or Self-Realization Fellowship/ Yogoda Sat Sangha in India.
Only Yogananda’s books from this publisher (SRF) are most reliable, accurate, and up to date. The work of SRF Publishers do accurately reflect the Masters true legacy. As a simple test of the importance of Yogananda’s work I would suggest that one could compare it to the life and revelation of the gospels of Jesus. Excepting the fact that because this Guru’s life and work all took place within the last century or so, with many witnesses of both devotees and non devotees this remarkable example of the advanced yogic spiritual life for all religions is very reliable and noteworthy. His unity with the infinite was clear.
During His sojourn and ministry in the last century He was able to answer and put to rest most of the problems of modern popular religionists who have long since given up on institutional religion. The now commonly used term of “Spirituality” was given much strength and credibility with the advent of Yogananda’s work and life! He is a true leader and peaceful revolutionary in religion, spirituality, mind awareness, meditation, psychology, social engineering, education, healing, health and balanced living etc.
He also published all of his writings in English [now the worlds most commonly spoken language.] A language that He had mastered as if it were His mother tongue.
This unique situation will, in future years remove much of the problem that followed so many revelations of all faiths that suffer from political, language, and ancient messed up historical confusions. Political misdirections and linguistic translations during the evolution of languages in all
cultures being some of the most problematic sources of misunderstanding. All this aside, one needs to experience the living presence of His intimate omnipresence to truly know what He is doing for humanity in education, spirituality, charity, and the well-being of society. What was so unique or outstanding about the life, Legacy, and SRF/YSS society established by Paramahansa Yogananda?
Instead of deliberately starting a new “religion,” He clarified for humanity the scientific essence Kriya Yoga that will harmonize all true historical paths together at a lofty effective spiritual level. This is the only true “unity in diversity” as it does not require others to deny or leave their family’s faiths. It does not falsely tell others they must change. Other prophets followers have used that lofty slogan of “Unity in Diversity,” but upon closer scrutiny their claims do not hold true.
Those others really want you to deny the validity all other faiths and unite under their own new banner. Persons joining those new movements are not usually initially told about their way of eradication/demeaning previous faiths. They often don’t even fully understand the flaws of their own dark history. Those who do this don’t properly understand such terms as “unity in diversity” and “Progressive Revelation.”
Where then does the new society known as “Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Sat Sangha” truly stand in all of this? My take on it below! Yogananda set this org up not with the intent of creating a new religion, but as a reliable and leading spiritual center for the preservation and dissemination of the Kriya Yoga revelation which He was introducing to the modern and post modern world. To be a promoter of religious harmony and peace among all faiths, not by conversion but by emphasizing the principle unifying goals of all faiths. Some special qualities made Him the ideal interface with humanity for this great mandate. His ability as a articulate natural teacher and His ultra high mastery of His consciousness at all significant levels.
Being fully unified with the Infinite Consciousness (Reality), and awakened from the mayic dream of Relativity, He was fully qualified to lead others on life’s most challenging and rewarding quest – that of Self-Realization.
Those who have become a serious part of this new teaching and lifestyle could be said in modern terminology to be members of a new church. Yogananda has now many millions of devotees and helpers. God bless them all! Continue to live/grow in “Mind-Awareness.”
This Master says very clearly that if you add the science of Kriya Yoga and a few principles of love and peace to your present religious/spiritual practice, you do not have to reject/ deny the religions of your families and cultures. But you will have to learn what is true and false about what you have been taught by those blind leaders of so many varied sects, and you have to practice the raising of your consciousness with higher yoga science of life transforming meditation that the prophet Yogananda gives us.
Yogananda came to the West at a time when modern technology was distracting most men from two things. The higher teaching of Yoga- the mystical enhance- ment of consciousness, and the reality within. The more attention we give only to the outward physical sciences at the neglect of the inner spiritual sciences will simply further enslave our consciousness to the world of relativity and the senses! Are the machines taking over yet – it is getting closer all the time!
He left us a vast comprehensive life example and library of clear instruction and inspiration plus his ever living omnipresence. He is not dead, He lives and works through and with His true devotees. History proclaims it! I also recommend seeing the documentary “Awake;The Life of Yogananda” a remarkable biopic film released in 2014. Read about Him in the enlightening book “Autobiography of a Yogi, and test His SRF Lessons course and the results will tell the rest. from the address below.
It was in the dark years preceding and during World War II that the Guru turned his mind to the creation of Self-Realization Fellowship “Churches of All Religions”*–speaking with greater urgency than before about the need to “establish unity and brotherhood among religionists of all races.”
“The true basis of religion,” Paramahansaji said, “should be a science. The practice of a ‘science of religion’ is imperative. Different dogmatic ‘isms’ have kept mankind divided…
“We should begin to build world unity with the idea that has been initiated by Self-Realization Fellowship: a ‘Church of All Religions’; not eclecticism, but respect for all religions as constituting various paths to God…Attaining Self-realization through Yoga, men will come to know that they are all children of the one Father.”
…In dedicating the new [San Diego] temple [Paramahansaji] expressed his wish that within its walls many seekers would attain the true realization of the fundamental truths inherent in all great religions.
“I welcome you today to this new Self-Realization Fellowship Church of All Religions,” he said. May you realize the spirit of unity and oneness which we represent, in the realization of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.
I dedicate this church in the name of our one Father God, our common parents Adam and Eve, and the great ones of God—Jesus Christ, Bhagavan Krishna, Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswarji, Guru-Preceptor, and saints of all religions. May we all realize the unity of man in the foundation of our existence in God. May this church, which represents this unity, help to dispel the clouds of war and suffering and bring happiness unto all…
…“We should go to church for one purpose only: God-communion. This is why you come here. If you will grow used to quiet, deep meditation at home and in church, you will someday realize what it has done for your life. You need quiet places for communion with God. This is the real purpose of churches and temples.”
A FARSIGHTED CONCEPT OF TRUE UNITY IN DIVERSITY
Paramahansa Yogananda envisioned Self-Realization Fellowship temples as sanctuaries for the perpetuation of the ideals of actual God-communion and a common spiritual brotherhood. These ideals were reflected in the very name he gave to the work he had been sent to the West to establish. “Self-Realization Fellowship,” the Guru explained, “signifies fellowship with God through Self-realization, and friendship with all Truth-seeking souls.” Expressing spiritual goodwill to all, Paramahansaji included in his prayer invocations not only God and the Gurus of the SRF path, but also “saints of all religions.” In this same spirit, when he founded his Self-Realization temples in Hollywood and San Diego in the early 1940’s, he referred to each of them as a “Church of All Religions.”
…[Parmahansaji] was not advocating…the merging of various beliefs and practices from different religions…He explained that in view of the vast cultural and psychological diversity of the human race this would be a highly illogical goal and an unnecessary one. Indeed, each expression has its place, even as he defined his work of Self-Realization Fellowship as a ‘special dispensation.’ He declared that what humanity needs is an understanding of the ‘science’ of religion; and in his book by that name he explained what he meant in referring to “the unity of all religions”:
“If by religion we understand only practices, particular tenets, dogmas, customs and conventions, then there may be grounds for the existence of so many religions. But if religion means primarily God-consciousness, or the realization of God both within and without, and secondarily a body of beliefs, tenets and dogmas, then, strictly speaking, there is but one religion in the world, for there is but one God. The different customs, forms of worship, tenets, and conventions may be held to form the grounds for the origins of different denominations and sects included under that one religion. If religion is understood in this way, then and then only may its universality be maintained; because we cannot possibly universalize different customs and conventions. Only the element common to all religions may be universalized; we may ask everyone to follow and obey it.”
Paramahansa Yogananda, “The Science of Religion”
excerpts from “TOWARD WORLD UNITY THROUGH COMMUNION WITH GOD”
Self-Realization magazine, Fall 1993
***[Gurudeva] chose for the name of his organization in the West (his international society) a distinctive translation of the name he had given to the society in India—Yogoda Satsanga. “Yogoda” (a word he himself had coined) means “that which the science of yoga imparts,” and “Satsanga” means “association with God, with Truth, with good people.” He translated this name as “Self-Realization Fellowship,” and explained: “Through Self-realization we have fellowship with God, and in that fellowship, we give divine friendship to truth-seekers in all religions.” From~ SRF Mother Center
Essentially Paramahansa Yogananda’s Mandate was threefold.
1. To show the unifying elements in mankind’s great faiths and show them how to achieve unity not by everyone converting to another religion, but to know that unity through oneness with the infinite by communing with God.
2. To bring to the world the detailed scientific Yoga meditation that makes that communion a reality. He brought us the great how to live teachings.
3. To clarify and correct the many misconceptions about our understanding of what the great ones were really teaching. Break through the barriers of your dark programming!
He succeeded in fully and effectively doing all this and it is available for those who
willing to listen, learn, and work at it.
The great barriers to the evolution of consciousness.
Humans are so gregarious, community health and participation is as much as part of our nature as is the protection of our individuality and freedom. A serious problem arises however, when we allow emotion and insecurity to trump intelligence/wisdom.
The majority of followers of most religious paths are very concerned about their standing in the community and not so much about the all important quest for truth and justice. Thus we have have the old trap of “blind leading the blind.” This goes on in all cultures, and is clearly described in the Gospels of Jesus and the Bhagavad Gita of Lord Krishna.
If you want your life to mean something – especially to your Self, it is imperative that you make some effort by inner searching and prayer, and study, to understand what these all important matters are all about. You must apply these new truths by practices with which you can change yourself. Only then will you find real purpose, peace, and understanding that goes beyond the masses of sheep in your own group. Only then will you be in a position to share your mind awareness and love with suffering humanity.
No matter what path/culture you were born into – it is not and never was some “god’s only way,” and your race and culture is not some god’s greatest expression of humanity.
it is ok to be proud of your origins, if you can do this without the egotism of vain superiority. If, like many of us you were told such things, you have been lied to by your teachers most of your life. Exclusivism is not needed to support ones self-esteem.
The courageous relinquishing of these and many other false ideas [exclusivism] are the only gateway to enhance your evolution. Shouting slogans and blindly clinging to the ways you really know little about is not the road to peace and progress. It is to serve the locked in programming of darkness. Look around and you will see that the message is clear! That simple message is “Change Yourself.”
As long as you still also believe that this relative world of the senses is reality, you will not know real joy , peace, or purpose in your life.
Read this article on crediting Yogananda’s work in America as being a major factor in bringing the reality of “International Day of Yoga” into such quick manifestation because of His 30+ years of work in the West.
The government of India has named one of its railroad services “Kriya Yoga Express”. As this was the train that Yogananda used to travel between His Ranchi school and Calcutta [now Kolkatta]
During Yogananda’s work in America He established His one society known as Self-Realization Fellowship through which anyone may take correspondence course to learn Kriya Yoga Meditation techniques for home independent study.
He also authored many books and restored the true teachings of Jesus & Krishna, showing the essential advanced unity of their teachings for world wide dissemination.
His life was a living, walking, display of divinity itself!
Welcome page; also see other links on these pages. See Sidebar >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Deep Meditations, Healing, Self-Transformation, Advanced spiritual practices,
and community devotion are found at London Ontario Meditation Circle of Self-Realization Fellowship.
A society free from dogmatism, prejudice, and exclusivity.
YSS/SRF Kriya Yoga Meditation is absolutely safe and effective, and life enhancing.
Come, meditate deeply with with our SRF community and expand your consciousness!
You can change your life more quickly in this uplifting group environment…
Practices and readings at these Meditation Circle services will
give the wise seeker tools to take home for personal growth.
If you came only once or twice and imagined it is like any other
church, you have missed the whole point. You didn’t take time to really see!
The Uniqueness and fullness of these services are consciousness changing.
Enrich the Peace and Mind Awareness and vitality in your daily life!
Self-realization Fellowship is unlike any other church, true scientific spirituality [Kriya Yoga]
is what Yogananda brought to the world, and this Legacy is creating a global spiritual revolution.
Become part of it by changing yourself first. SRF meditation community is the key.
If Yogananda really moved your soul, support His work.
For more info please call 519-438-4744 /or 519-472-3066.
We meet weekly at members homes. No obligations.
This Epic film was showing in London, Ontario, Dec 12-23, 2014 [ Hyland Theatre]
It has been showing to sold-out audiences of spiritual seekers across North America since Oct 2014, and globally since 2015. Follow up films on Yogananda’s life are under way by various groups.
It may also be purchased in DVD form from Self-Realization Fellowship book store
or other outlets. The editions of DVD from SRF book store have multi lingual sub titles and are the best choice.
This award winning documentary [biopic] shows a very brief outline of Paramahansa Yogananda’s amazing life story. His work is a major force in advancing a healthier global climate and inspiration for spiritual seekers of all religions or no religion.
Self-Realization Fellowship/ YSS was founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920, Incorporated in 1935 as His sole representatives, teachers, and publishers of Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Yogoda spiritual teachings.
His journey in this lifetime 1893-1952. He did say that He would return again and again to help all and attuned SRF/YSS devotees to reach cosmic consciousness. But be careful – when a divine Master makes such a statement, it does not necessarily mean more physical reincarnations or public debuts. This usually refers to great devotees with great devotion.
They personally come to loyal devotees who are attuned. Even now there are opportunists who are claiming to be the reincarnation or the true earthly representatives of Yogananda. They are not!
He made it clear that only His true representatives would be through the SRF/YSS leaders.
This divine manifestation brought Kriya Yoga Meditation to the West.
He made far reaching contributions to world peace, and religious unity,
and left us all with a revelatory divine dispensation in the world’s
most widely spoken language. Yogananda also brought the yogic
“Science of Religion” as a true science to the world’s attention in a
way fully explained and demonstrated in His own remarkable life.
Methods, that when correctly and regularly practiced,
will bring one the personal enlightenment & Joy of
Self-Realization even before death. Ending the cycles of reincarnation.
This path is one of grace, self-effort, reason, devotion, and Intuition.
SRF/YSS Lessons are available at minimum expense for all
who wish to learn and practice the world’s most
advanced and effective methods for self-transformative living.
With ongoing personal counseling, initiations, and instructions.
This is always accompanied by Yogananda’s constant aid to all
sincere devotees who are attuned to His presence – He is a “Living Guru.”
Yes! Yogananda brought the most advanced brain plasticity
concepts as part of many unique advanced lifestyle
practices/teachings all based upon Ancient Yoga principles and Techniques.
Kriya Yoga Lessons course from YSS/SRF note;
These advanced Kriya Yoga techniques [ with all the higher Kriyas] allows a person to dissolve their past
Karma [the residual traumas of this and other lives in this world, called sin by some].
Of course, this will only happen with regular correct practice and attitudes.
Attitudes of loyalty to the Guru and his work via YSS/SRF, and attunement
with His living presence, study of the Lessons and other writings daily.
See >>>>>>>>>> http://kriyayogatoday.blogspot.ca/
The Master said, “I seek nothing from you but your joy in God .
And you seek nothing from me but wisdom and joy.”
He also began the pluralistic open restoration of these advanced
world teachings found in the Holy Bhagavad Gita & the Biblical Gospels.
For the Arabic peoples He revealed an esoteric commentary based upon
the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam for their spiritual elucidation.
This dispensation has led to a world wide revolution in spiritual
thinking and greater respect for all religious traditions.
One of the greatest contributions Paramahansa Yogananda made to
humanity was the “depoliticization ” of Religion/Spirituality.
Because, you may know, it was emperors and various powerful leaders
who became entrenched in a “one way ” and “us and them” divisive
belief systems that were the great cause of keeping the masses ignorant
of the full possibilities of their divine potential.
Yoga and the work of Self-Realization Fellowship which is now
sweeping the world is only in the earliest beginning stages.
When asked by a devotee what the future held for these SRF teachings.
The master replied, “wait till you see this work in two thousand years.”
Paramahansa Yogananda’s renowned “Autobiography of a Yogi”
originally written in English in 1946 has been revised per His own
efforts and instructions left with his only church SRF/YSS.
Now available in over 45 languages, and still appearing
on Best seller lists world wide. Get the “complete edition” only available from Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers [with the orange cover].
The Master said, “By heeding these simple truths
that I give you, you can find God. You don’t need a new religion.
You know what God wants;
what you need is to live by it.”
Welcome page; also see other links on these pages. See Side List >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Deeper Meditations, Healing, Self-Transformation, advanced spiritual practices, and community devotion are found via London Meditation
Circle of Self-Realization Fellowship/YSS. SRF/YSS is a society free from dogmas, prejudices, exclusivity, race /gender limitations. We have left outdated attitudes far behind. We know what we worship! Kriya Yoga and other Meditation techniques are absolutely safe and effective. Come, meditate regularly and deeply with us and expand your consciousness!
You can change your life more quickly in this uplifting environment… These services carry the presence and blessings of the Masters’ Practices and readings at these Meditation Circle services will give the wise seeker basic tools to take home for personal growth. If you came only once or twice and imagined it was like any other church, you have missed the whole point, you need to do more searching.You didn’t take time to really see! Do more reading of Yogananda’s wisdom!
Come for many months, While also daily Meditating at home – then you will know for sure how a living prophet can help you change your life for the better!
Better yet – send for the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons Course.
It will take you to the highest realizations, these are the same methods used
by Paramahansa Yogananda and the great ones of India. You will feel the uplifting quality of life these practices bring you.
The Uniqueness and fullness of these services are consciousness/life changing.
If you are not ready to change yourself, this path may not be for you just yet?
Self-Realization Fellowship/YSS was Founded by
Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920,
Incorporated in 1935.
His journey in this lifetime 1893-1952.
He is the 20th century’s most acclaimed spiritual master.
This divine manifestation brought Kriya Yoga Meditation to the West. He made far reaching contributions to world peace, and religious unity
and harmony. He answered all the difficult questions that seekers need
to understand, and left us all with a revelatory divine dispensation in the world’s most widely spoken language this can be applied to all religions.
Yogananda also brought the yogic “Science of Religion” as a true science to the world’s attention in a way fully explained and demonstrated in His own remarkable life.
Methods, that when correctly and regularly practiced, will bring one the personal enlightenment & Joy of Self-Realization even before death.
Thus ending the tedious/ unpredictable cycles of reincarnation. This path is one of grace, self-effort, reason, devotion, and Intuition. SRF/YSS Lessons Course is available at minimum expense for all who wish to learn and practice the world’s most advanced and effective methods for self-transformative living.
With ongoing personal counseling, initiations, and instructions
from Self-Realization Fellowship mother centre.
This is always accompanied by Yogananda’s constant aid to all
sincere devotees who are attuned to His presence –
He is a “Living Guru.”
Consciousness does not die and is not born, it learns and remembers itself through human experience. When we change our ego consciousness into superconsciousness, there is no more need for physical bodies.
We just go on working all the same.
Yes! Yogananda brought the most advanced brain plasticity concepts as part of many unique advanced lifestyle practices/teachings all based upon Ancient Yoga principles.
All part of a Spiritual science free of dogma and superstition- there are real results!
Kriya Yoga Lessons course from YSS/SRF note;
These advanced Kriya Yoga techniques allow a person to dissolve their past Karma [the residual traumas of this and other lives in this world, called sin by some].
Of course this will only happen with regular correct practice and attitudes.
Attitudes of loyalty to the Guru and his work via YSS/SRF, and attunement
with His living presence, study of the Lessons and other writings daily.
The Master said, “I seek nothing from you but your joy in God . And you seek nothing from me but wisdom and joy.”
He also began the pluralistic open restoration of these advanced world teachings found in the Holy Bhagavad Gita & the Biblical Gospels.
For the Arabic peoples He revealed an advanced esoteric commentary on
the Rubaiyyat of Omar Khayyam. “Wine of the Mystic.”
This dispensation has led to a world wide revolution in spiritual thinking and greater respect for all religious traditions. Yoga and the work of Self-Realization Fellowship which is now sweeping the world is only in the earliest beginning stages.
This is a more advanced level of the Yoga lifestyles that are
now transforming our world in third millennium.
When asked by a devotee what the future held for these SRF teachings. The master replied, “wait till you see this work in two thousand years.”
Be sure to see the award winning film “Awake, The Life of Yogananda.”
Available on DVD from SRF web site book store with sub-titles in many languages.
Paramahansa Yogananda’s renowned “Autobiography of a Yogi” originally written in English in 1946 has been revised per His own efforts and instructions left with his only church SRF/YSS. Now available in over 50 languages, and still appearing on Best seller lists world wide. Get the “complete up to date edition” with its orange cover , available only from Self-Realization Fellowship publishers, LA USA.. The Master once said, “By heeding these simple truths that I give you, you can find God. You don’t need a new religion. You know what God wants;
what you need is to live by it.” Paramahansa Yogananda, from SR magazine, Summer 2008. Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers LA USA
The world first became aware of Mahavatar Babaji [prophet] by name upon the publication of the spiritual classic “Autobiography of a Yogi ,” written by Babaji’s emissary Paramahansa Yogananda, whom He sent to the West in 1920 to spread the global unifying teachings of world religious Pluralism and the science of Kriya Yoga Meditation [ among other things] beyond the shores of sacred India. Yogananda not only came to teach, but also as a living example of that ideal personage, to aid others on their journey to salvation/ Samadhi/ cosmic consciousness, [union with reality.]
Note; If you plan to read the Autobiography of a Yogi, the only up to date and complete editions are the SRF ones with orange covers. There is also a digital version from Amazon by Self-Realization Fellowship. Other electronic and printed versions of the 1946 edition are pirated original editions are all out of date and incomplete. Only SRF orange cover editions are now as Paramahansa Yogananda wanted them. The Master was changing/improving this book since its first edition, and left further instructions with His editors in chief for further changes, which they faithfully and accurately carried out.
Yogananda’s legacy from YSS/SRF remains accurate and intact. We are now left with an exceptional, reliable, & valuable sacred record of Yogananda’s final wishes for this great dispensation. Through Mahavatar Babaji’s teachings and living presence found in YSS/Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons course and other publications, we now have one of the worlds clearest spiritual dispensations on how to know truth and commune with the Real Self within – Reality.
It works! Yoganandaji left us all a gold mine. But we still need to do our share of serious deep digging ! He tells us that if we are not doing that digging in SRF publications with proper loyalty and meditation, we will not get the full results we seek.
“A siddha is a perfected being who has attained complete liberation in Spirit; he becomes a paramukta, “supremely free,” and can then RETURN TO EARTH AS AN AVATARA—as did KRISHNA, JESUS, and many other saviors of mankind through the ages. As often as virtue declines, a God-illumined soul comes to earth to draw virtue again to the fore (Gita IV-7-8). An avatar, or divine incarnation, HAS TWO PURPOSES ON EARTH– quantitative and qualitative. Quantitatively, he uplifts the general populace with his noble teachings of good against evil.
“Loyalty is the highest law.” Paramahansa Yogananda……………….>
One thing that should be cleared up in the first place, a matter widely and deeply misunderstood by many seekers and devotees of many paths – just who/what is an Avatar? No matter how enamored you are about your teachers charisma or talk, that does not necessarily make him/her a true Guru or an Avatar. “We have many teachers such as mentors, books experiences, other persons – but only one Guru.” The Guru does not have to be an avatar, but why settle for less! Yet in the meantime, we will all be lead by self- transforming moves to those experiences that lead us one step at a time to that which unveils the Realization of the true Self. So it is quite natural that we are not all attracted to the same path, the same books etc.
What is their purpose and how does the Avatar really work? How can one tell who is and is not an Avatar? These details are clarified in Paramahansa Yogananda’s book “Autobiography of a Yogi.” Nowhere in the modern or ancient annals of world spiritual literature/scriptures is this more fully and clearly defined than in the sacred works left to the world by Paramahansa Yogananda and His mentors, especially in His “Autobiography of a Yogi.” Bhagavan Krishna, Rama, Buddha, Jesus the Christ, Adi Sankara, Lahiri Mahasaya, Moses, Swami Sri Yukteswar, Mohammed, and Abraham, are a few major examples of Avatars that ancient and modern history records. These great ones are also “Gurus” [living spiritual masters], another term that has been misaligned in modern popular jargon. A true Guru is not only an expert/teacher, as that is only one of his roles. His power to Personally and directly aid in the devotee’s self-transformation is unique, and their works before and after the death of the their own body is legendary. The true “living Gurus” are in a class well above “expert,” and have lived extraordinarily incredible lives. What they became and lived is what they taught us! They seek only to show us the way to true freedom. True Gurus and Avatars are not motivated by the obsessions of the ego. This true power to directly aid and help spiritual seekers is not possessed by priests and pseudo prophets. As when the pass on the will be just as dead as you are. They may impotently promise you heavenly rewards, but all the while they program you with darkness and bondage, the political programming of the many.
First of all – Avatars are extremely rare, if we had more than one in a century doing widespread public dispensations, that alone would indeed be very rare. Closer examination exposes so many false prophets. Saints, even great saints may not be in the class of “Avatar.” Yet it is a great egoistic exaggeration of so many devotees to imagine and boast that their teacher, guru, or mentor is an Avatar. Get Real! Your inflated ego “cannot even imagine the state of the avatars consciousness, ” said Yogananda. Essentially, an Avatar is a person who in a previous incarnation on this planet had reached a fairly advanced level of cosmic consciousness. One who has returned, not under the normal compulsions of the cycles of births and deaths [reincarnation], but of His own free will. This incarnation is done not to serve any personal ambitions but only to work with the divine will [the wisdom guided directions of Reality [Brahman]. Usually being born into a very spiritual family at a time of great sociological transformational need going on in this world.
This does not include the many smaller teachers who work in the world. The new devotee can scarcely tell who is a spiritually live or dead teacher, so when he/she claims that the teacher is a Guru or an Avatar be very cautious. They seldom know what they are talking about.
As Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, Ch4;v 7-8 “O Arjuna! Whenever virtue [dharma] declines and vice predominates, I incarnate as an Avatar. In visible form I appear from age to age to protect the virtuous and destroy evildoing in order to reestablish righteousness.” (c) “The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita,” SRF publishers LA USA.
As wonderful as the Gurus, Saints, and Mystics of all faiths are, the Avatar stands out as well beyond them in attainment – a veritable superman. The Avatar literally changes history on a vast scale, and brings forward the understanding and evolutionary speed of human consciousness. Some Avatars work with smaller groups of devotees or specific cultures, and leave a teaching to suit the needs of that particular culture. While others may do work on a vast cultural or global scale. Such an Avatar was Mahavatar Babaji as described in the orange covered Autobiography of a Yogi. No, there does not necessarily need to be prophetic declarations ahead of time, many of which are misinterpreted and already overused by desperate, overexcited, devotees. Although in the case of Paramahansa Yogananda there were prophecies at the time immediately after his birth in this lifetime.
Many claims have been made over recent decades by a number of persons about seeing/meeting Mahavatar Babaji. These reports are often accompanied with the edict that “Babaji wants me [or whoever] to spread His teachings to mankind. Many of these claims are not clearly founded or even supported by their sources. Devotees beware – you wouldn’t know an Avatar if you tripped over one. Charisma, popularity, Self-claims, or even a large crowd of followers does not define the Avatar.
Yoganandaji himself put it most succinctly and wisely in His new scriptural dispensation for this age, “The Second Coming of Christ; Resurrecting the Christ within you.” and in “The Yoga of Jesus.” SRF Publishers LA USA, when He said; “ In titling this book “The Second Coming of Christ” I am not referring to a literal returning by Jesus to earth. He came two thousand years ago and, after imparting a universal path to God’s kingdom was crucified and resurrected: His reappearance to the masses now is not necessary for the fulfillment of His teachings. What is necessary of for the cosmic wisdom and divine perception of Jesus to speak again through each one’s own experience and understanding of the Infinite Christ Consciousness that was incarnate in Jesus. That will be his true second coming.” Page 10, (C) The Yoga of Jesus, SRF Publishers LA USA.
Herein lie one of the facts about Avatars. They never return for second coming public teaching debuts, to save or acknowledge those who imagine they know some god’s only correct interpretation of the truth of these matters. This is a fact of history – they never return in this way! Every divine incarnation in this world is unrepeated with a unique appearance and name. They deal with current issues in a particular culture, which never requires repeating the same message details, but only the principles.
Likewise, let us consider the Mahavatar Babaji situation. Through a lineage of Avatars as we can read about in the holy book “Autobiography of a Yogi”, this divine global dispensation was sent via Paramahansa Yogananda [as Humanity’s interface] with a clearly established succession and history to support it, not to mention the outstanding work and life of Paramahansa Yogananda in its own right. This clear record and resulting successes of Yogananda’s mission is incontestable and incomparable. He did Mahavatar Babaji proud as the saying goes, not requiring the resending of other persons of much lesser attainment to redo the mission so eminently fulfilled by Yogananda. It is also important to keep in mind that this dispensation is so advanced that it will not need redoing for many, many, millennia. When there is need for humanity to have a serious update. Other truly great souls will be here to do that in the distant future.
So, if someone comes along and claims that Babaji has told them to spread the teachings of Kriya Yoga etc, you can be sure that the only true situation here is that history is repeating itself. And if you should have a chance to study Yogananda’s clarification on this matter you will find that great Avatars do not have to make a second, third, or fourth launching of their works. They are free of ego and not so incompetent as to choose the wrong person who would fail at such a large and important mission to the worlds’ peoples. In fact Babaji’s chief disciple, Lahiri Mahasaya advised all of his down line disciples not to start any organizations. Looking back now, having witnessed quality and fullness of Babaji’s great work through YSS/SRF over the last hundred years, it is evident that Paramahansa Yogananda was the right person at the right time in history to carry out this massive divine dispensation. This is why we can see that Lahiri Mahasaya did not want a dozen other devotees to interfere with the divine plan as we have seen it unfold via Yogananda through YSS/SRF. Who said, “the best person to place in a powerful position of responsibility is the one who does not seek personal fame and power.” ? Alas, such a divine soul was Yogananda and His saintly successors of this great path.
It is good for the green seeker and devotee to remain a bit cautious until he/she learns begins to understand what/who a real Avatar is, and what it really means to have a “living spiritual master “[Guru]. More on – who is a living Master! later //////////////////
WELCOME to London Ontario SRF Meditation Circle Phone 519-438-4744 Call for details 519-472-3066
of the SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
The Master Says, “Meditation is the science of God‑realization and the bringer of true light and happiness into our lives. It is the most practical science in the world. Most people would want to meditate if they understood its value and experienced its beneficial effects. The ultimate object of meditation is to attain conscious awareness of God – That one Reality that underlies this dream world, and the soul’s eternal oneness with Him. What achievement could be more purposeful and useful than to harness limited human faculties to the omnipresence and omnipotence of our Creator?” God‑realization FROM MEDITATION bestows on the meditater the blessings of true LIGHT, PEACE, LOVE, JOY, POWER, AND WISDOM.
NOTE; FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT GAINED THE ABOVE RESULTS.
You may have lacked proper understanding, methodology, practice, motives, and Patience!
Read His wisdom again in SRF books and Lessons,
keep trying and peace, love, and Joy will happen!
Healing and Light and Self-Realization will happen!
“Meditation utilizes concentration in its highest form. Concentration consists in freeing the attention from distractions and in focusing it on any thought in which one may be interested. Meditation is that special form of concentration in which the attention has been liberated from restlessness and is focused on God. Meditation, therefore, is concentration used to know God….”
“The first proof of God’s presence is an ineffable peace.
This evolves into joy humanly inconceivable. Once you have touched the Source of truth and life, all nature will respond to you. “Finding God within, you will find Him without, in all people and all conditions.” — Paramahansa Yogananda, Metaphysical Meditations, (c) SRF
Our LondonSRFMeditation Circle has weekly meditation services
based upon service readings format established by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Come and experience the Awareness expanding LIGHT , LOVE, & PEACE of proper group meditation.
We have been meeting here for many years and invite you
to call us at;519-438-4744 , or 519-472-3066 for times, directions, and other meeting details.
We are planning to have a mid-week Study group studying and meditating on the inspiring writings of Paramahansa Yogananda. [2014]
Yogananda created the Self-Realization Fellowship/YSS as His sole and uniquely authorized non-sectarian NRM to publish and disseminate the great Babajis teachings of Kriya Yoga as taught to Him by the Great Ones – Lahiri Mahasaya and Swami Sri Yukteswar. Some persons like to dispute which version of Kriya Yoga is most pure/complete. The master said:”That same kriya Yoga that my Guru taught me, I have given you.” The fact remains that Yogananda has left us a thoroughly proven system that will take one all the way to cosmic consciousness. You can test it in the laboratory of your own life.
Once one becomes a student of SRF Lessons course, nothing else is really needed. This course includes ongoing phone counseling to all SRF/YSS students of the Lessons Course…
There will be nothing accomplished by sitting at the feet of every new teacher on the block.
Unless you know absolutely that the new one is greater than Yogananda. You don’t! Everything one will ever need is in these SRF Lessons exactly as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Self-Realization Fellowship & Yogananda are one. It will take you to cosmic consciousness with the Masters help all along the way. I experience the Guru’s help every day! And that does not even include all those other unique and inspiring revelations published by Self-Realization Fellowship -His only org.
You can get a good idea who we are by reading Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”(orange cover).
This SRF Publishers complete edition is also available in ebook format. [do not buy 1946 editions]
Another major revelation shared by Paramahansa Yogananda are the Restoration of the True teachings and concommitance of the the Bible Gospels and the Bhagavad Gita from India. Read His “The Yoga of Jesus” for a better idea of what His message is. Also read, “Autobiography of a Yogi” (orange cover editions from Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers are the only up to date, complete, and accurate editions. ( now available on Kindle from Amazon & itunes ..) Avoid the 1946 edition.
Everything that is missing from the Gospels can be found in the holy Bhagavad Gita of India, and Yogananda’s SRF writings.
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The Master also authorized only SRF/YSS Mother Center in LA USA to approve of future qualified Kriya Yoga teachers/initiators and ministers on a yearly basis who would use Yogananda’s name and teachings to assist this great cause initiated by the great ones. Persons who contradict this and other wishes of Yogananda have their own ways.
SRF GROUP MEDITATION will enrich your spiritual life and was a most important recommendation by Yogananda for all serious devotees.
Bring more peace and harmony into your personal life.
Enjoy the participation in our Self-Realization Fellowship community. Group meditation will accelerate your self-transformative process.
You canlearn more about advancedKriya Yoga meditationcourse by
contacting SRF Mother Centre or visiting www.yogananda-srf.org This web site will tell you much about Yogananda’s only organization
and offers free basic meditation instructions to all visitors…………
WHAT IS SELF-REALIZATION ?
Paramahansa Yogananda tells us that; “Self-Realization is the knowing-in body, mind and soul- that we are one with the omnipresence of God; that we do not have to pray that it come to us, that we are not merely near it at all times, but that God’s omnipresence is our omnipresence ; that we are just as much a part of Him now as we ever will be. ……
All we have to do is improve our knowing.”
SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIPIS THE MOST RELIABLE, ACCURATE & COMPLETE SOURCE FOR TEACHINGS AND PUBLICATIONS ABOUT PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA and KRIYA YOGA.
SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP IS NOT exactly A NEW AGE TEACHING. SRF/YSS is similar to “New thought ” teachings, plus the science of KRIYA YOGA
With great emphasis on meditation and balanced living.
Self-Realization Fellowship IS NOT A SUB GROUP OF ANY OTHER RELIGION.
It is non-sectarian! It is uniquely original and new! It is one of a kind!
I only wish that those who write about it would learn more about it first!
SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP is the only Kriya Yoga group recommended & founded by Paramahansa Yogananda. SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP TEACHES THE COMPLETE KRIYA YOGA, including the higher Kriyas necessary to
reach the highest levels of Divine awareness, [ often called by many “the kingdom of heaven” or “Salvation”]
Taking Kriya Yoga initiation via Yogananda’s SRF/YSS will give you all you will ever need to reach cosmic consciousness, as for those who imagine they have a better kriya yoga, or a so-called “original”KY etc, they have yet to learn there never was “only one way” for all. Even Lahiri Mahasaya gave differing initiations to different devotees according to their needs. But if you want to work with Yogananda’s way, He is the last Guru and strongly recommended joining Self-Realization Fellowship, and taking the SRF Lessons course in order to gain all the benefits and blessings of these teachings.
MEDITATION AND STUDY GROUPS ARE OPEN TO ALL SINCERE SEEKERS / MEDITATORS.
Jesus the Christ Mahavatar Babaji Swami Sri Yukteswar /Paramahansa Yogananda/ Lahiri Mahasaya Bhagavan Krishna
These LIVING PROPHETS (Gurus) are the great examples that guide and protect the lives of all sincere Kriya Yoga devotees of the One Reality. These manifestations of the Divine Reality represent our main inspiration and sources of wisdom to awaken us from the worlds dream. There Never Was – “ONLY ONE WAY.” The True picture of what ancient scriptures really mean can only be ascertained by looking at the whole picture of thousands of years of all this worlds spiritual history. Anything less will only keep one bound to dogmatism and the narrowest view of life.
True UNITY IN DIVERSITY only happens when one does not practice claims of exclusivism and abrogation of previous true scriptures. Group Meditation accelerates ones spiritual transformation and creates a healthy world community of freedom, light, and joy.
The prime message and teachings of the Great Ones is ….
“Change yourself First, then you will see clearly to enlighten others.” pp
We also honor the SAINTS AND SAGES OF ALL TRUE PATHS and do not abrogate their teachings. This is a balanced non-sectarian spiritual path that will enhance your awareness
of the Divine regardless of your present affiliation. WEBMASTERS NOTE; This is not an official SRF web site; all material here is under copyright 2012.
All SRF Quotes used under fair use understandings.
PYisLOVE says: 24 December 2012 re Amazon.com reply comment to ;
People should become aware that when a review says; “This review is from: Autobiography of a Yogi (Reprint of the Philosophical library 1946 First Edition) (Paperback)” This and any blue covered out of date 1946 editions are all from Crystal Clarity publishers [aka ananda], and are editions Paramahansa Yogananda began changing as soon as it was published..do you know better than the Guru?
The orange covered edition which is now on kindle for $1.99 ARF Edition only [2014] is the only complete up to date edition which clearly represents the final instructions for this book by Yogananda himself. It is the only edition as Yogananda wanted it to be . And if you don’t like cheap 5mp cameras! -[ you should really try the rebel series like T5i or 7d.]
This is like the difference with the earlier out of date 1946 editions and the newer orange Autobiography of a Yogi .
SRF Editions give you the full story, fullest quality, and the best for your money. It is in fact Yogananda’s most advanced and complete edition of this book per his wishes!
I fully trust the quality and accuracy of SRF publishers on this book. These were the people who truly understood these teachings
and remained loyal to Yogananda’s work since his passing in 1952. Yogananda Himself made many changes to this book from the start…..
The whole thing has resulted in a spiritual masterpiece
that is changing theway people see spirituality in today’s world……
The DVD of this epic film is available from Self-Realization Fellowship now.
SRF/YSS Lessons Course is available at minimum expense for all who wish to learn and practice the world’s most
Read the inspiring Wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda’s talks.
Paramahansa Yogananda rediscovered, .................Kriya Yoga & Self-Realization 
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