*See comments by Shri shri David Frawley [indologist who debunked the false AiT]. See preface to “The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita by Paramahansa Yogananda, SRF Pub.
“Truth is one… Divine incarnations do not come to bring a new or exclusive religion, but to restore the One Religion of God-realization, (such as the Sanatana Dharma.) The great ones, like waves, all bathe in the same Eternal Sea… ” thus said Parmahansa Yogananda, Avatar for the 3rd millennium. This is the one of whom Jesus spoke, “those who believe on me will do the things that i am doing, and they will do even greater things , because I go to the Father.”
When you actually read/study the Master’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”, then you will truly know the one of whom the prophets spoke!
Notes/Commentary ; Not everyone who claims to have a “message from some God ” is a “Divine Incarnation.” Sadly – so many persons are scammed by these false proclamations and prophecies. They are very often “Politicians in Prophets clothing.” Few can easily/clearly tell the difference.
What makes their message so alluring is their appeal to your vain dreams of a pleasurable eternal life. To clarify , Politicians mostly are seekers of power, they often abhor spiritual principles of truthfulness, transparency, humility, interior contemplation of Yoga. They abhor being caught in their own embarrassments and lies. Often making false claims, vain promises, and whatever it takes to attain their goals of wealth, fame, and power! Beware of great “influencers!” Telling you of the all the great rewards and glory of following them into a world they cannot show you. “Talk is cheap!” Many are the ambitions of sweet tonged persons who concoct amazing tales to appear as authentic “messengers of some “God” . “You will know them by their fruits!”
Although this method of discernment appears simple enough for the intellect, it is the emotional blindness that entraps such great numbers [like in Mega churches] in “the madness of crowds.” So again I say, “devotees/seekers beware of those who while proclaiming to be “messengers of God” may often be a politicians in prophets clothing.”
Attracting a great following is not always a sign of a “great one.” or a “true world prophet.” Learn the difference between “education” and “indoctrination.” The test is very simple, if you are now emotionally being misled by vain claims and crowd influencers, step back and ask the right questions. Remember, when one of these Great Ones warned us about not harming children. The best way to harm a child is raising them in the teachings that came from “the blind leading the blind.” while “indoctrinating instead of educating. ” Misery loves company!”
“Wide is the gate and wide is the way that leads to destruction, and most people with go that way; narrow is the way and narrow the gate that leads to life, and very few will find it” said JC. What did Douglas Murray write about “the madness of crowds”? Do not imagine that if you are a member of a smaller church/group you must be “one of those few,” who have found the right way to salvation.” This is more than a numbers game. These are the Fax….There never was only one way! There never was only one Savior! There never was only one holy book! There never was only one lifetime for each of us! “The Kingdom of God” is not out there somewhere, in time or space. It is “here and now, right within you!” All those old concepts are primitive religion, what Jesus and Yogananda came to change….! Yes ! compared to the Sanatana Dharma, the Abrahamic popular ideas are primitive as long as you are “one of the many.”
The truth of this matter is that if you go into most places of worship, you would be lucky to find 5% who really deeply understand care what it’s actually all about. Very few persons seem to be able to care enough to rise above their earlier indoctrinations and ego consciousness. It all comes down to where you and your local culture are on the scale of your human evolution….and if you have no fear of being isolated from the flock! If you prefer to remain blind, life is pointless and comfortable and boring! Change is everything!
How blessed and cursed we are to be living in this amazing information age! Look up anything that has happened/spoken in the last few thousand years and you can instantaneously find data on it.
Of course, the responsibility of separating truth from fiction is still yours in the end! Here is where reason and intuition are so important.
Now all we need to do is make the effort to ask the questions and do the work of changing our consciousness through the life changing exercise of Kriya Yoga Meditation. This is what gives power to your prayers! Think of the structure of a vector. Direction is the essence of your prayer, Power is the force of realization! Are you “One of the “Few ‘, “or One of the “Many?”
“They shall come from all parts of the world, thousands and thousands of them, just as you have, for Self-Realization (Fellowship) 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 highwayto the Infinite.” thus saith………….... Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda.
This is one of Paramahansa Yogananda’s many prophecies that has already happening before the eyes of the world!
Even though our many sons of God throughout history are equal in stature, the environment into which they taught made great differences on how their life and messages remained effective and reliable! The true ones never die and are all of one consciousness. The misunderstood idea of “Progressive Revelation “seldom applies to the world of the past. Since and example of the Lord Krishna’s “Bhagavad Gita” circa 6 thousand bce was far more advance than the Old Testament proclamations which followed millenniums later debunks that term of progressive! .
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. Especially from the Gita and the New Testament! He later revised His mandate to write an esoteric commentary for Islam using the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. More on this later.
This is the nature of pluralism – the main concept that alone brings peace and cooperation and democracy among all the worlds religious communities! It’s opposite is “exclusivism” the dogmatic religious approach which has been the main cause of stress, intolerance, misunderstanding and the cause of violence between religions and cultures world wide. The attitude and desire to make everyone in the world think like yourself is to enforce your ignorance upon the world, the door to psychopathic behavior. Until you first realize the Self, which is the knowing of God and/or the holy spirit (om), you are not ready for any kind of “missionary work.” Open minded wisdom guided sharing of ones ideas is never properly done by coercion, or deceit, narcissistic egotism or force. Those who still practice this do not even follow the wisdom of their own scriptures. Academia never produces God Knowing saints.
These conflicts are mainly caused when original teachings collect literary errors through time, including natural evolutionary language changes, and especially the political manipulation of religious works by those in power, or by a false prophets pretending to have received their comments from some God. Or those who are self deceived.
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! Remember – in most cultures you have been programmed to believe the ideas of unrealized parents and teachers. Who with good intent had little awareness of the true meaning of their professed faiths. Many followers are unaware that there is a difference between religious beliefs and political beliefs. Only a true fully realized divine teacher can free you from the Cognitive Dissonance and darkness that holds you back. Do you wish to be “one of the Many- or one of the Few?”
This can be better understood with searching our 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 in this world of Maya, 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 personally and posthumously introduced Himself to me, and the rest is history. Then I knew that it was he who had been personally been guiding my training and life opportunities, He is with me always. Many positive results and lessons continually came since that amazing day of divine grace. The blessings of knowing your true Guru/savoir are many!
It was mainly India’s Sanatana Dharma and the far east mystics 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 blessing 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 the worlds 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! Then, and only then do we have some valid qualification to share our wisdom with others who may be open to receive true light.
Monuments to the World’s Major Religions, SRF Court of All Religions, SRF Lake Shrine [[This interesting and significant display located at SRF Lake Shrine, was created by Paramahansa Yogananda’s Self-Realization Fellowship/YSS circa 1940 ?]]
Since the erection of these noble monuments a hoard of new knowledge about world religious history has been discovered, not all of which is very flattering. And although this newer and more reliable earth shaking history may appear to change the “true story” about what has been going on in the historical records of many religious traditions, There are still the lives of so many billions of persons [“the many”] who must find their own way to reconcile their past with their future hopes. ”Can you handle the Truth.”
Although every parent attempts to teach their little one the best that they knew at the time, few parents knew the better way or “the few.” Now that you have been programmed by society [“the blind leading the blind”], the great challenge is in your own hands! Don’t play the victim card, instead seek the truth in all matters and overcome your past dark programing from “the way of the many.”
Although Paramahansa Yogananda knew about these future [after 1952] developments, He was able, even back before 1952 to compensate for what the future has finally revealed to the world about the true situations of some of the worlds major faith claims.
So as it was also with Jesus, Paramahansaji changed part of His divine mandate to accommodate these new discoveries half a century before they were made clear by the 3rd millennium. Yes, Jesus did make a major change to His mandate to accommodate situational changes to His divine mission in dealing with the “lost sheep of Israel.”
Those who found Him politically in contrast to the popular leadership narrative did not have a pleasant ending. So, like Socrates, He was falsely accused and executed. First, the evil ones shut you Up , then they shut you Down! ///////////////////more to follow………………….Fp
also 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.”
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.”
Yogananda’s writing and publishing of His third major spiritual commentary “Wine of the Mystic”[published in 1994 under copy write by Self-Realization Publishers LA USA] requires further discussion to clarify His change of His approach to this project.
This inspiring work is a major change of mandate by the world prophet Paramahansa Yogananda. His original plan was to write commentaries only on the Holy Bhagavad Gita and the Christian Bible. Showing the great unity of teaching to unite east and west. Two similar revelations that came via two true sons of God to two very different cultures about 5k+ years apart. One that was locally rejected and one that was greatly accepted, the circumstances differed at the time but the message was equally similar containing the higher age teachings of the science of Yoga and freedom from dogmatism, exclusivism, and blind belief. We can only guess why He would also write a commentary for the Muslim world, presently representing over a billion devout followers. It was Yoganandajis great compassion not to ignore such a large portion of Humanity whom He knew would soon be ready to move on.
The main question that rears its head here is; Why did Yogananda not use the sacred texts of Islam to write His commentary for those believers? As He did for the followers of Jesus and Krishna. So, many years later we now have some answers to this irregularity . The answers to this have become clear from global research and precise investigations, especially discoveries in the middle eastern regions.
Yogananda had this present day knowledge over 80 years ago, and thus chose the spiritually advanced works of Omarr Khayyam known as “The Rubaiyat” to write his illustrious commentary for the Muslim world. Published under the title of “Wine of the Mystic”, c SRF publishers LA USA.
Yes, I have deeply studied most matters pertaining to this subject!……… If you wish to know what Master knew back then…………..do the research!
Never before in human history has there been left to mankind such a greatly detailed complete and verifiable record of the life and works of a prophet of this stature – an ever living Paramahansa. Although his message initially came in the worlds most widely spoken language [English], His most acclaimed and read work -Autobiography of a Yogi -can now be read by over 90% of the worlds inhabitants in their own language.
This modern day Paramahansa is truly a living prophet who is changing the lives of millions of seeking devotees.
In this auspicious year -2025, we gratefully celebrate the 132nd year of Paramahansa Yogananda’s divine birth.
This yoga master, known as “the Father of Yoga in the West” is one of the greatest of 20th century educators and the founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Sat Sangha, a world wide New Religious Movement. Which operates many charitable dispensaries and schools world wide. 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, and various Dharmic faiths, 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 inspiring life and Legacy for all mankind.
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 divine 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 expression. There’s no more denying then! Academic in harmonies just fade away for those who know how to read and are willing to test His life saving teachings.
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.
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA – Who is He ? See Part TWO = posted on October 12, 2016
We are so fortunate that His history is so recent, mostly within the last 100+ years. We have clear records of His life from His own writings and those of so many witnesses who personally knew Him very well. There are some who wrote of amazing incidents/encounters with the Master who were not always devotees of His. In fact, I myself have had the good fortune of hearing many first hand facts about the Master from those who knew Him well. They that had lived and worked with Him. Those who really understood his mission and legacy wisely remained at Self-Realization Fellowship to continue His great work of restoring the higher spiritual teachings of East and West. Their loyalty and wisdom has left the world its latest greatest scriptures and biography [and “Autobiography of a Yogi” ] of a living Christ.
And more will come to SRF to serve the devotees of these great souls. As for many of those who left – they still had their own egos to struggle with for many many years. What a sad story that was. Yoganandaji did so many things right, with a balanced approach. Being so far ahead of His time on all things spiritual, psychological, and health-wise. For those of you who have experienced some of the life enhancing blessings or yoga practice, please also take that greater step into the science of Raja Yoga, known on this path as Kriya Yoga which is supported by the founders of SRF. This community [SRF/YSS] is the channel through which the great ones now work with all who are loyal and attuned.
Anyone who is wise enough to take and faithfully regularly practice the SRF Lessons course will have a much better life. Yogananda is the premier life coach par excellence! My own life has been immeasurably enriched by SRF Lessons. His attunement to the English language just added a great deal more to all that He teaches in the world’s most widely understood language. This is a first for a new
divine dispensation and NRM.
There are still various small minded persons/orgs who hardly understand what Yoga is about and would desperately like to shut down this great work. But if you’ve seen that wonderful doc film “Awake The Life of Yogananda” it is evident that this divine dispensation with its new world scriptures is advancing religious thinking world wide to a major degree. So advanced and scientifically essential is this Guru’s wisdom that it will not be surpassed for millenniums.
Yogananda is the man they couldn’t shut down! There were a few betrayals while the master was building this Church of all Religions, and there have been some after His demise. There is no shortage either of ambitious persons who have copied the masters works and/or ideas and want their own followers. This is where devotees often are misled into mistakenly believing that every impressive talker is a real Guru. It is seldom so, especially when still in the body.
This is the divine Fellowship of “the few”, in reference to when Jesus speaks about the way of the many and the way of the few. Although, like all religious movements it contains a mixture of persons who are at very different levels of understanding along this path. Yet the results in SRF/YSS short history is very impressive and speaks volumes about the Masters and wisdom of this path! This masterwork on Yoga as the scientific approach to the Spiritual life and awakening of human consciousness is now available in over 50 languages, and is revolutionizing religion, psychology, and philosophy world wide.
The only edition published according to Yogananda’s wishes and plans is the one shown above! The author Himself began this revising of the
original 1946 edition shortly after the first edition.
Long before Paramahansa Yogananda was reborn as Mukunda Lal Ghosh, before He came to America, even before He reconnected with His illustrious Guru Swami Sri Yukteswar, this yogi was already a great saint. This lifetime as we knew Him as PY was final debut as the Avatar of this noble Kriya Yoga path. This lifetime was also our great blessing and lifesaving opportunity. Many time He suggests to us “don’t waste this great opportunity.”
I know it is the simple habit of devotees of so many paths to imagine that “their teacher ” is a Guru or an avatar. For the most part they do not even really know what these things mean! They just like to imagine that the choices they made in life are the ultimate ones! Time, practice, attunement, devotion, and spiritual growth of ones consciousness eventually clarifies this matter. It all takes a lot of time and dedicated practice.
Why was Paramahansa Yogananda chosen as the interface and inspiration to share the science of Yoga with the world? He was by nature a born educator and master teacher. This is very evident in His compassionate guidance to all devotees and His eloquently poetic wisdom books. His first efforts to serve His fellow man/woman was to set up a successful new education system in eastern India.
While this project was just taking off – Divine Mother [via the Gurus of this path] sends Him to America in 1920. What a shocker! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Discussing a”Second Coming of Christ” review by a Christian about Yogananda’s concepts/interpretations;
1.0 out of 5 stars Reviewer says.………………………..
Author attempts to misleadingly fit Bible teachings into his Hindu beliefs ByreThinkon March 5, 2016
Format: Paperback of The Second Coming of Christ;Resurrecting /////////
This book is an interpretation of Biblical teachings completely fabricated by Yogananda based on his Hindu background.
This is a man who is delusional about his yogic accomplishments calling himself a master and dared to interpret Christian scriptures so flagrantly and misleadingly for truth-seekers.
PYislove replies —————————— March 17, 2016
Yogananda was not in the habit of calling Himself a Master, although He was one in every sense…He is another Living Christ……………..
“The author, Paramahansa Yogananda, does never attempt to mislead anyone about the teachings of Jesus a Christ !
I have deeply studied both the bible and the Hindu scriptures, and like millions of others have found those teachings to be the same, only those of “the many” who are still bound up in the churchianity programming will be unable to see the harmony and unity of these teachings.
The reviewer must understand that even in his own circles [or church] many persons will have their own unique interpretations of these teachings – it does not mean they are misleading anyone.
Hint- Consider the source and the level of consciousness of that source – it makes all the difference!
Yogananda does in fact supply ample evidence in writing and by His life’s examples of the efficacy and truth of His presentation of the teachings of Jesus as we have from scriptural records both in and out of the biblical canon.
What we have in Yogananda’s “The Second Coming of Christ ” commentaries and lectures are no less that a new world scripture that will stand the test of scholars and time. I highly recommend comparative religion students and seekers of truth to make use of these writings for the bigger picture of the value of the Sacred. Yogananda’s work on scriptural interpretation and teachings are the very best I have found in the world. Comparative religion is my field of study for a lifetime. He is possibly the greatest Avatar since Sankara and Jesus…..and the upline of His Gurus as described in the recent spiritual classic from Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers “The Autobiography of a Yogi” (Orange Cover only is up to date and complete.) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Just a note of mention; Great Avatars (Christs) never return for second coming public debuts, they only return individually to advanced spiritual devotees. Heed what the masters say about “the few and the many”! by pyislove………….just a note. You will see various comments by persons not fully understanding Yogananda’s work who use similar comments to attempt to discredit Him. I like to respond at times. …..end of review response.
PART TWO; >PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA as a Jagadguru…. Jagadaguru = means a world teacher. This term represents a great souls who fulfilled a Global Mission considerably beyond the scope of most saints. His mission to spread India’s highest Yoga,”Kriya Yoga” in the West was only an area of initial introduction of this most complete spiritual science to the world a large. The stage for Yoganandaji’s great mission was already set by another great Yogi many years earlier, and by the arrival of many copies of the Holy Bhagavad Gita[Sir Edwin Arnold’s translation] about a hundred years before the Master’s arrival in America in 1920.
Yogananda’s personal skill was that of a natural born teacher, and a fully divinely Self-Realized Yogi. Whose consciousness was one with the Infinite Reality. He left a vast legacy of His saintly life example, and many volumes of spiritual directions for future generations for all time. In His effort to show the mutual harmony of the essence of all religion beyond local cultural differences, He was able to write a remarkable commentary on the NT Gospels for the Caucasian world that will stand as a corrective and enlightening balanced guide for the Christian world for millennia. For the Orientals from India eastward He left us a commentary on the worlds most precise and beloved scripture “The Bhagavad Gita”.
A remarkable work by any standard on the Science of God Realization . And for the Arabic [Islamic] World He left us a beautiful commentary on the Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam called “Wine of the Mystic”. This generally covers the needs of most of humanity.
Thus arises an interesting question! Why did Paramahansa Yogananda not make a commentary on the Koran for the Arabic world? Even though the Master did praise the initial work of Muhammad and the Koran, it is not in the same class of scripture was were the Gita and The Gospels. Do your research and discover the surprises! Not to lessen the stature of that Prophet, but the role He was to play was to take place among a hoard of socially primitive, unorganized, peoples. The level of their message was roughly equivalent to what Moses brought to the Hebrews 2 millennia earlier. Whereas the level of teaching brought by Jesus, Krishna, and Omar Khayyam was of a more advanced mystical level than one finds in predominantly sociological dispensations. Which lacked the self-realization science details and sophistication of the interior life, and the consciousness changing understandings, terms, and techniques. These methods are uniquely from the Yogis of India!
Religious dispensations can be progressive, but sometimes mainly for the specific cultures to which they are introduced. eg- the message of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita in circa 6000 BC was far more advanced than what Moses brought the Hebrews in 1500 BC, or what Muhammad brought the Arabs in the 7th century AD.
It is essentially a pipe dream of so many religionists wherein they like to imagine that “their holy book” is the greatest one in the worlds history. It just ain’t so….!
Perhaps such claims are a promotional gimmick. That is why it is so important to change yourself before you travel across land and sea to convert the world to your blind way.
Jesus advises on this matter as follows -“first remove the beam of wood from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” thus said JC…. “Progressive revelation” may not always apply on a global scale, so much as to the specific cultures for which it was intended.
Even the type of “God ” portrayed in dispensations of these different levels of religious teachings varies greatly, as does the understanding of this term. And the clarity of the mysteries of life and death.
So it is with this vast and all encompassing legacy left by Yogananda and supremely edited by His spiritually advanced apostles [helpers], that these very advanced teachings of Yogic sciences for accelerating human evolution are transforming the lives of millions of devotees in all the worlds cultures and faith traditions around this beautiful planet.
If you have seen the film “Awake – The Life of Yogananda” biopic, that short documentary film barely touches the surface of this Yogis transforming influences on religion for the 3rd millennium. Future films and publications will more fully reveal to the world the true genius and blessings left by this “world teacher.” A true Jagadguru.
Paramahansa Yogananda rediscovered, .................Kriya Yoga & Self-Realization Works Wonders for life ! 
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