This episode covers the start of chapter 38 to:
"...I am with you heart and soul in your practical ideals of education.”

This section of the chapter focuses on Luther Burbank and his significant contributions to agriculture and botany. We explored Burbank's innovative plant breeding techniques, particularly his development of spineless cacti, improved potato varieties, and extensive plum hybrids that revolutionized commercial fruit production in the United States. We examined Burbank's approach to plant cultivation, emphasizing the importance of love and intuition in plant care rather than just scientific methods. We also discussed Burbank's educational philosophy regarding children, which mirrored Yogananda's approach by emphasizing outdoor learning, natural environments, and simple living. The conversation included personal anecdotes about plant care and the significance of Burbank's work in creating more sustainable and profitable agricultural practices.

0:00 Introduction;
1:00 Expectations from the chapter;
6:31 Spineless Cacti;
28:18 Burbank Potato, Plum and Walnut;
42:52 Adoption;
55:12 Looking Ahead.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 38 from:
"As I was taking leave of the gentle sage..”
to
“... reluctantly toward his home and those waiting thousand letters.”

#autobiographyofayogi #autobiographylinebyline #paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the last part of chapter 37 from:
“Because of Father’s generous cheque, I was able to remain in America...”
to the end of the chapter.

In today’s discussion we focus on the financial challenges Swami Yogananda faced after purchasing the Mount Washington property, including a story from Phil Goldberg's book about a large “unexpected” donation from a devotee. We read and interpreted excerpts from George Washington's farewell address and Walt Whitman's poetry, linking them to Yogananda's vision of spiritual destiny for America and the blending of East and West. We also found a relevant poem from Yogananda's "Songs of the Soul" and discussed a photograph of him with President Coolidge, noting the historical context of immigration laws at the time. We shared personal reflections on the chapter, highlighting themes of faith, authenticity, and the universal nature of spiritual practice and concluded by sharing our favourite lines from the text, emphasizing the importance of God's guidance and the impact of Yogananda's early lectures on thousands of Americans.

0:00 Introduction;
0:55 Prior Episode;
2:40 Bill Day at Mt Washington;
8:40 Washington's Farewell Address;
17:07 Whitman Addresses the Mother;
26:00 A Prophecy of Countless Saviours;
30:25 Yogananda with President Calvin Coolidge;
37:50 Reflections on the chapter.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the start of chapter 38 to:
"...I am with you heart and soul in your practical ideals of education.”

#autobiographyofayogi #autobiographylinebyline #paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the next part of chapter 37 from:
“Because of Father’s generous cheque, I was able to remain in America...”
to
“Whispers from Eternity, with a preface by the famous singer, Mme. Amelita Galli-Curci.”

This section of the chapter focusses on Swami Yogananda's early years in America and his transcontinental tour. We discuss the financial support Yogananda received from his father, which allowed him to stay in the U.S. and teach spiritual truth. Guruji’s 1924 tour took himfrom Boston to Alaska, with public lectures in major cities, and the establishment of the American headquarters at Mount Washington in 1925. The group shared a tender postcard from Sri Yukteswar expressing joy at Yogananda's success. We highlighted three books Yogananda wrote during that decade: Songs of the Soul, Scientific Healing Affirmations, and Whispers from Eternity, and each participant read a favourite passage.

0:00 Introduction;
0:25 Prior Episode;
1:55 Early years in the US;
13:19 Mt Washington, Vision, Sri Yukteshwar;
17:35 Years sped by;
21:55 Songs, Whispers and Healing Affirmations;
27:41 Pictures;
34:41 Looking Ahead and closing prayer.

Links from the episode:
Awake, minute 38 on Guruji’s tour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaVJjToPpAA
Awake, minute 31 on the procurement of Mother Center - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbTEooeIZrA
Brother Chidananda’s recent video on Mother Center: https://www.youtube.com/live/zcuEW3duNzM?si=wKkbS4jpT8FD2dTx
Awake, minute 36 on Galli-Curci - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U6mANt0BrM

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 37 from:
“Because of Father’s generous cheque, I was able to remain in America...”
to the end of the chapter.

#autobiographyofayogi #autobiographylinebyline #paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

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