This episode covers the start of chapter 36 to:

“...base its religious beliefs on the unshakable foundations of yogic science.”

Chapter 36 features the first and only appearance of all four gurus in the book. We explored the significance of the Kumbh Mela festival, where Sri Yukteshwar met Mahavatar Babaji under a sacred tree, though he didn't recognize Babaji at the time due to Babaji's ability to prevent specific thoughts from arising in others' minds. We also examined Babaji's teachings about finding wisdom like a wise ant that seizes only the sugar and leaves the sand untouched, discussing how this metaphor applies to discerning spiritual truth amidst life's imperfections.

0:00 Introduction;

1:34 Expectations from the chapter;

3:55 The Kumbha Mela;

23:28 The Disguised First Meeting with the Master and Swamiji;

34:48 Be like the wise ant;

42:05 The East and West;

49:29 Looking Ahead;

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/58FyWOSvI9iGlDpO5enlYF

https://www.youtube.com/live/wJSbq4YRkpc

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 36 from:

“You, Swamiji, have a part to play in the coming harmonious exchange between...”

to

“...infuse greater divine faith in a wide circle of men who learn the story.”

#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 35 from:
“Lahiri Mahasaya’s handwriting and signature, in Bengali script, are shown...”
to the end of the chapter.

As we examined the beautiful Bengali lettering and signature from Lahiri Mahasaya, we review the scientific foundation of yoga mudras like Shambhavi Mudra, which involves fixing the gaze between the eyebrows without blinking. Lahiri Mahasaya's teachings on the Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata set the tone for the age, where modern science has confirmed ancient yoga practices dating back thousands of years. The conversation covered Paramahansa Yogananda’s approach to sharing miraculous stories, noting his discrimination in what to include in his writings, and emphasized the universal nature of Lahiri Mahasaya's teachings that transcended religious boundaries.

0:00 Introduction;
0:42 Prior Episode;
1:25 Lahiri Mahasaya’s Handwriting;
13:03 Knot-points;
21:14 Passion and bondage;
38:36 Kriya Mathematics;
45:20 New Hope;
1:00:00 Reflections on the chapter.

Links mentioned in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashupati_seal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Carlyle?wprov=sfla1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sartor_Resartus?wprov=sfla1

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the first part of chapter 36 to:
“...base its religious beliefs on the unshakable foundations of yogic science.”

#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 35 from:
“If a disciple neglected any of his worldly obligations, the master would...”
to
“... Evidently the master’s blessing was a necessary ingredient”

This section of the chapter covers Lahiri Mahasaya’s intriguing secular approach to including Muslims, Christians, and people of various faiths into Kriya Yoga practice in the 1890s. We explored how Lahiri Mahasaya maintained his Brahmin caste status while breaking social barriers by accepting students from different religious backgrounds, emphasizing that preparation and readiness were more important than faith background for Kriya initiation. We also have a discussion of how Kriya Yoga fits within the broader paths of yoga (Bhakti, Karma, Jnana, and Raja Yoga).

00:00 Introduction;
1:00 Prior Episode;
2:24 The barbs that nobody fled;
17:45 Brinda Bhagat, who could not deliver the letters;
40:30 The fragrance, and the refusal;
58:26 A pension, and an oil that would not distil;
1:11:40 Looking Ahead;
1:12:15 Panchanan Bhattacharya.

Links mentioned in this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Umz_yN2vY8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6atoS1XS2GA&t=4s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Bhaskarananda_Saraswati
https://balanandaashrams.org/in/sri-sri-balananda-brahmachari-maharaj-ji/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 35 from:
“Lahiri Mahasaya’s handwriting and signature, in Bengali script, are shown...”
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