This episode covers the next part of chapter 14:
“Suddenly the breath returned to my lungs...”
to
“...endeavoring to convey a glimpse of its glory.”

Summary:

What does it mean that breath is mentioned in this section, how does Paramahansa Yogananda relate it to cosmic consciousness and what does it mean? We also have a delightful discussion on the role of a spiritual master in achieving divine experiences, the importance of yoga practice and devotional bhakti when working in the world, and the concept of an "irresistible force" that would make the spiritual journey easier once reached.

0:00 Summary of previous episode and chapter;
2:29 Back to "reality";
06:32 Balanced living;
25:33 Essence of sheer light;
36:30 Calming the storms;
41:20 A master bestows;
52:56 Looking head to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://yogananda.com.au/g/g_breath.html
https://yogananda.com.au/pyr/pyr_devotion1.html#top
https://yogananda.org/blog/yoga-teaches-to-seek-the-divine-first-and-find-balance-in-everything-by-paramahansa-yogananda
https://yogananda.com.au/gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-9.html

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 14:
The Samadhi Poem

#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 14:
“Poor boy, mountains cannot give you what you want...”
to
“...Aum, the vibration of the Cosmic Motor.”

Summary:

Sri Yukteswar grants Paramahansa Yogananda the pinnacle of human experience: Samadhi. But is it Savikalpa or Nirvikalpa? Has he experienced glimpses of this before? Guruji splits the experience in subtle but distinct steps, which are explained in more detail in other writings, so we take readings from God Talks with Arjuna (Bhagavad Gita) and the Second Coming of Christ to supplement this episode. This is one of the most significant sections of the book.

0:00 Summary of previous episode and chapter;
1:52 Instant gratification;
12:05 Reconnecting...;
24:15 Expansion;
39:53 The source;
1:05:30 Looking head to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://youtu.be/IGdWdIE5aDk?si=PU45Ux1Wh4z4KMfp

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 14 from:
“Suddenly the breath returned to my lungs...”
to
“...endeavoring to convey a glimpse of its glory.”

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

This episode covers the start part of chapter 14:
to
“...Thwarted and exposed, I made my way sadly to his side.”

Summary:

Paramahansa Yogananda writes the most comprehensive description of the Samadhi experience in all literature, we endeavour to give this the devotion and careful attention that it deserves. Before this experience Mukunda describes the beautiful re-union with Sri Yukteswar, one which includes forgiveness and a beautiful expansion of divine love. We also explored the other importance themes of this section: the role of an ashram head vs that of a guru, the need to reduce our expectations and the common problem of scattered thoughts during meditation.

0:00 Summary of previous episode and chapter;
3:20 Expectations from Chapter 14;
7:10 The Return and the Apology
22:00 Expanding my heart;
31:30 Disobedient thoughts;
49:00 Looking forward to the next episode.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 14 from:
“Poor boy, mountains cannot give you what you want...”
to
“...Aum, the vibration of the Cosmic Motor.”

#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 13:
“If you work hard, you will get there...”
to the end of the chapter.

Summary:

As Ram Gopal Mazumdar narrates an inspirational story (one that is particularly useful for us) we wonder if it is ‘enlightening’ simply to hear it with devotion. Soon afterward, Paramahansa Yogananda receives the grace and blessings of seeing flashes of light, we find readings from Sister Gyanamata’s diary that also cover this topic - what if we don’t (yet) see them? Guruji also offers us some suggested visualisations to experience the omnipresence of a Linga.

00:43 Summary of prior episode;
23:53 No goodbyes;
33:50 Undo;
42:15 Takeaways from the Chapter 13;
48:06 Looking ahead to the next episode/chapter 14.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyotirlinga
https://youtube.com/shorts/-cJHCJ5boI0?si=TFQlGTobVy9cIwi5

This episode covers the start of chapter 14:
to
“...Thwarted and exposed, I made my way sadly to his side.”

#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 13:
“You are asking illumination from me...”
to
“...to the star of unqualified divine attainment.”

Summary:

Mukunda assesses the spiritual impact of Ram Gopal Mazumdar’s austere sadhana and is surprised that the latter considers it of little consequence when contrasted with the eternal existence of God. We share our experiences of the difficulty/ease of long meditations while evolving on this spiritual path with our guru Paramahansa Yogananda.

01:00 Summary of prior episode
02:02 Humility - Never enough meditation;
25:35 The Sleepless Saint;
38:32 Insight;
48:45 Looking ahead to the next episode;
48:55 Priyank's background picture.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 13:
“If you work hard, you will get there...”
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

This episode covers the next part of chapter 13:
“Ram Gopal took my hand and led...”
to
“...burn as though every cell were on fire.”

Summary:

Mukunda’s interactions with the "Sleepless Saint" allow us to explore a range of interesting topics such as cultural differences in hand-holding, food consumption, and the concept of 'guest is God'. We share our own experiences with adobe houses, the benefits of twice-daily meditation and the intricate distinction between being ready for Samadhi and not.

0:00 Summary of prior episode;

3:00 Arrival at the hamlet;
11:30 But first ... meditation;
21:22 The guest is God;
30:40 Divine consciousness;
44:30 Looking ahead to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atithi_Devo_Bhava

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 13:
“You are asking illumination from me...”
to
“...to the star of unqualified divine attainment.”

#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 13:
“The saint’s censorious attitude vanished...”
to
“...I feel great love for you.”

Summary:

Young Mukunda (Paramahansa Yogananda) receives some gentle words of wisdom from Ram Gopal Mazumdar on following your guru, having a space to meditate and love. We dig a little deeper into the significance of these lessons in terms of the Guru-disciple relationship, the law of attraction and the the importance of taking the inner pilgrimage.

0:00 Summary of prior episode;

2:51 The windows to the soul;
10:35 Devotion - to the ends of the earth;
25:50 Inner vs. Outer Pilgrimage;
41:55 Looking ahead to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://yogananda.org/the-role-of-a-guru-in-ones-spiritual-search
https://yogananda.com.au/pyr/pyr_devotion1.html
https://yssofindia.org/product/mans-eternal-quest
https://yogananda.com.au/sc/new_testament_kingdom_of_God_l17-20.html

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 13:
“Ram Gopal took my hand and led...”
to
“...burn as though every cell were on fire.”

#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 13:
“The stranger halted beside me...”
to
“...venerated as nuclear centres of spiritual power.”

Summary:

As Mukunda finally finds Ram Gopal Muzumdar, we explore the intriguing facets of their intriguing preliminary exchanges – where is God and what is your purpose? Why did you not bow? Is there a Univeral path? Paramahansa Yogananda also includes a fascinating quote in the footnote attributed to Dostoyevsky which we explore a little further!

0:00 Summary of prior episode;

2:00 Portrait of RGM;
24:45 Omnipresence of God;
41:25 Cause and effect;
57:18 Ishtadevata - what is yours?

1:12:50 Looking ahead to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demons_(Dostoevsky_novel)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8117

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 13:
“The saint’s censorious attitude vanished...”
to
“...I feel great love for you.”

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