Yogananda, also known as Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), was an Indian yogi, guru, and spiritual teacher who is best known for introducing the teachings of Kriya Yoga to the western world. He was born Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur, India and became a disciple of the yoga master Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri.
In 1920, Yogananda founded the Self-Realization Fellowship, which is a spiritual organization dedicated to the teachings of Kriya Yoga and the principles of spiritual living. He moved to the United States in 1920 and spent several years lecturing and teaching on the East Coast. In 1925, he published his famous book, "Autobiography of a Yogi," which has become a spiritual classic and has been translated into many languages.
Yogananda's teachings emphasize the importance of self-realization and the attainment of a direct experience of God through meditation and other spiritual practices. He also taught that all religions are essentially the same at their core, and that the goal of spiritual life is to transcend the limitations of the ego and attain oneness with the divine.
Today, Yogananda's teachings continue to inspire and influence many people around the world, particularly in the fields of yoga, meditation, and spiritual self-realization.
What did Yogananda say about Jesus?
Paramahansa Yogananda had great respect and admiration for Jesus Christ. He believed that Jesus was a divine incarnation, a messenger of God who came to earth to teach humanity about the love and compassion of God.
In his book "The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You," Yogananda writes extensively about Jesus and his teachings, interpreting them from the perspective of the ancient science of yoga. He sees Jesus as a master of divine consciousness who taught the path of love, service, and self-realization.
Yogananda also emphasizes the universal nature of Jesus' teachings, which he sees as applicable to people of all religions and cultures. He believed that the message of Jesus was not limited to Christianity but was relevant to all people seeking spiritual truth and liberation.
Overall, Yogananda's view of Jesus was one of deep reverence and appreciation, seeing him as a spiritual giant who left a profound impact on humanity and a source of inspiration for all seekers of truth and spiritual enlightenment.
Was Yogananda an avatar?
Paramahansa Yogananda is not traditionally considered an avatar in Hinduism. In Hinduism, an avatar is a manifestation of a deity or a divine being that appears on earth to fulfill a specific purpose or mission.
While Yogananda is highly regarded by many as a spiritual leader and his teachings have influenced countless individuals, he himself did not claim to be an avatar. Instead, he saw himself as a humble servant of God who was striving to live according to divine principles and to help others do the same.
In his book "Autobiography of a Yogi," Yogananda describes his own spiritual journey and encounters with many spiritual masters, including some who are traditionally considered avatars. However, Yogananda himself never claimed to be an avatar, and his teachings emphasize the importance of humility and surrender to God rather than the pursuit of personal glory or recognition.
Who is God according to Yogananda?
According to Yogananda's teachings, God is the infinite and eternal consciousness that pervades all existence. God is the source of all creation, and is both transcendent and immanent - existing beyond the material world, yet also present in every aspect of it.
In Yogananda's philosophy, God is seen as the ultimate goal of human life, and the purpose of spiritual practice is to experience union with this divine consciousness. This can be achieved through meditation, devotion, and self-realization.
Yogananda also emphasized the importance of recognizing the divine nature within oneself and others, and cultivating a spirit of love, compassion, and service as a way to connect with God and experience spiritual growth.
How do you pray Yogananda?
This type of prayer involves affirming the positive outcome or realization of your desire, rather than pleading or begging for it.
Here are the basic steps to pray Yogananda:
- Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Sit comfortably with your spine straight, and your eyes closed.
- Take a few deep breaths to relax your body and mind.
- Visualize the presence of the divine within you, and feel a sense of gratitude and reverence for this presence.
- State your desire or intention clearly and positively, as if it has already been fulfilled. For example, "I am filled with peace and joy," or "I am experiencing perfect health and vitality."
- Visualize your desire as already fulfilled. Imagine yourself in the situation you desire, feeling the emotions and sensations associated with it.
- Affirm your faith in the divine power to bring your desire into manifestation. You may say something like, "I have complete faith that my desire is already being fulfilled in the perfect way and at the perfect time."
- Express gratitude for the manifestation of your desire. Thank the divine for its infinite blessings and for fulfilling your desire in the most perfect way.
- Conclude your prayer by releasing your desire to the divine, and letting go of any attachment to the outcome. Trust that the universe will bring you what is best for your highest good.
It's important to remember that affirmative prayer is not a form of magic or wishful thinking, but rather a way to align yourself with the divine power within and around you. With consistent practice, this form of prayer can help you cultivate a deep sense of peace, joy, and fulfillment in all areas of your life.
Conclusion
Yogananda's teachings emphasized the unity of all religions and the potential for individuals to achieve self-realization, or direct experience of the divine, through meditation and other spiritual practices. He also placed great importance on the role of service to others and encouraged his followers to use their spiritual insights and practices to benefit society.
Overall, Yogananda's teachings continue to have a significant impact on the spiritual landscape of the Western world, and his legacy as a spiritual teacher and pioneer of yoga and meditation in the West continues to be felt to this day.
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Bibliographies
- Paramahansa Yogananda. Wikipedia. February 15, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramahansa_Yogananda
- Home: Self-Realization Fellowship. Self Realization Fellowship. February 18, 2023. https://yogananda.org/
- Is Jesus Christ a Guru? The Expanding Light Retreat. February 18, 2023. https://www.expandinglight.org/blog/superconscious-living/about-expanding-light/is-jesus-christ-a-guru/
- Paramahansa Yogananda. Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. October 04, 2022. https://yssofindia.org/paramahansa-yogananda
- You are being redirected...February 18, 2023. https://www.ananda.org/ask/was-yogananda-an-avatar-incarnation-of-god/
- What is God? - Definition from Yogapedia. Yogapedia.com. February 18, 2023. https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5011/god
- Utilizing the Power of Prayer. Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. July 03, 2021. https://yssofindia.org/spiritual/utilizing-the-power-of-prayer
- What Is Yoga, Really? Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. March 01, 2022. https://yssofindia.org/meditation/what-is-yoga-really