“Meditate and draw others to this path of Self-realization. That is the highest service you can perform. These are my happiest days. I am happy for two reasons: I have been able to please God, and I have been able to fulfill the pledge that I gave to my guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar, to build this work of Yogoda Satsanga/ Self-Realization to spread the message of Kriya Yoga.”
— Paramahansa Yogananda
in The Divine Romance
One day at my school in Ranchi, I was sitting with the young boys when I saw someone coming toward us, from behind the boys, and wondered who it was. Then I saw it was Jesus; his feet were not touching the ground as he approached. He came very close to us and then vanished.
A few years later, in Boston, I again saw Jesus. I was meditating and deeply praying to God because I felt that for three days I had forgotten Him —I had been so engrossed in fulfilling the responsibilities He had given to me. I told the Lord: “I am going to walk out of this work!” The right attitude is to love God and Love His work because of Him. Those who do missionary service, but never make the effort to meditate or commune with God, never find Him. Because I felt that the activities of my ministry had taken me away from God, I prayed, “Lord, I will go away. I will not remain in America and do Your work unless I know You are with me.” Then a Voice came through the ether like a beam of light: “What do you want? You cannot go.” Many times in my life God has thus prevented me from carrying out my desire to run away from my duties to this cause, to be only with Him. I replied to the Divine Voice: “Let me see, on a sea of gold, Krishna and Jesus and their disciples.” Even as I made this inward request, I saw those divine ones coming toward me! “It is a hallucination,” I thought. “If the person meditating with me sees this also, then I shall believe.” Instantly my companion exclaimed aloud: “Oh, I see Christ and Krishna!” Then I rationalized, “This is thought transference.” I was doubting and praying to God to help my unbelief when the Voice said: “When I leave, the room will become filled with the fragrance of the lotus, and whoever comes shall notice it.” As the vision vanished, the whole room became permeated with a marvellous lotus essence. Others entering the room even hours later noted the aroma. I could doubt no longer.
Mahavatar Babaji ordained that I come to America to interpret the teachings of Christ for the purpose of showing their parallelism with the yoga teachings of India’s Lord Krishna. In the immortal truths expressed by these two avatars lies the answer of the ages. That is why Babaji, who is in divine communion with Christ, gave me the special dispensation of carrying this message to the West.
So long as breath will be in the body, I will try to bring East and West together to fulfil the purpose for which Christ came on earth in an Oriental body. His soul in the West, his body in the East; bringing soul and body together unites East and West.
(Source: Self Realization Magazine)
“As Christmas is approaching, I extend to you my deepest blessings for a very spiritual Christmas and a wonderful New Year. May they create in your heart a strong impetus to begin anew.
“…The birthdays of great souls are not to be passed off as merely times for socials and ceremonies. They are auspicious occasions, which are observed also in heaven, to honor great souls who came on earth for the upliftment of mankind. God and the masters manifest in form and rejoice together, celebrating with astral lights and fragrances…..Whoever will take spiritual advantage of these sacred events will find his resolutions helped by the vibrations of those great souls whose anniversaries are being observed. Their vibrations are stronger and easier to tune in with during the holy seasons dedicated to them.
“So remember that Christmas is a wonderful divine event. Receive the blessings of Christ to spiritualize your life….
“Prepare your mind to commune with Christ. At the Self-Realization headquarters we meditate all day on the 24th of December. If you cannot attend one of the group meditations in our centers, meditate at home…..If you have the will power and strength to meditate deeply on that day, you will feel the presence of God and Christ.
“The idea of an all-day Christmas meditation was really given to me by Christ, that he might do something for you. He wants to bless you, but his hands are tied if you are not receptive. He wants to come to you, but he can’t if the portals of devotion, through which alone he can enter your life, are closed. Whenever he finds sincere souls, he tries to come to them; but how can he get in when the doors of calmness are shut, and the latch of restlessness has locked up the soul? Yet if you meditate long and deeply, and call to Christ with all the love of your soul, removing all barriers of restlessness and doubt, you will find him willingly entering in. You will know the real meaning and joy of Christmas.”
Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. In order to be happy one should have good health, a well-balanced mind, a prosperous life, the right work, a thankful heart, and above all, wisdom or knowledge of God.
—Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, “The Law of Success”
| The body is God’s temple. Give it it’s due and forget about it. Concentrate on loving God. This chart shows that goodness in nature varies in a different way in each type of food as well as in everything else. It’s not the food we eat that will give us those qualities, but our own self effort in God’s grace. Seek God and God alone. | |
| ALMONDS | reflects self-control |
| AVOCADOS | memory |
| BANANAS | impart calmness, humbleness |
| BEETS | martial courage |
| BERRIES | aid in calmness of thought |
| CEREAL | strength of character |
| CHERRIES | vibrate joy |
| DATES | tenderness & Sweetness |
| EGGS & MILK | enthusiasm, fresh energy |
| FIGS | softens strict sense of discipline |
| GRAPES | vibrate divine love |
| LETTUCE | calmness |
| MAPLE SYRUP | mental freshness |
| ORANGES & LEMONS | banish melancholia & are a brain stimulant |
| PEACHES | un-selfishness, thinking of the good for others |
| PINEAPPLES | self assurance, good for inferiority complex |
| RASPBERRIES | kind heartedness |
| PEARS | peacefulness |
| SPINACH | simplicity |
| STRAWBERRIES | dignity |
| SWEET CORN & TOMATOES | mental strength |
| UNPOLISHED RICE | mildness |
| WHEAT | obstinate in principles fine when principles are good |
A century after the birth of Paramahansa Yogananda, he has come to be recognized as one of the preeminent spiritual figures of our time; and the influence of his life and work continues to grow. Many of the religious and philosophical concepts and methods he introduced decades ago are now finding expression in education, psychology, business, medicine, and other spheres of endeavor – contributing in far-reaching ways to a more integrated, humane, and spiritual vision of human life.
The fact that Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings are being interpreted and creatively applied in many different fields as well as by exponents of diverse philosophical and metaphysical movements, points not only to the great practical utility of what he taught, but also to the need for some means of ensuring that the spiritual legacy he left not be diluted, fragmented, or distorted with the passing of time. For this purpose Paramahansa Yogananda founded Yogoda Satsanga Society of India also known as YSS of India / Self-Realization Fellowship to disseminate his teachings and to preserve their purity and integrity for future generations. He personally chose and trained those close disciples who head the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India / Self-Realization Fellowship Publications council and gave specific guidelines for the preparation and publishing of his lectures, writings and Yogoda Satsanga Lessons. His guidelines are followed as a sacred trust by the YSS / SRF monastic order so that the universal message of this beloved world teacher may live on its original power and authenticity.
