Question: Why does God permit suffering? Dear Friend, The questions that you pose are often stated along these lines: “Because evil exists, then God must be responsible for evil.” The assumption is that God, being “God,” cannot be unaware that evil exists and, being God and permitting evil, God must “therefore” be either non-existent or not worth being seen … Read More
Question: Today I fielded this question from a Hindu in the United States: “I have read from many sources, that Hinduism or originally known as Sanatana Dharma, the eternal way is non-sectarian, and can be applicable to anyone regardless of religion or race. I am Hindu, but don’t understand how the Bhagavad Gita for instance is non-sectarian, as Lord Krishna … Read More
Question: How can I cope with loss of a loved one? Answer: This is a large topic but perhaps there are a few things that can be offered that you will find helpful. The first would be to accept your grief rather than push it away. It is normal, indeed healthy, to feel loss when a loved one has died. … Read More
Question: How can I contact a deceased loved one? Answer: Paramhansa Yogananda taught that to contact a deceased loved one we should be able to meditate very deeply, focusing at the spiritual eye until it appears to our inner sight. One must also be non-attached in your desire to contact this soul. Grief and attachment will prevent you from the … Read More
Question: What is real success? Answer: Real success is blessed by lasting and true happiness. As such happiness can never come from material possessions, or material success in career or human relationships, true success therefore means to find God in our hearts. As Saint Augustine put it: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.” Answered by Nayaswami Hriman
Question: Some people don’t seem to work hard and still have more success. Why? Answer: In this great cosmos, the law of cause and effect rules the universe. We can’t necessarily see the cause but we can be sure that for all things there is a cause. Those who seem to enjoy success with very little effort are simply those … Read More
Question: How do I balance my family and business and my search for God? Answer: Lahiri Mahasaya showed us that a family man with a career could find God through the daily practice of Kriya Yoga. He did lead the balanced life, putting aside time for daily prayer and meditation, for the needs of the family, for the needs of … Read More
Question: Can we remember past lives? Answer: Yes, but consider that in this present life in this current body there is so much that we forget. How much of our childhood, for example, do we remember? How much of what we were thinking 2 hours ago can we remember? The simple fact that most people don’t remember past lives should … Read More
Question: What happens after death? Answer: What happens after death is distinctly related to how we have lived our life. If our life has been very much in the body, very sensuous, perhaps selfish, and materialistic, then we will have a difficult time functioning in the rarified atmosphere of the astral world. Deprived of a physical body, nervous system, and … Read More
Question: How can I be more successful at work? Answer: Success is not entirely the fruit of native talent, people you know, or just plain good luck to the degree that most people imagine. Material success comes from focusing on the task at hand with patience and perseverance. It can include developing your skills and mingling with others who are … Read More