I received a letter from Africa from a young mother whose mother-in-law seems to upset her infant child. What do we do about relatives who are not a good influence on our young children?
Ask A Yogi
Ask A Yogi
Past life memories
How important are past life memories? What can I do to distill the importance of their appearance in my thoughts and mind? We have lived countless lives. Memories are therefore beyond measure. If an image, memory of flashback has a meaning meditation can help us distill their message. But most probably do not.
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
Was Jesus a Revolutionary?
It is most ironic that Jesus’ crucifixion was ostensibly justified on the charge of his being a threat to Roman hegemony. Not only was that far from the truth but some of the Jews of his day would have preferred that Jesus HAD BEEN a threat to the Roman occupation. Both sides got it wrong, you might say. It is also ironic that … Read More
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
Palm Sunday: King or Criminal?
This Sunday, March 24, is Palm Sunday. In the story of Palm Sunday long ago, Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey as crowds received him chanting “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of God!” Ah how fickle is public acclaim. Only days later, the crowd shouted “Crucify him!” But we do this daily or weekly too, don’t we? Maybe you come … Read More
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
How to Prepare for Death
In the Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, verse 5, Krishna tells Arjuna that “He who, at the hour of death, thinks only of Me enters unquestionably into My Being.” This advice is all but universal throughout the ages. But woe to anyone who thinks by this shortcut to erase a lifetime of misdeeds. One might be unconscious at the time of death; or, death … Read More
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
What is a “Mahasamadhi?”
March 7 and March 9, respectively, are the annual anniversary dates for the deaths of Paramhansa Yogananda (1952) and his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar (1936). How does “mahasamadhi” differ from an ordinary human death? “Maha” means “Great” and “samadhi” refers to the highest state of God-consciousness, or cosmic consciousness. When a liberated saint or master leaves their human body and their passing … Read More
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
Spiritual but not Religious?
We read often that more people each year describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious.” Who can blame them? Are they throwing the “baby out with the bathwater?” We are not islands, despite the poet’s claim. As we help others we are helped. The question becomes one of choosing those with whom one is in harmony with you, knowing that … Read More
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
Do You Need A Personal “Savior?”
Yogananda’s life as he shared in his famous autobiography was a search for both universal truth AND the “concomitant” disciple-guru relationship. Here in the West we often hear Christians insist that if “You do not accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior you will go to HELL!” That’s enough to make one run for the hills. But what if it … Read More
Ask A Yogi
Experiences in Meditation
A person writes to describe a wonderful experience she had in meditation. What does it mean and how should I relate to this?
Ask A Yogi
Sex & Yoga
In today’s marketplace of sexuality, traditional exhortations to celibacy or self-control are lost in the plethora of opinions, lifestyle choices, and the insistence of personal freedom. Therefore this subject is not a popular one and perhaps the best that can be offered in these times is the twofold suggestion to: 1) be present and conscious, and 2) be respectful and … Read More