It is too easy to make your diet a religion. Yogananda encouraged us to employ the traditional vegetarian diet but overall “proper eatarianism” suggests a diet that suits your body’s needs and temperament.
Ask A Yogi
Ask A Yogi
Negative Entity?
Negativity whether from an incarnate or disincarnate entity invites prayer as a response. Here are some suggestions for psychic protection for yourself or others.
Ask A Yogi
Mental Restlessness in Meditation
This is a big subject with many anecdotes and suggestions possible. A few offered here include one’s motivation for meditation; the role of the heart; the practice of mindfulness during activity; focusing at the spiritual eye, to name a few.
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
The Promise of Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga, made popular by Yogananda’s life story, can be described in many ways: it is a technique of meditation; it is given in the relationship of discipleship to the Kriya Yoga masters; it is part of a family of raja yoga meditation techniques; and, it has several levels.
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
This week begins a four-part class in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras are among the core scriptural sources chosen by Paramhansa Yogananda when he came from India to the West to share the ancient wisdom of India. There are innumerable sources from which Yogananda could have chosen in addition to which are countless commentaries by some of … Read More
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
Love: One Thing Needful
I read a poem by the medieval woman saint, Mirabai as quoted by Yogananda in Chapter 7 of his life story. For “all thy getting, get understanding” and that understanding is not of the mind but of the heart. Love is joy; love is enthusiasm; love is respect; love is acceptance. And while virtue cannot by itself take us into … Read More
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
Tribute to Gandhi and M.L. King
Few people realize the connection between Gandhi and ML King. King was a follower of Gandhi. He visited India and met with Gandhi’s successors. In his first civil rights protest in Montgomery, Alabama, he made Gandhi and his teachings household word in the deep South!
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
The Riddle of the Sphinx
According to legend, the female Sphinx lived outside the city of Thebes and tested travelers with a riddle: what creature has one voice but, in the morning, has four feet; in the afternoon two feet; and in the evening, three feet?
Weekly Wisdom From the Autobiography of a Yogi
First Day; First Sentence; First Priority
“The characteristic features of Indian culture have long been a search for ultimate verities and the concomitant disciple-guru relationship.”
This sentence encapsulates the timeless and ever timely reality that life is both objective AND subjective.
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Overcoming Parental Influences
Each person who strives for maturity must come to grips with the influences of their upbringing. But it’s more nuanced than just “blaming” your parents etc. We attract that which we resonate with or, not. Spiritually speaking, the path is one of rising up out of instinct, subconsciousness, and environmental influences into conscious and intentional living and then finally upwards … Read More