Ask A Yogi

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?

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.

A person writes to describe a wonderful experience she had in meditation. What does it mean and how should I relate to this?

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

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.

Negativity whether from an incarnate or disincarnate entity invites prayer as a response. Here are some suggestions for psychic protection for yourself or others.

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.

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

As a separate ego we are always alone; as a soul, we are One. How do devotees reconcile feeling isolated from the world, from worldly values and from others on their unique path to God with the goal of Oneness? What is the dark night of the Soul?

When others are misbehaving, what can we do?