This episode covers the start of chapter 15 from:
“Master, a gift for you! These six huge cauliflowers...”
to
“... had yielded the object of his singlehearted desire?”

Summary:

We start chapter 15 be exploring the our expectations for the chapter and how Paramahansa Yogananda has surprised us with the content in this intriguing section of the book! We discuss the nuanced ways in which Sri Yukteswar influenced the circumstances and the ‘crazy man’ to do his bidding while at the same time showering him with simple grace! We also look into the history surrounding the Karar (of Sri Yukteswar’s) Ashram in Puri.

0:00 Expectations for the chapter;
5:00 Gift;
19:10 Marching orders;
30:34 Movie picture of entertainment;
38:38 Being available to being grace;
53:40 Looking ahead to the next chapter.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 15:
“I asked Sri Yukteswar that evening to explain...”
to
“...and go to a certain room for a single cauliflower.”

#autobiographyofayogi
#autobiographylinebyline
#paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi
awake.minute
Self-Realization Fellowship
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the last part of chapter 14:
“Sri Yukteswar taught me how to summon...”
to
“...who but He bears the burden of the cosmos?”

Summary:

As Paramahansa Yogananda adjusts to life after attaining to Samadhi, he still introspects and asks Sri Yukteswar the pertinent questions to make sure sure that he has made it! How does intuition help us in our lives and is this a precursor to Samadhi? We explore these important topics along with the perfect definition of God as infinite, ever-new bliss consciousness!

0:00 Summary of prior episode;
1:20 When shall I find God?;
13:40 Expectation of God;
24:30 Seductive beyond thought of competition;
32:00 Ever-new joy and instant guidance;
40:45 Favourite sections of chapter 14;
46:30 Sri Yukteswar’s Puri Ashram;
48:20 Looking ahead to the next chapter.

Link discussed in episode:
https://youtube.com/shorts/EJCPlL2G4k0?si=HHVRvW70UwCJJtJ0

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the start of chapter 15:
“Master, a gift for you! These six huge cauliflowers...”
to
“... had yielded the object of his singlehearted desire?”

#autobiographyofayogi
#autobiographylinebyline
#paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi
awake.minute
Self-Realization Fellowship
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the heart of chapter 14:
The Samadhi Poem

Summary:

The most profound poem in all of English literature is Samadhi, by Paramahansa Yogananda. We dedicate an entire episode to the poem, sharing our experiences and joy gleaned from its detailed study, with Chris describing this as our best episode yet!

1:11 Introduction;
5:44 Maya;
19:00 Becoming One;
48:00 Cosmic Joy;
1:05:27 Aum;
1:13:15 Union;
1:26:00 Reflections;
1:34:30 London Centre Narration.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://yogananda.com.au/c/Atmananda_deeper_yearning.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudra_Manthana
https://youtu.be/yXN2Jw7b0nI?si=AhZFACWju42d0RJ8

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 14:
“Sri Yukteswar taught me how to summon...”
to
“...who but He bears the burden of the cosmos?”

#autobiographyofayogi
#autobiographylinebyline
#paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi
awake.minute
Self-Realization Fellowship
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the next part of chapter 14:
“Suddenly the breath returned to my lungs...”
to
“...endeavoring to convey a glimpse of its glory.”

Summary:

What does it mean that breath is mentioned in this section, how does Paramahansa Yogananda relate it to cosmic consciousness and what does it mean? We also have a delightful discussion on the role of a spiritual master in achieving divine experiences, the importance of yoga practice and devotional bhakti when working in the world, and the concept of an "irresistible force" that would make the spiritual journey easier once reached.

0:00 Summary of previous episode and chapter;
2:29 Back to "reality";
06:32 Balanced living;
25:33 Essence of sheer light;
36:30 Calming the storms;
41:20 A master bestows;
52:56 Looking head to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://yogananda.com.au/g/g_breath.html
https://yogananda.com.au/pyr/pyr_devotion1.html#top
https://yogananda.org/blog/yoga-teaches-to-seek-the-divine-first-and-find-balance-in-everything-by-paramahansa-yogananda
https://yogananda.com.au/gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-9.html

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 14:
The Samadhi Poem

#autobiographyofayogi
#autobiographylinebyline
#paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi
awake.minute
Self-Realization Fellowship
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the next part of chapter 14:
“Poor boy, mountains cannot give you what you want...”
to
“...Aum, the vibration of the Cosmic Motor.”

Summary:

Sri Yukteswar grants Paramahansa Yogananda the pinnacle of human experience: Samadhi. But is it Savikalpa or Nirvikalpa? Has he experienced glimpses of this before? Guruji splits the experience in subtle but distinct steps, which are explained in more detail in other writings, so we take readings from God Talks with Arjuna (Bhagavad Gita) and the Second Coming of Christ to supplement this episode. This is one of the most significant sections of the book.

0:00 Summary of previous episode and chapter;
1:52 Instant gratification;
12:05 Reconnecting...;
24:15 Expansion;
39:53 The source;
1:05:30 Looking head to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://youtu.be/IGdWdIE5aDk?si=PU45Ux1Wh4z4KMfp

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 14 from:
“Suddenly the breath returned to my lungs...”
to
“...endeavoring to convey a glimpse of its glory.”

#autobiographyofayogi
#autobiographylinebyline
#paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi
awake.minute
Self-Realization Fellowship
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the start part of chapter 14:
to
“...Thwarted and exposed, I made my way sadly to his side.”

Summary:

Paramahansa Yogananda writes the most comprehensive description of the Samadhi experience in all literature, we endeavour to give this the devotion and careful attention that it deserves. Before this experience Mukunda describes the beautiful re-union with Sri Yukteswar, one which includes forgiveness and a beautiful expansion of divine love. We also explored the other importance themes of this section: the role of an ashram head vs that of a guru, the need to reduce our expectations and the common problem of scattered thoughts during meditation.

0:00 Summary of previous episode and chapter;
3:20 Expectations from Chapter 14;
7:10 The Return and the Apology
22:00 Expanding my heart;
31:30 Disobedient thoughts;
49:00 Looking forward to the next episode.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 14 from:
“Poor boy, mountains cannot give you what you want...”
to
“...Aum, the vibration of the Cosmic Motor.”

#autobiographyofayogi
#autobiographylinebyline
#paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi
awake.minute
Self-Realization Fellowship
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the last part of chapter 13:
“If you work hard, you will get there...”
to the end of the chapter.

Summary:

As Ram Gopal Mazumdar narrates an inspirational story (one that is particularly useful for us) we wonder if it is ‘enlightening’ simply to hear it with devotion. Soon afterward, Paramahansa Yogananda receives the grace and blessings of seeing flashes of light, we find readings from Sister Gyanamata’s diary that also cover this topic - what if we don’t (yet) see them? Guruji also offers us some suggested visualisations to experience the omnipresence of a Linga.

00:43 Summary of prior episode;
23:53 No goodbyes;
33:50 Undo;
42:15 Takeaways from the Chapter 13;
48:06 Looking ahead to the next episode/chapter 14.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyotirlinga
https://youtube.com/shorts/-cJHCJ5boI0?si=TFQlGTobVy9cIwi5

This episode covers the start of chapter 14:
to
“...Thwarted and exposed, I made my way sadly to his side.”

#autobiographyofayogi
#autobiographylinebyline
#paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi
awake.minute
Self-Realization Fellowship
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS

This episode covers the next part of chapter 13:
“You are asking illumination from me...”
to
“...to the star of unqualified divine attainment.”

Summary:

Mukunda assesses the spiritual impact of Ram Gopal Mazumdar’s austere sadhana and is surprised that the latter considers it of little consequence when contrasted with the eternal existence of God. We share our experiences of the difficulty/ease of long meditations while evolving on this spiritual path with our guru Paramahansa Yogananda.

01:00 Summary of prior episode
02:02 Humility - Never enough meditation;
25:35 The Sleepless Saint;
38:32 Insight;
48:45 Looking ahead to the next episode;
48:55 Priyank's background picture.

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 13:
“If you work hard, you will get there...”
to the end of the chapter.

#autobiographyofayogi
#autobiographylinebyline
#paramahansayogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi
awake.minute
Self-Realization Fellowship
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
#SRF #YSS