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

This episode covers the next part of chapter 13:
“Ram Gopal took my hand and led...”
to
“...burn as though every cell were on fire.”

Summary:

Mukunda’s interactions with the "Sleepless Saint" allow us to explore a range of interesting topics such as cultural differences in hand-holding, food consumption, and the concept of 'guest is God'. We share our own experiences with adobe houses, the benefits of twice-daily meditation and the intricate distinction between being ready for Samadhi and not.

0:00 Summary of prior episode;

3:00 Arrival at the hamlet;
11:30 But first ... meditation;
21:22 The guest is God;
30:40 Divine consciousness;
44:30 Looking ahead to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atithi_Devo_Bhava

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 13:
“You are asking illumination from me...”
to
“...to the star of unqualified divine attainment.”

#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:
“The saint’s censorious attitude vanished...”
to
“...I feel great love for you.”

Summary:

Young Mukunda (Paramahansa Yogananda) receives some gentle words of wisdom from Ram Gopal Mazumdar on following your guru, having a space to meditate and love. We dig a little deeper into the significance of these lessons in terms of the Guru-disciple relationship, the law of attraction and the the importance of taking the inner pilgrimage.

0:00 Summary of prior episode;

2:51 The windows to the soul;
10:35 Devotion - to the ends of the earth;
25:50 Inner vs. Outer Pilgrimage;
41:55 Looking ahead to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://yogananda.org/the-role-of-a-guru-in-ones-spiritual-search
https://yogananda.com.au/pyr/pyr_devotion1.html
https://yssofindia.org/product/mans-eternal-quest
https://yogananda.com.au/sc/new_testament_kingdom_of_God_l17-20.html

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 13:
“Ram Gopal took my hand and led...”
to
“...burn as though every cell were on fire.”

#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:
“The stranger halted beside me...”
to
“...venerated as nuclear centres of spiritual power.”

Summary:

As Mukunda finally finds Ram Gopal Muzumdar, we explore the intriguing facets of their intriguing preliminary exchanges – where is God and what is your purpose? Why did you not bow? Is there a Univeral path? Paramahansa Yogananda also includes a fascinating quote in the footnote attributed to Dostoyevsky which we explore a little further!

0:00 Summary of prior episode;

2:00 Portrait of RGM;
24:45 Omnipresence of God;
41:25 Cause and effect;
57:18 Ishtadevata - what is yours?

1:12:50 Looking ahead to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demons_(Dostoevsky_novel)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8117

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 13:
“The saint’s censorious attitude vanished...”
to
“...I feel great love for you.”

#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:
“I was not sure of the way...”
to
“...Such faith in the directions given.”

Summary:

Makunda's long and tiresome journey has a deeper meaning associated with his growth – as with all good and worthwhile journies in our life. We share our personal experiences of hospitality and its biblical spiritual significance, and the role of prayer and affirmations in achieving our worthy outcomes (learning from the nuns of Self-Realization Fellowship from 2024 convocation).‌

0:00 Summary of prior episode;
01:27 Lost Mukunda;
9:40 Welcome savior;
34:24 Mukunda begins his journey
40:25 Looking ahead to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm6cWagLet0

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 13:
“The stranger halted beside me...”
to
“...venerated as nuclear centres of spiritual power.”

#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:
“The following morning I sought out Behari Pundit...”
to
“...walked briskly toward the outlying village of Ranbajpur.”

Summary:

Mukunda is ecstatic to have a starting point for his much sought-after sojourn to the Himalayas via the sleepless saint: Ram Gopal Mazumdar. Along his route he visits the blessed Tarakeswar Linga shrine, that is compared with Lourdes in France, but does not bow down as is the custom. What do these pilgrimages mean for us on our path? Why does Paramahansa Yogananada emphasise some customs such as this in the book?

0:00 Summary of prior episode;
02:00 Ram Gopal Muzumdar;
10:51 The journey starts;
18:46 Famous Tarakeswar Shrine;
34:47 Not bowing;
47:34 Looking ahead to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraknath_Temple

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 13:
“I was not sure of the way...”
to
“...Such faith in the directions given.”

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

This episode covers the first part of chapter 13:
“Please permit me to go to the Himalayas...”
to
“...my conscience smote me at the thought of leaving my guru.”

Summary:

Mukunda's desire of samadhi bliss through the Himalayan solitudes is the main topic of this section. As Paramahansa Yogananda carefully reflects on this episode of his life with hindsight we unwrap the balance between intuition and doubt, and the concept of karma. The discussion also touched on the role of a guru (Sri Yukteswar) in spiritual progress, the challenges faced by young yogis, and the importance of meditation in our daily routines.

0:28 Summary of prior episode;
1:29 Expectations from this new chapter;
5:51 The plea;
27:25 The hint;
41:45 The betrayal;
51:40 How to fail Chris' pop quiz;
59:30 Looking ahead to the next episode.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://yssofindia.org/spiritual/beyond-thought-and-intellect-the-unlimited-insight-of-soul-intuition

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 13:
“The following morning I sought out Behari Pundit...”
to
“...walked briskly toward the outlying village of Ranbajpur.”

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