This black and white photograph is, according to Paramhansa Yogananda, the only one for which Lahiri Mahasaya posed. The origin of the said photo is narrated by Paramhansa Yogananda in his Autobiography: The Fugitive Figure The picture had a miraculous origin. It appears that the master had an aversion to being photographed. Over his protest, a group picture was once … Read More
Prayer for Planetary Healing
It is important to note here that one can pray for world peace without being drawn into judgments that can happen around complex political issues. The beauty of prayer is that you don’t need to know the answer to the many questions that arise in one’s mind in order to pray effectively. Ultimately, we all want peace and harmony in … Read More
Yogananda’s Healing Prayer Techniques
Prepare for these techniques with prayer and meditation, calming the mind and asking God that Divine Will be done. Feel God’s presence as the source of all healing energy and visualize as clearly as possible the person receiving this blessing. Yogananda often prayed to the Divine Mother aspect of God since She seems more accessible to us, Her Divine Children … Read More
Divine Love
Thou art the mystic echo from the caverns of heart, and the inaudible voice of feeling. Thou unseen charmer of souls, Thou art the fountain flowing from the bosom of friendship. Thou are the unseen cord of self-bound souls and the rays of secret warmth which break buds of feeling into blossoms of endearing, soulful words of poesy and loyalty. … Read More
The Two Kites
This story from Yogananda’s childhood is excerpted from the Autobiography of a Yogi Our family moved to Lahore in the Punjab. There I acquired a picture of the Divine Mother in the form of the Goddess Kali. It sanctified a small informal shrine on the balcony of our home. An unequivocal conviction came over me that fulfillment would crown any … Read More
Self-Realization teachings as the Fulfilment of Christ’s Promise
Christ gave techniques of salvation to St. John and the disciples, promising to send to them the Comforter, about which people understand little. Lahiri Mahasaya’s teaching is the Second Coming of Christ, not through a mere claim, but in actuality. His Kriya technique of meditation expands the cup of concentration so that it can be large enough to hold the … Read More
All Bow to Thee
Thou art the One Infinite to the monist; Thou art God and Nature to the dualist; Thou art the finite many to the polytheist; Thou art everything, O God, to the pantheist. Thou art the God of monists, dualists, polytheists, and pantheists. Thou art both the Infinite Ocean and all its finite waves of creation. Because Thou art everything— The … Read More
Principles for Founding World Brotherhood Colonies
From East West Magazine, 1932 The following excerpts are from an article Yogananda wrote about his dream of World Brotherhood Colonies. While he modified the practical details later in his life, this article is a good example of the principles on which to found Colonies, and also the strong feelings Yogananda had about starting them. Ananda’s World Brotherhood Colonies were … Read More
Smile Forever
Smile when the roses are budding; smile when the petals of pleasure are falling. Smile when vigor is throbbing in your breast; smile when you have dreaming wrinkles in your brow. Smile when the flowers of praise are showered over you, and smile when the world erects statues of you after you are gone; smile at those monuments of glory … Read More
My Prisoner
Long You hid Beneath the static of my restless thoughts, Long You fled In the chambers of eerie ether, At last I found Thee Hiding behind the quiet desert dunes Of My desirelessness. Fastened with strong cords of devotion You are my Prisoner. I’ll keep You Locked in the dungeons of silence Fastened beneath the bars of my closed eyes. … Read More
Magic Sea
For You alone can make a sea With eyes of blue and measureless deep; With transparent heart All hidden with endless mystery. With flying fish perching, On Your silver hair of surf dancing, Somber sea-gulls resting On Your rich watery tresses As the sun bestows its kisses And makes them shine. O Goddess, blue Brine, Intoxicating all votaries with Your … Read More
Ocean of Intuition
Beneath the ocean vast Of intuition, deeply cast Yourself. You touch the Cause Supreme, Spread with pearly wisdom’s beam; And watch tumultuous difference and want retreat, When your soul the Supreme Soul would meet. Armoured by will of steel, Untouched by lamentation, worry sharks. Moving in deep wisdom’s light, Your darkness disappears. Soul solace will appear. With heart made pure … Read More