2025.04.07

Spiritual Signpost ~ Life and Influence of Paramahansa Yogananda

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Paramahansa Yogananda (5 January 1893 – 7 March 1952) has gone down in history as one of the most influential spiritual leaders of the 20th century. Born in India, he introduced the ancient wisdom of yoga and meditation to the West, and his deep exploration of the universal theme of self-actualization, and his life and teachings continue to deeply inspire and inspire many people around the world. Yogananda's activities have gone beyond mere religious confines to the blossoming of the inner potential of the individual and increasing their brilliance as a guidepost for the creation of a more peaceful and harmonious world.

Article Contents

The Path of Paramahansa Yogananda
- Birth and Spiritual Awakening

The Path of Paramahansa Yogananda

The path of Paramahansa Yogananda explores his life and teachings and provides a guide to spiritual growth and enlightenment. A pioneer in spreading the teachings of yoga to the West in the 20th century, his influence continues to the present day. We will explore the fascination of his philosophy and meditation practice as a means of finding inner peace and harmony in the individual. By learning about the spiritual transformation brought about by Yogananda's thought, the reader will also be inspired to take a deep look at one's inner self.

Birth and Spiritual Awakening

Yogananda was born under the name Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur in northern India. His birth is said to have been greeted with a divine omen by his parents, who were disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya, who would later become his teacher. From an early age, Mukunda showed a deep introspection and a spirit of spiritual inquiry that was different from that of children of his age. He always had questions about the meaning of life and the existence of God, and he wanted answers.

His parents passed on the teachings of Kriya Yoga to encourage Mukunda's spiritual growth, and the home was naturally filled with a spiritual environment. Mukunda says that from an early age, he meditated and experienced inner tranquility. His journey of spiritual exploration began quietly but surely in the cradle of home.

The story of his childhood is recounted in his autobiography, The Autobiography of a Yogi. It depicts a young Mukunda experiencing mysterious encounters with saints and sages, each time deepening his understanding of the spiritual world. These experiences further strengthened his inner quest and eventually motivated him to travel to the outer world in search of truth.

Meeting and training with a teacher

At the age of 17, Mukunda had a fateful encounter with an outstanding spiritual leader named Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. Sri Yukteswar was a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya and a very strict and virtuous person who carried on the tradition of Kriya Yoga. Mukunda became a disciple of Sri Yukteswar and underwent a rigorous training for 10 years.

Training under Sri Yukteswar required physical, mental, and spiritual discipline. Mukunda thoroughly studied meditation, yoga postures, and spiritual discipline. During this period, he gained a deep understanding of the mysteries of Kriya Yoga and laid the foundation for practicing it. Sri Yukteswar taught Mukunda not only to teach spiritual truths, but also to live with high ethical and moral values in daily life.

This period of asceticism was a pivotal period in Yogananda's spiritual growth. Sri Yukteswar unleashed his inner potential and laid a solid foundation for the future to spread his teachings to the world. Meeting and practicing Sri Yukteswar was the biggest turning point in Yogananda's life and paved the way for him to grow into a true spiritual leader.

Traveling to the United States and Disseminating the Teachings

In 1920, Yogananda traveled to the United States with a sacred mission to spread the teachings of yoga to the West. He gave a lecture on the topic "The Science of Religion" at the International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston, and his innovative approach attracted a large audience. Yogananda's lecture was not just a religious teaching, but a scientifically based practical way to unleash the full potential of the human spirit.

His lectures had a great impact on American society at the time, and many people became interested in Yogananda's teachings. Yogananda questioned the materialistic values of Western society and conveyed the message that spiritual growth is the key to true happiness. He recommended meditation, yoga, and the practice of Kriya Yoga to promote inner peace and harmony among people.

Yogananda subsequently founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) and began working to spread spiritual teachings centered on Kriya Yoga based in the United States. His work has spread not only in the United States but also around the world, and many people have had the opportunity to come into contact with Yogananda's teachings.

Publication and response to "Autobiography of a Yogi"

In 1946, Yogananda published a book about his life, The Autobiography of a Yogi. More than just a personal testimonial, the book preached the universal value of Indian spiritual philosophy, yoga, meditation, and spiritual exploration, and had a profound impact on many readers around the world. The book is a detailed and fascinating account of Yogananda's spiritual journey, his encounter with his teacher, Sri Yukteswar, the teachings of Kriya Yoga, and his interactions with the many saints and sages he met.

Autobiography of a Yogi played a decisive role in bridging Eastern and Western spiritual cultures and in raising interest in yoga and meditation in Western society. The book has been translated into more than 40 languages and is still read around the world and continues to inspire many people. It was read by celebrities such as Steve Jobs, and is said to have had a great influence on their outlook on life and philosophy.

Kriya Yoga and its Core

At the core of Yogananda's teachings is a meditation technique called Kriya Yoga. He saw Kriya Yoga as a scientific and systematic way for man to become one with his inner divinity. Kriya Yoga aims to raise spiritual awareness and purify the soul through the use of specific breathing techniques, concentration techniques, and techniques to promote the circulation of inner energy.

Yogananda taught that practitioners of Kriya Yoga can dive deep into their inner center, free themselves from karmic bondage, and experience a direct connection with the Divine through meditation. He saw Kriya Yoga as a practical path to promote the evolution of the soul, not just a spiritual practice.

In addition, Yogananda emphasized that the spine is the most important energy center in the body and the place where divinity dwells. Through the phrase "God dwells in the spine," he explained that the flow of energy through the spinal cord is an important path to spiritual experience and enlightenment. He taught that in the practice of meditation, it is important to keep the spine straight and to smooth the flow of energy.

Karma, Samsara, and Self-Liberation

Yogananda also reflected deeply on the concepts of karma and samsara. He preached the traditional Indian idea that karma is the consequence of an action, and that circumstances and experiences in our lives are determined based on our past actions. He described samsara as a cycle of reincarnation in which the soul grows and eventually becomes one with God.

Yogananda emphasized selfless deeds (nishkam karma) in order to be free from the law of karma. He taught that acting out of pure motive, without attachment to the consequences of one's actions, is the key to breaking free from karmic bondage. Through the practice of meditation, he preached that it is important to weaken the ego and aim for a way of life that is not self-centered and contributes to the greater good.

Yogananda taught that the ultimate goal is for the soul to be freed from the cycle of samsara and to attain moksha, which is eternal happiness. Moksha refers to the state in which the soul has experienced oneness with God and has fully realized its true self. He preached that in order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to maintain spiritual awareness in daily life and to continue constant self-improvement.

Legacy and impact

Yogananda died in Los Angeles in 1952. The miraculous event that his body was laid to rest for 20 days after his death and showed no signs of decay is still recounted as an episode that symbolizes his outstanding spiritual presence.

Yogananda's teachings have been passed down throughout the world by the Self-Realization Comrades (SRF) that he founded. SRF has more than 500 centers around the world that practice and disseminate Yogananda's teachings.

Yogananda's spiritual philosophy emphasizes love, peace, and self-understanding, transcending religions and cultures, and is a universal inspiration to all people. His teachings will continue to shine brighter as a guidepost for awakening the inner potential of individuals and creating a more harmonious world. Yogananda will be an eternal light that will continue to light the sacred flame within us through the ages.

Yogananda's legacy is not simply religious, but sets out a universal path to unlocking human potential and creating a better future. His life and teachings continue to inspire many people around the world and give us the courage to continue our own inner journey. He reminds us that true happiness lies in inner peace and harmony.

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