A podcast focussed on the teachings of our guru Paramahansa Yogananda, in a way that is intended for the general populace, following a structured but informal format and presented by devotees: Chris, Lauren, Mike & Priyank. NB: we are not experts & not everything mentioned is fact checked, but if you enjoyed the book/film, this unofficial podcast for you! Series 2: Autobiography of a Yogi — Line by Line Series 1: Awake: The Life of Yogananda Minute by Minute instagram/facebook @yoganandapodc ...
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Autobiography Chapter 13, Part 3: Paramahansa Yogananda’s trials
41:41
41:41
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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 s…
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Autobiography Chapter 13, Part 2: Sacrosanct and sacred customs
48:17
48:17
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48:17
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 bl…
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Autobiography Chapter 13, Part 1: Paramahansa Yogananda reflects
1:00:33
1:00:33
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1:00:33
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 hi…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 20: Sri Yukteswar’s leela
1:16:35
1:16:35
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1:16:35
This episode covers the last part of chapter 12: “My guru personally attended to the details...” to “...and egotism whose fall is the height of a man.” Summary: In this section Sri Yukteswar shows us the way to outwit unscrupulous souls seeking to take advantage of us. We reflect on more of Sri Yukteswar’s traits and qualities, precisely as Paramah…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 19: Sri Yukteswar transforms a cynical magistrate
53:26
53:26
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12:“Men who were pridefully conscious of their wealth...”to“...ignorant men who are not seeking God, and wise men who are.” Summary: Sri Yukteswar’s influence on those around him was not limited to dedicated devotees, but also to visiting magistrates! We focus on the importance of humility, respect, and …
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 18: Sri Yukteswar tells us to be less bookish
1:02:44
1:02:44
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Master stressed on other occasions the futility...” to “...His ego is pleased, that he can grasp such erudition.” Summary: We discuss the importance of understanding sacred writings through careful and deliberate reading, rather than focusing on quote memorisation and dinner conversation topic build…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 17: Sri Yukteswar’s challenge to phoney philosophers
1:00:13
1:00:13
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Among the philosophers, professors, lawyers...” to “...to any scourging inner discipline!” Summary: The guests that came to visit Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage did not always leave with their pre-conceptions intact, indeed they were jarred and dissected to the point of no return. What lessons should we …
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 16: Bending Rules
58:04
58:04
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Sri Yukteswar’s mother lived in the...” to “... finding God will mean the funeral of all sorrows.” Summary: This section covers the subtle balancing act that is played by both the parent and the child for a harmonious, nurturing and growth facilitating symbiotic relationship. Shankaracharya, Sri Yuk…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 15: Conquering Lust
1:26:13
1:26:13
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “My guru mixed freely with men and women...” to “...a love solitary because omnipresent.” Summary: The soul's is birthless, genderless and transcendent. Sri Yukteswar helps us to understand these high principles through some profound and inspirational philosophical dialogue. We reflect on how to live…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 14: The Curious Case of Kumar
1:50:59
1:50:59
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1:50:59
This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “During my early months with Master I experienced...” to “...his bounty pouring peacefully over my being.” Summary: Mukunda is an exemplary of leader – even from a young age, including the appointment as a young supervisor of the Hermitage. We discuss the challenges of leadership roles, and the case …
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 13: Sri Yukteswar’s dissections cut deep
1:18:49
1:18:49
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1:18:49
This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “During my early months with Master I experienced...” to “...his bounty pouring peacefully over my being.” Summary: The extrapolation of Sri Yukteswar’s critical attitude goes even further in this section with a special focus on how he would respond to devotees that resisted the dissection of their e…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 12: Contrasting a parent with a Guru
1:58:03
1:58:03
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “It was Master’s practice to point out...” to “... permitted the fitful sleep of ignorance.” Summary: This episode focusses on the themes of self-criticism, constructive feedback, and the challenges of ‘converting’ individuals toward the spiritual path. We also delved into the complexities of concept…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 11: Letting Sri Yukteswar destroy your ego
1:09:13
1:09:13
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “My guru could not be bribed...” to “...win a farther dominion—in men’s souls.” Summary: How could bribery be used in the Guru-disciple relationship? We discuss this, along with the importance of discipline and loyalty through mundane tasks. The unique and fascinating leadership style of our paramgur…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 10: Yogananda and the East-West hybrid
54:44
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Sri Yukteswar counselled his students to be...” to “...when you have attained the final perfection.” Summary: This section focuses on the concept of a "living liaison" and the appeal of Western principles in India during the early 20th century vs. the timeless eastern spiritual ideals. We also have …
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 9: Sri Yukteswar’s chelas
1:06:16
1:06:16
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Master always had young chelas (disciples)...” to “...change the orientation of human thought.” Summary: This episode focuses on spiritual education of young disciples, the importance of devotion, discipline, and discipleship in the context of Sri Yukteswar’s ashram. They also explored the linguisti…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 8: The Silent Revolution of Self-Realization Fellowship
1:19:03
1:19:03
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1:19:03
This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “The silence habitual to Sri Yukteswar was caused by...” to “... improve if you are making a spiritual effort now.” Summary: Paramahansa Yogananda uses every opportunity to focus on the key themes of silence and stillness, we explore their spiritual significance and draw on personal experiences using…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 7: Paramahansa Yogananda vs. Restlessness
1:16:20
1:16:20
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “My guru was a peerless interpreter of the scriptures...” to “... A saint will not encroach on that independence.” Summary: This part deals with the challenges and benefits of spiritual practices, with a focus on the importance of concentration and self-awareness as taught by Sri Yukteswar and Parama…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 6: Yogananda’s Scientific Healing Affirmations
1:05:53
1:05:53
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “One afternoon during my early months...” to “... severed by one of the disciples.” Summary: Masters like Lahiri Mahasaya and Sri Yukteswar employ intriguing techniques to impart wisdom, in this episode we focus on the impact of alternative healing methods on medical diagnosis, the importance of pers…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 5: Swami Sri Yukteswar’s mastery over mosquitos and cobras
1:24:34
1:24:34
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1:24:34
This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “My early months with Sri Yukteswar culminated in...” to “...guru is beyond fear of hurt from any creature.” Summary: We reflect on personal experiences with mosquito control methods, associated spiritual practices on self-control, and the philosophy of Ahimsa non-violence. We also review how this re…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 4: Swami Sri Yukteswar’s minute mannerisms and divine qualities
1:19:48
1:19:48
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Daily life at the ashram flowed smoothly...” to “... ended many of my periods of nocturnal edification.” Summary: In this section the emphasis Paramahansa Yogananda and Swami Sri Yukteswar placed on the importance of routine and meditation, and the challenges of maintaining them. Mukunda notices the…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 3: Paramahansa Yogananda’s Own Kriya Initiation
1:05:35
1:05:35
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Sri Yukteswar chose the following morning...” to “...minimum passing grades from time to time.” Summary: Mukunda received a transforming Kriya Yoga initiation, which is different this time because of the authority of the initiator: Swami Sri Yukteswar. We talk about how this applies to modern Kriya …
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 2: Sri Yukteswar’s Serampore Hermitage
1:16:49
1:16:49
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “Led by my guru, I strolled about the house...” to “...sweet the first night under my guru’s roof.” Summary: As Mukunda takes his first steps inside Swami Sri Yukteswar’s ashram in Serempore he takes the opportunity to get to know him better. He got lessons that would stay with till he became Paramah…
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Autobiography Chapter 12, Part 1: Is Sri Yukteswar’s training that hard?
1:23:10
1:23:10
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This episode covers the start of chapter 12 to: “...blessing my infancy, had guided my steps to this hour.” Summary: A profound start to one of the longest chapters of the book, ranking amongst the most influential and memorable written. We discuss our expectations as well as the detailed breakdown of Mukunda’s pleas and Sri Yukteswar’s eventual ac…
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Autobiography Chapter 11, Part 4: Approaching Paramahansa Yogananda
1:26:06
1:26:06
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This episode covers the last part of chapter 11 from: “Joy was within me as I boarded...” to the end of the chapter. Summary: A beautiful end to a lively chapter – and yet so much to unpack! The variegated ways in which three devotees look to Mukunda – Paramahansa Yogananda is very revealing: Jitendra’s changeable spiritual enthusiasm contrasted we…
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Autobiography Chapter 11, Part 3: Yogananda in Krishna’s childhood abode
1:11:06
1:11:06
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 11 from: “The heat outdoors was merciless...” to “...then walked slowly to the station.” Summary: Jitendra resumes his yo-yo traits of tentative faith – with moments of extreme elation followed by extreme doubt, perhaps representing qualities of many devotees. Mukunda meanwhile becomes a Guru for the fir…
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Autobiography Chapter 11, Part 2: Paramahansa Yogananda’s best meal
1:06:09
1:06:09
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 11 from:: “A half hour later Jitendra and I were...” to “...an attractive invitation to revisit the hermitage.” Summary: Mukunda and Jitendra embark on their journey with an unlikely promise from Ananta regarding becoming a disciple! Jitendra starts his doubting straight away (a theme for this chapter) a…
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Autobiography Chapter 11, Part 1: Faith or Dare
1:28:52
1:28:52
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1:28:52
This episode covers the start of chapter 11 from: “It would serve you right if Father disinherited you...” to “...and, very likely, a fellow victim!” Summary: Ananta attempts to use all the tools at his disposal to bring Mukunda back to the conventional family ways and challenges him to an epic dare. Paramahansa Yogananda agrees without a second th…
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Autobiography Chapter 10, Part 9: Shankara and our glorious lineage
1:06:24
1:06:24
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This episode covers the long footnote at the end of chapter 10. Summary: The footnote has so much depth that it is easy to gloss over in our eagerness to start the fun next chapter. However, hidden in-between the lines of this page Paramahansa Yogananda has planted some ancient truths that have shaped our path, cosmic chants and overall lineage ove…
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Autobiography Chapter 10, Part 8: The harsh duality of life
56:58
56:58
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 10 from: “We had had to travel for our meeting to...” to “...“swoop” perilously close to Calcutta!” Summary: This beautiful encounter between Sri Yukteswar and Mukunda ends with a hint of bitter-sweet. Is it possible that 12 hours had passed during their meeting that is covered in two pages? Mukunda suff…
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Autobiography Chapter 10, Part 7: Sri Yukteswar’s brevity
1:16:49
1:16:49
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 10 from: “ As we made our way to the stone balcony...” to “...had never caught a glimpse of my guru.” Summary: So few words are exchanged between Mukunda and Sri Yukteswar in their six hour re-union (of this lifetime), but so much depth exists in between the lines. We try to break it down and fill in the…
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Autobiography Chapter 10, Part 6: Finding “My Own” Sri Yukteswar
1:02:44
1:02:44
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 10 to: “”Gurudeva!” The divine face was the one...” to “...Strength mingled subtly with gentleness.” Summary: Finally! Mukunda finds his Guru Swami Sri Yukteswar – we consider this to the the most important part of the book yet, but why? What is it about this relationship that gets our spiritual juices r…
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Autobiography Chapter 10, Part 5: Keep the faith
1:08:24
1:08:24
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 10 to: “The sole treasure which had accompanied me...” to “...A few eager steps and I was at his feet.” Sumamary: Mukunda continues struggle with Dayananda’s followers, leading him to the special moment when he is finally reunited with the great Swami Sri Yukteswar, his guru, of whom he has waited a life…
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Autobiography Chapter 10, Part 4: The Wisdom of Fasting
1:10:18
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 10 to: “With doubled zest I awaited...” to “...this lesson in a Banaras hermitage!” Mukunda is shaken up by the austerity of Swami Dayananda attitude toward food, life and God. Fasting must be an important part of spirituality for Paramahansa Yogananda to use his own example and expound the timeless east…
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Autobiography Chapter 10, Part 3: Adjusting to ashram life
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48:03
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 10 to: “I was pleased that my new home...” to “... I completed a twenty-four-hour fast.” This short part of the autobiography that covers life in Bharat Dharma Mahamandal ashram holds many lessons for young Mukunda. He has good reason to request clarifications from the ashram’s head Dayananda, who takes …
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Autobiography Chapter 10, Part 2: “God as the Friend of friends”
56:20
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This episode covers the next part of chapter 10 to: “In my new dignity, I was now openly planning...” to “...His fair face had a Buddhalike composure.” Mukunda is finally free to renounce his family home for a life in a Banaras hermitage, Sri Bharat Dharma Mahamandal, in pursuit of his life goal. Before he does that, he shows us the way to detach o…
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Autobiography Chapter 10, Part 1: Right Attitude, Faith and Gratitude
1:15:57
1:15:57
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This episode covers the first part of chapter 10 to: “...cadavers is a shortcut to a high school diploma!” Chapter 10 may rightly be considered the best chapter in the book, principally because of the first meeting (in this lifetime) between disciple and Guru. We discuss what this chapter and title means for us. This episode then focuses on the sta…
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Autobiography Chapter 9, Part 7: What is important and the unimportant
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This episode covers the last section of chapter 9 from: “Trying with poor words to do justice...” to the end of the chapter. A wonderful chapter is concluded with Mukunda paying more homage to the great Master Mahasaya. Paramahansa Yogananda is in a reflective mood as he writes lovingly about all those saints that crossed his path and we delve into…
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Autobiography Chapter 9, Part 6 – Drowning yourself, in your Self
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This episode covers the next section of chapter 9 from: “Little sir, you were disappointed in that...” to “...were sympathetically drunk with God.” A spiritual alcoholic is born! Mukunda continues his journey with the great Master Mahasaya, who generously rewards him with an experience of the great motion picture of life, which leaves both he and t…
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Autobiography Chapter 9, Part 5: The devotee proposes, Divine Mother disposes
1:00:18
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This episode covers the next section of chapter 9 from: “Hand in hand, the saint and I walked...” to “...that the hall was again illuminated.” The divine romance between Master Mahasaya, Mukunda and Merciful Mother is the main content for this episode. Important themes of the impartiality of the Guru, benefits of being non-critical and group medita…
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Autobiography Chapter 9, Part 4: Yogi-Christ Ramakrishna Paramahansa
1:04:39
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This episode covers the next section of chapter 9 from: “Let us go tomorrow to Dakshineswar...” to “...that the hall was again illuminated.” Ramakrishna Paramahansa was influential not only in India and Hinduism in general, but to our guru Paramahansa Yogananda and paramguru Sri Yukteswar in quite nuanced ways. We share some highlights from the Gos…
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Autobiography Chapter 9, Part 3: Humble “M” and Haloed Mukunda
1:04:06
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This episode covers the next section of chapter 9 from: “His role in the world was humble...” to “...egotistical consideration could gain foothold.” Master Mahasaya did not become world famous as did his brother disciple Swami Vivekananda but his subtle influence and dedicated service allowed many near-by souls to flower. His humility is experience…
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Autobiography Chapter 9, Part 2: A Vision of Divine Mother
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This episode covers the next section of chapter 9 from: “My steps were eager as I returned...” to “...met with sweet acquiescence?” The divine to-and-fro between Master and disciple is both spiritually motive and comical. We uncover many subtle lessons in this section such as introspecting on how eager we are to meditate, the personal preference of…
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Autobiography Chapter 9, Part 1: Two blissful devotees
1:00:56
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This episode covers the the start section of chapter 9 from: “Little sir, please be seated...” to “...my grievous hurts and final healing.” Master Mahasaya and Mukunda kick off the chapter with some beautiful fellowship, you would be forgiven if you thought it was between Guru and disciple! Paramahansa Yogananda gets into the mood of the devotional…
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Autobiography Chapter 8, Part 5: Oh, to be ahead of your time
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This episode covers the last section of chapter 8 from: “Years later Bose’s pioneer plant findings...” ...to the end of the chapter. Bose’s findings are further substantiated by the progress of time and research. His (and Paramahansa Yogananda’s) revolutionary thought no doubt influenced the eminent personalities in science of today, whether they k…
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Autobiography Chapter 8, Part 4: Does tin feel pain?
1:01:05
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This episode covers the next section of chapter 8 from: “I visited the research centre again...” To “...fertility of his genius ever be exhausted?”. Mukunda gets to visit Bose’s research centre and is given a personal tour of the state-of-the-art instrumentation with practical demonstrations. We discuss what each of the discoveries mean for us in o…
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Autobiography Chapter 8, Part 3: The benefits of an ideal education
1:14:08
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This episode covers the next section of chapter 8 from: “In time the leading scientific societies of the world...” To “...synonym of India, confounding Time and the historians alike?” We explore the lasting legacy of Indian scientist Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, a passionate advocate for India's scientific heritage. Bose envisioned global scientific …
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Autobiography Chapter 8, Part 2: Bose’ discoveries and the opening of his Institute
1:08:55
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This episode covers the next section of chapter 8 from: “The telltale charts of my crescograph...” To “...regarding gain and loss, success and failure, as one.” Bose tells Mukunda of the crescograph’s discoveries on the emotional nature of plants and matter and the unity among them. The Bose institute opens and we begin to delve into Bose’s speech …
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Autobiography Chapter 8, Part 1: Experiment and discover
1:06:59
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This episode covers the start of chapter 8: To “...natural realms long uncommunicative.” We welcome back Reva as we reflect on the start of chapter 8, which introduces India’s great scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose. Mukunda (Paramahansa Yogananda) exemplifies the benefits of an active curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, going far beyond the narrow…
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Autobiography Chapter 7, Part 4: Relying on the Divine Insurer
1:20:50
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This episode covers the last section of chapter 7 from: “Several students put rupees in Bhaduri’s slippers...“ To end of the chapter. We welcome back Padmini as we reflect on the end of chapter 7, important topics such as charity, devotion and the subtle, silent blessings of a Master. Paramahansa Yogananda includes some beautiful footnotes on St Th…
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Autobiography Chapter 7, Part 3: Mirabai and Yogananda
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This episode covers the next section of chapter 7 from: “Those letters come from far-off America...“ To “...The only indispensable is Love.” Join us for this week’s episode where Nagendra Nath Bhaduri expounds great truths, speaks a veiled prophecy, and tells a short tale of Mirabai. Paramahansa Yogananda translates one of her “ecstatic songs”. 0:0…
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