This episode covers the next part of chapter 16:
“Men, one by one, escape from creation’s prison...”
to
“…those that attain a liberating knowledge of the One Father.”

Summary:
We are forced to undertake a deep dive into the spiritual texts and philosophies mentioned in this section of the chapter, including the concept of Yugas, the importance of focusing orientation of the eyes during meditation, and the teachings of Jesus and Indian saints. They also explored the concept of atheism and its relation to spiritual growth, and the significance of divine ideals in achieving liberation, as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar.

0:00 Prior episode;
1:50 Reading world scripture
13:55 Variegated practices
28:55 Meditate to Know
45:33 Yogi-Christs
57:58 Looking ahead.:

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 16:
“The Adam and Eve story is incomprehensible to me...”
to
“…produced through an act of special creation by God.”

#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 16:
“The starry inscription at one’s birth, I came to understand...”
to
“...the contrasts and relativities of the phenomenal universe.”

Summary:
As Paramahansa Yogananda explains some detail surrounding the Yuga science as revealed to him by Swami Sri Yukteswar, we explore the depths of the teaching from a general perspective. The debate is made more nuanced as there are two schools of thought surrounding the Yugas – their length and the current age that we are in (ascending Dwapura not Kali).

0:00 Prior episode;
2:45 Man is not a puppet of the past;
10:50 Footnote about The Holy Science;
39:07 The concept of Yugas;
57:25 The footnote about our point in the Yuga cycle;
1:07:50 Looking ahead.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalpa_(time)

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 16:
“Men, one by one, escape from creation’s prison...”
to
“…those that attain a liberating knowledge of the One Father.”

#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 16:
“On later occasions, when I brought my friends...”
to
“... formidable than are influences flowing from the heavens.”

Summary:
This section further explores the concepts of destiny and fate – but what is the difference between the two? We focus on the importance of personal effort and spiritual training, with readings from the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda. We explore the influence of astrology and the capability of healing in the higher ages, as well as the concept of past actions influencing the present and future. Guruji emphasises the importance of self-realization regardless of the challenges of family perception.

0:00 Prior episode;
1:40 Fate;
22:00 Vibrations of a Self-Realised Person;
41:29 Faith and Divine Will
50:25 Animal Sacrifice;
55:20 Looking ahead.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://yogananda.com.au/para/p_destiny1.html
https://yogananda.com.au/para/p_fate.html
https://yogananda.com.au/para/p_will.html
https://youtu.be/mpAc3cKV7lA?si=GuKGPfYnldYqz_kn&t=2399

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 16:
“The starry inscription at one’s birth, I came to understand...”
to
“...the contrasts and relativities of the phenomenal universe.”

#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 16:
“Sir, of course I shall take your advice...”
to
“...I was living with a personage indeed superhuman.”

Summary:
Mark joins us as we review Sri Yukteswar’s hints about the divine astral beings associated with the planets and Paramahansa Yogananda’s expositions on the complex subject matter in God Talks with Arjuna: Bhagavad Gita. We explore the readings as well as taking a deep dive into the significance of lead and silver in astrological bangles, the importance of following a guruji’s direct instructions in reducing our suffering. Sri Yukteswar’s emphatic intercession has some subtle hints as to the method behind the mysticism, we try to decode the enigma!

0:00 Prior episode;
1:40 Outwitting the planets;
34:23 Prediction comes true;
1:04:50 God is the doer;
1:07:35 Looking ahead.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/shani
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahu

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 16:
“On later occasions, when I brought my friends...”
to
“... formidable than are influences flowing from the heavens.”

#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 16:
“A child is born on that day and at that hour when...”
to
“... secured and unless the remedial agent is worn next to the skin.”

Summary:
Cian joins us again as Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda further explore astrological science starting with natal charts and horoscopes. This opened up the concept of destiny, free will and personal responsibility, the concept of spiritual amnesia, and the importance of being in tune with God. We referenced the Second Coming of Christ as Well as God Talks with Arjuna: Bhagavad Gita to further understand these complex topics. We also discussed the “certain plant combinations” (such as vibhuti – sacred ash) referenced by Sri Yukteswar, the use of metals and jewels in astrology, and the role of an astrological bangle in mitigating negative forces.

0:00 Cian’s journey with our favourite book;
4:48 Prior episode;
6:40 Natal charts and horoscopes;
24:25 Become the charioteer for your life;
46:12 Timing is everything;
1:03:20 Why wear an Astral Bangel?
1:08:27 Correct understanding;
1:25:10 Looking ahead.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://www.astrogems.com/

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 16:
“Sir, of course I shall take your advice...”
to
“...I was living with a personage indeed superhuman.”

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

This episode covers the start of chapter 16 to:
“...equilibriums that each man has set into motion in the past.”

Summary:
Chapter 16 starts the fundamentals of astrology as understood by a god realised master in Sri Yukteswar: its relation to belief, and its potential influence on human destiny. We also cover the significance of astronomy in ancient literature, its connection to karma, the importance of accurate birth data, and the Hindu tradition of naming a child based on their birth / natal chart and horoscope.

1:50 Astrological armlet;
10:58 All parts of creation are linked together;
27:45 The footnote;
43:23 Planetary stimuli;
59:00 Looking ahead.

Links discussed in this episode:
Page 145 onward: https://www.pushtisahitya.org/sanskrit/Generic/Upanishads/Kaushitaki_Brahmana_Upanishad.pdf
https://www.prokerala.com/astrology/kundali-matching/
East West Magazine: http://oaks.nvg.org/EW1934-Feb.pdf

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 16:
“A child is born on that day and at that hour when...”
to
“... secured and unless the remedial agent is worn next to the skin.”

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

This episode covers the last section of chapter 15 from:
“The sankirtan issuing from Sri Yukteswar’s second-storey sitting room...”
to end of the chapter.

Summary:
Mark re-joins us for this episode, which starts with the efficacy of kirtan and chanting in day-to-day life as well as spiritual growth. Paramahansa Yognaanda and Swami Sri Yukteswar host some late-night guests, and this helps him (Mukunda) overcome fatigue and fear of work. Lastly, we thought about our key learnings from the chapter and what we are looking forward to in the next!

0:00 Mark’s journey;
5:10 Prior episode;
6:10 The tranquil evening;
18:05 Feedback from Guruji;
53:15 Hospitality;
65:25 Review of the chapter;
1:11:15 Looking ahead to the next chapter.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://yoganandasite.wordpress.com/2020/02/11/kirtan-finding-the-heart-of-yoga-through-devotional-chanting-bro-kamalananda/
https://yogananda.org/make-new-determinations-be-what-you-want-to-be
https://yssofindia.org/spiritual/conquering-fear-anxiety-and-worry
https://yogananda.org/blog/paramahansa-yogananda-on-the-dynamic-power-of-faith

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the start of chapter 16 to:
“...equilibriums that each man has set into motion in the past.”

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

This episode covers the next section of chapter 15 from:
“Bach, among Western composers, understood the charm and power of repetitious...”
to
“...a dim memory comes to him of his divine origin.”

Summary:
The concept of talas, subtle variations in repetition and rhythm is brought to life with musical examples in this fascinating explanation of Paramahansa Yogananda. The religious influence behind Bach's compositions is also a thread we can pull upon for our own divine inspiration. We also discuss the relationship between talas and cosmic chants’ link to the heart chakra and how to use music to go deeper and deeper to the superconsciousness within!

0:00 Prior episode;
1:30 Bach and Talas;
18:38 The Human Voice;
30:08 Power of Sankirtans;
41:17 Chakras – footnote;
58:15 Looking ahead.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://youtu.be/mGQLXRTl3Z0?si=abqubNL_faavvvxm
https://youtu.be/CYJ4udIsfBc?si=8F3LGkEp5ON_P1WT&t

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the last part of chapter 15:
“The sankirtan issuing from Sri Yukteswar’s second-storey sitting room...”
to end of the chapter.

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