Spiritual Guide: The Life and Influence of Paramahansa Yogananda

The Path of Paramahansa Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda (January 5, 1893 – March 7, 1952) has made his name 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 pursuing the universal theme of self-realization, his life and teaching continues to impress and inspire many people around the world today. Yogananda's activities simply go beyond religious boundaries, and are increasing their brilliance as a guidepost for the creation of a more peaceful and harmonious world, as a way to blossom the inner potential of individuals.

Birth and spiritual awakening

Yogananda was born in Gorakhpur, northern India under the name Mukunda Lal Ghosh. His birth is said to have been greeted with sacred foreshadowing by his parents, who were disciples of Rahiri Mahasaya, who would later become his teacher. From a young age, Mukunda showed a deep introspection and spiritual inquisition that was different from his children of his age. He was constantly questioning the meaning of life and the existence of God, and was hoping for an answer.

The parents conveyed the teachings of Kriya Yoga to encourage Mukunda's spiritual growth, and the home was filled with a natural and spiritual environment. Mukunda is said to have meditated from a young age and experienced the inner tranquility. His journey of spiritual quest began quietly, but certainly, in the cradle of home.

His childhood stories are detailed in his autobiography, The Autobiography of a Yogi. It depicts the young Mukunda experiencing mysterious encounters with saints and sages, and each time he deepens his understanding of the spiritual world. These experiences further strengthened his inner desire for inquiry, and eventually made him decide to set out on a journey into the outside world in search of truth.

Meet and train with your teacher

At age 17, Mukunda has a fateful encounter with an outstanding spiritual leader named Swami Sri Yukteswa Giri. Sri Yukteswa was a disciple of Rahiri Mahasaya and a very strict and noble person who inherited the tradition of Kriya Yoga. Mukunda became a student of Sri Yukteswa and spent a rigorous ten years of training.

Training under Sri Yukteswa required physical, mental and spiritual discipline. Mukunda has thoroughly studied meditation, yoga poses, and spiritual discipline. During this period he gained a deep understanding of the secrets of Kuriya Yoga and laid the foundation for practicing it. Sri Yukteswa not only taught Mukunda spiritual truths, but also taught him to live with a high sense of ethics and morality in his daily life.

This training period was a crucial period in Yogananda's spiritual growth. Sri Yukteswa has layed a solid foundation for exploiting his inner potential and spreading his teachings to the world in the future. Meeting and training with Sri Yukteswa was the greatest turning point in Yogananda's life and paved the way for him to grow into a true spiritual leader.

Travel to America and spreading teaching

In 1920, Yogananda traveled to America with the sacred mission of spreading yoga teachings to the West. He gave a lecture on the subject of "Religious Science" at the International Conference of Religious Liberals in Boston, and his innovative approach captivated a large audience. Yogananda's lectures were not merely religious teachings, but rather presented practical methods to maximize the possibilities of the human spirit based on scientific grounds.

His speeches shocked American society at the time, and many people became interested in the teachings of Yogananda. Yogananda questioned the materialistic values ​​that Western society holds and conveyed the message that spiritual growth brings true happiness. He recommended meditation, yoga and the practice of Kriya yoga to promote inner peace and harmony among the people.

Yogananda later founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) and based in the United States, began activities to promote spiritual teachings, centered on Kuriya Yoga. His activities spread not only within the United States but also around the world, and many people have had the opportunity to be exposed to Yogananda teachings.

Publishing and reaction to the "An Autobiography of a Yogi"

In 1946, Yogananda published his book, "Autobiography of a Yogi," which describes his life. The book is more than just personal stories, but it preaches the universal values ​​of Indian philosophy of spiritual philosophy, yoga, meditation and spiritual exploration, and has had a profound impact on many readers around the world. The book is detailed and fascinating about Yogananda's spiritual journey, his encounter with his teacher Sri Yukteswa, the teachings of Kriya Yoga, and his interactions with many saints and sages he encounters.

The Autobiography of a Yogi played a critical role in bridging Eastern and Western spiritual cultures and raising interest in yoga and meditation in Western society. The book has been translated into over 40 languages ​​and is still read all over the world, and continues to inspire many people. It is loved by famous people such as Steve Jobs, and is said to have had a major influence on their outlook on life and philosophy.

Kriya Yoga and its core

The core of Yogananda's teachings is a meditation method known as "Kuriya Yoga." He viewed Kriya Yoga as a scientific and systematic way for humans to unite with their inner divinity. Kriya Yoga aims to raise mental awareness and purify the soul using specific breathing techniques, concentration techniques, and techniques to promote circulation of inner energy.

Through meditation, practitioners of Kriya Yoga can dive deep into their inner centre, be freed from the bondage of karma and experience direct connections with God. He viewed Kriya Yoga as not merely a spiritual practice, but a practical path to promote the evolution of the soul.

Furthermore, Yogananda emphasized that the spine is the most important energy centre in the body and the place where divinity resides. Through the words "God dwells in his spine," he preached that the flow of energy through the spinal cord is an important path to spiritual experiences and enlightenment. He taught me that in meditation practice it is important to keep your spine straight and smooth energy flow.

Karma, reincarnation, and self-liberation

Yogananda also deeply looked into the concepts of karma and reincarnation. He preached the traditional Indian idea that karma is the result of an action, and that situations and experiences in our lives are determined based on past actions. He described reincarnation as a cycle of reincarnation that is repeated in order for the soul to grow and ultimately become one with God.

Yogananda emphasized selfless acts (Nishkam karma) in order to be free from the law of karma. He taught that acting from pure motivation without obsessing with the consequences of his actions is the key to being free from the bondage of karma. He has taught us that it is important to aim for a life that weakens the ego, is not self-centered, and contributes to greater good through practice of meditation.

Yogananda taught that the ultimate goal is for the soul to be freed from the cycle of reincarnation and reach Moksha, eternal happiness. Moksha refers to the state in which the soul experiences unity with God and fully realizes the true form of the self. He preached that in order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to continue to be spiritually aware and constant self-improvement in everyday life.

Heritage and impact

In 1952, Yogananda passed away in Los Angeles. The miraculous event, in which his body was placed in 20 days after his death, showed no corruption, is still being told today as an episode that symbolizes his outstanding spiritual existence.

Yogananda's teachings are passed down all over the world by the Self-Realization Comrades (SRF), which he founded. SRF has over 500 centres around the world, and is committed to practicing and spreading Yogananda teachings.

Yogananda's spiritual philosophy places importance on love, peace and self-understanding, transcends religion and culture and provides universal inspiration for all people. His teachings will continue to shine as a guidepost for the creation of a more harmonious world, awakening the inner potential of individuals. Yogananda will be an eternal light that will continue to light the sacred flame within us throughout the ages.

Yogananda's heritage is not merely religious, but it presents a universal pathway to maximizing human potential and creating a better future. His life and teachings will still inspire many people around the world and give us the courage to continue our own inner journey. He once again teaches us that true happiness is in inner peace and harmony.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

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Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.