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

This episode covers the next section of chapter 15 from: “The foundation stones of Hindu music are ragas...” to “... all its subtle microtonal and rhythmic variations.” Summary: We dissect Paramahansa Yogananda’s detailed explanations of the significance of chants and music in the context of Indian classical music and ragas, highlighting their role in connecting with God and our own path. The subject matter is brought to life with extracts of commentary and explanations from experts in the fields such as Pundit Ravi Shankar. We also explored the historical and scientific aspects of music, including the wild application of using sound to extinguish fires! The oral tradition of teaching in Indian classical music is well established and deserves some appreciation due to its unique experience, spiritual basis and subtleties that are difficult to grasp without a peeping through the looking glass. 0:00 The importance of this episode; 3:12 Prior episode; 4:42 Structure and types of ragas; 15:24 Mantra and the primal sound; 34:42 Octaves and Scales; 58:50 Looking ahead. Links discussed in this episode: Akhanda Mandalakaram: https://youtu.be/mD1S6mz88Is?si=hee_glyDuOSVBu8A&t=3274 https://youtu.be/J1ifDRJL1Wo?si=ukFeYvZeUFCQoKwl https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tansen Rain Chant - https://youtu.be/c_BoiSfAN78?si=jWsH6BYo5VMHv2yH https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birbal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Kellogg_(naturalist) https://youtu.be/X0fSUOiar0k?si=1nGtyk9cK1vSRp4s&t=332 https://youtu.be/X0fSUOiar0k?si=9LabmjTmC2UCO9Su Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 15: “Bach, among Western composers, understood the charm and power of repetitious...” to “...I joyously sang the refrains, beating time with our hands.” #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:
“Sri Yukteswar sponsored four yearly festivals...”
to
“...the human souls wandering in maya-delusion.”

Summary:
Sri Yukteswar encourages ashram residents to partake religious festivities, particularly those tied to the equinoxes and solstices, and we discuss the cultural and spiritual significance of these events. Paramahansa Yogananda begins in this section to explain the importance of music, chanting, and the Vedas in Indian culture. We share our experiences on the power of music and its potential to evoke emotions and enhance concentration, and finish with the significance of the Goddess of Wisdom, Saraswati, and her association with the musical instrument, the vena. NB: Priyank’s chant on Saraswati did not get recorded correctly on zoom so was removed from this episode!

0:00 Prior episode;
2:11 Religious Festivals;
12:49 The festivities;
22:15 Service;
32:12 Sankirtan;
41:08 The Sama Veda;
48:32 Saraswati, goddess of wisdom;
52:48 Looking ahead (the Saraswati chant is the last link below).

Links discussed in this episode:
https://yogananda.com.au/gurus/yoganandaquotes11.html
https://yssofindia.org/newsletter/jul21/index.html
https://yogananda.org/the-divine-art-of-kirtan-engage
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaveda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraswati_veena
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DzjT4zWjBWM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEYds6T4VAM

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 15:
“The foundation stones of Hindu music are ragas...”
to
“... all its subtle microtonal and rhythmic variations.”

#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:
“A humorous occurrence took place a few days after...”
to
“...faith in the loving-kindness of their Omnipresent Father.”

Summary:
Shiraz joins us again for the important spiritual concepts in this section of the book, including the importance of faith, the power of intuition, and the concept of miracles and powers in relation to Jesus Christ. We also explored the symbolism of the spiritual eye, the essence of God as love, and the relationship between sincere desires and God, as guided by Paramahansa Yogananda and the Nuns of our order.

0:00 Prior episode;
2:03 The missing lamp;
24:53 Revealed secret + Divine intervention;
40:03 God feels for us;
54:54 Looking ahead.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://yogananda.org/blog/paramahansa-yogananda-on-living-fearlessly
https://yogananda.com.au/gurus/yogananda_quotes31meditation.html
https://youtu.be/KuJQ_FPA1g0?si=3-RQVNtlAfmrAgft
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cr5qLzIynt6/?igsh=MTkxOHd5a3hwZzg2bA==

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 15:
“Sri Yukteswar sponsored four yearly festivals...”
to
“...the human souls wandering in maya-delusion.”

#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:
“Intuition is soul guidance, appearing naturally in man...”
to
“...indignant that anyone should dare to experiment further.”

Summary:
Our friend Shiraz joins us as we explore the concepts of intuition, willpower, the role of the heart in receiving and transmitting information, and the importance of self-responsibility and working on oneself to attract positive thoughts. The profound implications of radio and television technology is not often discussed today but we take some time to review it, as described by Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda. We also bring in Guruji’s amusing anecdote of the British parliamentary system, King Ego and the influence of Prime Minister ignorance on the body's functions, and the importance of understanding and appreciating the simple things in life.

0:00 Welcome Shiraz;
6:20 Prior episode;
6:55 Soul guidance;
21:22 All thoughts vibrate eternally in the cosmos;
36:15 Man is all pervading spirit;
50:15 Understood vs familiar feat. Charles Robert Richet;
59:25 Framework of accepted knowledge;
1:09:33 Looking ahead

Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 15:
“A humorous occurrence took place a few days after...”
to
“...faith in the loving-kindness of their Omnipresent 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 section of chapter 15 from:
“I asked Sri Yukteswar that evening to explain...”
to
“...and go to a certain room for a single cauliflower.”

Summary:

Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda discuss the intricacies of the cauliflower robbery and the concept of radio and its impact on society. We explore the idea of thoughts as subtle vibrations moving through the ether, the concept of telepathy, and the importance of positive thinking and the power of thoughts. Guruji gives us some practical methods to put the techniques used by Sri Yukteswar into use – especially in reference to concept of receptivity and willpower, drawing the importance of discipline in the mind.

1:01 Prior episode;
2:55 Advent of Science;
12:50 Radio Signals of the Mind;
26:08 The Omniscient Teacher;
37:20 Broadcast Station;
46:40 Looking ahead.

Links discussed in this episode:
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=telepathy&year_start=1800&year_end=2022&corpus=en&smoothing=3;
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=autosuggestion&year_start=1800&year_end=2022&corpus=en&smoothing=3
https://yssofindia.org/newsletter/oct19/index.html
https://yssofindia.org/newsletter/Mar15/index.html#:~:text=If%20you%20don


Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 15:
“Intuition is soul guidance, appearing naturally in man...”
to
“...indignant that anyone should dare to experiment further.”

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