Posts tagged Autobiography of a Yogi

By meditation we connect the little joy of the soul with the vast joy of the Spirit. Meditation should not be confused with ordinary concentration. Concentration consists in freeing the attention from distractions and in focusing it on any thought in which one may be interested. Meditation is that special form of concentration in which the attention has been liberated from restlessness and is focused on God. Meditation, therefore, is concentration used to know God.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda Yogoda Satsanga Lessons

Kriya Yoga is the real “fire rite” oft extolled in the Gita. The yogi casts his human longings into a monotheistic bonfire consecrated to the unparalleled God…. All past and present desires are fuel consumed by love divine. The Ultimate Flame receives the sacrifice of all human madness, and man is pure of dross. His metaphorical bones stripped of all desirous flesh, his karmic skeleton bleached by antiseptic suns of wisdom, inoffensive before man and Maker, he is clean at last.

- Sri Sri Parama­hansa Yogananda “Autobiography of a Yogi”

Sri Sri Mahavatar Babaji Smriti Divas Mahavatar Babaji has promised to guard and guide all sincere Kriya Yogis in their path toward the Goal…. “Whenever anyone utters with reverence the name of Babaji,” Lahiri Mahasaya said, “that devotee attracts an instant spiritual blessing.”

- Sri Sri Parama­hansa Yogananda “Autobiography of a Yogi”

God is approachable. Talking of Him and listening to His words in the scriptures, thinking of Him, feeling His presence in meditation, you will see that gradually the Unreal becomes real, and this world which you think is real will be seen as unreal. There is no joy like that realization.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “Man’s Eternal Quest”

When you meditate, immerse your whole mind in God. And when you are performing a duty, put your whole heart into it. But as soon as you are through with work, place your mind on the Lord. When you learn to practise the presence of God in every moment that you are free to think of Him, then even in the midst of work you will be aware of divine communion.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “Yogoda Satsanga Magazine”

Paramahansa Yogananda in a memorial tribute to Sister Gyanamata: “I had never seen, never heard Sister criticize anybody; never heard a cross word from her lips. All the disciples whose good fortune it was to know her felt a new inspiration, and they all said: ‘She is indeed a saint.’”

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “God Alone: The Life and Letters of a Saint”

Don’t concern yourself with the faults of others. Use the scouring powder of wisdom to keep the rooms of your own mind bright and spotless. By your example, other ­persons will be inspired to do their own housecleaning.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “Sayings of Paramahansa Yogananda”

I do not expect anything from others, so their actions cannot be in opposition to wishes of mine.

- Sri Sri Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri “Autobiography of a Yogi”

Avoid a negative approach to life. Why gaze down the sewers when there is loveliness all around us? One may find some fault in even the greatest masterpieces of art, music, and literature. But isn’t it better to enjoy their charm and glory? Life has a bright side and a dark side, for the world of relativity is composed of light and shadows. If you permit your thoughts to dwell on evil, you yourself will become ugly. Look only for the good in everything, that you absorb the quality of beauty.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “Sayings of Paramahansa Yogananda”

You cannot be free unless you have burned the seeds of past actions in the fire of wisdom and meditation. -

Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda “Yogoda Satsanga Magazine”