Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Erin Vinacco, recorded at Ananda Village on July 30 2023. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"How Democratic Is Truth?"Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.We live in an age when people assume that knowledge should be available equally to all. In matters susceptible of judgment by normal common sense, however, everyone knows there are exceptions. Access to a control room for intercontinental missiles is limited, by universal consent, to a very few. Access to the controls of a passenger airliner is limited to those with the necessary knowledge for operating them, and also to those with the proper authorization. If people don’t see the disadvantages of making more subtle knowledge universally available, it is only because they are ignorant of the risks involved.In the case of subtle knowledge, the main disadvantage in making it universally available is the harm it might do to the person himself. True, by mocking truth he might undermine the faith of a few truth seekers. But then, such tests can also be beneficial, as a means of strengthening faith. Again true, the clever doubter’s misrepresentation of those truths may dissuade a few seekers from following the spiritual path. But if a seeker really is sincere, he will recognize the truth eventually because it resonates with his own being. No, the greatest problem accrues to the shallow doubter himself. To give him an opportunity to affirm his ignorance might only estrange him even more from the truth, delaying the time when he will turn – as all people must, eventually – to the light.Thus, the Scriptures advise, not secrecy, but discretion in the sharing of truth. Jesus Christ says in the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 7: Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. And Sri Krishna says in the eighteenth Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita: Never speak of these truths to one who is without self-control or devotion, who renders no service, who does not care to hear, or who speaks ill of Me.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Erin Vinacco, recorded at Ananda Village on July 30 2023. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "How Democratic Is Truth?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. We live in an age when people assume that knowledge should be available equally to all. In matters susceptible of judgment by normal common sense, however, everyone knows there are exceptions. Access to a control room for intercontinental missiles is limited, by universal consent, to a very few. Access to the controls of a passenger airliner is limited to those with the necessary knowledge for operating them, and also to those with the proper authorization. If people don’t see the disadvantages of making more subtle knowledge universally available, it is only because they are ignorant of the risks involved. In the case of subtle knowledge, the main disadvantage in making it universally available is the harm it might do to the person himself. True, by mocking truth he might undermine the faith of a few truth seekers. But then, such tests can also be beneficial, as a means of strengthening faith. Again true, the clever doubter’s misrepresentation of those truths may dissuade a few seekers from following the spiritual path. But if a seeker really is sincere, he will recognize the truth eventually because it resonates with his own being. No, the greatest problem accrues to the shallow doubter himself. To give him an opportunity to affirm his ignorance might only estrange him even more from the truth, delaying the time when he will turn – as all people must, eventually – to the light. Thus, the Scriptures advise, not secrecy, but discretion in the sharing of truth. Jesus Christ says in the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 7: Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. And Sri Krishna says in the eighteenth Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita: Never speak of these truths to one who is without self-control or devotion, who renders no service, who does not care to hear, or who speaks ill of Me.

How Democratic Is Truth? (with Erin Vinacco)

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Nayaswami Maria recorded at Ananda Village on June 18th 2023.In the Eternal Now, there aren't any barriers or borders; everything is connected and intermingled. Nayaswami Maria gives beautiful illustrations of what the Eternal Now is and how we can experience it ourselves.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"The Eternal Now" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.“When will I find God?” Many devotees have asked this question. Because worldly goals require time, usually, for their fulfillment, we imagine time to be a factor on the spiritual path. And so it is, but only because we think it is! God is as much with us now as He will ever be. It is not He who needs to come to us: We need to come to Him! And that process of coming is a matter of transforming our self-perception.In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 4, Jesus Christ says: Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. There is a practical teaching in these words, apart from their statement that we have God already, and have only to realize that truth. Jesus is saying, “Lift up your eyes and look. . . .”To hold the eyes uplifted is the best position for meditation. For the seat of superconsciousness lies at a point midway between the eyebrows – in the frontal lobe of the brain just behind that point. This point is known also as the Christ center. By lifting up your eyes and concentrating there, you will find it easier to enter the state of ecstasy. That is why saints in every religion have often been observed, during states of deep inner communion, with their eyes uplifted, focused on the inner light – ”white,” as Jesus said, “already to harvest.”The Bhagavad Gita goes further into this meditative teaching. In the sixth Chapter it states: Holding the spine firm, the neck and head erect and motionless, let the yogi focus his eyes at the starting place of the nose [the point between the eyebrows]. Let not his gaze roam elsewhere. In meditation, tell yourself: “I have Him already! I am alive forever in the Divine Light.”

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Nayaswami Maria recorded at Ananda Village on June 18th 2023. In the Eternal Now, there aren't any barriers or borders; everything is connected and intermingled. Nayaswami Maria gives beautiful illustrations of what the Eternal Now is and how we can experience it ourselves. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "The Eternal Now" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. “When will I find God?” Many devotees have asked this question. Because worldly goals require time, usually, for their fulfillment, we imagine time to be a factor on the spiritual path. And so it is, but only because we think it is! God is as much with us now as He will ever be. It is not He who needs to come to us: We need to come to Him! And that process of coming is a matter of transforming our self-perception. In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 4, Jesus Christ says: Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. There is a practical teaching in these words, apart from their statement that we have God already, and have only to realize that truth. Jesus is saying, “Lift up your eyes and look. . . .” To hold the eyes uplifted is the best position for meditation. For the seat of superconsciousness lies at a point midway between the eyebrows – in the frontal lobe of the brain just behind that point. This point is known also as the Christ center. By lifting up your eyes and concentrating there, you will find it easier to enter the state of ecstasy. That is why saints in every religion have often been observed, during states of deep inner communion, with their eyes uplifted, focused on the inner light – ”white,” as Jesus said, “already to harvest.” The Bhagavad Gita goes further into this meditative teaching. In the sixth Chapter it states: Holding the spine firm, the neck and head erect and motionless, let the yogi focus his eyes at the starting place of the nose [the point between the eyebrows]. Let not his gaze roam elsewhere. In meditation, tell yourself: “I have Him already! I am alive forever in the Divine Light.”

Living in the Eternal Now

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Devi recorded at Ananda Village on June 11th 2023. How do devotees rise? Nayaswami Devi says: "We rise by seeming paradoxes": Will and effort beside surrender, incremental growth and deep life-changing flashes of inspiration, active service next to contemplation. Nayaswami Devi explains how these paradoxes are united in love and gives encouragement and inspiration to all those committed to following the spiritual path.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"How Devotees Rise" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.Last week we asked the question, Why do devotees fall? and we considered the downfall of Judas in this context. Jesus, in answer to Judas’s criticism for allowing Mary to rub his feet with spikenard, a very costly ointment, said, “The poor always ye have with you: but me ye have not always.” Jesus is saying here that there is one supreme “injustice” that needs eradication: poverty, yes, but not of a material kind: poverty in a spiritual sense.Divine blessings are not common in this world. They are extraordinary. When they come, we should give them priority above every other consideration. Never allow a moment of inner joy, for instance, to be set aside for lesser “duties.” Divine attunement is our highest priority.As Lahiri Mahasaya, the guru of Yogananda’s guru, said, “To listen to the heart’s inner sound (AUM, which issues from the very center of our being) is man’s highest duty.” Mary was not, at that moment, communing with the Master inwardly. She was serving him outwardly – but in a spirit very different from the restless fussing for which Jesus had reprimanded her sister, Martha. Those who see a radical difference between the paths of action and meditation should understand this distinction. To serve in the right spirit is necessary, for only thereby can we overcome our karmic tendencies toward restless activity. The important thing is that that spirit be always inwardly focused: that in everything we do we act in loving service to the Lord.Therefore the Bhagavad Gita says in the third Chapter: The state of freedom from action [that is, of eternal rest in the Spirit] cannot be achieved without action. No one, by mere renunciation and outward non-involvement, can attain perfection. Whenever the spirit of God descends upon you, however, remember the words of Jesus, “Me ye have not always with you.”Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Devi recorded at Ananda Village on June 11th 2023. How do devotees rise? Nayaswami Devi says: "We rise by seeming paradoxes": Will and effort beside surrender, incremental growth and deep life-changing flashes of inspiration, active service next to contemplation. Nayaswami Devi explains how these paradoxes are united in love and gives encouragement and inspiration to all those committed to following the spiritual path. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "How Devotees Rise" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Last week we asked the question, Why do devotees fall? and we considered the downfall of Judas in this context. Jesus, in answer to Judas’s criticism for allowing Mary to rub his feet with spikenard, a very costly ointment, said, “The poor always ye have with you: but me ye have not always.” Jesus is saying here that there is one supreme “injustice” that needs eradication: poverty, yes, but not of a material kind: poverty in a spiritual sense. Divine blessings are not common in this world. They are extraordinary. When they come, we should give them priority above every other consideration. Never allow a moment of inner joy, for instance, to be set aside for lesser “duties.” Divine attunement is our highest priority. As Lahiri Mahasaya, the guru of Yogananda’s guru, said, “To listen to the heart’s inner sound (AUM, which issues from the very center of our being) is man’s highest duty.” Mary was not, at that moment, communing with the Master inwardly. She was serving him outwardly – but in a spirit very different from the restless fussing for which Jesus had reprimanded her sister, Martha. Those who see a radical difference between the paths of action and meditation should understand this distinction. To serve in the right spirit is necessary, for only thereby can we overcome our karmic tendencies toward restless activity. The important thing is that that spirit be always inwardly focused: that in everything we do we act in loving service to the Lord. Therefore the Bhagavad Gita says in the third Chapter: The state of freedom from action [that is, of eternal rest in the Spirit] cannot be achieved without action. No one, by mere renunciation and outward non-involvement, can attain perfection. Whenever the spirit of God descends upon you, however, remember the words of Jesus, “Me ye have not always with you.” Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Encouragement for Your Spiritual Journey

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Jaya recorded at Ananda Village on June 4th 2023.Everybody has made and will make mistakes. The single most important thing is to get up again and again. Nayaswami Jaya shares the best way to respond to making a mistake and what not to do. He also explains why the Masters allow their devotees at times to make mistakes and suffer, if it’s needed for them for growing spiritually.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"Why Do Devotees Fall?"Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.An endlessly fascinating question is, Why did Judas fall after receiving the extraordinary blessing of being accepted into the inner circle of Jesus Christ’s disciples? For Judas was one of the twelve apostles. Yet he be-trayed Jesus, and earned for himself the opprobrium of Christendom for all futurity for his sin. We find Judas reprimanding Jesus just days before that betrayal. Jesus, aware that his disciples would soon be facing, with his death, the supreme tragedy of their lives, allowed Mary to express her devotion by anointing his feet with costly ointment. This act of “wanton waste,” as Judas saw it, awakened indignation in that disciple. “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and kept the purse, and bare what was put therein.Then said Jesus, “Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you: but me ye have not always.”Doubt not the power of delusion. Respect it – indeed, fear it, though not in the sense of cowering before it. For, as Yogananda said, “One is not safe until he attains nirbikalpa samadhi – the state of final union with God.” Judas, through attachment to money, opened his consciousness to subtle influences, which may be called satanic, that drew his thoughts toward other related attitudes: the importance of worldly power, for instance, and of worldly influence.The Bhagavad Gita gives a graphic explanation of how easily the mind can be drawn downward, once it begins to feed on wrong attitudes. In the second Chapter, Sri Krishna states:If one ponders on sense objects, there springs up attraction to them.From attraction grows desire.Desire, impatient for fulfillment, flames to anger.From anger there arises infatuation (the delusion that one object alone is worth clinging to, to the exclusion of all others).From infatuation ensues forgetfulness of the higher Self.From forgetfulness of the Self follows degeneration of the discriminative faculty.And when discrimination is lost, there follows the annihilation of one’s spiritual life.“At the first thought of delusion,” Paramhansa Yogananda said, “that is the time to stop it.”Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Jaya recorded at Ananda Village on June 4th 2023. Everybody has made and will make mistakes. The single most important thing is to get up again and again. Nayaswami Jaya shares the best way to respond to making a mistake and what not to do. He also explains why the Masters allow their devotees at times to make mistakes and suffer, if it’s needed for them for growing spiritually. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "Why Do Devotees Fall?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. An endlessly fascinating question is, Why did Judas fall after receiving the extraordinary blessing of being accepted into the inner circle of Jesus Christ’s disciples? For Judas was one of the twelve apostles. Yet he be-trayed Jesus, and earned for himself the opprobrium of Christendom for all futurity for his sin. We find Judas reprimanding Jesus just days before that betrayal. Jesus, aware that his disciples would soon be facing, with his death, the supreme tragedy of their lives, allowed Mary to express her devotion by anointing his feet with costly ointment. This act of “wanton waste,” as Judas saw it, awakened indignation in that disciple. “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and kept the purse, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, “Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you: but me ye have not always.” Doubt not the power of delusion. Respect it – indeed, fear it, though not in the sense of cowering before it. For, as Yogananda said, “One is not safe until he attains nirbikalpa samadhi – the state of final union with God.” Judas, through attachment to money, opened his consciousness to subtle influences, which may be called satanic, that drew his thoughts toward other related attitudes: the importance of worldly power, for instance, and of worldly influence. The Bhagavad Gita gives a graphic explanation of how easily the mind can be drawn downward, once it begins to feed on wrong attitudes. In the second Chapter, Sri Krishna states: If one ponders on sense objects, there springs up attraction to them. From attraction grows desire. Desire, impatient for fulfillment, flames to anger. From anger there arises infatuation (the delusion that one object alone is worth clinging to, to the exclusion of all others). From infatuation ensues forgetfulness of the higher Self. From forgetfulness of the Self follows degeneration of the discriminative faculty. And when discrimination is lost, there follows the annihilation of one’s spiritual life. “At the first thought of delusion,” Paramhansa Yogananda said, “that is the time to stop it.” Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

How to Deal with Mistakes on the Spiritual Path

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Nayaswami Ananta recorded at Ananda Village on May 28th 2023. While living in this world of duality, we often concentrate too much on outward forms, on the veils, and forget about the light shining through them. What is real are the realities of the inner kingdom: love, joy, peace, calmness, power, light, and sound. Nayaswami Ananta explains why and how to live more in the inner kingdom.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"The Inner Kingdom". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.Most people imagine that the “inner kingdom,” as Jesus described it, lacks the fascination they attribute to sense life: the bright lights, the diverse attractions, the joys and the laughter. Little do they realize what a vast universe exists in their own selves! There are many passages in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible that describe aspects of this inner kingdom.In the Book of Genesis we read: “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden…. And the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:8, 9). This garden was in no earthly place. It exists even now, in the very Self of every human being! The legend of Adam and Eve is allegorical. It describes how the first human beings dissipated their spiritual energy, centered in the spine. The spine is the channel through which flows the river of baptism and of spiritual life.The Bhagavad Gita tells us, “The wise speak of an eternal ashvatta tree, with its roots above and its branches below” (15:1) The “tree of life,” spoken of also in Genesis, is the spine. Its roots are above, in the brain’s energy. Its branches are the outward spreading nervous system. When the “sap,” which is to say, the energy, flows downward the consciousness is drawn into delusion. On the other hand, when the energy is drawn upward in deep meditation, the consciousness is drawn toward its eternal source, God, and is at last united with Him.Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita therefore urges his chief disciple Arjuna to embrace the yoga science, the path of meditation. “The yogi,” he says, “is greater than the ascetic, greater even than the followers of the paths of wisdom [Gyana Yoga] or of action [Karma Yoga]. Be thou, O Arjuna, a yogi!” For those who would find the divine truth, Krishna gives this description of the yogi:Steadfast a lamp burns, sheltered from the wind; Steadfastly meditating, solitary, Such is the likeness of the Yogi’s mind Shut from sense-storms and burning bright to heaven. Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Nayaswami Ananta recorded at Ananda Village on May 28th 2023. While living in this world of duality, we often concentrate too much on outward forms, on the veils, and forget about the light shining through them. What is real are the realities of the inner kingdom: love, joy, peace, calmness, power, light, and sound. Nayaswami Ananta explains why and how to live more in the inner kingdom. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "The Inner Kingdom". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Most people imagine that the “inner kingdom,” as Jesus described it, lacks the fascination they attribute to sense life: the bright lights, the diverse attractions, the joys and the laughter. Little do they realize what a vast universe exists in their own selves! There are many passages in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible that describe aspects of this inner kingdom. In the Book of Genesis we read: “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden…. And the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:8, 9). This garden was in no earthly place. It exists even now, in the very Self of every human being! The legend of Adam and Eve is allegorical. It describes how the first human beings dissipated their spiritual energy, centered in the spine. The spine is the channel through which flows the river of baptism and of spiritual life. The Bhagavad Gita tells us, “The wise speak of an eternal ashvatta tree, with its roots above and its branches below” (15:1) The “tree of life,” spoken of also in Genesis, is the spine. Its roots are above, in the brain’s energy. Its branches are the outward spreading nervous system. When the “sap,” which is to say, the energy, flows downward the consciousness is drawn into delusion. On the other hand, when the energy is drawn upward in deep meditation, the consciousness is drawn toward its eternal source, God, and is at last united with Him. Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita therefore urges his chief disciple Arjuna to embrace the yoga science, the path of meditation. “The yogi,” he says, “is greater than the ascetic, greater even than the followers of the paths of wisdom [Gyana Yoga] or of action [Karma Yoga]. Be thou, O Arjuna, a yogi!” For those who would find the divine truth, Krishna gives this description of the yogi: Steadfast a lamp burns, sheltered from the wind; Steadfastly meditating, solitary, Such is the likeness of the Yogi’s mind Shut from sense-storms and burning bright to heaven.  Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

The Mystery of the Inner Kingdom

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Jyotish recorded at Ananda Village on May 21st 2023.How do we worship properly in spirit and in truth? First, we silence the mind sufficiently through meditation so that we are able to do it. But what does it mean to worship in spirit, to worship in truth? Nayaswami Jyotish explains the meaning and the practice.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"The Best Way to Worship".Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.In Chapter 4 of the Gospel of St. John, the woman of Samaria asks Jesus, Where is the best place to worship? This question might be expanded to include: What is the best church? What is the best religion? Is it important to go on pilgrimage to holy shrines? What is the best ritual? What is the best mantra or prayer? Jesus cut across all such questioning with his reply:The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. It was not that outer considerations of place, church, ritual, etc., are irrelevant. Each person should find those practices and observances which are compatible with his own nature – one might say, with his own vibrations. Not everyone’s natural path is the same. God sent different religions into the world to satisfy different human needs. The overarching concern, however, considering that the goal is to find God, is to include in one’s worship daily, inner communion with the Lord.God is Silence: He must be sought, therefore, in inner silence. God is Absolute Love: He must be sought, therefore, in the silence of love. God is Spirit, and thus immaterial: He must be sought, above all, in the expanding peace of deep meditation. Thus, the Bhagavad Gita states in the sixth Chapter: Sequestered should he sit, Steadfastly meditating, solitary, His thoughts controlled, his passions laid away, From every craving for possession freed. Wherever you are, whatever your outward beliefs and observances, seek God in the silence of your own soul.Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Jyotish recorded at Ananda Village on May 21st 2023. How do we worship properly in spirit and in truth? First, we silence the mind sufficiently through meditation so that we are able to do it. But what does it mean to worship in spirit, to worship in truth? Nayaswami Jyotish explains the meaning and the practice. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "The Best Way to Worship". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. In Chapter 4 of the Gospel of St. John, the woman of Samaria asks Jesus, Where is the best place to worship? This question might be expanded to include: What is the best church? What is the best religion? Is it important to go on pilgrimage to holy shrines? What is the best ritual? What is the best mantra or prayer? Jesus cut across all such questioning with his reply: The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. It was not that outer considerations of place, church, ritual, etc., are irrelevant. Each person should find those practices and observances which are compatible with his own nature – one might say, with his own vibrations. Not everyone’s natural path is the same. God sent different religions into the world to satisfy different human needs. The overarching concern, however, considering that the goal is to find God, is to include in one’s worship daily, inner communion with the Lord. God is Silence: He must be sought, therefore, in inner silence. God is Absolute Love: He must be sought, therefore, in the silence of love. God is Spirit, and thus immaterial: He must be sought, above all, in the expanding peace of deep meditation. Thus, the Bhagavad Gita states in the sixth Chapter: Sequestered should he sit, Steadfastly meditating, solitary, His thoughts controlled, his passions laid away, From every craving for possession freed. Wherever you are, whatever your outward beliefs and observances, seek God in the silence of your own soul. Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Is Inner Communion the Best Way to Worship?

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Parvati recorded at Ananda Village on May 14th 2023.Nayaswami Parvati points out that even though the topic of this reading is called "Activity vs. Inner Communion", Swami Kriyananda emphasized the need to make those one. Then, inner communion becomes a stream that is constantly flowing behind everything you do. Nayswami Parvati shares how you can practice remembering God in daily in life to achieve this state.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"Activity vs. Inner Communion".Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.Last week we contemplated the well-known story of Martha and Mary. Traditionally, this story has been offered to show the two classic approaches to salvation: the first, through action, and the second, through prayer. The excuse of the Marthas of this world has always been, “The church needs its Marthas, too.” Treatises, moreover, have been written to justify the Martha approach to piety, praising her self-sacrifice as, perhaps, an even higher demonstration of devotion. (Thus do the unmeditative workers in religion try to justify themselves!) Yet the fact remains that Jesus rebuked Martha. Elsewhere, moreover, he spoke of the virtue of feeding the hungry, curing the sick, and housing those who were homeless. It wasn’t that he disapproved of serving people. Wrong attitude was the object of his criticism. What he was criticizing was forgetfulness of the true goal of right, spiritual action. Good deeds, outwardly, without inner communion with God, will result in good karma but will not bring final freedom from all karma.The Path to inner freedom was described by Paramhansa Yogananda in these words: “Be always calmly active, and actively calm.” As it says in the Bhagavad Gita, the second Chapter: He who is not shaken by anxiety during times of sorrow, nor elated during times of happiness; who is free from egoic desires and their attendant fear and anger: Such an one is of steady discrimination. Do your duty in life – so counsels this great Scripture elsewhere – but never lose sight of Him to whom all action should be dedicated.Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Parvati recorded at Ananda Village on May 14th 2023. Nayaswami Parvati points out that even though the topic of this reading is called "Activity vs. Inner Communion", Swami Kriyananda emphasized the need to make those one. Then, inner communion becomes a stream that is constantly flowing behind everything you do. Nayswami Parvati shares how you can practice remembering God in daily in life to achieve this state. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "Activity vs. Inner Communion". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Last week we contemplated the well-known story of Martha and Mary. Traditionally, this story has been offered to show the two classic approaches to salvation: the first, through action, and the second, through prayer. The excuse of the Marthas of this world has always been, “The church needs its Marthas, too.” Treatises, moreover, have been written to justify the Martha approach to piety, praising her self-sacrifice as, perhaps, an even higher demonstration of devotion. (Thus do the unmeditative workers in religion try to justify themselves!) Yet the fact remains that Jesus rebuked Martha. Elsewhere, moreover, he spoke of the virtue of feeding the hungry, curing the sick, and housing those who were homeless. It wasn’t that he disapproved of serving people. Wrong attitude was the object of his criticism. What he was criticizing was forgetfulness of the true goal of right, spiritual action. Good deeds, outwardly, without inner communion with God, will result in good karma but will not bring final freedom from all karma. The Path to inner freedom was described by Paramhansa Yogananda in these words: “Be always calmly active, and actively calm.” As it says in the Bhagavad Gita, the second Chapter: He who is not shaken by anxiety during times of sorrow, nor elated during times of happiness; who is free from egoic desires and their attendant fear and anger: Such an one is of steady discrimination. Do your duty in life – so counsels this great Scripture elsewhere – but never lose sight of Him to whom all action should be dedicated. Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Remembering God in Daily Life

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk recorded at Ananda Village on May 7th 2023.During this talk, Erin expands on the importance of balancing work and inward communion. She tells the story of Miramata, a disciple who was struggling with balancing work and inward focus. Receiving seemingly conflicting advice from her guru Paramhansa Yogananda, she had to learn what he really meant. Eventually, he told her the secret to never feeling tired.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"The Secret of Right Action". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.One of the most famous stories in the Gospels is that of Martha and Mary. Jesus, visiting the home of Martha, was teaching while her sister Mary sat at his feet absorbing his divine love and wisdom. Martha, meanwhile, busied herself with serving her guests, and was upset with Mary for not helping her.“‘Lord,’ she cried, ‘doesn’t it matter to you that my sister has left me to do all this serving alone? Please ask her to help me.’ “‘Martha, Martha,’ Jesus answered, ‘thou art careful and troubled about many things. “‘But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’”This story is classic, for Martha’s complaint is very understandable, and not, on the surface of it, spiritually wrong. Jesus might well have told Mary to get up and help her. Nor do we really know that he didn’t, considerate as he always was of others’ needs. But the teaching here doesn’t concern the obvious dilemma of devotees: to work for God, or to spend all one’s time in prayer. It concerns, rather, the attitude of the mind.Jesus didn’t tell Martha: “Martha, you are doing too much.” He told her, rather, “You are letting your work affect your inner peace.” That was the contrast: not work vs. contemplation, but restless preoccupation vs. peaceful absorption under all circumstances.As it says in the Bhagavad Gita, the second Chapter:Actions performed under the influence of desire are greatly inferior to those which are guided by wisdom. Happiness eludes people when they act from self-interest. Seek shelter, therefore, in the equanimity of wisdom. Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk recorded at Ananda Village on May 7th 2023. During this talk, Erin expands on the importance of balancing work and inward communion. She tells the story of Miramata, a disciple who was struggling with balancing work and inward focus. Receiving seemingly conflicting advice from her guru Paramhansa Yogananda, she had to learn what he really meant. Eventually, he told her the secret to never feeling tired. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "The Secret of Right Action". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. One of the most famous stories in the Gospels is that of Martha and Mary. Jesus, visiting the home of Martha, was teaching while her sister Mary sat at his feet absorbing his divine love and wisdom. Martha, meanwhile, busied herself with serving her guests, and was upset with Mary for not helping her. “‘Lord,’ she cried, ‘doesn’t it matter to you that my sister has left me to do all this serving alone? Please ask her to help me.’ “‘Martha, Martha,’ Jesus answered, ‘thou art careful and troubled about many things. “‘But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’” This story is classic, for Martha’s complaint is very understandable, and not, on the surface of it, spiritually wrong. Jesus might well have told Mary to get up and help her. Nor do we really know that he didn’t, considerate as he always was of others’ needs. But the teaching here doesn’t concern the obvious dilemma of devotees: to work for God, or to spend all one’s time in prayer. It concerns, rather, the attitude of the mind. Jesus didn’t tell Martha: “Martha, you are doing too much.” He told her, rather, “You are letting your work affect your inner peace.” That was the contrast: not work vs. contemplation, but restless preoccupation vs. peaceful absorption under all circumstances. As it says in the Bhagavad Gita, the second Chapter: Actions performed under the influence of desire are greatly inferior to those which are guided by wisdom. Happiness eludes people when they act from self-interest. Seek shelter, therefore, in the equanimity of wisdom.  Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Are You a Martha or a Mary?

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Nayaswami Pranaba recorded at Ananda Village on April 30th 2023.Being born in a world of dualities, dealing with the karmic baggage of past actions, we want to affirm and experience that we are children of God. Karma, the energy invested in directions that take us away from God, needs to be resolved. Nayaswami Pranaba explains how to lift ourselves out of that karma.He also touches on the gunas, the outward manifestations of deeper reality, and the importance of moving towards upliftment as opposed to just goodness.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "Perfection is Self-Transcendence"Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.We begin this week with a passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 5: Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you; and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; . . . If ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the tax collectors the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even pagans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.This teaching is a continuation of last week’s lesson. To love all equally is possible only by seeing God everywhere – in others as well as in oneself. See whatever comes to you unasked for as a manifestation of His will. Be grateful for the pains you experience, for they are healing strokes of His love. Sometimes, healing is effected only by strong measures, but His love for you is manifested in the very attempt to heal. Strive always to be impersonal, as though whatever happens to you were happening to someone else.Persecution gives us the supreme opportunity to deny the thought, “This is happening to me,” and to affirm our inner freedom from the thought of ego. Don’t allow the negative perceptions of others to become your own self-definition. Seek God: This is the true goal of life – though how difficult to cling to in the midst of hatred, spite, and persecution!The Bhagavad Gita tells us in the seventh Chapter: Out of thousands, one strives for spiritual attainment; and out of many blessed true seekers, who strive assiduously to reach Me, one, perhaps, perceives Me as I am. O truth seeker, be one, among all those thousands, who seeks the supreme goal!Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Nayaswami Pranaba recorded at Ananda Village on April 30th 2023. Being born in a world of dualities, dealing with the karmic baggage of past actions, we want to affirm and experience that we are children of God. Karma, the energy invested in directions that take us away from God, needs to be resolved. Nayaswami Pranaba explains how to lift ourselves out of that karma. He also touches on the gunas, the outward manifestations of deeper reality, and the importance of moving towards upliftment as opposed to just goodness. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "Perfection is Self-Transcendence" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. We begin this week with a passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 5: Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you; and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; . . . If ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the tax collectors the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even pagans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. This teaching is a continuation of last week’s lesson. To love all equally is possible only by seeing God everywhere – in others as well as in oneself. See whatever comes to you unasked for as a manifestation of His will. Be grateful for the pains you experience, for they are healing strokes of His love. Sometimes, healing is effected only by strong measures, but His love for you is manifested in the very attempt to heal. Strive always to be impersonal, as though whatever happens to you were happening to someone else. Persecution gives us the supreme opportunity to deny the thought, “This is happening to me,” and to affirm our inner freedom from the thought of ego. Don’t allow the negative perceptions of others to become your own self-definition. Seek God: This is the true goal of life – though how difficult to cling to in the midst of hatred, spite, and persecution! The Bhagavad Gita tells us in the seventh Chapter: Out of thousands, one strives for spiritual attainment; and out of many blessed true seekers, who strive assiduously to reach Me, one, perhaps, perceives Me as I am. O truth seeker, be one, among all those thousands, who seeks the supreme goal! Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

The Law of Karma and the Beginning of the Spiritual Path

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Nayaswami Ananta recorded at Ananda Village on April 23th 2023.Why is it that when we have wealth, health, and success in life, we still feel we are missing something? What will bring us true fulfillment? Nayaswami Ananta explains what we should really aim for and aspire to in life, emphasizing the point of bringing God into our daily lives.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"How High Should We Aspire?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.The passage this week is from the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 5: I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. The easiest explanation for these words is that they were spoken in criticism of the scribes and Pharisees, particularly since Jesus was often verbally attacked by them, and stood up to them fearlessly. However, it wouldn’t have been much of a challenge to the disciples, who aspired to spiritual perfection, to tell them, “Don’t be like those who lack any such aspiration.” Jesus in fact says only a few verses later, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”What Jesus was referring to here, then, was the self- righteousness of the priests. Don’t seek perfection, he was saying to his disciples, in the image you project toward others. Don’t be satisfied with a goodness born merely of ego-definitions. The highest virtue is to transcend the very thought of personal virtue in the realization of God alone as the Doer. Before this realization, even the thought, “I am kind,” or, “I am truthful,” is self-limiting.As it says in the Bhagavad Gita, the seventh Chapter:Yet hard the wise Mahatma is to find, That man who sayeth, “All is Vasudev!”Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Nayaswami Ananta recorded at Ananda Village on April 23th 2023. Why is it that when we have wealth, health, and success in life, we still feel we are missing something? What will bring us true fulfillment? Nayaswami Ananta explains what we should really aim for and aspire to in life, emphasizing the point of bringing God into our daily lives. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "How High Should We Aspire?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. The passage this week is from the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 5: I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. The easiest explanation for these words is that they were spoken in criticism of the scribes and Pharisees, particularly since Jesus was often verbally attacked by them, and stood up to them fearlessly. However, it wouldn’t have been much of a challenge to the disciples, who aspired to spiritual perfection, to tell them, “Don’t be like those who lack any such aspiration.” Jesus in fact says only a few verses later, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” What Jesus was referring to here, then, was the self- righteousness of the priests. Don’t seek perfection, he was saying to his disciples, in the image you project toward others. Don’t be satisfied with a goodness born merely of ego-definitions. The highest virtue is to transcend the very thought of personal virtue in the realization of God alone as the Doer. Before this realization, even the thought, “I am kind,” or, “I am truthful,” is self-limiting. As it says in the Bhagavad Gita, the seventh Chapter: Yet hard the wise Mahatma is to find, That man who sayeth, “All is Vasudev!” Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Bringing God into Your Daily Life

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Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Shyama Arati Davis, recorded at Ananda Village on April 16th 2023.Every individual has a unique path to follow. But some practices and attitudes are essential to all who want to grow spiritually and find true happiness. Shyama shares those practices and how we can apply them in our daily life.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is"To Each According to His Faith".Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 3, we read: Everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. It is a common experience, shared by most people, that when a person errs he experiences a desire to hide that error from his conscience instead of holding it up for purification. Error clutches its misdeeds to itself, and resists correction, though it is only in the state of purity that we can achieve perfect freedom. It requires an act of will to offer that awareness up to the light, and to hold it there until one’s inner darkness is completely dissipated. For every state of consciousness has its own attractive power. And the more we allow that attraction to act upon us, the more we attract to ourselves the objective circumstances and experiences natural to it. Our faith is the attractive power of our underlying state of consciousness.Goodness attracts goodness; it takes goodness even to see goodness. Evil attracts evil, and it takes evil even to see evil – that is, to take special note of its existence. Whatever there is in you of darkness or light, offer it up to the heights. In the Supreme Light alone will we find salvation. Accept nothing less in yourself as your lasting reality.As the Bhagavad Gita says, in the twelfth Chapter:Cling thou to me! Clasp Me with heart and mind! So shalt thou dwell Surely with Me on high. But if thy thought Droops from such height; if thou be’st weak to set Body and soul upon Me constantly, Despair not! give Me lower service! seek To reach Me, worshiping with steadfast will; And, if thou canst not worship steadfastly, Work for Me, toil in works pleasing to Me! For he that laboureth right for love of Me Shall finally attain! But, if in this Thy faint heart fails, bring Me thy failure! Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk with Shyama Arati Davis, recorded at Ananda Village on April 16th 2023. Every individual has a unique path to follow. But some practices and attitudes are essential to all who want to grow spiritually and find true happiness. Shyama shares those practices and how we can apply them in our daily life. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is "To Each According to His Faith". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 3, we read: Everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. It is a common experience, shared by most people, that when a person errs he experiences a desire to hide that error from his conscience instead of holding it up for purification. Error clutches its misdeeds to itself, and resists correction, though it is only in the state of purity that we can achieve perfect freedom. It requires an act of will to offer that awareness up to the light, and to hold it there until one’s inner darkness is completely dissipated. For every state of consciousness has its own attractive power. And the more we allow that attraction to act upon us, the more we attract to ourselves the objective circumstances and experiences natural to it. Our faith is the attractive power of our underlying state of consciousness. Goodness attracts goodness; it takes goodness even to see goodness. Evil attracts evil, and it takes evil even to see evil – that is, to take special note of its existence. Whatever there is in you of darkness or light, offer it up to the heights. In the Supreme Light alone will we find salvation. Accept nothing less in yourself as your lasting reality. As the Bhagavad Gita says, in the twelfth Chapter: Cling thou to me! Clasp Me with heart and mind! So shalt thou dwell Surely with Me on high. But if thy thought Droops from such height; if thou be’st weak to set Body and soul upon Me constantly, Despair not! give Me lower service! seek To reach Me, worshiping with steadfast will; And, if thou canst not worship steadfastly, Work for Me, toil in works pleasing to Me! For he that laboureth right for love of Me Shall finally attain! But, if in this Thy faint heart fails, bring Me thy failure!  Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Practicing the Presence of God

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Devi recorded at Ananda Village on Easter Sunday April 9th 2023.Why are those that bring the most light and integrity often persecuted? Why does God allow us to suffer? Nayaswami Devi beautifully explains the ways of God in this Easter message and invites us to look beyond His dream and see: God is the only reality.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "Resurrection for Every Soul".Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 20, we read the inspiring account of Jesus’ resurrection: The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord! . . . Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in their midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.The resurrection of Jesus, doubted by many but affirmed by those who were close to him, was a miraculous event, though one not unique in history. For many great saints of other religions have appeared to their disciples after death. Sometimes their appearances have been, as that of Jesus was, in flesh-and-blood form, and not only in vision. Paramhansa Yogananda relates in Autobiography of a Yogi the account of his guru Sri Yukteswar’s resurrection after his earthly passing. Miracles of this type are revealed only rarely to the masses, but accounts of them, related by men and women of reputed truthfulness, have inspired many devotees with faith in the reality of subtler-than-material states of existence.Resurrection, Yogananda explained, means transformation, ultimately, from any lower state of being to a higher one. Worldly consciousness cannot imagine such transformation except in terms of, perhaps, an improvement of the present mess of potage with the addition of a new flavoring. Divine consciousness, however, is capable of taking the base metal of worldliness and transforming it into the spiritual gold of divine wisdom and love.In keeping with this truth, the Bhagavad Gita, in the ninth Chapter, tells us:Ah! ye who into this ill world are come – fleeting and false – set your faith fast on Me!Fix heart and thought on Me! Adore Me! Bring Offerings to Me!Make Me prostrations! Make Me your supremest joy! and, undivided, unto My rest your spirits shall be guided.Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Watch this inspiring Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Devi recorded at Ananda Village on Easter Sunday April 9th 2023. Why are those that bring the most light and integrity often persecuted? Why does God allow us to suffer? Nayaswami Devi beautifully explains the ways of God in this Easter message and invites us to look beyond His dream and see: God is the only reality. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "Resurrection for Every Soul". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 20, we read the inspiring account of Jesus’ resurrection: The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord! . . . Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in their midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. The resurrection of Jesus, doubted by many but affirmed by those who were close to him, was a miraculous event, though one not unique in history. For many great saints of other religions have appeared to their disciples after death. Sometimes their appearances have been, as that of Jesus was, in flesh-and-blood form, and not only in vision. Paramhansa Yogananda relates in Autobiography of a Yogi the account of his guru Sri Yukteswar’s resurrection after his earthly passing. Miracles of this type are revealed only rarely to the masses, but accounts of them, related by men and women of reputed truthfulness, have inspired many devotees with faith in the reality of subtler-than-material states of existence. Resurrection, Yogananda explained, means transformation, ultimately, from any lower state of being to a higher one. Worldly consciousness cannot imagine such transformation except in terms of, perhaps, an improvement of the present mess of potage with the addition of a new flavoring. Divine consciousness, however, is capable of taking the base metal of worldliness and transforming it into the spiritual gold of divine wisdom and love. In keeping with this truth, the Bhagavad Gita, in the ninth Chapter, tells us: Ah! ye who into this ill world are come – fleeting and false – set your faith fast on Me! Fix heart and thought on Me! Adore Me! Bring Offerings to Me! Make Me prostrations! Make Me your supremest joy! and, undivided, unto My rest your spirits shall be guided. Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

The Message of Easter: God Is the Only Reality

Recorded at Ananda Village on April 2nd, 2023 with Jitendra Guindon.Paramhansa Yogananda encouraged his disciples to understand that to attain Christ-Consciousness, the first step is communion with AUM, also known as the Holy Ghost. We practice the teaching of Christ when we actively try to attune ourselves to the vibrations of AUM. Jitendra shares inspiration on how we can do that.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light:"Who Is This Son of Man?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. On Palm Sunday, the throng joyfully acclaimed Jesus Christ as he entered Jerusalem, casting palm fronds before him and singing, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! The Lord bless the king of Israel!” (John 12:13) Jesus Christ had told the people, “The son of man must be lifted up.” His reference – so we are told – was to the mode of his impending crucifixion. Some persons on that occasion had asked, “Who is this son of man?” Was Jesus a human being, merely?Those who, on Palm Sunday, called him king little realized the actual nature of his kingdom. He was far more than what they imagined. Yes, of course he ate, drank, walked, slept, and talked like others. His consciousness, however, was centered in infinity. Yes – again – he laughed like others: But his laughter expressed divine joy, not mere merriment. Again, he wept like them: But never with human grief. The tears he shed were for the sufferings of unenlightened human beings: Never were they shed in self-pity. Jesus Christ was wakeful in God. Most people, by contrast, are asleep spiritually. How strange to reflect that less than a week from that entry into Jerusalem – so joyfully acclaimed – he would be arrested, condemned, and crucified! Such is the bitter-sweetness of human existence: smiles of welcome one day – insults, even persecution the next. How few realize that Christ’s suffering would not be for himself, but for people’s ignorance – for those who had not yet understood the deeper reality that dwelt also in them! Everyone is born “trailing clouds of glory,” as the poet Wordsworth put it. Even the meanest beggar has lived a story, or will eventually have lived it, more magnificent than the greatest epic ever written.In the Bhagavad Gita, this dichotomy between the “son of man” and the inner “Son of God” is beautifully described. Sri Krishna, representing God in human form, reveals his true nature in infinity. In the eleventh chapter of that great scripture, his chief disciple Arjuna exclaims:O Infinite Light!Thy radiance, spreading o’er the universe,Shines into the very darkest abyss!Thy voice o’erwhelms the roar of cosmic cataclysms!Lo! the myriad stars are Thy diadem;Thy scepter radiates power everywhere!O Immortal Brahman, Lord of all:Again and again at Thy feet of Infinity I lie in prostration before Thee!Thus, through holy scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Recorded at Ananda Village on April 2nd, 2023 with Jitendra Guindon. Paramhansa Yogananda encouraged his disciples to understand that to attain Christ-Consciousness, the first step is communion with AUM, also known as the Holy Ghost. We practice the teaching of Christ when we actively try to attune ourselves to the vibrations of AUM. Jitendra shares inspiration on how we can do that. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light: "Who Is This Son of Man?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. On Palm Sunday, the throng joyfully acclaimed Jesus Christ as he entered Jerusalem, casting palm fronds before him and singing, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! The Lord bless the king of Israel!” (John 12:13) Jesus Christ had told the people, “The son of man must be lifted up.” His reference – so we are told – was to the mode of his impending crucifixion. Some persons on that occasion had asked, “Who is this son of man?” Was Jesus a human being, merely? Those who, on Palm Sunday, called him king little realized the actual nature of his kingdom. He was far more than what they imagined. Yes, of course he ate, drank, walked, slept, and talked like others. His consciousness, however, was centered in infinity. Yes – again – he laughed like others: But his laughter expressed divine joy, not mere merriment. Again, he wept like them: But never with human grief. The tears he shed were for the sufferings of unenlightened human beings: Never were they shed in self-pity. Jesus Christ was wakeful in God. Most people, by contrast, are asleep spiritually. How strange to reflect that less than a week from that entry into Jerusalem – so joyfully acclaimed – he would be arrested, condemned, and crucified! Such is the bitter-sweetness of human existence: smiles of welcome one day – insults, even persecution the next. How few realize that Christ’s suffering would not be for himself, but for people’s ignorance – for those who had not yet understood the deeper reality that dwelt also in them! Everyone is born “trailing clouds of glory,” as the poet Wordsworth put it. Even the meanest beggar has lived a story, or will eventually have lived it, more magnificent than the greatest epic ever written. In the Bhagavad Gita, this dichotomy between the “son of man” and the inner “Son of God” is beautifully described. Sri Krishna, representing God in human form, reveals his true nature in infinity. In the eleventh chapter of that great scripture, his chief disciple Arjuna exclaims: O Infinite Light! Thy radiance, spreading o’er the universe, Shines into the very darkest abyss! Thy voice o’erwhelms the roar of cosmic cataclysms! Lo! the myriad stars are Thy diadem; Thy scepter radiates power everywhere! O Immortal Brahman, Lord of all: Again and again at Thy feet of Infinity I lie in prostration before Thee! Thus, through holy scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Practicing the Teachings of Christ

With Nayaswami Maria during a Sunday Service recorded at Ananda Village March 26th 2023.How can we grow in understanding and compassion? By finding another's spark, Nayaswami Maria says. In this Sunday Service, she shares how our divine qualities grow when we learn to relate to the soul qualities of other beings.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"By Thinking Can We Arrive at Understanding?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.There are many places in the Gospels where we see Jesus in open conflict with the Pharisees – that is to say, with man-made as opposed to true, mystical tradition. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 15, we see a good example of how they and he “locked horns.” Then some of the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came and asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples break our ancient tradition and eat their food without washing their hands properly first?”Jesus, after scolding them for their hypocrisy in observing lesser rules so carefully while ignoring the much more important ones, said, “Listen, and understand this thoroughly! It is not what goes into a man’s mouth that makes him common or unclean. It is what comes out of a man’s mouth that makes him unclean.” It wasn’t that Jesus counseled against such wholesome practices as washing one’s hands before eating. In an age, however, when lesser rules were given too much importance relative to the truly important observances – cleansing the heart of impure desires, for example – he emphasized the supreme importance of loving God and of communing with Him.The Pharisees – the orthodox religionists of his day, in other words – had brought true religion down to a level of intellectual hair-splitting. They mistakenly considered the way to understanding to lie through a mine-field of definitions, which they tried to refine to ultimate exactitude. Jesus taught, however, that the intellect alone can never lead one to truth. Without love, indeed, there is no ultimate verity. Without fixity of purpose, born of the heart’s devotion, the intellect wanders endlessly. It cannot settle for long on anything. As the Bhagavad Gita says in the second Chapter: The intellects of those who lack fixity of spiritual purpose are inconstant, their interests endlessly ramified.Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

With Nayaswami Maria during a Sunday Service recorded at Ananda Village March 26th 2023. How can we grow in understanding and compassion? By finding another's spark, Nayaswami Maria says. In this Sunday Service, she shares how our divine qualities grow when we learn to relate to the soul qualities of other beings. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "By Thinking Can We Arrive at Understanding?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. There are many places in the Gospels where we see Jesus in open conflict with the Pharisees – that is to say, with man-made as opposed to true, mystical tradition. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 15, we see a good example of how they and he “locked horns.” Then some of the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came and asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples break our ancient tradition and eat their food without washing their hands properly first?” Jesus, after scolding them for their hypocrisy in observing lesser rules so carefully while ignoring the much more important ones, said, “Listen, and understand this thoroughly! It is not what goes into a man’s mouth that makes him common or unclean. It is what comes out of a man’s mouth that makes him unclean.” It wasn’t that Jesus counseled against such wholesome practices as washing one’s hands before eating. In an age, however, when lesser rules were given too much importance relative to the truly important observances – cleansing the heart of impure desires, for example – he emphasized the supreme importance of loving God and of communing with Him. The Pharisees – the orthodox religionists of his day, in other words – had brought true religion down to a level of intellectual hair-splitting. They mistakenly considered the way to understanding to lie through a mine-field of definitions, which they tried to refine to ultimate exactitude. Jesus taught, however, that the intellect alone can never lead one to truth. Without love, indeed, there is no ultimate verity. Without fixity of purpose, born of the heart’s devotion, the intellect wanders endlessly. It cannot settle for long on anything. As the Bhagavad Gita says in the second Chapter: The intellects of those who lack fixity of spiritual purpose are inconstant, their interests endlessly ramified. Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Growing in Divine Qualities

With Brahmachari Sagar during a Sunday Service recorded at Ananda Village March 19th 2023.How to overcome the fear of death? Paramhansa Yogananda encouraged people to practice death during their lifetime. Brahmachari Sagar explains how we can learn to control the breath and the heart with the sincere practice of Kriya Yoga. Humorously he shares how to approach the impermanence of our bodies.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is"We Are Children of the Light". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.It is common for people to perceive themselves according to their present realities. A person in ill health says, “I am ill.” Few say, “I am well; it is my body that is suffering.” People in a low income bracket say, “I am poor.” Only the unusual person will say, “Though outwardly I live in poverty, inwardly I am wealthy.” Thus, when it comes to moral and spiritual development, people commonly identify themselves with their weaknesses and their mistakes. They consider it almost a sign of humility to say, “I am a sinner,” though in effect what this means is that they identify themselves with their sinfulness, not with the soul’s power to transcend all limitations in God.The great masters, including Jesus Christ, have always emphasized the divine potential of mankind. To encourage us, they address us as children of light, not of darkness. The Bible, in the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 3, makes the point that our true home is not the mud of this Earth, but the light of heaven. “No man hath ascended up to heaven,” it tells us, “but him that came down from heaven.” This passage continues: “[even so] the Son of man who is in heaven,” emphasizing that Jesus, though he lived on earth, is perceived by the eye of wisdom as conscious, even in human form, of his true reality in heavenly spheres.The way to know God is to live in godly consciousness, and not to bewail our imperfection and our distance from God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” And the Bhagavad Gita states, Seekers of union with the Lord find Him dwelling in their own hearts. But those who, lacking in wisdom, seek Him with impure motives, cannot perceive Him however much they struggle to do so.“If you want to know God,” Paramhansa Yogananda said, “live in the thought that you have Him already.”Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

With Brahmachari Sagar during a Sunday Service recorded at Ananda Village March 19th 2023. How to overcome the fear of death? Paramhansa Yogananda encouraged people to practice death during their lifetime. Brahmachari Sagar explains how we can learn to control the breath and the heart with the sincere practice of Kriya Yoga. Humorously he shares how to approach the impermanence of our bodies. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book "Rays of the One Light" is "We Are Children of the Light". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. It is common for people to perceive themselves according to their present realities. A person in ill health says, “I am ill.” Few say, “I am well; it is my body that is suffering.” People in a low income bracket say, “I am poor.” Only the unusual person will say, “Though outwardly I live in poverty, inwardly I am wealthy.” Thus, when it comes to moral and spiritual development, people commonly identify themselves with their weaknesses and their mistakes. They consider it almost a sign of humility to say, “I am a sinner,” though in effect what this means is that they identify themselves with their sinfulness, not with the soul’s power to transcend all limitations in God. The great masters, including Jesus Christ, have always emphasized the divine potential of mankind. To encourage us, they address us as children of light, not of darkness. The Bible, in the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 3, makes the point that our true home is not the mud of this Earth, but the light of heaven. “No man hath ascended up to heaven,” it tells us, “but him that came down from heaven.” This passage continues: “[even so] the Son of man who is in heaven,” emphasizing that Jesus, though he lived on earth, is perceived by the eye of wisdom as conscious, even in human form, of his true reality in heavenly spheres. The way to know God is to live in godly consciousness, and not to bewail our imperfection and our distance from God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” And the Bhagavad Gita states, Seekers of union with the Lord find Him dwelling in their own hearts. But those who, lacking in wisdom, seek Him with impure motives, cannot perceive Him however much they struggle to do so. “If you want to know God,” Paramhansa Yogananda said, “live in the thought that you have Him already.” Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Breathlessness Is Deathlessness

How to develop true inner guidance and follow your intuition? Yogananda offered very useful techniques and insights on how to tune into the wisdom of the soul. With Nayaswami Jaya during a Sunday Service recorded at Ananda Village March 12th 2023.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is"Reason vs. Intuition".Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.Jesus, when addressing his critics, appealed to reason and common sense. In his training of the disciples, however, he, like all great masters, encouraged in them the development of a higher faculty: soul-intuition. For it is only by intuition that spiritual perceptions are achieved. In Chapter 16 of the Gospel of St. Matthew we find Jesus drawing on the intuition of his disciples by asking them who they thought he was, in reality. They immediately understood that what he wanted from them was a subtle answer, not some obvious reply based on his nationality, sex, and the like. Peter it was, at last, who understood and answered the question on its intended level: the spiritual. “Thou art the Christ,” he said, “the son of the living God.” “And Jesus turned to him, saying, ‘Blessed art thou, Simon, son of Jonah: for not by human nature was this truth revealed to thee, but by my heavenly Father. And I tell thee this also: Thou art Peter, which is to say, a rock, and upon this rock will I build my church, and never will the powers of darkness overwhelm it.’”Jesus was pleased with his disciple for relating to the question on its deepest level. Reason could not have given Peter that answer. The answer came through the faculty of soul intuition, and proved him thereby to be a spiritually advanced disciple. It was his intuitive perception – that insight which cannot be shaken by tempests of reasonable doubt – that Jesus praised in referring to him as a rock. The “church” he referred to, next, was the edifice of cosmic consciousness. Any outer church institution would have to depend, as in fact the Christian churches have always done, on the level of understanding of its individual leaders and members. Peter’s intuitive perceptions could never have been passed on to an outward succession of prelates.Clarity comes by direct soul-perception. Confusion results from excessive dependence on reason as the guide to understanding. As the second Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita states: When your intellect, at present confused by the diversity of teaching in the Scriptures, becomes steadfast in the ecstasy of deep meditation, then you will achieve final union with God.Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

How to develop true inner guidance and follow your intuition? Yogananda offered very useful techniques and insights on how to tune into the wisdom of the soul. With Nayaswami Jaya during a Sunday Service recorded at Ananda Village March 12th 2023. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is "Reason vs. Intuition". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Jesus, when addressing his critics, appealed to reason and common sense. In his training of the disciples, however, he, like all great masters, encouraged in them the development of a higher faculty: soul-intuition. For it is only by intuition that spiritual perceptions are achieved. In Chapter 16 of the Gospel of St. Matthew we find Jesus drawing on the intuition of his disciples by asking them who they thought he was, in reality. They immediately understood that what he wanted from them was a subtle answer, not some obvious reply based on his nationality, sex, and the like. Peter it was, at last, who understood and answered the question on its intended level: the spiritual. “Thou art the Christ,” he said, “the son of the living God.” “And Jesus turned to him, saying, ‘Blessed art thou, Simon, son of Jonah: for not by human nature was this truth revealed to thee, but by my heavenly Father. And I tell thee this also: Thou art Peter, which is to say, a rock, and upon this rock will I build my church, and never will the powers of darkness overwhelm it.’” Jesus was pleased with his disciple for relating to the question on its deepest level. Reason could not have given Peter that answer. The answer came through the faculty of soul intuition, and proved him thereby to be a spiritually advanced disciple. It was his intuitive perception – that insight which cannot be shaken by tempests of reasonable doubt – that Jesus praised in referring to him as a rock. The “church” he referred to, next, was the edifice of cosmic consciousness. Any outer church institution would have to depend, as in fact the Christian churches have always done, on the level of understanding of its individual leaders and members. Peter’s intuitive perceptions could never have been passed on to an outward succession of prelates. Clarity comes by direct soul-perception. Confusion results from excessive dependence on reason as the guide to understanding. As the second Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita states: When your intellect, at present confused by the diversity of teaching in the Scriptures, becomes steadfast in the ecstasy of deep meditation, then you will achieve final union with God. Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Yogananda's Teachings on True Intuition

Sunday Service with Nayaswami Parvati, recorded at Ananda Village March 5th 2023.As we live in a period in which dogma seems to be increasing, it is vital to keep an expanded awareness of more subtle realities. Nayaswami Parvati shares how to see the bigger picture of each situation and points out how the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda can help us live each circumstance better and better.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is "Dogmatism vs. Common Sense".Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 7, Jesus warns: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.Jesus here, as indeed many times during his teaching, counsels people to use their God-given common sense, and not to rely on high-flown but undemonstrable claims. Common sense goes beyond abstract reason, for it is rooted in actual experience. Even common sense, however, is deficient when the judgment called for goes beyond sensory experience. Ultimately, what he emphasized always, therefore, was intuitive perception. Thus, he expected more of his disciples than crude common sense, and often scolded them for being too literal-minded – as he did, elsewhere, when they thought his statement, “I have meat to eat that you know not of,” meant that he had steaks or sandwiches secreted about his person. His reference, of course, was to spiritual, not material, substance.Words, even though appearing in the scriptures, are no substitute for direct perception of truth. Therefore the Bhagavad Gita says, in the second Chapter: The sage who knows God has as little need for the Scriptures as one might have for a pond when the whole land is covered in flood.

Sunday Service with Nayaswami Parvati, recorded at Ananda Village March 5th 2023. As we live in a period in which dogma seems to be increasing, it is vital to keep an expanded awareness of more subtle realities. Nayaswami Parvati shares how to see the bigger picture of each situation and points out how the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda can help us live each circumstance better and better. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is "Dogmatism vs. Common Sense". Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 7, Jesus warns: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Jesus here, as indeed many times during his teaching, counsels people to use their God-given common sense, and not to rely on high-flown but undemonstrable claims. Common sense goes beyond abstract reason, for it is rooted in actual experience. Even common sense, however, is deficient when the judgment called for goes beyond sensory experience. Ultimately, what he emphasized always, therefore, was intuitive perception. Thus, he expected more of his disciples than crude common sense, and often scolded them for being too literal-minded – as he did, elsewhere, when they thought his statement, “I have meat to eat that you know not of,” meant that he had steaks or sandwiches secreted about his person. His reference, of course, was to spiritual, not material, substance. Words, even though appearing in the scriptures, are no substitute for direct perception of truth. Therefore the Bhagavad Gita says, in the second Chapter: The sage who knows God has as little need for the Scriptures as one might have for a pond when the whole land is covered in flood.

Dogmatism vs. Common Sense (with Nayaswami Parvati)

Sunday Service with Nayaswami Ananta at Ananda Village, recorded February 26th 2023.What is needed to gain true wisdom? In this Sunday Service Nayaswami Ananta emphasizes the importance of an open heart. He explains why pure feeling must support our thinking to arrive at understanding. He does so through sharing stories from the lives of Swami Kriyananda, Paramhansa Yogananda, and Jesus Christ.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is"By Thinking Can We Arrive at Understanding?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.There are many places in the Gospels where we see Jesus in open conflict with the Pharisees – that is to say, with man-made as opposed to true, mystical tradition. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 15, we see a good example of how they and he “locked horns.” Then some of the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came and asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples break our ancient tradition and eat their food without washing their hands properly first?” Jesus, after scolding them for their hypocrisy in observing lesser rules so carefully while ignoring the much more important ones, said, “Listen, and understand this thoroughly! It is not what goes into a man’s mouth that makes him common or unclean. It is what comes out of a man’s mouth that makes him unclean.”It wasn’t that Jesus counseled against such wholesome practices as washing one’s hands before eating. In an age, however, when lesser rules were given too much importance relative to the truly important observances – cleansing the heart of impure desires, for example – he emphasized the supreme importance of loving God and of communing with Him. The Pharisees – the orthodox religionists of his day, in other words – had brought true religion down to a level of intellectual hair-splitting. They mistakenly considered the way to understanding to lie through a mine-field of definitions, which they tried to refine to ultimate exactitude. Jesus taught, however, that the intellect alone can never lead one to truth. Without love, indeed, there is no ultimate verity. Without fixity of purpose, born of the heart’s devotion, the intellect wanders endlessly. It cannot settle for long on anything. As the Bhagavad Gita says in the second Chapter: The intellects of those who lack fixity of spiritual purpose are inconstant, their interests endlessly ramified.Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Sunday Service with Nayaswami Ananta at Ananda Village, recorded February 26th 2023. What is needed to gain true wisdom? In this Sunday Service Nayaswami Ananta emphasizes the importance of an open heart. He explains why pure feeling must support our thinking to arrive at understanding. He does so through sharing stories from the lives of Swami Kriyananda, Paramhansa Yogananda, and Jesus Christ. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is "By Thinking Can We Arrive at Understanding?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. There are many places in the Gospels where we see Jesus in open conflict with the Pharisees – that is to say, with man-made as opposed to true, mystical tradition. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 15, we see a good example of how they and he “locked horns.” Then some of the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came and asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples break our ancient tradition and eat their food without washing their hands properly first?” Jesus, after scolding them for their hypocrisy in observing lesser rules so carefully while ignoring the much more important ones, said, “Listen, and understand this thoroughly! It is not what goes into a man’s mouth that makes him common or unclean. It is what comes out of a man’s mouth that makes him unclean.” It wasn’t that Jesus counseled against such wholesome practices as washing one’s hands before eating. In an age, however, when lesser rules were given too much importance relative to the truly important observances – cleansing the heart of impure desires, for example – he emphasized the supreme importance of loving God and of communing with Him. The Pharisees – the orthodox religionists of his day, in other words – had brought true religion down to a level of intellectual hair-splitting. They mistakenly considered the way to understanding to lie through a mine-field of definitions, which they tried to refine to ultimate exactitude. Jesus taught, however, that the intellect alone can never lead one to truth. Without love, indeed, there is no ultimate verity. Without fixity of purpose, born of the heart’s devotion, the intellect wanders endlessly. It cannot settle for long on anything. As the Bhagavad Gita says in the second Chapter: The intellects of those who lack fixity of spiritual purpose are inconstant, their interests endlessly ramified. Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Open Your Heart to Find God

Sunday Service with Nayaswami Devi at Ananda Village, recorded February 19th 2023.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is"Can Man See God?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.There is a saying in Chapter 1 of the Gospel of St. John that would seem to respond with a definite No to the question, Can man see God? The saying is: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. Many great saints, however, claim to have seen God. If we ask, then, “Can God be seen?” rather than, “Can man see God?” the answer is, “Yes! Else those saints lied; and, else, the Scriptures themselves lie.” The point is, it is not man – this human body, these human eyes – that sees God. God can be seen only with spiritual vision – with the eye of the soul. As the Bhagavad Gita puts it in the eleventh Chapter: “Thou canst not see Me with mortal eyes. Therefore I now give thee sight divine. Behold My supreme power of Yoga!” With these words Hari, the exalted Lord of Yoga, revealed himself to Arjuna in His infinite form.Paramhansa Yogananda, in Autobiography of a Yogi, describes the supernal experience in words more readily comprehensible to modern minds than the poetic phraseology of the Bhagavad Gita. The chapter “An Experience in Cosmic Consciousness” is one of the most inspiringly beautiful in all mystical literature. Here is a brief excerpt:An oceanic joy broke upon calm endless shores of my soul. The Spirit of God, I realized, is exhaustless Bliss; His body is countless tissues of light. [I saw] the divine dispersion of rays pour from an Eternal Source, blazing into galaxies, transfigured with ineffable auras. Again and again I saw the creative beams condense into constellations, then resolve into sheets of transparent flame. By rhythmic reversion, sextillion worlds passed into diaphanous luster; fire became firmament. I cognized the center of the empyrean as a point of intuitive perception in my heart. Irradiating splendor issued from my nucleus to every part of the universal structure.…The creative voice of God I heard resounding as Aum, the vibration of the Cosmic Motor.”This, so the great masters aver, is what God is. And this also, they insist, is what we are in our deepest reality.

Sunday Service with Nayaswami Devi at Ananda Village, recorded February 19th 2023. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is "Can Man See God?" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. There is a saying in Chapter 1 of the Gospel of St. John that would seem to respond with a definite No to the question, Can man see God? The saying is: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. Many great saints, however, claim to have seen God. If we ask, then, “Can God be seen?” rather than, “Can man see God?” the answer is, “Yes! Else those saints lied; and, else, the Scriptures themselves lie.” The point is, it is not man – this human body, these human eyes – that sees God. God can be seen only with spiritual vision – with the eye of the soul. As the Bhagavad Gita puts it in the eleventh Chapter: “Thou canst not see Me with mortal eyes. Therefore I now give thee sight divine. Behold My supreme power of Yoga!” With these words Hari, the exalted Lord of Yoga, revealed himself to Arjuna in His infinite form. Paramhansa Yogananda, in Autobiography of a Yogi, describes the supernal experience in words more readily comprehensible to modern minds than the poetic phraseology of the Bhagavad Gita. The chapter “An Experience in Cosmic Consciousness” is one of the most inspiringly beautiful in all mystical literature. Here is a brief excerpt: An oceanic joy broke upon calm endless shores of my soul. The Spirit of God, I realized, is exhaustless Bliss; His body is countless tissues of light. [I saw] the divine dispersion of rays pour from an Eternal Source, blazing into galaxies, transfigured with ineffable auras. Again and again I saw the creative beams condense into constellations, then resolve into sheets of transparent flame. By rhythmic reversion, sextillion worlds passed into diaphanous luster; fire became firmament. I cognized the center of the empyrean as a point of intuitive perception in my heart. Irradiating splendor issued from my nucleus to every part of the universal structure.…The creative voice of God I heard resounding as Aum, the vibration of the Cosmic Motor.” This, so the great masters aver, is what God is. And this also, they insist, is what we are in our deepest reality.

The Promise of the Guru

Sunday Service with Nayaswami Pranaba and Nayaswami Parvati at Ananda Village, recorded February 12th 2023.Nayaswami Pranaba takes us along his journey of knee surgery, where he gets the chance to practice the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda on many occasions. He illustrates that each situation gives an opportunity to deepen our attunement and dedication to the spiritual path.The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is"The Law Is Perfected in Love"Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 1, we read: The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.Grace means the power to rise, spiritually. Truth means the experience of divine realities, not the application in the outer world of that inner experience. Divine love is the soul’s experience of oneness with God. Kindness is the human manifestation of that love. Grace is deeper than mere kindness. Wisdom is a divine experience. Justice to all is a human law, though divinely inspired. It follows as a consequence of the experience of wisdom. Truth goes deeper than mere justice. While following the law, we should strive always to trace it back to its origins in the vision of God. Therefore Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita urges the devotee not to be satisfied with spiritual precepts alone, but to go beyond them to the direct, inner experience of truth.In the eighteenth Chapter of that great Scripture he says:Nay! but once more Take My last word,My utmost meaning have!Precious thou art to Me; right well beloved!Listen! I tell thee for thy comfort this.Give Me thy heart! adore Me! serve Me! cling In faith and love and reverence to Me!So shalt thou come to Me!I promise true, For thou art sweet to Me!And let go those – Rites and writ duties!Fly to me alone! Make Me thy single refuge!I will free Thy soul from all its sins! Be of good cheer!Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Sunday Service with Nayaswami Pranaba and Nayaswami Parvati at Ananda Village, recorded February 12th 2023. Nayaswami Pranaba takes us along his journey of knee surgery, where he gets the chance to practice the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda on many occasions. He illustrates that each situation gives an opportunity to deepen our attunement and dedication to the spiritual path. The reading for this week from Swami Kriyananda's book Rays of the One Light is "The Law Is Perfected in Love" Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within. The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 1, we read: The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Grace means the power to rise, spiritually. Truth means the experience of divine realities, not the application in the outer world of that inner experience. Divine love is the soul’s experience of oneness with God. Kindness is the human manifestation of that love. Grace is deeper than mere kindness. Wisdom is a divine experience. Justice to all is a human law, though divinely inspired. It follows as a consequence of the experience of wisdom. Truth goes deeper than mere justice. While following the law, we should strive always to trace it back to its origins in the vision of God. Therefore Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita urges the devotee not to be satisfied with spiritual precepts alone, but to go beyond them to the direct, inner experience of truth. In the eighteenth Chapter of that great Scripture he says: Nay! but once more Take My last word, My utmost meaning have! Precious thou art to Me; right well beloved! Listen! I tell thee for thy comfort this. Give Me thy heart! adore Me! serve Me! cling In faith and love and reverence to Me! So shalt thou come to Me! I promise true, For thou art sweet to Me! And let go those – Rites and writ duties! Fly to me alone! Make Me thy single refuge! I will free Thy soul from all its sins! Be of good cheer! Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

The Law Is Perfected in Love (with Nayaswami Pranaba)

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Sunday Service with Nayaswami Maria and Ananta at Ananda Village, March 24th 2019. https://www.ananda.org/video/series/sunday-service

Sunday Service with Nayaswami Maria and Ananta at Ananda Village, March 24th 2019. <a href="https://www.ananda.org/video/series/sunday-service" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.ananda.org/video/series/sunday-service</a>

We Are Children of the Light

Lahiri Mahasaya denoted rates of vibration for each chakra, Nayaswami Jyotish explains. The spiritual eye, with the lowest rate of vibration, is the one that brings us into the deepest stillness. In stillness, we perceive the true reality.Jyotish also explains the meaning of the three wise men and their trip to visit Jesus — and about Jesus's lesser-known return trip to India during the middle of his life.

Lahiri Mahasaya denoted rates of vibration for each chakra, Nayaswami Jyotish explains. The spiritual eye, with the lowest rate of vibration, is the one that brings us into the deepest stillness. In stillness, we perceive the true reality. Jyotish also explains the meaning of the three wise men and their trip to visit Jesus — and about Jesus's lesser-known return trip to India during the middle of his life.

The Eternal Now

The spiritual life is not easy — but, Nayaswami Anandi says, it seems that we grow because of the challenges.Through stories, an explanation of prarabda karma, and a metaphor involving a baby, a football player, and a seesaw, Anandi shows how we can use the experiences God sends to us to advance on the spiritual path.

The spiritual life is not easy — but, Nayaswami Anandi says, it seems that we grow because of the challenges. Through stories, an explanation of prarabda karma, and a metaphor involving a baby, a football player, and a seesaw, Anandi shows how we can use the experiences God sends to us to advance on the spiritual path.

Is God Present Even There, Where There Is Ignorance?

Sunday Service at Ananda Village with Nayaswami Anandi and Bharat.

Do You Need a Guru?

In the early days of Ananda, Swami Kriyananda started a small renunciate order at Ananda — a traditional expression of the principle of surrendering one's life completely to God.In the years since, members of Ananda have come to understand that renunciation and surrender — words that could sometimes be interchanged, Jaya suggests — are primarily inner practices. The outward expression doesn't matter so much.After sharing what Swami Kriyananda felt about the traditional expression of renunciation at Ananda today, Jaya closes by telling a Cherokee story of two wolves.

In the early days of Ananda, Swami Kriyananda started a small renunciate order at Ananda — a traditional expression of the principle of surrendering one's life completely to God. In the years since, members of Ananda have come to understand that renunciation and surrender — words that could sometimes be interchanged, Jaya suggests — are primarily inner practices. The outward expression doesn't matter so much. After sharing what Swami Kriyananda felt about the traditional expression of renunciation at Ananda today, Jaya closes by telling a Cherokee story of two wolves.

In Surrender Lies Victory

Sunday Service with Nayaswami Bharat and Anandi at Ananda Village.

The Divine Ascension

The Christ Consciousness, symbolized by the child Jesus, needs to be born within ourselves; we prepare ourselves with devotion, with meditation, and with God's joy.Nayaswami Devi shares the story of Christmas and the story of Kumar in Sri Yukteswar's hermitage — with a rarely-heard ending.

The Christ Consciousness, symbolized by the child Jesus, needs to be born within ourselves; we prepare ourselves with devotion, with meditation, and with God's joy. Nayaswami Devi shares the story of Christmas and the story of Kumar in Sri Yukteswar's hermitage — with a rarely-heard ending.

What Was the Star of Bethlehem?

Nayaswami Ananta and Maria share during their inspiring Sunday Service at Ananda Village.

The Law of Karma - Bondage, or Soul-Release

Self-Effort, Too, Is Needed

Sunday Service with Tyagis Atman and Bhaktimarg at Ananda Village.

How Devotees Fall

Sunday Service at Ananda Village with Nayaswami Pranaba and Parvati.

The human incarnation is a great blessing; it's as a human that we have the freedom to choose to evolve and be one with God or to just live in his dream.Maria explains that our only real job in this life is to understand that we are not just ego, that we are so much more.

The human incarnation is a great blessing; it's as a human that we have the freedom to choose to evolve and be one with God or to just live in his dream. Maria explains that our only real job in this life is to understand that we are not just ego, that we are so much more.

Ego — Friend or Foe?

Nayswami Jyotish explains the spiritual and symbolic reason why Easter happened.

Resurrection for Every Soul

How Democratic Is Truth?

Nayaswami Anandi first learned about the concept of reincarnation in junior high school, and she thought that it made no sense — you could be born as a cow, a fireman, a schoolteacher — it seemed so random.Later on, she took to the idea, and she offers tips and techniques that we can use to make the most out of this incarnation!Even if you don't believe in reincarnation, you'll still find something useful in the talk!

Nayaswami Anandi first learned about the concept of reincarnation in junior high school, and she thought that it made no sense — you could be born as a cow, a fireman, a schoolteacher — it seemed so random. Later on, she took to the idea, and she offers tips and techniques that we can use to make the most out of this incarnation! Even if you don't believe in reincarnation, you'll still find something useful in the talk!

Reincarnation — The Spiral Staircase

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