An introduction:
Paramahansa Yogananda, beloved world teacher and guru-founder of Self-Realization Fellowship, presented in his Autobiography of a Yogi modern examples of divine achievement. Millions of readers have thrilled at his portrayal of the saints therein — especially his own lineage of enlightened gurus, who embodied soul-realization in its fullest.
Paramahansaji’s life was dedicated to helping seekers gain realization of the infinite resources of peace, love, and joy that exist within every human being and that are so abundantly expressed in the lives of great ones. His wish was to give us a joy-filled “glimpse of God,” to encourage us to understand for ourselves that which he himself had realized and embodied.
As Sri Daya Mata, the third president of SRF/YSS, said of Paramahansaji: “He joins the conclave of divine souls who lived on earth as incarnations of the light of Truth to illumine the pathways of mankind.”
On this post we are sharing, in Paramahansa Yogananda’s own words and insights from the SRF/YSS President Brother Chidananda (linked below), the importance of transforming intellectual knowledge of the Divine into a personal and all-satisfying experience.
From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:
The great purpose behind this movement is to give people their own Self-realization. When people will realize that it is their duty and privilege to know God, then a new era will come on earth.
I don’t come here to give you sermons, but to give you those truths that I garner from the garden of my experience....What I give to you I want you to realize for yourself through your own personal communion with God. Nothing can match that understanding.
You don’t realize how much you miss God, because you have never known Him. Once you do contact Him, no power on earth will be able to turn you away from Him. My only wish is to give you a glimpse of God, because having Him, no other gain is greater.
If I tell you of a wonderful fruit I have found, and describe it to you in detail every day for a year without ever giving you a taste of it, you won’t be satisfied. Hearing about truth cannot relieve the soul’s hunger....You must hunger so deeply for God that you will seek Him out in earnest.
In the science of yoga meditation India has given the answer to how to find Him. I traveled through that land. I sat at the feet of a true master. I am not only convinced that God is, but I give you my testimony of His presence. If you heed my words, from your own realization you too shall someday say that God is. You shall know I tell you the truth.
We invite you to absorb more wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on discovering your life’s highest purpose and meaning through meditation and your relationship with the Divine — bringing a fulfillment that will infuse all your pursuits with pure joy.
On the blog post “6 Spiritually Revolutionary Ideas That Paramahansa Yogananda Brought to the World,” Brother Chidananda reflects on the key points of what Paramahansa Yogananda brought to the world — a spiritual treasure that would change the course of modern civilization and the lives of those who put the science of yoga into practice in daily life.
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April 02, 2025
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गुरुदेव परमहंस योगानंद जी ने मानवता के प्रति बड़े ही स्नेहपूर्वक सभी योग साधकों के लिए परमात्मा के साक्षात्कार की यह सरलतम विधि प्रदान की है ।
For 52 years next month Yogananda has brought me JOY. Jai Guru, Jai Ma, Oh Ma, Hari Hari
Gracias!
A modern day miracle: Yogananda born and raised in India, wrote VOLUMES in English over the course of his relatively short life. Not a miracle? Try translating all the above quotes into Hindi, Bengali, or Sanskrit!!!!
Thank for sharing Guruji's encouraging words! Jai Guru!
Practice of the techniques Paramahansaji outlines is key. Sitting in the stillness; and then, you will know.
Beautiful post and great reminder as to the bounty that lies ahead, and more-so, within.
Jai Maa
Jai Guru