“You have come to earth to entertain and to be entertained.” -Paramahansa Yogananda
Have you ever felt like everything in life is just too overwhelming? Have you ever thought “What on earth am I doing here?” Don’t be afraid of answering “yes” to these questions as we’ve all been there, hitting rock bottom is not a bad thing, and sometimes it’s necessary. The worst thing is not getting up, staying there on the floor becoming resentful and quitting. That’s soul destroying.
In this article, I will share five life lessons we can learn from the illustrious yoga master, born Mukunda Lal Ghosh, and most widely known as Paramahansa Yogananda. Be inspired by his meditation techniques from the ancient science of yoga, lessons that will help you see light in even your darkest moments and will support you as you go higher and further than you ever thought possible. It’s all about fulfilling your potential, so let’s begin!
The Power is Within, Realize it with Scientific Meditation Techniques like Kriya Yoga
Do not try to find fulfillment in superficial things, do you think people at your funeral will care about how much money, and how many cars, and houses you had? The answer is obviously no! People will remember how you made them feel, all the adventures and the happy moments you shared together, and how good and positive a person you were.
“I’d rather be sad in my Lamborghini than broke.” I bet you’ve heard sentences like that one before or maybe you agreed with it, but trust me…you’re completely wrong. You can’t find happiness in objects or material stuff; instead, invest in people, your friends, your family, and new life experiences. Gain wisdom! And remember, everything that you need is within you, not in the outside world.
Swami Yogananda Says Be Aware
Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings explain how, as Jesus Christ taught, we must be one with ourselves, through some techniques that develop intuitive experience (that I will mention at the end) we must learn to be careful with what we “feed” our minds; another way to understand this is the following:
If you know yourself, the good and the bad, you are connected with your mind and you do not care about others’ opinions about you.
Another point of this lesson is that by having spiritual understanding, you will be closer to an “infinite intelligence” for which there actually are (believe it or not) scientific explanations wherein you can find creativity and solutions to your problems.
Focus on what you want to create, not what you fear. This lesson helps us understand something really important.
The Self-Realization Fellowship Founder Says, Be Purposeful
How or why should you? Easy, because of the 3 following points of guidance:
Be in service to a higher purpose: that’s the true basis of life. This can be toward any ‘god’ that you believe in, or if you do not believe in any God; do it for science, for the evolution of the world, to make it a better place. You will discover what makes you happy.
Ask yourself the question: what makes me happy? Take your time, think about it and then pursue it! By doing what we love, we can find a grand reason to live and in the growth of that ideal, find happiness along the way…
You will be rewarded when you help others, when you put yourself in the service of something bigger than yourself, something that’s challenging (because of the resistance put up by our narrow minded egos), then life will reward you abundantly.
Think about the topic of good and bad karma, the better you treat others and life in general, the better your life will be too.
Follow the Flow
When we follow our dreams, and what makes us happy, we’re in a state of high vibration, with our hearts and minds fully open and in a state wherein we can excel in what we do.
You would not then care about the past, or the future, you will care only about the present, you will control it well, and that will help you get closer to fulfilling your potential.
Start Meditating
Paramahansa Yogananda is known for bringing vast knowledge from the East to the West, resulting in the peace of mind that Western society so much needs and his biggest import was meditation through kriya yoga and using other pranayama breathing techniques. You don’t necessarily need to be praying endlessly.
When meditating, we can reach a state of consciousness where we are in sync with our body, mind and soul and this is the only way to reach our transcendent essence.
As Yogananda said:
“The soul loves to meditate, for in contact with the Spirit lies its greatest joy. If, then, you experience mental resistance during meditation, remember that reluctance to meditate comes from the ego; it doesn’t belong to the soul.”
Let us know what you think about these five lessons, and we invite you to check out this wellness study to learn how to get into meditative flow to reach a higher mental vibrational state.
Notes about Paramahansa Yogananda
- Yogananda left his body on March 7, 1952, while giving a lecture at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
- Brother Chidananda Elected President and Spiritual Head of SRF.
- “Autobiography of a Yogi” was dedicated by Yogananda to Luther Burbank, his close friend, whom he called an “American Saint.”
- Yogananda spent much of his youth seeking out many different saints.
- When Yogananda arrived in Boston in 1920, he spoke at the International Congress for Religious Liberals, and soon had many followers.
- Yogananda gave this definition to the term Self-realization: Self-realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the Kingdom of God.
- After returning to America in 1936, Yogananda continued to speak and write up to his passing in 1952.
FAQ’s
Q. What are the Teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda?
A. Paramahansa Yogananda is known for his teachings on spiritual awakening and enlightenment. He believed that the ultimate goal of life was to discover the divine within and use that inner power to break free from the ego’s limitations. His teachings encouraged individuals to pursue a balanced life of physical, mental, and spiritual health in order to reach their higher potential.
Q. How do You Pray Paramahansa Yogananda?
A. Praying to Paramahansa Yogananda can be a powerful and meaningful experience. Many who pray to him have found that it helps connect them to their inner spiritual self and awaken to a new appreciation for the beauty of life. Prayer can be done in various ways, including using mantras, chanting, meditating or simply offering up a heartfelt prayer for guidance. It is not necessary to chant or meditate though; some people find simply speaking from the heart is enough to make their prayers feel heard.
Q. What did Yogananda Say About Jesus?
A. Paramahansa Yogananda, once said that Jesus was the perfect master and served as an example for how to be a master yogi. He also noted that Jesus was able to tap into an aspect of his own divine nature more strongly and consistently than most people. What he achieved can be attained by anyone willing to practice meditation, devotion, and austerities.
Q. What is Kriya Yoga by Paramahansa Yogananda?
A. Kriya Yoga, is a spiritual practice and meditation technique. Kriya Yoga provides an invaluable guide to self-realization that connects seekers of enlightenment with the divine source of their existence. Through this technique, one can free themselves from the cycle of birth and death and find lasting inner peace. Thus, Kriya Yoga is a powerful tool for growth in consciousness and for helping us to unlock our unlimited potential as human beings.
Do you know the difference between yoga and meditation? Have you tried the more advanced pranayama (life force control) techniques discussed above? Let us know in the comments below, and join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
