The Life and Teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda

Paramhansa Yogananda is a name known worldwide among spiritual seekers and those interested in the path of self-realization. Born as Mukunda Lal Ghosh on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur, India, he became one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century. His journey from a curious child to a revered spiritual master is filled with inspiring events, teachings, and experiences that continue to influence millions today. This article will delve into his life, his mission, and his enduring legacy in easy-to-understand language.

Early Life and Spiritual Quest

Mukunda Lal Ghosh was born into a devout and supportive Bengali family. From a young age, Mukunda showed a deep interest in spirituality. He had mystical experiences and visions, which kindled his desire to seek God. His mother, who was very spiritual, played a significant role in nurturing his spiritual quest. She introduced him to several saints and sages, and this early exposure to spirituality deeply influenced Mukunda.

One of the pivotal moments in Mukunda’s early life was meeting Swami Pranabananda, also known as the “Saint with Two Bodies.” This encounter strengthened his belief in the existence of higher spiritual realities. Mukunda was determined to find a guru (spiritual teacher) who could guide him on his quest for self-realization.

Journey to the West

In 1920, Yogananda was invited to attend a religious congress in Boston, USA. He saw this as a divine call to bring the teachings of yoga and meditation to the West. He left India with the blessings of his guru and embarked on a mission to spread the ancient wisdom of India to the Western world.

Yogananda’s arrival in America marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life. He founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in 1920 to disseminate his teachings and establish a lasting spiritual organization. His lectures and classes on yoga and meditation attracted thousands of people from all walks of life.

Initial Challenges

Upon his arrival in Boston, Yogananda faced numerous challenges. He was in a foreign land with different cultural norms and languages, and he had no established network or infrastructure to support his mission. Despite these obstacles, Yogananda’s deep faith and conviction in his divine mission drove him forward.

His lectures and classes on yoga and meditation began to attract attention, and he gradually built a following. The establishment of the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in 1920 was a pivotal moment, providing a formal structure for his teachings and activities. Yet, this too was more a response to growing interest and need rather than a premeditated plan.

Autobiography of a Yogi

In 1946, Yogananda published his most famous work, “Autobiography of a Yogi.” This book has become a spiritual classic and is considered one of the most influential spiritual books of the 20th century. In it, Yogananda shares his personal journey, spiritual experiences, and encounters with various saints and sages.

“Autobiography of a Yogi” introduced many Western readers to the concepts of yoga, meditation, and self-realization for the first time. The book’s engaging narrative and profound insights continue to inspire readers worldwide. It has been translated into numerous languages and remains a bestseller to this day.

Teachings and Philosophy

Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings are rooted in the ancient wisdom of yoga and Vedanta. He emphasized the universality of spiritual truths and the underlying unity of all religions. Some of the key aspects of his teachings include:

• Kriya Yoga: Yogananda popularized Kriya Yoga, a powerful meditation technique that accelerates spiritual growth. Kriya Yoga involves specific breathing exercises and meditation practices designed to purify the mind and body, leading to a direct experience of God.
• Self-Realization: Yogananda taught that the ultimate goal of human life is self-realization – the realization of one’s true nature as a soul, which is one with God. He encouraged his followers to seek direct experience of the divine through meditation and inner communion.
• Universal Brotherhood: Yogananda believed in the brotherhood of all humanity. He taught that all people, regardless of race, religion, or nationality, are children of the same God. He advocated for peace, love, and harmony among all people.
• Balanced Living: Yogananda emphasized the importance of a balanced life, integrating spiritual practices with worldly responsibilities. He taught that one can lead a successful and fulfilling life while pursuing spiritual goals.

Establishing Self-Realization Fellowship

The Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) was founded by Yogananda to preserve and disseminate his teachings. The organization offers lessons on meditation and spiritual living, conducts retreats and classes, and provides a community for spiritual seekers. SRF has established temples, retreats, and centers around the world, where people can learn and practice Yogananda’s teachings.

Yogananda also established the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) to continue his work in his homeland. YSS works in tandem with SRF to spread the teachings of Kriya Yoga and spiritual living.

Later Years and Mahasamadhi

In his later years, Yogananda focused on writing, teaching, and guiding his disciples. He spent time in meditation and deep spiritual practice, preparing for the culmination of his earthly mission. On March 7, 1952, Yogananda entered mahasamadhi, a yogi’s conscious exit from the body, during a banquet in Los Angeles. His passing was marked by extraordinary spiritual phenomena, and his body showed no signs of decay for weeks, a testament to his high spiritual attainment.

Legacy and Influence

Paramhansa Yogananda’s legacy continues to thrive through the work of Self-Realization Fellowship and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. His teachings have touched the lives of millions, offering a path to inner peace, spiritual growth, and self-realization.

Yogananda’s influence extends beyond his immediate followers. He inspired many prominent individuals, including spiritual teachers, scientists, and artists. His emphasis on the scientific approach to spirituality resonated with many, bridging the gap between science and religion.

Yogananda’s teachings on the unity of all religions have fostered greater understanding and respect among different faith traditions. His message of universal brotherhood and the pursuit of inner peace remains relevant in today’s world, where division and conflict often overshadow our shared humanity.

Practical Application of Yogananda’s Teachings

The teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda are not just philosophical ideas; they offer practical guidance for daily living. Here are some ways you can apply his teachings in your life:

• Daily Meditation: Set aside time each day for meditation. Yogananda emphasized the importance of regular meditation to calm the mind, reduce stress, and connect with your inner self.
• Practice Kriya Yoga: If you are interested in learning Kriya Yoga, consider studying with a qualified teacher or joining an SRF or YSS center. Kriya Yoga is a powerful tool for spiritual growth.
• Live a Balanced Life: Strive for balance in your life by integrating your spiritual practices with your daily responsibilities. Take care of your physical health, nurture your relationships, and pursue your goals with a sense of purpose and dedication.
• Cultivate Inner Peace: Practice mindfulness and positive thinking to cultivate inner peace and resilience. Yogananda taught that true happiness comes from within and is not dependent on external circumstances.
• Serve Others: Engage in acts of kindness and service to others. Yogananda believed in the importance of selfless service as a way to grow spiritually and contribute to the well-being of the world. 

The Profound Relationship Between Paramhansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar Giri Ji 

• The relationship between Paramhansa Yogananda and his guru, Sri Yukteswar Giri, is a profound example of the guru-disciple tradition in Indian spirituality. This relationship, marked by deep mutual respect, unwavering commitment, and transformative spiritual guidance, played a pivotal role in shaping Yogananda’s spiritual journey and his mission to spread the teachings of yoga and meditation worldwide.

Early Life and Spiritual Longing

• From a young age, Mukunda exhibited a strong spiritual inclination and a deep yearning to understand the mysteries of life and the divine. His family was spiritually inclined, which nurtured his early experiences and explorations in spirituality.
• Mukunda’s mother was particularly influential in his early spiritual development. Her devout nature and the spiritual atmosphere she created at home instilled in him a profound love for God and an earnest desire to find a spiritual master who could guide him on his quest for self-realization. This longing led him to meet several saints and sages, but his search for a true guru remained unfulfilled until he encountered Sri Yukteswar Giri.

The Fateful Meeting with Sri Yukteswar

• In 1910, at the age of 17, Mukunda’s spiritual quest led him to a transformative meeting with Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri in Banaras (now Varanasi). Sri Yukteswar was a highly respected monk and a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, who was himself a disciple of the legendary Mahavatar Babaji. This lineage of gurus is renowned for its profound spiritual depth and the practice of Kriya Yoga, a powerful meditation technique aimed at accelerating spiritual growth.
• Mukunda’s first encounter with Sri Yukteswar was marked by an immediate and profound recognition. Sri Yukteswar’s piercing gaze and magnetic presence deeply affected Mukunda, who felt an overwhelming sense of coming home. Sri Yukteswar, with his intuitive wisdom, recognized Mukunda as a destined disciple. This meeting marked the beginning of a lifelong guru-disciple relationship that would profoundly influence Mukunda’s spiritual journey.

Training Under Sri Yukteswar Giri Ji

• After their initial meeting, Mukunda moved to Sri Yukteswar’s ashram in Serampore, where he formally became his disciple and was given the monastic name “Yogananda,” meaning “bliss through divine union.” Sri Yukteswar’s training was rigorous and uncompromising, aimed at purifying Yogananda’s mind and body and preparing him for his future mission.
• Sri Yukteswar emphasized discipline, self-control, and the importance of direct spiritual experience. He taught Yogananda the techniques of Kriya Yoga and guided him through various stages of spiritual development. Sri Yukteswar’s approach to teaching was practical and scientific, focusing on the direct perception of truth rather than mere intellectual understanding.
• One of the key aspects of Sri Yukteswar’s teaching was the harmonious integration of spiritual and worldly responsibilities. He believed that a balanced life, where spiritual practices are integrated with daily duties, is essential for true spiritual progress. This principle of balanced living became a cornerstone of Yogananda’s teachings later in his life.

The Teachings of Sri Yukteswar Giri Ji

• Sri Yukteswar’s teachings were deeply rooted in the ancient wisdom of yoga and Vedanta, but they were also progressive and scientific in nature. He wrote “The Holy Science” (Kaivalya Darshan), a seminal work that aimed to bridge the gap between the Western and Eastern spiritual traditions by demonstrating the underlying unity of all religions.
• In “The Holy Science,” Sri Yukteswar outlined the universal principles that form the foundation of all true spiritual paths. He described the stages of spiritual evolution and the process of realizing the divine presence within oneself. His teachings emphasized the importance of meditation, self-discipline, and the practice of Kriya Yoga as means to achieve self-realization.
• Sri Yukteswar also had a profound understanding of the cyclical nature of time and the evolution of human consciousness. He introduced the concept of the Yugas, or ages, which describe the gradual rise and fall of spiritual awareness in humanity over long periods. According to Sri Yukteswar, we are currently in the ascending phase of the Dwapara Yuga, an era of increasing spiritual awareness and technological advancement.

The Guru-Disciple Relationship

• The guru-disciple relationship between Sri Yukteswar and Yogananda was characterized by deep mutual respect, love, and a shared commitment to spiritual truth. Sri Yukteswar was a stern but loving teacher who guided Yogananda with both compassion and rigor. He challenged Yogananda to overcome his limitations, purified his character, and helped him realize his true divine nature.
• Yogananda, in turn, had immense reverence for his guru. He viewed Sri Yukteswar not just as a teacher but as a divine channel through which God’s wisdom and love flowed. Yogananda’s complete trust and surrender to his guru’s guidance were instrumental in his spiritual transformation and prepared him for his future mission in the West.
• Sri Yukteswar’s training also included preparing Yogananda for his mission to spread the teachings of yoga and meditation in the West. He encouraged Yogananda to pursue his higher education and to develop a broad understanding of both Eastern and Western cultures. This preparation was crucial in enabling Yogananda to effectively communicate the ancient wisdom of India to a Western audience.

Yogananda’s Mission in the West

• In 1920, Yogananda received an inner call to travel to America and spread the teachings of yoga and meditation. With Sri Yukteswar’s blessings, he set sail for the United States, where he would spend the rest of his life fulfilling his mission. Yogananda’s arrival in America marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life, one that would have a profound impact on the spiritual landscape of the West.
• Yogananda founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in 1920 to disseminate his teachings and establish a lasting spiritual organization. His lectures and classes on yoga and meditation attracted thousands of people from all walks of life. Yogananda’s charismatic presence, profound wisdom, and practical approach to spirituality resonated with a wide audience, helping to popularize yoga and meditation in the West.

The Legacy of Sri Yukteswar’s Teachings

• The teachings of Sri Yukteswar, as imparted through Yogananda, have had a lasting impact on spiritual seekers worldwide. Yogananda’s seminal work, “Autobiography of a Yogi,” published in 1946, introduced many Western readers to the teachings of Sri Yukteswar and the practice of Kriya Yoga. This book has become a spiritual classic and continues to inspire millions with its profound insights and engaging narrative.
• The Self-Realization Fellowship and its sister organization, the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS), continue to preserve and disseminate the teachings of Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar giri. These organizations offer lessons on meditation and spiritual living, conduct retreats and classes, and provide a community for spiritual seekers. The enduring legacy of Sri Yukteswar’s teachings, as conveyed through Yogananda, continues to guide and inspire individuals on their path to self-realization.
• The relationship between Paramhansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar Giri ji is a shining example of the transformative power of the guru-disciple tradition. Sri Yukteswar’s profound wisdom, rigorous training, and loving guidance shaped Yogananda’s spiritual journey and prepared him for his mission to spread the teachings of yoga and meditation in the West. Yogananda’s unwavering devotion and trust in his guru enabled him to overcome challenges, realize his divine potential, and share the timeless wisdom of yoga with the world.
• The teachings of Sri Yukteswar ji , as imparted through Yogananda, continue to inspire and guide spiritual seekers worldwide. Their legacy of universal truth, self-realization, and inner peace remains a beacon of light for all who seek to understand the deeper meaning of life and realize their true divine nature.