A weekly podcast dedicated to spirituality in daily life, inspired by the revolutionary teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
How did Swamiji radiate this magical quality of divine friendship, and how can we follow in his footsteps?
Swamiji's guiding love didn't end with his passing — it remains available to anyone who reaches for it inwardly.
Swamiji's guiding love didn't end with his passing — it remains available to anyone who reaches for it inwardly.
We live in a sea of miracles, though we recognize only the big ones and ignore the small ones. In fact, most people can accept only the big ones as true miracles at all. One of these occurred with Swami Kriyananda, and we have several woven together in the tapestry of life that were smaller, but nevertheless, amazing in their unfolding.
We live in a sea of miracles, though we recognize only the big ones and ignore the small ones. In fact, most people can accept only the big ones as true miracles at all. One of these occurred with Swami Kriyananda, and we have several woven together in the tapestry of life that were smaller, but nevertheless, amazing in their unfolding.
Paramhansa Yogananda said that a yogi should be able to stand unshaken amidst the crash of breaking worlds. In celebrating the centennial of Swami Kriyananda's birth, I want to share a few episodes from his life that illustrate exactly this quality. During Ananda's first years, Swamiji's classes were Ananda's primary source of income, funding the purchase of property and the construction of its first buildings. He taught classes every weeknight throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and led programs at the Meditation (now Seclusion) Retreat on weekends. Few people could sustain such a schedule, but so determined was he to serve his guru that he found the strength to continue for several years.
Paramhansa Yogananda said that a yogi should be able to stand unshaken amidst the crash of breaking worlds. In celebrating the centennial of Swami Kriyananda's birth, I want to share a few episodes from his life that illustrate exactly this quality. During Ananda's first years, Swamiji's classes were Ananda's primary source of income, funding the purchase of property and the construction of its first buildings. He taught classes every weeknight throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and led programs at the Meditation (now Seclusion) Retreat on weekends. Few people could sustain such a schedule, but so determined was he to serve his guru that he found the strength to continue for several years.
As I write this, it is the one-hundredth anniversary of Swamiji's birth. People from around the world of Ananda are sharing stories and photos and expressing their gratitude to him. Devi and I shared many birthdays with Swamiji. One of my most memorable birthdays was in 1985.
As I write this, it is the one-hundredth anniversary of Swamiji's birth. People from around the world of Ananda are sharing stories and photos and expressing their gratitude to him. Devi and I shared many birthdays with Swamiji. One of my most memorable birthdays was in 1985.
I'd like to share three stories in which Swamiji gave me simple advice that changed the course of my life.
I'd like to share three stories in which Swamiji gave me simple advice that changed the course of my life.
Swamiji was always expressing joy in one way or another. It effervesced from his very being like a spring bubbling up from the depths of the earth. Here are a few ways I saw that fundamental essence expressed.
Swamiji was always expressing joy in one way or another. It effervesced from his very being like a spring bubbling up from the depths of the earth. Here are a few ways I saw that fundamental essence expressed.
The days to experience this all knowing Divine Love did not end with Swamiji's passing. His presence is always within reach for those who sincerely call on him, for he was a channel for Master's all-encompassing, eternal love. Each of us is a little sparrow in God's sight—this is His greatest gift to all his children.
The days to experience this all knowing Divine Love did not end with Swamiji's passing. His presence is always within reach for those who sincerely call on him, for he was a channel for Master's all-encompassing, eternal love. Each of us is a little sparrow in God's sight—this is His greatest gift to all his children.
Here are some lessons I learned during my first few years at Ananda, and offer ways you might apply them in your own life.
Here are some lessons I learned during my first few years at Ananda, and offer ways you might apply them in your own life.
This blog is about the courage to begin again when we experience loss or change—something we all face on a regular basis. We need to look beyond loss and ask the harder spiritual question: What actually makes a fresh start possible?
This blog is about the courage to begin again when we experience loss or change—something we all face on a regular basis. We need to look beyond loss and ask the harder spiritual question: What actually makes a fresh start possible?
It's puzzling to me why this choice to prioritise our spiritual path is so difficult to make—but I suppose that is the central challenge: the state of ego-consciousness feels familiar, while soul awareness seems uncertain. And so we hesitate to surrender into it.
It's puzzling to me why this choice to prioritise our spiritual path is so difficult to make—but I suppose that is the central challenge: the state of ego-consciousness feels familiar, while soul awareness seems uncertain. And so we hesitate to surrender into it.
As we grow in self-awareness, we come to realize that we are made of infinite light and perfect joy. But how far does this web of self-awareness extend? Is it only humans and a few of the most evolved animals that are self-aware?
As we grow in self-awareness, we come to realize that we are made of infinite light and perfect joy. But how far does this web of self-awareness extend? Is it only humans and a few of the most evolved animals that are self-aware?
Have you ever had a series of seemingly random events that, taken together, carried unexpected significance? Recently I had just such an experience.
Have you ever had a series of seemingly random events that, taken together, carried unexpected significance? Recently I had just such an experience.
Have you ever felt the nagging sensation that you need to change something in yourself, but you don't quite know what it is? The first step in overcoming a challenge is to bring it to the surface of your awareness and clearly identify it. If we don't do this voluntarily, life will find a way of forcing us to face our issues.
Have you ever felt the nagging sensation that you need to change something in yourself, but you don't quite know what it is? The first step in overcoming a challenge is to bring it to the surface of your awareness and clearly identify it. If we don't do this voluntarily, life will find a way of forcing us to face our issues.
Truth is the light that shows us the way forward. More than ever, we need the guidance of truth to navigate today's world and to find ways to be of help to others. Yet, given current circumstances, many ask themselves: Is there really anything I, as an individual, can do to help in these turbulent times?
Truth is the light that shows us the way forward. More than ever, we need the guidance of truth to navigate today's world and to find ways to be of help to others. Yet, given current circumstances, many ask themselves: Is there really anything I, as an individual, can do to help in these turbulent times?
When one looks at the news, it is hard to make sense of what is happening in these turbulent times. Yet the more we focus on current events, the harder it becomes to see the bigger picture. Is there a deeper reason for this choppy sea we're trying to navigate? Last week, during the classes at our annual Inner Renewal Retreat, we explored this question at length and we will use this blog to share even more.
When one looks at the news, it is hard to make sense of what is happening in these turbulent times. Yet the more we focus on current events, the harder it becomes to see the bigger picture. Is there a deeper reason for this choppy sea we're trying to navigate? Last week, during the classes at our annual Inner Renewal Retreat, we explored this question at length and we will use this blog to share even more.
When we open our heart to the guru, as our friend had done, the guru really does enter and take charge of our life. Devi and I have heard many such stories over the years. When we place our full faith in God, seemingly magical things begin to happen. I
When we open our heart to the guru, as our friend had done, the guru really does enter and take charge of our life. Devi and I have heard many such stories over the years. When we place our full faith in God, seemingly magical things begin to happen. I
For whenever a soul reaches the journey's end, he leaves behind a trail of light for others to follow.
For whenever a soul reaches the journey's end, he leaves behind a trail of light for others to follow.
We bathe not only to rid ourselves of something we don't want, but also in order to infuse ourselves with something we do want — extra energy or prana. When we are attentive, we draw more prana from nature.
We bathe not only to rid ourselves of something we don't want, but also in order to infuse ourselves with something we do want — extra energy or prana. When we are attentive, we draw more prana from nature.
Four steps to the light that will offer you a roadmap toward God—and toward bringing His transforming light to a world that sorely needs it now.
Four steps to the light that will offer you a roadmap toward God—and toward bringing His transforming light to a world that sorely needs it now.
Every thought, word, and deed—positive or negative—creates a magnetic vibration that is sent into the ether. Like radio waves, we are continually bombarded by this force. More important is the constant exchange of magnetism with our environment and, especially, the people we connect with.
Every thought, word, and deed—positive or negative—creates a magnetic vibration that is sent into the ether. Like radio waves, we are continually bombarded by this force. More important is the constant exchange of magnetism with our environment and, especially, the people we connect with.
God is talking to us all the time, but we need to learn His language. Sometimes He speaks to us through words we perceive within, but often it's in beautiful moments when time seems to stop. All too often we forget these moments, feeling only His absence in our life, but nevertheless His presence is there.
God is talking to us all the time, but we need to learn His language. Sometimes He speaks to us through words we perceive within, but often it's in beautiful moments when time seems to stop. All too often we forget these moments, feeling only His absence in our life, but nevertheless His presence is there.
As 2026 rolls around, it's important to review the past year and make plans for the coming one. For those of us who are part of the Future Saints Club, this is a perfect time to rededicate ourselves to our spiritual quest.
As 2026 rolls around, it's important to review the past year and make plans for the coming one. For those of us who are part of the Future Saints Club, this is a perfect time to rededicate ourselves to our spiritual quest.
I'm going out on a limb here, sharing something quite personal.
I'm going out on a limb here, sharing something quite personal.
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