The Wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda
Self-Realization Fellowship monks and nuns share Paramahansa Yogananda’s profound inspiration, and their own stories of applying his practical teachings on meditation and balanced living, to encourage you to have a truly victorious life — transcending limitations, fear, and suffering — by awakening to the infinite power and joy of your real Self: the soul.
The teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda (author of Autobiography of a Yogi) and his renowned line of gurus offer to people of all cultures, races, and creeds the means to free themselves from physical, mental, and spiritual inharmonies — a way of life of inner happiness and all-round success. To facilitate the spread of his “how-to-live” teachings worldwide — including the spiritual principles and meditation techniques of Kriya Yoga — Yogananda founded Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in 1920 and established the headquarters for his work in Los Angeles, California, shortly thereafter.
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“Self-realization is the knowing — in body, mind, and soul — that we are one with the omnipresence of God; that we do not have to pray that it come to us, that we are not merely near it at all times, but that God's omnipresence is our omnipresence; that we are just as much a part of Him now as we ever will be. All we have to do is improve our knowing.” — Paramahansa Yogananda
The Wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda
Great Saints: God’s Messengers of Truth
In this episode, SRF monk Brother Nikhilananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on how a God-illumined guru can guide us toward divine realization through step-by-step methods for spiritual development, and the power of example and unconditional love.
On the spiritual path it is a great blessing to have the guidance of one who has traveled to its end and can help us based on personal experience of truth. A true guru is a tireless divine friend and advocate, uplifting the disciple during times of fear and doubt. With faith, perseverance in practicing meditation, and the support of the guru, we can realize our divine nature — and experience God’s infinite joy within.
This talk was given at the SRF temple in Glendale, California, in July 2021.
During this talk, Brother Nikhilananda mentions “Convocation” — referring to the SRF World Convocation, an annual weeklong program of immersion in the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. You can view many of the classes, meditations, and kirtans from the 2025 Convocation at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvjZ4rkvJ8VAAZdXnNCGQPx-&si=_9PhNTI92pkzQjq8
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You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org
During his talk, Brother Nikhilananda refers to “Destroying the Consciousness of Fear,” a talk by Paramahansa Yogananda that is now published in the recently released book “Solving the Mystery of Life,” Volume IV of Yogananda’s acclaimed anthology series “Collected Talks and Essays on Realizing God in Daily Life,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/solving-the-mystery-of-life-pb
Brother Nikhilananda also refers to the following books and a recording published by Self-Realization Fellowship:
“Autobiography of a Yogi,” Paramahansa Yogananda’s acclaimed life story, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/autobiography-of-a-yogi-ebook/
“In the Sanctuary of the Soul: A Guide to Effective Prayer,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/in-the-sanctuary-of-the-soul-ebook/
“Enter the Quiet Heart: Creating a Loving Relationship With God,” by Sri Daya Mata, third president of SRF/YSS, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/enter-the-quiet-heart-ebook/
“Removing All Sorrow and Suffering,” No. 9 in the Collector’s Series of rare archival talks by Paramahansa Yogananda, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/removing-all-sorrow-and-suffering
To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6
If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org