{"id":86,"date":"2023-10-09T09:25:11","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T13:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/theeclecticmix\/?p=86"},"modified":"2023-10-09T12:48:14","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T16:48:14","slug":"paramahansa-yoganandas-timeless-teachings-are-more-relevant-than-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/theeclecticmix\/2023\/10\/paramahansa-yoganandas-timeless-teachings-are-more-relevant-than-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"Paramahansa Yogananda’s Timeless Teachings Are More Relevant Than Ever"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>
Public Domain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
By Alex Koritz<\/em><\/p>\n
The last few years have been a testament to the enduring human spirit as we\u2019ve weathered the tempest of a pandemic, the turmoil of social upheaval and war, and the agonizing grip of environmental degradation. And yet, the human spirit is resilient, particularly when anchored to the divine.<\/p>\n
Several years ago, my life became chaotic as I navigated a divorce, a major career change, and an existential crisis as I began questioning my belief in a higher power. A wise friend suggested I read Aubiography<\/a> of a Yogi<\/a> by Paramahansa Yogananda<\/a>, which he claimed was the greatest spiritual memoir ever written. I was intrigued, because this friend wasn\u2019t someone I considered religious. Apparently it was the only book that Steve Jobs kept on his iPad and that he had copies handed out at his funeral. It was also George Harrison\u2019s greatest inspiration<\/a>, and in fact, Yogananda\u2019s picture even appears on the album cover of Sgt. Pepper\u2019s Lonely Hearts Club Band), I was sold.<\/p>\n
Yogananda\u2019s masterpiece did not disappoint. Full of mystical stories, profound spiritual insights, and pure boy-ish adventure, the words ran off the page and into my soul. Within this book I discovered profound spiritual insight and practical wisdom. It opened a mystical, esoteric part of my soul that the religion of my birth did not. It taught me that personal spiritual experience is much more important than dogma or doctrine, for experience transcends the intellect. Regardless of culture or religion, Autobiography of a Yogi invites readers to explore the depths of their own consciousness and connect with the universal truths that underpin Ultimate Reality.<\/p>\n
Yogananda\u2019s teachings, which are needed now more than ever, are centered on self-realization and divine union with God. He illuminated a path for all seekers by imparting the transformative power of spiritual practices, love, devotion, and the boundless potential of the human soul.<\/p>\n
Yogananda introduced the ancient spiritual science of Kriya yoga<\/a> and other meditative practices to the West in the early 20th Century via his organization, the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF)<\/a>. After devouring Yogananada\u2019s autobiography, I began formally studying with SRF which greatly enhanced the spiritual insights I had gleaned from his book. Through his writings and the lessons offered through SRF, this spiritual master has left a profound legacy that continues to inspire millions due to its relevance to our times, including:<\/p>\n