posted December 23, 2004 01:31 AM         

The yogi is, Paramahansa Yogananda. (try saying THAT three times fast! LOL)

posted December 24, 2004 01:52 PM         

I am ashamed to say I haven't totally finished it yet, I'm on page 475.
Do you think it compliments beautifully Linda's Star Signs? It helped me to put certain things together in my mind.
I've purchased 'Man's Eternal Quest' (haven't started it yet) and a small book, also by Yogananda. As a result, I got a book on Kundalini Yoga and am trying out the exercises, but I can't find any books on Kriya Yoga...sadly.

Whoops...edited out some bits so as not to reveal too much.

posted December 24, 2004 07:48 PM         

I'm on the chapter where he's hangin' with Mahatma Gandhi now. The chapter before it is absolutely fascinating! Ch. 43 "The Resurrection of Sri Yukteswar". Wow.

I personally thought the chapter on astrology (Outwitting the Stars) was amazing. And gave me a clearer, more concrete understanding, of thoughts I already had on it. And to my delight, he talks about physical immortality elsewhere through out the book.

And yes! It compliments Star Signs very well. The book has really tied up alot of loose ends in my mind. I wasnt going to say this, because it doesnt quite make sense, but I felt the book reminded me of LG's Gooberz in a way. What way? I dont know......because it definitely wasnt the style it is written in. It's more of a feeling the book gave me while reading it I believe......It's magical. Very touching and full of ancient wisdom.

Funnily my mother sent me a little teeny book by Yogananda right before I bought Autobiography. It's called The Law of Success ~ Using the Power of Spirit to Create Health, Prosperity, and Happiness. She says the repeating the affirmation on the last page has worked wonders for her.

quote:

---

"Heavenly Father, I will reason, I will will, I will act; but guide Thou my reason, will, and activity to the right think that I should to."

---

I hope to finish the book tonight. I havent been able to put it down, although at first it was hard to get the hang of the style it was written in.

I'll have to check out that link you posted....

I also want to find out more about Kriya Yoga (which is different from the well known Hatha Yoga [postures], just to let people who dont know, know) now. I believe he said somewhere, one has to be at a certain level of conscious development to practice it, the info isnt widely availiable for certain reasons.

There is info at the end of the book though, where you can write to the Self Realization Fellowship for a free introductory booklet, I just noticed.

posted December 26, 2004 04:22 PM         

I value greatly both this and Star Signs equally. They are my favourite books.

Reading the chapter where Sri Yukteswar talks about the astral planets and so on, has raised questions in my mind. About why one would strive for physical immortality, when the astral heavens sound so perfect.
It was refreshing to hear of the astral karma, that some people have to leave the physical body, in order to finish paying it. It explains a few things for me, concerning especially, the more spiritually developed souls.

Love & Light

posted December 28, 2004 05:42 PM         

Merliesque,

I know. It has awakened alot of things within me as well. Youre probably right about finding Kriya Yoga info when and if you are ready. I think no matter what kind of meditation you do, it is just good to do it. I've been getting messages of the importance of meditating very frequently recently. So I'm going to do it. I didnt think much of it before, but now I WANT to do it. I'm finding out how important it is.

This is also one of my favorite books now. It's up there in the top 5.

The chapter in which Sri Yukteswar explains the astral planes, actually made me feel better about things, life in general. Gave me a reassured, yet joyful feeling. I had read similar explanations in various books before, but this one rang even more true to me.

I think living as long as you can in this physical body would be ideal, if you are the type of person who is constantly trying to better yourself and grow spiritually. Why not be the best you can be for as long as you can be it, in THIS body, instead of having a whole bunch of short acts in numerous different bodies and having to re-learn and re-member it all again. 'HOPEFULLY' - remembering it all again. I'd rather get as high up on the spiritual growth scale as I can in this physical body (and soul) then have to keep on starting from scratch. Not that you loose the "good karma" you achieved in past lives, but why not keep it going on for as long as possible? It seems it would be a quicker and more sensable way of going about life.

The book has really got me thinking. And seeing things in a whole new light.

posted December 30, 2004 12:33 PM         

The last three books I've read/been reading coincide beautifully with each other and with Star Signs, the first being 'Autobiography of a Yogi' and the other two 'Unveiled Mysteries' and 'Ye Are Gods.' It gives the impression of being on the right path when beliefs are gracefully confirmed by books written years and years ago.
In all three books, runs the vein of faith, empowering self through God and emphasising need for prayer and meditation.

posted December 31, 2004 02:20 PM         

BTW, a yogi is someone who practices yoga and has achieved a high level of spiritual insight. Kriya Yoga, which is what Paramahansa Yogananda practiced is different than the well known Hatha Yoga of postures. Kriya Yoga is an advanced technique that activates the astral cerebrospinal axis of the vehicle of the First Cosmic Initiation. It is "a transformational technique that awakens Cosmic Consciousness. In more advanced techniques, it also awakens the Astral Soul and Supracosmic Consciousness." It's about opening up Kundalini energy and reaching higher levels of awareness through meditation. Very cool that you met a yoga instructor. I wonder which kind she teaches. Hatha Yoga is great too. I've taken a few of those classes. Let us know how it goes and your thoughts on the book!

Hi merlinesque!

I've had the same experience with books recently. I bought three books and although written in very different styles and about different subjects, they really weren't! First I read Autobiography of a Yogi, then The Kybalion, then Ask and it is Given. The message within the three books were all saying the same things. Much like the books you read, the messages also had to do with the importance of realizing your connection to God and the need and benefits of prayer and meditation. Also how you are the creator of your 'destiny', the world around you. It's really all in your hands. And when you establish a connection with God and know certain Laws and Truths that govern us all, you are well on your way to living an life of awareness. You have the power within you for all the things you need or want to figure out.

I thank you again for reminding me of this book. It came at the perfect time. Happy New Year to you too.

hehe Sheaa! "Being mega" eh? That's cool. I'm trying. LOL! Check the book out. You'll be glad you did.

posted January 02, 2005 02:36 PM         

Thanks for bringing it to our attention....

Love,
Rainbow

posted October 26, 2005 06:24 AM         

Heres some of the important things I learnt from this book so far, no order of importance, just off the top of my head:

1. Sense of Humour: Yogananda regularly makes fun of himself, especially his being plump. Not even the slightest trace of arrogance.

2. Cross Verification: Even though as a Yogi he could use his third eye to find information, he made it a point to visit Therese Neuman in Germany.

3. Animal Souls: In his incident of "Tiger Swami", we have an idea about the collective souls of animals. Tigers in this case. I have also visited the Travancore Palace as a child and seen the records about the Prince of Travancore being one of the first to have built a full fledged zoo. There is thus a very high probability of the animal vs strong man cage fight.

4. Astral Planet HIRANYALOKA, where guru Yukteswara reincarnates. A confirmation of advanced planes of existence.

5. Immortality: Babaji Nagraj is said to look like 16 whereas his age is easily over 1000. His guru, Rishi Agasthya is the first Seer to cross into South India, several millenia ago. A transcendental being, Babaji is probably his last contact.

6. Unity of Races: 2 American Immortals are with Babaji in his Himalayan Retreat. Clearly shows that Yoga/Spirituality belong to every body, not just Indians.

posted October 27, 2005 10:46 AM         

it does have a magical quality...just
repeating Babaji's name in times of
need, as stated, works wonders.

someone i barely knew gave this book
to me as a gift in 1999. totally
unexpected. like gooberz it appears
at the appropriate time.

reading it gave me a sense of intimate
warmth....the joy in Yogananda's voice
infuses the atmosphere with a familiarity,
as though he's speaking directly to you.

i'll have to go find it now....and read
it more thoroughly. it informs your
sensibilities in a spiritual and profound
way.