Paramahansa Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda परमहंस योगानन्‍द (January 5, 1893 – March 7, 1952), was an Indian yogi and guru. He was instrumental in bringing Kriya Yoga to the West.

Legacy

Yogananda taught his students the need for direct experience of truth, as opposed to blind belief. He said that ?The true basis of religion is not belief, but intuitive experience. Intuition is the soul?s power of knowing God. To know what religion is really all about, one must know God.? (from The Essence of Self-Realization)

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To that end, he taught certain yoga techniques that he believed would help the student achieve Self-Realization. He said that ?Self-Realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God?s omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing.? (The Essence of Self-Realization)

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Yogananda's work is continued by several organizations. Self-Realization Fellowship, which he founded, is headquartered in Los Angeles and has meditation centers and temples across the world. The current head is Sri Daya Mata, a direct disciple of Yogananda.

Related Topics:
Self-Realization Fellowship - Los Angeles - Sri Daya Mata

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Ananda is another organization, founded by direct disciple Swami Kriyananda. Ananda is unique in that it expresses an aspect of Yogananda's vision for world brotherhood colonies. Ananda Village is located in Nevada City, California, while other Ananda "colonies" are worldwide. Ananda also has centers and meditation groups throughout the world.

Related Topics:
Ananda - Swami Kriyananda - World brotherhood colonies - Ananda Village - Nevada City

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Song of the Morning Retreat Center, near Vanderbilt, Michigan, was founded by a chief disciple of Yogananda's: Yogacharya Oliver Black. As of September 2004 work is continuing on building the Clear Light Community on the 800 acre (3 km²) retreat property. The retreat center offers classes on yoga and meditation and hosts programs featuring visiting spiritual teachers.

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Direct disciple Roy Eugene Davis founded The Center for Spiritual Awareness, located in Lakemont, Georgia. The CSA publishes books and audio cassettes, and offers meditation seminars at its retreat center headquarters on a voluntary donation basis.

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The Puri, India, ashram of Yogananda's guru Sri Yukteswar Giri continues to this day.

Related Topics:
Puri - Sri Yukteswar Giri

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