Paramhansa Yogananda – God is closer to you than your own breath

Paramhansa Yogananda was an Indian monk, yogi, and guru who introduced millions to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his organization Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) / Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) of India. A chief disciple of the yoga guru Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, he was sent by his lineage to spread the teachings of yoga to the West. He immigrated to America at the age of 27 to prove the unity between Eastern and Western religions and to preach a balance between Western material growth and Indian spirituality.

Paramhansa Yogananda Teachings

Paramhansa Yogananda - God is closer to you than your own breath

Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings are based on the ancient Indian wisdom of yoga and meditation. He taught that the purpose of life is to achieve Self-Realization, or union with God. He believed that this could be achieved through a combination of meditation, prayer, and selfless service.

Yogananda’s teachings are also based on the principle of the unity of all religions. He believed that all religions are different paths to the same goal, and that all people are children of God. He taught that the most important thing is to have a sincere desire to know God and to follow the path that leads to Him.

Paramhansa Yogananda Biography

Paramhansa Yogananda was born Mukunda Lal Ghosh on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur, India. He was the fourth of eight children. His father was a lawyer and his mother was a homemaker.

Yogananda showed an early interest in spirituality. He began to study yoga and meditation at the age of 12. At the age of 17, he met his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. Sri Yukteswar was a renowned yogi and spiritual teacher. He taught Yogananda for the next 12 years.

In 1920, Yogananda left India for the United States. He arrived in Boston on September 17, 1920. He traveled to New York City and began to give lectures on yoga and meditation. He also founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF).

Yogananda’s lectures were well-received. He spoke to large audiences all over the United States. He also wrote several books, including the best-selling Autobiography of a Yogi.

Yogananda died on March 7, 1952, in Los Angeles, California. He was 59 years old.

Paramhansa Yogananda Spiritual Quotes

Here are some of Paramhansa Yogananda’s spiritual quotes:

  • “God is closer to you than your own breath.”
  • “The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature.”
  • “Meditation is the bridge between the finite mind and the infinite Spirit.”
  • “The purpose of life is to know God, to realize our oneness with Him.”
  • “The soul is immortal; it never dies, never ceases to be.”

Books

Paramhansa Yogananda wrote several books, including:

  • Autobiography of a Yogi (1946)
  • The Second Coming of Christ (1949)
  • Man’s Eternal Quest (1953)
  • Scientific Healing Affirmations (1954)
  • Law of Success (1956)
  • How You Can Talk With God (1958)
  • The Bhagavad Gita: God Talks With Arjuna (1963)

Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings have had a profound impact on millions of people around the world. His message of hope, love, and peace has inspired people to live their lives with greater purpose and meaning.

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