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AtThyFeet Registered User (8/20/05 11:48 pm) Reply	Did you know??? History of Yogananda not to be forgotten Dear divine souls, Here's a little contribution on Master's history. Some things might be known to you, some maybe not. All is taken from older AY editions. These quotes shed light on several beautiful sides of Yogananda. They show a spirit and a history of him to be remembered- even to be protected! ~~~Yogananda's humanitarian Gold Medal~~~ Once upon a time...did you know this fun piece of history? Yogananda was not only the inward monk, as we all know, but was extremely expansive. In this spirit, in early editions of the AY, he encouraged members not “to isolate themselves from the community, but to lead balanced lives of meditation AND constructive outer activities.” Yogananda much appreciated humanitarian work (also outside his own organization): thus he created “SRF Gold Medals Awards for Services to Humanity”, which were given annually as rewards to humanitarians in the fields of religion, art, science, and public service. During the opening ceremonies of India House, in 1951, he presented eight such Gold Medals. The Gold Medals displayed the symbols of “a Cross, a five-pointed star with the eye of wisdom in the center, and a lotus- its roots in the mire and its crown in the sun, a symbol of a scent from mortality to Godhood.” A part of Master and his history not to be lost! ~~~Yogananda's charitable gift shops and Welfare Fund~~~ Once upon a time...did you know this fun piece of history? In the editions 3-5 of the AY (1951-1955) we read about Yogananda's welfare gift shops: Renunciates sold donations made by members and friends of SRF. The proceeds of this activity were “wholly used for charitable purposes”. Yogananda had even established a “SRF Welfare Fund” to which the renunciates (receiving no salaries) donated “all gratuities”. Food, so one reads, was in this way provided “to children in India and Europe”. This seemsnother precious Yogananda-"feature" to be kept alive. ~~~Yogananda's universal spirit~~~ Once upon a time...did you know this fun piece of history? Still taken from older AYs: Yogananda, in his beautiful universal spirit, called all(!) his churches “Church of All Religions”: The “SRF Church of All Religions in Washington, D.C.”, “SRF Hollywood Church of All Religions”, “SRF Church of All Religions in San Diego”, and “another one in Long Beach”. Today only the Hollywood Church retains that historic name. We also once read about Yogananda's special feature of "universal benignity" in the Church of All Religions in Hollywood: “A universal benignity flows from small niches with statues of Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius, Moses, St. Francis and a beautiful mother-of-pearl reproduction of Christ at the last supper.” The same church originally had its two pulpits for an specific reason: Yogananda's plan was to use one for SRF ministers, the other one for ministers of other religions whom he planned to invite- he wanted a true "Church of all Religions!" In the 1946 editions Yogananda expresses his religious world-spirit in another way: “We shall arrange here (Encinitas) for many conferences and Congresses of Religion, inviting delegates from all lands. Flags of the nations will hang in our halls. Diminutive temples will be built over the grounds, dedicated to the world’s principal religions.” This plan too (especially his plan for organizing Congresses of Religions!), should be kept alive in our hearts and minds as Master's original legacy. How refreshing, indeed, in a world of so much religious fighting and intolerance. ~~~Did Yogananda believe in strong central control?~~~ Once upon a time...did you know this fun piece of history? It is interesting to read, concerning central control, (in AY editions before 1955) that Yogananda referred to Swami Premananda as “the founder(!) of the SRF Church in Washington, D.C.” In the original 1946 edition Yogananda even wrote: "...during a visit to his(!) (Premananda's) new temple,..." Doesn't this indicate that he gave quite some liberty and freedom to the various leaders? A sense of de-centralization? No sign of a heavy hand of central control here. One reads in modern editions of the AY: Babaji "required" of Lahiri and his descendants, to "impose" preliminary training on all those seeking initiation. These instructions were handed down from Babaji to Lahiri, to Sri Yukteswar, to Yogananda, and are faithfully carried out by SRF/YSS. One gets the feeling that Babaji, too, seems to be an imposing, quite authoritarian Master. In this way the whole Kriya tradition is easily perceived in a rather stiff, authoritarian light. Preliminary training was probably followed, generally speaking, but was it "imposed" by Babaji, as a required rule? Is that really the way of Babaji and Kriya Yoga? Didn't Lahiri Mahasaya initiate Yogananda's father right away? Didn't Yogananda give Kriya to the young man in Brindaban right on the spot? Babaji, interestingly, even left Lahiri Mahasaya the freedom to develop Kriya Yoga, according to his own discernment: Lahiri, we read, "carefully graded Kriya into four progressive initiations," and "wisely sifted out four steps which he discerned to be those which contained the essential marrow, and which were of the highest value in actual practice." It doesn't sound very imposed by Babaji. Yogananda himself developed the Kriya path. For example, he included his energization exercises which, as he writes, "I had discovered in 1916", as well as the Hong Sau-technique. They were his personal additions, not a handed down, imposed, and faithfully kept tradition. In this context, it is interesting to read Sri Yukteswar's letter to Yogananda (ch. 37), in which he thanks him for "your(!) methods in chant affirmations, healing vibrations, and divine healing prayers". In other words: Yogananda taught his own methods. He was an enlightened Master, of course, and not many of us would have that same right. Still: doesn't this letter, too, give the impression of Kriya Yoga as a breathing spiritual path, inspired from within, not only imposed from above? "Imposed"... sounds like a unhappy Western religious trait, and not very much Yogananda's spirit. Hopefully our Kriya history will ever remain one of inner joy and freedom. ~~~Did Yogananda appreciate other Kriya lines and institutions?~~~ Once upon a time...did you know this fun piece of history? Was Master's thought: "SRF alone should spread Kriya?" Yogananda wrote in early editions of the AY: "The Arya Mission Institution (of Panchanon Battacharya) undertook the publication of many of the guru’s (Lahiri's) scriptural commentaries." For some reason, this sentence was deleted later on: in modern editions Panchanon's institution does not publish Lahiri's commentaries anymore. Was it maybe because of the thought, "Kriya should only be learned from an authorized SRF minister"? (That's what one reads...) And therefore other institutions are not supposed to spread the Kriya message as well? Prafulla, whom we encounter in the AY as a young disciple of Sri Yukteswar (present when Sri Yukteswar was attacked by a cobra), was beautifully described by Richard Wright "with long black hair to his shoulders, a most penetrating pair of sparkling black eyes, and a heavenly smile; his eyes twinkle, as the corners of his mouth rise, like the stars and the crescent moon appearing at twilight." This young disciple later became the lustrous Swami Narayan, whose saintly disciple Swami Shankarananda is doing a great work in spreading Kriya Yoga in East and West. He is only one of many, of course. Yogananda, according to the early AY-editions, would not object at all: "Kriya should be learned from a kriyaban". Is Yogananda alone responsible to spread Kriya Yoga all over the world? What did Babaji actually say? Babaji, we read, chose Yogananda "to spread the message of Kriya Yoga in the West". Babaji's words "in the West" certainly imply an important mission, but don't seem to imply a worldwide monopoly. "Exclusively SRF" seems not what Babaji said. History and research will probably show Yogananda to be the polar opposite to the attitude: "only my way, only my organization, only me." That came later. ~~~Yogananda's spirit toward other great teachers~~~ A memorable example of Yogananda’s un-dogmatic and universal spirit can be discovered in a footnote, in the first few pages of the 1946 edition, in which he actually recommends the Bhagavad Gita-commentaries of another great Master. He writes: “One of the best translations with detailed commentary is Sri Aurobindo’s Message of the Gita (Jupiter Press, 16 Semudoss St., Madras, India, $3.50).” A generous spirit to be remembered! ~~~Yogananda's openness to the public~~~ Once upon a time...did you know this fun piece of history? This is about Yogananda heart reaching out, of his keeping the doors open to all, and being a dear friend to people "outside". He obviously had wide-open arms for strangers, foreigners and everyone else. This too is a piece of history that will hopefully never be lost. (Quotes again taken from the AY during Master's lifetime): There was a SRF Encinitas Hotel “for the accommodation of SRF members and the public”. In later editions it became, instead, a SRF retreat for members. The same happened in Dakshineshwar: one once read that “suitable accommodations are available for Western guests, and particularly for those seekers who are intensely dedicating their lives to spiritual realization.” Modern versions don’t offer us these accommodations anymore. The same happened to Ranchi: “A guest house is hospitably open for Western visitors.” Today we don't find Yogananda’s hospitability anymore. At the Hollywood church once “stone seats on the lawn are an invitation to passers-by on busy Sunset Boulevard to enter and enjoy a few meditative moments.” Today we don't find Yogananda’s public invitation anymore- it is a sweet memory only. "The SRF Lake Shrine is open to the public": This sentence is now missing from the AY-main text, but at least we still find it under the Lake-Shrine photo. To our delight we read in early AYs (during Master's life, in 1951) about three(!) public SRF cafes which Yogananda’s operated: There was one at Lake Shrine (in the courtyard garden of the Dutch Windmill house), one in Hollywood (SRF India cafe), and one in Encinitas. It is now beautiful history. The “cultural India House” (seen on a photo in 1951, invitingly facing Sunset Boulevard, and showing a fence-less Hollywood Church) was originally described by Yogananda as “a meeting place for East and West”. In it, there used to be a Reading Room, as one reads. It also offered a Gandhi-Memorial-Library. All these inviting public features today are faded history. There is, in early editions, a sweet and touching testimonial for the AY, by Prof. Piper (parts are still used today). He wrote that after earnestly reading Master's book that "one has the happy feeling of being the lasting friend of a rare genius." May Yogananda ever be remembered that way! A lasting friend to all, easily accessible from heart to heart, ever open to the public, to everyone. ~~~Did Yogananda approve of disciples writing about him?~~~ Once upon a time...did you know this fun piece of history? Should any disciple write about their experiences with his/her Master, to share with others? Or would that be way too liberal? Should all such texts be edited and distributed only by his organization? In early editions of the AY Yogananda wrote: “Like Jesus and other great prophets, Lahiri Mahasaya himself wrote no books, but his penetrating interpretations were recorded and arranged by various disciples. Some of these voluntary amanuenses were more discerning than others in correctly conveying the profound insight of the guru; yet, on the whole, their efforts were successful. Through their zeal, the world possesses unparalleled commentaries by Lahiri Mahasaya on twenty-six ancient scriptures.” In modern editions, in the same passage (!), we only read that Lahiri instructs various disciples in the interpretation of the scriptures... in other words, the message has become something completely different, Why? Was this change done not to encourage "various disciples" of Yogananda to write about him? Of course SRF publicly states that they alone may write about Yogananda's life and teaching with authority. Still "various disciples" (those naughty ones!) have followed this example given in the early AY, writing about their Master and his teachings: Durga Mata (Triology of Divine Love), Dr. Lewis (Treasures against Time), Swami Kriyananda (The Path), Kamala Silva (The Flawless Mirror), Meera Gosh (My Reminiscences of Paramhansa Yogananda), Roy Eugene Davis (My Life with Paramahansa Yogananda), Sananda Gosh (Mejda), Hare Krishna Gosh (Experiences With My Guru, Paramhansa Yogananda), Swami Satyananda (Yogananda Sangha), Peggy Deitz (Thank you, Master). Again, "on the whole, their efforts were successful". That's it for now. It all seems quite valuable history. May we keep it alive! Joy to all, AtThyFeet Edited by: AtThyFeet at: 8/21/05 6:55 am
moyma Registered User (8/21/05 9:35 pm) Reply	Re: Did you know??? History of Yogananda not to be forgotten I have heard three versions of who Prafulla was... I heard that he was Yukteswar's grandson and a lawsuit about yukteswar's land surrounds it.. To me it is all rumours but I don't know Are you sure what you said about him is right ??? I also think I heard he was married ? can you clear this for me ?
Paramadas Registered User (8/22/05 11:43 am) Reply	Prafulla moyma/all, I heard years ago from an SRF monk that Prafulla had become a YSS swami, but I'm sorry I can't recall the details, like who told me and what his monastic name became. I'll try to find out and post any details. P.
kriyagupta Registered User (9/13/05 12:36 pm) Reply	Re: Prafulla You will find an article by Dr. Prafulla Kumar Hazra at... www.yogananda-research-ce...-home.html Edited by: kriyagupta at: 9/13/05 12:40 pm
moyma Registered User (9/14/05 7:16 pm) Reply	Re: Prafulla SEE !!! This is what I'm trying to get at .yours is story number three....I went to the sight and read it and I am still not sure... someone is lying here for some reason Satyananda web site I think is the one that said he was yukteswars grand son.....It all has to do with getting some of yukterwars property in India. someone is faking being a relation to yukteswar. and saying they were in his ashram therfore srf or no one else can get it.
Lobo Registered User (10/5/05 1:05 am) Reply	Re: Did you know??? History of Yogananda not to be forgotten At Thy Feet, Thanks for doing such a masterful job of research, and also for taking the time and effort to post it here for all to read and compare with their own beliefs about Yoganandaji. It's certainly no secret that the negative (real or alleged or even invented) beliefs about Yoganandaji have been posted here, so your presentation acts as a good balance. There is another direct disciple who as a young girl, and later a young woman,attended the Encinitias Golden Lotus Temple with her mother and brother. Her name is Mary Peck Stockton, and her book is entitled, A Testimony of Love and Devotion, My Life Journey with Paramahansa Yogananda. She tells a few stories that reflect the Yoganandaji of your post. For instance, "Master honored and helped all kinds of people. A variety of people stood in line in order to pay homage to Master. Obviously wealthy individuals wearing expensive clothing, as well as people representing the middle class and poor were waiting to receive his blessings. Some were crippled and leaned on canes as they waited patiently in line to receive his love, healing, and guidance. Because of my youth, I questioned why so many 'different' people yearned to see him. It was lifetime lesson for me to see his equal treatment of everyone. He treated all with the same warmth and compassion. He paid sincere attention to the needs individuals presented to him." Also, "When I was a child, a demonstration of Master's generosity was displayed one Sunday in Ecninitas. My mother went forward to shake Master's hand. She told him we had very little money for food. My heart was touched as I saw the dear saint reach into his pocket, extend his hand, and press some crumpled paper money into my mother's hand. Never before had I seen such an immediate display of active caring." Finally she quotes from an account given by her mother, Mrs. Mary Peck, "describing the last time she was privileged to be in Master's presence." "January 10, 1951 Wednesday, about 2:30 p.m. I saw P.Y. then on the third floor of Mt. Washington about 2:30 p.m. during meditation period. Jeanette and I saw Master Paramhansa Yogananda, our Guruji, in the hall in the wheel chair pushed by Mrs. M. Lewis, Dr. M. Lewis' wife, and Durga (Mrs. Darling). We greeted Guruji and said, 'how happy we were to see him , that everyone loved him.' He had mangoes in his lap and 2 crisp $1.00 bills in his hand. He gave one dollar to Jeanette and one to me. He also gave a mango to Jeanette and one to me. I cannot express my innermost joy at seeing Guruji again and he said, 'It's been a long time, at last you are here--I waited for you a long time.' (I recalled the first time when we met in 1931 in San Diego at the Sun Room in the San Diego Hotel, where classes were held. He called me out of the line--that is, asked me to remain after the others had left, and asked, 'if I would like to join the work?' I explained my situation--home, husband, and the children were small. My father and mother were visting with us from Philadelphia, Pa. also. Then Guruji said, 'well, later on.') So here the time arrived. Yesterday, Faye Wright told Guruji that I had been sick with a cold last week and he replied, 'oh my goodness!' Today, he called for me to come up and I am so glad as it was another prayer answered. I sent out a thought last night to have Guruji send for me to see him and it came to pass sooner than I dreamed. Guruji added, 'you look much better than you did before,' and said, 'I always called you and your daughter sisters,' and he laughed just like a very pleased child after his wish was fulfilled. He said, 'see, things turned out all right didn't they?' I replied, 'yes, if it had not been for your prayers and help we would not be here today--we had a new birth.' He then mentioned the closeness of the great danger we had at home in the past. I thanked him again and he blessed Jeanette and I. He talked with her for awhile also. Then, two of the men brought up a gift for Guruji, a deck table. They demonstrated it in the hall. Guruji kept talking to us anyway, no matter what the interruption. Then he told us about being surrounded with sincere souls, that in the past he had a few devils. He said, 'I asked Divine Mother why they had to come and Divine Mother ansered, 'that was to test your love for me.' 'Now I have sincere ones around me. I have no time for others. Before,' he added, 'I was easy and linient, but not now.' I admired Guruji's opal stone cross (blue opals, very rare) and he said, 'these are from a friend who has a mine in Australia.' Then, he told us of the large ones he has and added, 'you'll have to see them sometime.' I reminded Guruji of seeing the collection in Encinitas and he said, 'you will have to see these sometime, they are beautiful, but I'm not attached to them. I have nothing--no money in my name. I would give these opals away and think nothing of it. I need nothing and want nothing material, I just want true souls.' Then me mentioned, 'out of thousands who seek him, I really find him.' I offered my services to Guruji saying, 'if there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.' He graciously bowed and thanked me very much for offering (to my soul). He again blessed us--we kissed his right hand, then he pressed out hand (individually to his right temple) and again asked God and Divine Mother to bless us. I felt and still feel God's Holy Vibrations throughout my spirit, soul, mind, and body. God has brought us together again on this earth to do His (God's) Holy, Divine work in this great time of need. God, we thank Thee and Thy Divine, Blessed Teachers and Disciples. God Bless Everyone--Mary S. Peck" A Testimony of Love and Devotion My Life Journey with Paramahansa Yogananda Copyright 2002 by Mary Peck Stockton ISBN # 0-9709709-3-5
AtThyFeet Registered User (10/14/05 11:05 am) Reply	Re: Did you know??? History of Yogananda not to be forgotten ••• Dear Lobo, ••• Thank you for your kind feedback, and your beautiful contribution. I didn't know about that book. ••• Dear Moyma, ••• I asked Swami Shankarananda about Prafulla and you were right. I was misinformed. Sorry about that. I dislike spreading rumors. ••• Dear Kriyagupta, ••• Thank you for your info about that site. I didn't know it. God bless you, AtThyFeet

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