27 Quotes & Sayings By Paramahansa Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda (born Paramhansa Yogananda) (October 12th, 1893 - May 8th, 1952) was an American yogi and master of Kriya Yoga. He is considered a saint by many communities and is considered to be one of the most influential yoga teachers in history. ¶  Yogananda began his spiritual journey at the age of 13. He became a master yogi at the age of 22 and wrote several books on yoga, including Autobiography of a Yogi. Yogananda spoke widely throughout North America and Europe, teaching yoga to thousands of people Read more

He also taught Kriya Yoga and Advaita Vedanta, and founded the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles, California. He was a close disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya and Swami Sriyuktacharanada. He died in 1952, just weeks before it was revealed that his body had been cremated without his knowledge or consent. ¶  Yogananda taught that all souls are immortal, and that the time for physical death is only temporary; he also believed that meditation opens one's "third eye" (the center between the eyebrows), which allows the user to see all things as they truly are.

1
Making others happy, through kindness of speech and sincerity of right advice, is a sign of true greatness. To hurt another soul by sarcastic words, looks, or suggestions, is despicable. Paramahansa Yogananda
You have come to earth to entertain and to be...
2
You have come to earth to entertain and to be entertained. Paramahansa Yogananda
3
Be afraid of nothing. Hating none, giving love to all, feeling the love of God, seeing His presence in everyone, and having but one desire - for His constant presence in the temple of your consciousness - that is the way to live in this world. Paramahansa Yogananda
Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty of...
4
Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty of all before you. The future will take care of itself...... Paramahansa Yogananda
5
The ills attributed to an anthropomorphic abstraction called "society" may be laid more realistically at the door of Everyman. Utopia must spring in the private bosom before it can flower into civic virtue, inner reforms leading to outer ones. A man who has reformed himself will reform thousands. Paramahansa Yogananda
6
Having lots of money while not having inner peace is like dying of thirst while bathing in the ocean. Paramahansa Yogananda
7
Before embarking on important undertakings, sit quietly, calm your senses and thoughts, and meditate deeply. You will then be guided by the great creative power of Spirit. After that you should utilize all necessary material means to achieve your goal. Paramahansa Yogananda
8
If you retain the joyous aftereffects of meditation throughout the day, or part of the day, you will see that this joy will correctly guide you in everything. Saints are guided by this joy, in the consciousness of which no erroneous actions are possible. Retain the acquired joy of meditation throughout the day. Paramahansa Yogananda
9
The power of unfulfilled desires is the root of all man's slavery Paramahansa Yogananda
10
Feel body as luxury-- as a bird feels when shooting through the air, and as a child does always -- is health Paramahansa Yogananda
11
Man's conscious state is an awareness of body and breath. His subconscious state, active in sleep, is associated with his mental, and temporary, separation from body and breath. His superconscious state is a freedom from the delusion that "existence" depends on body and breath. God lives without breath; the soul made in his image becomes conscious of itself, for the first time, only during the breathless state. . Paramahansa Yogananda
12
Those in the West who have adopted Christ as their own should remember that he was an Oriental. Love and sympathy for Jesus should be expanded into love and sympathy for all Orientals, and for all the world. Paramahansa Yogananda
13
Seeds of past karma cannot germinate if they are roasted in the fires of divine wisdom. Paramahansa Yogananda
14
Today I forgive all those who have ever offended me. I give my love to all thirsty hearts both to those who love me and to those who do not love me. Paramahansa Yogananda
15
There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness thinking of others first .. . when you learn to live for others they will live for you. Paramahansa Yogananda
16
There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness thinking of others first... when you learn to live for others they will live for you. Paramahansa Yogananda
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When you learn to live for others they will live for you. Paramahansa Yogananda
18
The season of failure is the best time for sowing the seeds of success. Paramahansa Yogananda
19
The physical ego serves as its own worst enemy when, by delusive material behavior, it eclipses its true nature as the ever blessed soul. Paramahansa Yogananda
20
The happiness of one's own heart alone cannot satisfy the soul; one must try to include, as necessary to one's own happiness, the happiness of others. Paramahansa Yogananda
21
Man is important in one sense only. He was made in the image of God: That is his importance. He is not important for his body, ego, or personality. His constant affirmation of ego-consciousness is the source of all his problems. Paramahansa Yogananda
22
It is wisest to be impartial. If you have health, but are attached to it, you will always be afraid of losing it. And if you fear that loss, but become ill, you will suffer. Why not remain forever joyful in the Self? Paramahansa Yogananda
23
My keen love of travel was seldom hindered by Father. He permitted me, even as a mere boy, to visit many cities and pilgrimage spots. Paramahansa Yogananda
24
There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first; when you learn to live for others, they will live for you. Paramahansa Yogananda
25
Many great works of art, poetry, and music are inspired by astral memories. The desire to do noble, beautiful things here on Earth is also often a carryover of astral experiences between a person's earth lives. Paramahansa Yogananda
26
The man form is higher than the angel form; of all forms it is the highest. Man is the highest being in creation, because he aspires to freedom. Paramahansa Yogananda