The Wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda

SRF nun Sister Draupadi conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on cultivating the practice of prayer as a dynamic, essential, and very personal aspect of our daily lives. By doing so we can experience and hold on to our awareness of God as a constant, loving companion and guide at every step of our spiritual journey.
In this talk, recorded at the 2015 SRF World Convocation in Los Angeles, Sister Draupadi refers to Paramahansa Yogananda, guru and founder of Self‑Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, simply as “Master,” being a reverential way to address one’s guru and signifying a soul who has achieved self‑mastery.
Sister Draupadi also refers to Sri Mrinalini Mata, fourth president of SRF/YSS, as “Sanghamataji” — Sanghamata meaning “Mother of the Society,” and “ji” being a suffix denoting respect, added to names and titles in India.
You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda’s practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!
You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self‑Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home‑study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org
During her talk, Sister Draupadi refers to the following work published by Self-Realization Fellowship:
“God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita,” Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the teachings of Krishna, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/
To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6
If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Satyananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on how we can experience greater inner harmony amid the demands of modern life.
This talk provides practical insights on cultivating contentment by the practice of meditation, responding compassionately to others, dealing constructively with change, and recognizing moments of spiritual inspiration as guideposts on the soul’s journey toward peace and ultimate liberation.
This talk was given at the SRF Lake Shrine Temple in Pacific Palisades, California, in March 2024.
You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda’s practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!
You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org
During his talk, Brother Satyananda refers to the following books published by Self-Realization Fellowship:
“Man’s Eternal Quest,” Volume I of Yogananda’s “Collected Talks and Essays,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/mans-eternal-quest-ebook/
“Spiritual Diary: An Inspirational Thought for Each Day of the Year,” available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/spiritual-diary/
To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6
If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

Sri Mrinalini Mata (1931 – 2017), fourth president and spiritual head of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, draws from her years of personal training with Paramahansa Yogananda to exhort us all to be channels of God’s light and love to help illumine this world. This deeply encouraging talk, recorded at the 2011 SRF World Convocation in Los Angeles, was the first time Mrinalini Mata addressed an international gathering of SRF/YSS members and friends after becoming president of SRF/YSS.
Topics include: 
A tribute to the lineage of divine souls responsible for the founding and growth of Self-Realization Fellowship 
The most common question of devotees: “Why am I not making more spiritual progress?” 
How to manifest a conquering spirit, no matter what one’s difficulties may be 
The spiritual efficacy of Kriya Yoga and how its devoted practice bestows assurance of spiritual progress 
Personal reminiscences of her years spent with Paramahansa Yogananda 
An inspiring account of the last days of Sri Daya Mata, late beloved president of SRF/YSS.
Mrinalini Mata was one of the close disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda personally chosen and trained by him to help guide his worldwide society after his passing. She dedicated more than seventy years to selflessly serving her Guru’s work, fulfilling the roles of editor-in-chief and vice president for many decades, and president of SRF/YSS from 2011 until her passing in 2017.
You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda’s practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!
In this talk Sri Mrinalini Mata often refers to Paramahansa Yogananda, guru and founder of SRF/YSS, simply as “Gurudeva,” a customary Sanskrit term for one’s spiritual preceptor; or “Master,” one who has achieved self-mastery.
To view more talks by Sri Mrinalini Mata: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3Pzvi9fMgSyq8Dayb20fFcuTTC
During her talk, Sri Mrinalini Mata refers to the following work published by Self-Realization Fellowship:
“God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita,” Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the teachings of Krishna, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/
You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org
To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6
If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Vimalananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on how we can awaken and develop our God-given power of initiative — which will help us to overcome obstacles and meet every situation in life with inspired creativity, confidence, and faith.
This talk was given at the SRF temple in Glendale, California, in February 2025.
You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda’s practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!
During his talk, Brother Vimalananda refers to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org
To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6
If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org

SRF monk Brother Padmananda conveys wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on how we can experience lasting happiness.
Perfect joy, or bliss, is the inherent nature of the soul. And when we learn to employ simple yet effective spiritual practices that turn our attention toward the divine presence within, we can open a channel for the soul’s perfect peace, love, and joy to flow more freely into our awareness and our lives.
This talk was given at the SRF temple in San Diego, California, in November 2025.
You can help more people find and benefit from Yogananda’s practical wisdom by rating and reviewing this podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!
You can receive Paramahansa Yogananda’s personal and comprehensive instruction in the science of meditation and art of balanced living through his Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, a home-study course available for a nominal fee. To learn more and about how to enroll: https://srflessons.org
During his talk, Brother Padmananda refers to the following books published by Self-Realization Fellowship:
“God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita,” Yogananda’s translation and commentary on the teachings of Krishna, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/god-talks-with-arjuna-the-bhagavad-gita-ebook/
“The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You,” Yogananda’s commentary on the teachings of Jesus, available at https://bookstore.yogananda-srf.org/product/the-second-coming-of-christ-ebook/
To view more talks from this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCqADxk3PzvgapvuKmZMZzL8eloisokH6
If you would like to support the spiritual and humanitarian work of SRF, please click on this link: https://donatesrf.org