Yogananda's Pitiful Christianity

I am so happy to have found your site. - SK

• Yogananda's Riffraff Christianity
• Paramahansa Yogananda Quotations Commented on T
• "The honeyed tongue of . . . improbably schemes"

Yogananda's Riffraff Christianity

Flagrante delicto

"The soul and its joy last forever," teaches Paramahansa Yogananda [Dr 296 (= Yogananda, P. The Divine Romance, p. 296. Further details at bottom of the page)]. Jesus teaches the soul can be destroyed [Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:4-6; Matthew 5:29]. Their teachings are in "complete harmony", says the Yogananda cult in the aims and ideals of the fellowship, echoing Yogananda thoughts, such as: "Babaji . . . asked me to interpret the Christian Bible and the Hindu Bible [Bhagavad Gita], to point out the basic unity of the Christian and the Vedic scriptures." [Spa 21]

❖ There is nothing so royal as truth. (American proverb, abr).

Chameleonic Hinduism. "Yogananda's chameleon Hinduism" is a variant of Hinduism with Christianity "surface colours" of adaptation. But the overall build and shape of his main teachings conform to Hinduism. You may say his sort of Christianity is skin deep, like chameleon colours. He appears to misinterpret significant parts of Christianity repeatedly for it. He also says his misrepresenting and at times laughable hybrid is ordained by his guru Babaji. But to be fair, what the Hindu monk stands for at bottom is a variant of Hinduism.

Veneer Christianity. The contour and general shape of the guru's chameleon reveals what "animal" it is. The adaptive colour changes on the skin - pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, brown and yellow - reflect this sort of lizard's conditions. They are coloured for their surroundings as a camouflage, but more likely their colour changes serve communication, including making themselves more attractive to potential partners. On the picture the animal is in the hand of God and Babaji - too.

Less confusing Hinduism exists. Just as there are many forms of Hinduism, there are many sorts of chameleons. The chameleon is a symbol of the sort of "Christianity" Yogananda teaches. A seemingly split brain is fit for this animal - its eyes move independently of one another. A human should refuse to be confused by that, by identifying the contour and shape of Hinduism, and knowing some basics of chameleon adaptations.

Look deeper than flimsy surface spectacles to avoid being taken in. Gullible ones are made fools of by believing in surface colours (guru teachings of "original Christianity", and that sort of tall tales in his illusory universe. Never mind his colour changes, but watch out for his tongue - it captures victims as the chameleon's tongue is supposed to.

Once the basics of the guru's chameleon are grasped, his inconsistent and blunderbuss teachings aimed at American Christians are found to serve the chameleon play. As Yogananda says in "The Dream Nature of the World": "The thought that you are merely a player . . . is very comforting [Ak 240]." Various patches and patterns on the skin are only surface deep, and do not tell how the chameleon is like: "Your real being . . . the immortal soul [Ak 240]." Such patches include topics like "God the Father" and the soul, where Hindu views conquer - all right: "We have to behold . . . dream comedies . . . take this life as cosmic picture-show. [Ak 240]." The outlook that the world is illusory, is debunked on this site. There are forms of Hinduism that stand for such realism too, such as Krishna's in the Bhagavad Gita: "Those who are demoniac do not know what is to be done and what is not to be done. Neither cleanliness nor proper behavior nor truth is found in them. They say that this world is unreal . . . [Bhagavad Gita 16:7-8]

Hold on to things of value where you come across them. A decent way to get something of value out of Yogananda's teachings is not to believe him blindly, and to go for his finest fillets only if you feel inclined to read into his verbiage.

A bird's-eye view of Self-Realization Fellowship and its theology

This section consists in a large measure of extracts from an article by the apologist Elliot Miller on Yogananda and SRF. Miller was of the apologetics ministry Christian Research Institute. For about half a century that institute has brought information on cults, other religions, and Christian apologetics. The following is rooted in the apologist's article:

"SRF is — in outward appearance — a unique Hindu-Christian hybrid," writes Miller. SRF was founded by the guru Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952). Miller sums up from the SRF history: "Through public lectures, yoga classes, and published writings, Yogananda attracted a sizable following." Yogananda made repeated claims that his form for yoga was an advanced, inner science of breath control. It has also turned out that the American soil has been a ripe field for many who hold they may give bliss to followers, by various means.

After Yogananda died in 1952, the particular church he founded, Self-Realization Fellowship, has continued to spread his words and methods, with huge stress on devotion. Miller mentions that "Yogananda is devotedly referred to as "Master," his spiritual presence is believed in and sought in a manner comparable to that of Jesus for the Christian, and virtually everything on which he left his mark at SRF's Mount Washington Mother Center has been turned into a shrine."

SRF has lovely ashram centres and temples in Southern California in particular, with ministers in swami robes who lecture and conduct satsangs (gatherings). How many SRF members there are in the world in our time, is not disclosed by SRF, but it has centres and meditation groups in 54 countries. That does not necessarily mean they are all much alive and well.

Yogananda's religion is not really Christianity, although the fellowship claims Jesus and Christianity in their public aims and ideals. Now in SRF, Jesus is called divine, like so many others, including a flock of yogis in Yogananda's tradition. Many of them are called Christs by the guru too. According to Yogananda, Jesus gained "Christ Consciousness" by lifting himself, not by coming from above, which is what Jesus himself says in a gospel.

SRF maintains it promotes unity of Hinduism and Christianity, but it is by "glossing over critical, irreconcilable differences," Miller pinpoints. "In the end, we find Hinduism unscathed by the transaction, while Christianity becomes stripped of its defining and distinguishing characteristics".

Miller remarks that "SRF claims affinity with Jesus, but this does not of itself prove that Jesus has affinity with them. It is crucial to note that . . . Clearly, not all who speak reverently of Jesus are to be trusted," for, "Understood in their historical context, the teachings of Jesus bear no resemblance to Eastern mysticism." Miller also quotes Paul who warns, "See to it that no-one takes you captive."

Yogananda's claims on esoteric Christianity stem from his interpretations. Miller finds many of his claims untruthful and manipulative. And the guru shows no respect whatever for historical context or intended meanings of the bible authors, Miller assesses. (See the Ehrman section below for some details).

With Yogananda, salvation equals Self-realization. The goal that the guru has set up for his followers, is Self-realization. Yogananda also teaches God is both personal and impersonal, and the world is called an illusion, a "false play", so to speak. A ridiculous side to such teachings is that if the world is illusory, so is that teaching - as it is part of the world.

It is fair to say that Yogananda is frequently biblically false, much due to his profound lack of biblical proficiency. But his fellowship has found it fit to say his guidance is virtually infallible, and SRF gurus are almighty and all-knowing Christs.

[Main source of the above: Mil]

❖ Against wrong claims, sound study helps.

Bart D. Ehrman Could Help a Lot

The fruit of bible knowledge gleaned by scholars may be had through good books. Such knowledge offers help against being naively taken in by bullies who dogmatise and dictate what their victims are to think.

Yogananda's marring Bible exegesis stems in part from his being a Hindu without adequate schooling in gospel reading. His ruffian-like approach was that of interpreting passages in a Hindu light and making lots of greatly unverified claims.

The divine intuition he often spoke of, must have failed him, for since the guru's death, much research has been done into the Bible by thousands of scholars. Many ancient texts have been discovered and are being assessed. As a result, bible scholars maintain several things about the bible that are too little known among the public, such as the numerous contradictions in it. Yogananda did not seem to have a clue about major ones among them; his societal adjustments did not require that. We may say the same about those of a whore, of course.

Devotional study of the Bible and critical-historical study of it differs, and what is more, devotionalists face that some words that seemingly are from the mouth of Jesus, are not so anyway [Mj]. Gurus who say they interpret Jesus without ever informing that such and such passages were later addition and most likely forged in aniquity, may do you an ill turn. You have the right to be informed truthfully. For example, the Gospels are at odds on numerous points, and evidence shows there are lots of falsehoods in the Bible, Ehrman summarises. He also concludes that what the New Testament actually teaches, is not what most people think it does - for example:

1. The New Testament contains books that were forged in the names of the apostles by Christian writers who lived decades later.
2. Established Christian doctrines - such as the suffering messiah, the divinity of Jesus, and the trinity - were the inventions of still later theologians.
3. The authors of the New Testament - traditionally thought to be Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - have diverging views about who Jesus was and how salvation works;
4. Jesus, Paul, Matthew, and John all represented fundamentally different religions.

These are standard and widespread views of critical scholars now. [Ji] [MORE]

Instead of taking old forgeries and questionable sayings for granted as "divine" and things like that, and spin guru yarns on top of many of them, take in what is fair instead, first and foremost, and what is schooled too. Such beginner's strategies help rational coping, and that is what we are into. [Mj; Ji]

Dealing with Yogananda's Thin Drinks

Don't think so much about reforming others; reform yourself first. The greatest field of victory is your own home. - Yogananda [Jse 112]

Much of the offhand-looking theology mishmash of SRF and Yogananda stems from the orator guru's discourses, or prattle. The courteous gentleman, French gentilhomme, tries not to deceive others. A Confucian gentleman tries to cultivate himself and develop humaneness also, and is often expected to be a sufficiently respectful moral guide who hardly ever takes advantage of misleading innocents. [Wikipedia, sv. "Gentleman"]

By contrast, many are fooled and then disappointed by rogues. Mind that gurus who teach the world is unreal, illusory, are not excluded from the illusory, but "one with it," one may say. What nobodies seemingly teach, does it help or undermine? Is the bondage they demand from their initiated in their hybrid-religious serfdom really fair, fit, and helpful as they claim to set the followers free? Their talks must be facets of misbehaving, and they themselves worthless.

If you lend your ear and heart to empty guru prattle anyway, you may head for future trouble. Where does that lead us? It definitely takes some into the welcoming arms of psychotherapists over there. But it may not turn out that bad. Also, as it is said, "He is not the most confused who knows he is confused (Chuang Tzu)."

From a Letter Paramahansa Yogananda in Encinitas I have been a . . . devotee of Yogananda's since 1972. I haven't enjoyed meditation for many, many years, but assumed the problem was within me . . . I don't believe in Yogananda, I don't believe in Sri Yukteswar, I don't believe in the resurrection of anyone . . . I do see the value of belonging to a group, but I see now that focusing my energies more on the "real" world and on succeeding in the world would have been a more successful path for me. Where does that leave a person? - RS, Arizona

A good answer to such a plight is given by Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952) himself:

An erroneous belief, if held to without scrutiny, develops into tenacious dogmatism. A belief that is disproved changes from dogmatism to unbelief. On the other hand, if one believes in a true doctrine and follows it persistently, that belief gradually crystallizes into conviction and faith. So we see that a belief, whether false or true, is provisional. It can only be temporary, for it is subsequently metamorphosed either into dogmatism or unbelief, or into faith . . .

What is needed is investigative belief with sincerity and reverence, followed up with persistence in true beliefs, or at least in those beliefs that constantly manifest convincing results. - Yogananda [Jse 305-06]

Now you can have it both ways - both material and spiritual progress - by your own efforts according to a Grand Design. That is how life should be for lay followers of Buddhism and others who accommodate to Buddha's gift.

Buddha also says that one is allowed to doubt his teachings fairly. Faith in Buddha's teaching is not forbidden, though, but it is not to be regarded as an end in itself, but as a starting point of an evolving process, a waking-up process. As it is pointed out by Narada: "A Buddhist [does not] sacrifice his freedom of thought by becoming a follower of the Buddha. He is at full liberty to exercise his own free-will and develop his knowledge even to the extent of attaining Buddhahood himself." [Bht 283]

Implied in Yogananda's words above, the same applies to them - all of them. But Yogananda talked with many mouths, and some of his teachings are self-contradictory. Being a "devotee of unresolved self-contradictions and swindle" is not good for the fare. One should be greatly aware of that.

The Higher Guru Teachings

The most profitable SRF teaching is that of ignoring the guru and his teachings completely, because they say this world is unreal, and that includes of course the guru sayings too.

Yogananda taught both valuable yoga teachings and inferior teachings. At times they conflict and contradict one another. The solution to this problem is not to claim that all his guidelines are virtually flawless, which the guru's fellowship narrowly does, or get disillusioned about everything and every guru, but to prefer the higher teachings, and focus on the valuable content.

Then, what is the valuable Yogananda content? It should lie in the higher teachings. Who are they, then? The basic teaching of SRF and Yogananda is that the world is unreal, an illusion, a dream. In that light, the highest teaching is to ignore the guru and SRF completely - just get off the hook. But the poor guys who have been bound to the guru and SRF through an alarming cult pledge, they have apparently lost much freedom, and may not know what to do. Here are a few tips that could benefit some in such sorry circumstances:

First, select and focus on the adequate methods to stay sane, to do them skilfully and not overreach, and not so much on his divergent words and self-contradictions. Second, whenever there are self-contradictions in the guru's teachings, focus on the higher ones to you: those that you find to be most valuable in your set of circumstances. And do not overreach - it happens to be a danger in the cult of an exhorting Yogananda.

By such priorities and in these ways you may succeed to get the best out of Yogananda and the medley that is published by his church.

Yogananda himself allows for it. And how much of his teachings may be put aside as less valuable for those individuals who prefer to focus on the best methods and teachings from him? Maybe nine tenths give or take.

As further help: Goading is always inferior. When Yogananda says that love is not the highest, happiness is, and later goes on exhorting, "Love God" for many years, it is "love God", "love all nations", and so on - that is inferior goading. He might have taught exactly how to do it, but has he? He could have focused on "know yourself" by going deep in meditation towards the source of happiness instead, as that would have been a first-class teaching, in accord with the methods he was sent to the West to teach.

Since Yogananda has taught all these things, make the wisest choices: Prefer the highest teachings of Yogananda at any point, and many troubles might dissolve as by themselves, thanks to rational handling. It may be developed.

Bluffed Unity

On the rest of this page we will look into things Yogananda teaches, and apply his valuable counsel above to them. The material I comment on is from a book of discourses, Man's Eternal Quest [Ak]. It is the first in a series of sermons and talks by Yogananda.

In many talks and essays he vouches for that he teaches unity of Christianity and Hinduism, and introduces his own deviant understanding of Christian terms in so doing. You may say, "Since Hinduism can be next to anything, so multiform as it is, what is new about this approach?" It is the contortions of Christian terms, basically, ripping them out of their original contexts, and going against words by Jesus too, as it suits the guru.

The Hindu emissary Yogananda went into a life-long labour to make Christianity conform to his Hinduism, and showed at best only rudimentary knowledge of critical Bible exegesis. Further, the guru accepted the wording of the old King James version of Bible verbatim when he delivered his unprofessional sermonising of non-substantiated claims to the end of aligning gospel sayings with a form of yoga.

This study of Yogananda's hogwash Christianity makes do with taking some looks at claims by Yogananda as they are presented in two of his discourses, and does not go into major findings of critical Bible research and more modern translations of bible sayings either. You may study books by Ehrman for to get updated on Bible research, and try the New International Version (NIV) for better, modern wording of the bible paragraps.

"Garbage in, garbage out," is a danger of sect-hailed gurus. To get your mind filled with sleek and misleading garbage is bad, not good. Below I pinpoint some issues that should be vital to a Christian. It stands out over and over that the guru's hybrid theology is a mishmash of Hindu stuff and Christian teachings that are robbed of their connections: To a Christian, Yogananda's hybrid theology must be alarming and dangerous. And you may well ask whether fair treatment is missing in lectures where not even the slightest preparations were done [see Ak vii-viii].

Maybe I should stress at this point that you don't have to be a Christian to note the obvious and miss fair treatment by the hailed guru. I, for example, am a Buddhist, and have been blessed by the practice of Transcendental Meditation.

Yoga as Taught by a Christ?

Some get caught between God-Teeth, their heads crushed to powder, says the Bhagavad Gita [11:26-27]

The church society Yogananda set up, Self-Realization Fellowship, maintains he was a man of God and an authority of yoga. Thus, he could enter high states of mind and talk and digress at length in some of them, inspired by attending ones too. This is what his fellowship teaches, signifying that he was an enlightened master with a warm, appealing sense of humour [see Ak viii, ix, xi].

Yogananda was ordained and trained in India to spread knowledge of a certain form of yoga, and "reveal the complete harmony and basic oneness of original Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ and original Yoga as taught by Bhagavan Krishna" to Westerners. These formed part of his ordained Hindu mission. As if there ever was any "original Christianity of Jesus" at all! [LINK].

The guru also pointed out that man "can tap the Source of all power and fulfillment" [Ak xv]. Yogananda's teachings also include the view that being an avatar is as good as being a Christ: "Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Babaji – all are Christs." [Ak 334]. That is his professed understanding of things, oddly against gospel warnings by Jesus against false Christs and having other masters than himself, one should add.

From SRF's Aims and Ideals

Paramahansa Yogananda decreed that there is an essential unity between Hinduism and Christianity as taught by Jesus. The guru's view is expressed in these aims and ideals of his Fellowship too:

• To teach that the purpose of life is the evolution, through self-effort of man's limited mortal consciousness into God Consciousness . . .
• To reveal the complete harmony and basic oneness of original Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ and original Yoga as taught by Bhagavan Krishna; and to show that these principles of truth are the common scientific foundation of all true religions.
• To point out the one divine highway . . . of daily, scientific, devotional meditation on God.
• To unite science and religion through realization of the unity of their underlying principles.

Now is the time to note that Yogananda strikes against a major SRF aim too - well, Yogananda often talks against himself. In the book Sayings of Yogananda [Say; index] he says there is no evolution. In his Autobiography [LINK] he says the incarnating ego requires (such as) a million years for its evolution onwards. We cannot have it both ways; cannot go categorically for evolution, and also say there is no evolution anywhere in the universe. You should see that those who become subject to largely contradictory teachings - these are - may fall short in getting an essential grip, which is not good.

And now comes still more solid help for more handy thinking:

1. There is not just one sort of Hinduism, but very many. This is because Hinduism is syncretic. Now, Yogananda states in one place that "The parallelisms of Christ's teachings with Yoga-Vedanta doctrines strongly support the records known to exist in India, which state that Jesus lived and studied there during fifteen of the unaccounted-for years of his life . . . Jesus journeyed to India to return the visit of the three "wise men from the east" . . ." [Ak 285, emphasis added]. Evidence of Jesus having been in India, is missing. Yogananda refers to a questionable book mainly. What the guru means by Yoga-Vedanta may be hinted at, as the glossary of the book gives a few clues:

   Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Hindu philosophy. There are also yoga methods that teach meditation and much else. And Vedanta is another orthodox Hindu philosophy. One of its exponents is "Adi" (the first) Shankara [see Ak 482-83]

   There are many others, and Vedanta is not a much unified system:

   Though Vedanta is frequently referred to as one darshana (viewpoint), there are, in fact, radically different schools of Vedanta; what binds them together is common adherence to a common set of texts" [Ebu, "Indian Philosophy: Varieties of Vedanta schools"].

2. There are important differences between handed-over Christianity and Hinduism. So beware of another "Mission Impossible": The Hindu monk Sri Yukteswar, who trained Yogananda for his mission, was also given the same mission: to show the underlying unity of yoga and Christianity, and to train the youngster that in turn became the swami-monk Yogananda, to spread kriya-yoga and yoga-unity ideas in America. Says Yogananda: "Mahavatar Babaji had requested my guru Swami Sri Yukteswar, to write a book showing that there is no real discrepancy between the scriptures of East and West [Ak 297n]."

   But there are - for example: Hinduism teaches the soul (atman) is immortal [Ak 297], whereas Jesus teaches such as, "Be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." [Matthew 10:28, see also Luke 12:4-6; Matthew 5:29]

These two views cannot be reconciled. It could help some to reflect on this phrase: "Expect the worst; and be nicely forewarned-forearmed to minimise the alarming dangers and risks of exposure."

Now we find that (1) Jesus teaches that the soul can be killed, and (2) Yogananda's teaches that the soul is immortal and cannot be killed: "Each soul is a part of God and is therefore imperishable." - Paramahansa Yogananda in the book Sayings of Yogananda [Spa 25]

So what is the highest teaching about the soul, and how may we verify which tale is true? Those seem to be proper questions. Yet Buddha does not teach much about the afterlife in the Theravada Canon [LINK]. In the Mahayana Canon it is different.

Paramahansa Yogananda Quotations Commented on

We will look into facets of the guru's teachings here. Most quotations below are from the compilation "Christ and Krishna: Avatars of the One Truth" in Man's Eternal Quest, p. 294-307. Sayings from two talks or lectures (not specified) that were held at the SRF headquarters on January 15, 1933, and April 14, 1935 were compiled and maybe edited too, before being published.

According to the publishers, an avatar signifies the descent of Divinity into flesh [Ak 294n]. There are many other uses of that term, however. [Yoga Glossary]

Here we bring examples to study in the light of the theoretical possibility of how idolatry can be brought about by (1) taking some Christian concepts (flour), (2) adding preconceived notions (water etc) and finally (3) baking the swollen dough in the oven of fervent worship - that sort of material.

Yogananda Brings No Christian Exegesis

The "All are equal" teachings do not harmonise with Christian understanding

"IT IS impossible to make comparisons between the masters and foolish to try: they are all the same, they are all equal.

But to me Krishna and Christ stand supreme.—A God-realized master is known by his spiritual deeds." - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 296, 295]

Yogananda's lessons on Christ

In fact, you can and should compare master deeds, then. It's often interesting. It is a boon to be able to discern and abstract collected wisdom and remain fair too.

At this point you may wonder what 'master' means in this context. It suggests a Christ:

These two avatars, Jadava [Krishna] and Jesus, fully manifested the Christ Consciousness, the Kutastha Chaitanya or divine guiding Intelligence that is in every atom of creation [Ak 297].

Both Jesus and Jadava were one with the omnipresence of Christ Consciousness [Ak 298].

The Christ Intelligence holds the universe in balance [Ak 300].

Enter into the vast realm of Christ Consciousness [Ak 329]

If your consciousness is aware of . . . several trillion of [thoughts], then you have Christ Consciousness, omniscience, conscious awareness of everything in creation [Ak 322].

When you feel your consciousness in every pore of creation, you have Christ Consciousness . . . The Indian name for this universal Christ Consciousness is Kutastha Chaitanya [Ak 334].

The glossary gives this additional information: ""Christ" or "Christ Consciousness" is the projected consciousness of God immanent in all creation . . . Great saints and yogis know it as the state of samadhi [the stress is on the second 'a'] meditation wherein their consciousness has become identified with the intelligence in every particle of creation, they feel the entire universe as their own body. [Ak 470-71]."

What the Bible says about Messiah, which was translated into "Christ" in Greek, is different. Basically, the Jews waited for a king that could free them from Romans - that sort of Messiah. The word meant "oil-anointed [cf 1 Sam 10]. In the New Testament letters expanded meanings were added, though, especially in Hebrews. Since then, some sects have made their own definitions of the term, and the Catholic Church too.

In a free country there is no monopoly as to how the term "christ" is to be used. However, since Yogananda and his cult claim to be perfectly aligned with the teachings of "original Christianity" - but are not - it should be well to expose false play in this too.

To accept Jesus you are called to confess you are a sinner - that given way is through shame and remorse

KRISHNA says: "Forsaking all other dharmas (duties), remember me alone, I will free thee from all sins (accruing from nonperformance of those lesser duties)." [Bhavavad Gita 8:66] The shame and trouble and misery that will arise from forsaking worldly duties God will forgive you." - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 302]

Yogananda "intervenes" and adds a significant interpretation as you can see. The question is if he instructs full well in this matter as in other matters [compare Romans 15:14, for example].

The gospel's teachings of salvation, and where and how to find it

MASTERS . . . had to work and fight for liberation—The Bhagavad Gita [and] the New Testament are sublime manifestations of truth . . . these two bibles give essentially the same teaching. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 294, 297]

To the contrary, Jesus informs, "I came from God and now am here . . . he sent me. [John 8:42] I came from the Father and entered the world; now I'm leaving the world and going back to the Father [John 16:28]."

The bible for Christians also says no-no to alien gods, idol worship, false Christs and having more than one Master - and gives no spectacular permission to worship such as foreign matters, idols or gods, and a "beery" faith headed by one or more Hindu swamis.

Let there be room for well-founded, careful debates geared to firm evidence, for becoming a fanatic could turn out to be hazardous to your health. An important question remains: Is biblical faith alone what will bring salvation? If so, is Hindu salvation identical with gospel salvation? Jesus once said that "salvation is from the Jews". [John 4:22]. Hence, opinions differ -

"So many minds, so many opinions (Proverb)." Those inexperienced with the wide variety of Hindu teachings, its schools and cults and sects, may do well to get a briefing into Dr. Klaus Klostermaier's book on Hinduism first [Sf]. For what comes from the mouths and words of Hindus may be biased and worse than that. Ignoring a good survey first, it is far easier to get confounded and also trapped and steeped in unrewarding teachings. Some do.

A good survey in advance can save a hundred thousand embarrassments - maybe or maybe not. Klostermaier's book - there are many others - is basically a Hinduism-sympathetic book. And he asserts there are not so many perfect agreements among Hindu thinkers when it comes to Hindu theology, both old and new. Some think the soul (atman, pure consciousness itself) is a bit different from God who is considered as impersonal by some, personal by others, and both personal and impersonal by still others. Some Hindu thinkers like to believe that there's soul-Godhead-identity deep down, and still others think differently than that again, and so on. The Britannica Online contains many articles that illustrate how divergent Hindu thinking really is.

What stands out is that Hinduism is a medley canon and that its frames of reference many times do not fit Christian thinking and many basic teachings of Jesus. That is not different from what some modern Christians think and live out together either, even though Jesus said he would refuse to acknowledge those who called him "Lord, Lord," without doing what he said, and also condemned hypocrites. Indeed -

Hinduism very often deals with partial teachings where different philosophers have disagreed among themselves. To obscure these matters is not fair, nor a sign of particularly worthwhile thinking. [Cf. Suh 372-6]

A good question is what "essential unity" is supposed to mean. Get it spelled out in detail first, and check it as best you can, long before entering any cult that promotes things like that. Once enrolled, one may bend to conform to dull verbiage in circulation there.

The bible doesn't state explicitly that anyone can come to heaven by surrender to Hare Krishna and Krishna avatars today. Krishna is not mentioned anywhere in the bible [see John 5:22]. Nor is the Manu Samhita [Mux], an ancient Hindu law book to live and judge by. The guru of Yogananda makes use of its teachings of cyclic golden ages, "silver ages, brass ages and iron ages", in his work for the advancement of unity between the religious teachings of East and West, for example [Manu Link] [A Yukteswar Collection].

We cannot find that God of the Acts has anything to do with its teachings.

Hoodwinked followers are in for sufferings - it often happens

Even though liberated, the divine ones play . . . their human roles in the seeming reality of the earth-life drama. They have their weaknesses . . . and gain victory. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 295]

Avatar or godman play (lila) may or may not reflect fairness, is an old Indian teaching. There is a harsh story about it too, in one of the old books of Hinduism, a purana. To look to the results (fruits) before judging (evaluating), is in tune with a standard counsel by Jesus.

Christian and Hindu trinities

The concept of Trinity is also exactly the same in the Hindu and Christian scriptures. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 299]

If so, the guru does not bring good evidence of it.

The trinity of Christianity is Father-Son-Holy Spirit, and a sort hodgepodge: "The Father is in me, I am in the Father" and so on [see John].

God the Father

We may say that God the Father, existing in the vibrationless void beyond phenomena, is the Capital that 'backs' creation. The Son, or intelligent Christ Consciousness that permeates the universe, is Management. And the Holy Ghost, or bodiless invisible vibratory power that produces all forms in the cosmos, is Labor." [Say 10]

The gospels do not tell this. Below are a few samples about the Father to look into and compare with:

Your Father in heaven . . . causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [Matthew 5:45]

The birds of the air . . . your heavenly Father feeds them. [Matt 6:26]

Jesus . . . "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." [John 5:17]

Jesus . . . : "Truly, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. [John 5:19]

The Father raises the dead and gives them life . . . [John 5:21]

Listen to the Father and learn from him . . . [see John 6:45]

And on the mount, when Jesus was transfigured and Moses and Elijah talked with him, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son . . . Listen to him!" [see Matthew 17:3-5; Mark 9:7]

According to the Bible, on one occasion the Father talked from a cloud or as a cloud. So there is hardly a good match between the understanding of Jesus and Yogananda's "in the vibrationless void beyond phenomena" concerning the Father. But Yogananda often contradicts himself, or fill a concept with a variety of meanings, as he does about your or our "greatest enemy", for example. Moreover, in the Autobiography of a Yogi Yogananda thinks that his resurrected guru Sri Yukteswar telepathed to him in an Indian hotel when Yogananda "was incoherent with joy" while embracing his guru "with an octopus grip" and Sri Yukteswar "was conveying his word-pictures . . . partly by speech and partly by thought-transference":

Joyous astral festivities on the higher astral planets like Hiranyaloka take place when a being is liberated from the astral world through spiritual advancement, and is therefore ready to enter the heaven of the causal world. On such occasions the Invisible Heavenly Father, and the saints who are merged in Him, materialise Themselves into bodies of Their own choice and join the astral celebration. In order to please His beloved devotee, the Lord takes any desired form. If the devotee worshipped through devotion, he sees God as the divine Mother. [All from Autobiography of a Yogi, ch. 43]

Yogananda teaches on behalf of his guru that the Father tackles being a Mother, if someone so pleases - and that the Father is not always "only" in the beyond. We go on:

There are trinities of Hinduism that don't fit very well into the Father-Son-Holy Spirit concept, which is a one and only trinity of Christianity. There are many trinities of Indian scriptures, and Yogananda mentions several of them. Sat-Tat-Aum (Being, Atman, the Word) is one. Sat is Being, Truth and Reality associated with Brahman (Godhead). Tat stands for Brahman (Godhead) too. Aum (Om) is a syllable that represents Brahman too. Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being, Consciousness, Joy) is another well-known one. Main Hindu gods come in trinities: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, who are the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer, respectively.

But Christianity has it differently. The frame of references, the inherent content of the concepts - parts may not be full well equalled to main Hindu teachings. There is no perfect match.

Easy-looking attempts at hybridisation may capture a lot of innocent youths by what may be likened to plumage swelling. The beauty of colours and patterns on a peacock's tail lies mostly on the surface.

Not all recent gurus appear to like to ride Jesus like a donkey, after all

"To me Krishna and Christ stand supreme." - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 296]

Yogananda adjusted much to Americans between 1920 and 1952. In one of his particular visions from that period he "saw" Jesus and Krishna hand in hand on a sea of gold, as described in Man's Eternal Quest [Ak] If you interpret it much like a dream, the sea of gold to walk on could represent the desire for money and gold.

The ability to see for himself anything he likes, can be developed by yoga training, says the ancient authority Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. It's a short text on how to develop supernatural powers in meditation. Yogananda calls Patanjali an avatar too [Coco: Yolt; Via]. The Yoga Sutras and a primer to it are online here: [LINKS 1 - 2]

Not crippled should be able to recuperate

There are many freaking tenets all over the world. Our glance happens to go to a guru and Hindu emissary here - and there is nothing more to it

All in all we live to learn. Some lessons are to be understood, some need to be understood even better, and so on. Solid, practical handling ensures it. It tends to help to keep a dwelling and stick to one's favoured assets. There are dangers in that, too. Too many die in their homes, such as in the kitchen. Forethought and "Safety first" could have avoided many unwanted deaths, crippling accidents and wrong living. Rush and stress may breed "city madness", it seems fair to say.

It could be mal-adaptations that lie at the bottom of Krishna-fervour and lots of similar "freaking"

"Divine incarnations such as Jesus Christ and Jadava Krishna had somewhere, sometime, developed that spiritual stature which foredestined their birth as avatars. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Cf. Ak 294] (3)

There are defects in India. But there are atomic bombs too. And bombastic cults that may bring on mal-adaptations. Good yoga should not be used for that end. One's own culture and reasonable heritage had better get into things. And fraud in the name of Jesus Christ is hardly salvation-giving. Better try to remain oneself and stout at that. [Cf. Ak 296, 304]

In the gospel of John Jesus says somewhere that only he who came down from heaven can get up there again. "None has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven, the Son of Man. The Son of Man must be lifted up". - [Cf. John 3:13-4]

Thus, Yogananda brings much of a training concept to becoming an avatar, and it does not seem that Jesus is into such topics at all. Yogananda's decrees concerning Jesus look like faulty teachings.

"God of Christians" - is anything bigger and better, all in all?

Pardon a little joke: "He who knows the Atlantic Ocean becomes one with the Ocean." It's derived from and stands on top of "He who knows God becomes one with God".

That the ocean is employed as a metaphor of subtle consciousness and so on, is an age-old Indian teaching. You can find it in the teachings of Ramakrishna too. "Plunge into the ocean of Divinity," he says [Tas 60].

And the first time Ramakrishna gained superconsciousness, he experienced "a limitless, infinite Ocean of Bliss" with "shining billows" that engulfed him. [Goa 19-20]

Another ancient Indian teaching is that the soul (jiva) can become atman (individualised godhead-unit) and atman can become Brahman (the godhead). In the Mundaka Upanishad (3.2.9) - an ancient philosophical treatise on the nature of God, Soul, and the universe - it is expressed in this way: "He who knows that highest Brahman, becomes even Brahman." Likewise, "He who knows Brahman attains the highest (Brahman) [Taittiriyaka Upanishad 9.2.1]." There are other ancient passages that state similar messages.

God-views in Christianity have differed in the course of time, just as Hindu outlooks have. Some traditional Christian views are inspired by Neo-Platonism, in part through Augustine. One view is that man isn't God, but made in the image of God.

Another is that of lifting up the son of man (called barnasha in Aramaic). Barnasha can have many meanings. One is "habit-living man" [see Net xxiv]. The son of God that Jesus talks of, looks like a god in his "You are gods? [see John 10;34]"

It must be good to be informed that if you were not pre-selected or God-singled for anything in particular, Jesus says that you are a god, and as a god you are a god in The Image. Is anything bigger or better than that? A very successful god, maybe.

Contemplation is a traditional way of the West too. 'Contemplation' means meditation, but meditation has many meanings, whereas 'contemplation' is more or less the meditative stage (phase) of interiorizing the mind and awareness. This stage is called 'dhyana' in Sanskrit, and is often translated into meditation, and into 'Zen' too (in Japan). Contemplation can assist lax and decent living. Sound variation often helps man and woman: to work and rest at alternate periods is fit. In our days at least half of all Westerners get stress-induced or stress-aligned diseases. [Cf. Ams 477] Take a look at still worse figures: [Link]

So the need to calm down on top of stress-living seems formidable. But there are limits to what the body, mind and nerves can recuperate from too. Some try to explore that. It can be done in neat ways, neat-looking ways and so on downwards.

Maybe good results (fruits) of contemplation cannot be had by all. Contemplative living is quite an art, and if we don't master it and its inherited basics, maybe we reap sufferings. What is made up of blunderbuss concepts, incoherently structured basic system views, and so on, doesn't serve the person very well in the long run, one may figure.

Mishmash and hybrid teachings may contain things that are good and profitable, many things that are not so profitable, and some detrimental ideas too. To preserve a sane mind it helps to be careful. Better stay clear from garbage and learn to look for yourself - observe firsthand. Some can afford it.

It pays to be forewarned instead of duped by one of the Mother Gods - or what? Not all are eager for Mother Goose instead, but the Mother Goose we talk about here, has been very helpful to very many. There is no goading like an alarming "Cry for Mother God and she will surely appear" in it. That's part of Yogananda's non-Christian heritage in the SRF (Self-Realization Fellowship). It's much more dangerous than it appears to be. For the initiate in contemplation, to function like that takes the attention more outward than methodical diving inside (boring inside, gliding inside, that is, contemplation). Much ballyhoo and crying in vain for God Mom to appear, could take the attention off the interiorization and unificative process. Frantic crying is quite contrary to that process.

Opinions could differ, in part due to meagre evidence, in part due to obscure texts and long lapses of time. Since Jesus (called God) calls us to accomplish greater deeds than he did (see John 14:12 etc), things don't have to be all bad.

Paramahansa Yogananda addressed Americans for most part and tried to make the best out of two different cultures. In a pucker the foremost politicians may become evasive, woolly, reserved, and too abstract, because the price of being specific and blunt seems too great. Is that a hint or not? However, some of the time Yogananda hailed "Lord Krishna" as God, and Divine Mother. [See Ak 297, 298, 296]

If avatars are your problem, there's a chance that somebody let you drop too far down beforehand. We are talking of self-esteem. Coping well could helps.

If careful, unbalanced verbiage really pays, it may not pay to go against it - freaking religiousness is a sign of that

The Christ Intelligence holds the universe in balance—The transcendental way to (omnipresent Christ Consciousness) is by direct communion with the Christ Consciousness through yoga meditation. - Paramahansa Yogananda sayings [cf. Ak 300, 298]

Poking fun cleverly is far better than forming offensive lore. Yogananda reinterprets Christian concepts rather freely. One more question is what could be called original Christianity before the Qumran scrolls were made public.

Talking for oneself

SPEAKING for oneself is done much better inwardly than by faking, to say the least.

These two great avatars, Jadava [Krishna] and Jesus, fully manifested the Christ Consciousness, the Kutastha Chaitanya or divine guiding Intelligence that is in every atom of creation . - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 297]

Until you have "been there", maybe all you can do is to apply some words by Jesus and judge the tree by its fruits.

KRISHNA: The epic poem Mahabharata tells about Krishna, and so does the Srimat Bhagavatam, which is a long Purana, full of stories, and many other books describe Krishna and his exploits too.

JESUS: To be able to assess what Jesus manifested, he who came from "above", it seems "it takes one to know one". However, the apostle Paul says that Christians with the Holy Spirit may assess such as the depths of God, and Jesus says in John 14:12 that we should surpass him - do greater works.

YOGANANDA: He communicates he is able to assess, but he has been found to bungle with concepts from the old Church.

You may sound Christian without being recognised by Jesus who says he wants aligned doings too - it is to be reckoned with along with much less

Yogananda misinterprets the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is the Cosmic Intelligent Vibration, whose sound is the Aum or Amen heard in deep yoga meditation . . . In its vibration is our comfort . . .

(Jesus,) another Oriental Christ . . . spoke of the Amen sound as a vibration, calling it Amen or Holy Ghost. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 300]

This Yogananda teaching differs a whole lot from the New Testament's Holy Ghost. Here is what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit - compare and contrast:

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth. - Jesus [Acts 1:8]

When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. - Jesus [John 15:26]

The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. - Jesus [John 14:26]

He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. - Jesus [John 16:14]

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. - Jesus [John 16:13]

Keys: "Be my witnesses", "Spirit of truth", "send in my name" "bring glory to me", and "teach all things". To teach all things is to teach much. It appears that Yogananda was not reminded that Jesus taught the soul can be killed. It looks like a mistake.

Here is what main apostles wrote about the Holy Spirit too:

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. [Acts 2:2-4]

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." [Acts 2:16-18]

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. None claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. [Acts 4:31-32]

While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. [Acts 13:2-3]

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GENTILE BELIEVERS: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood [food], from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell." [Acts 15:28-29] It is confirmed in a second place: "As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality." [Acts 21:25]"

[Some people] were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. [Acts 19:5-6]

For the kingdom of God isn't a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. [Rom 14:17]

I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. [Rom 15:15-16]

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; [1 Cor 6:19]

You were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body. [1 Cor 6:20]

THE ACTS OF THE SPIRIT: To one there's given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. [1 Cor 12:8-11]

When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. [1 Cor 14:26]

Further keys from the first church: "Speak in tongues", "possessions shared", speaking to apostles, deciding along with the apostles (Acts 15, etc), "Interpreting tongues and dreams", "being together in peace and righteousness", and "offer Gentiles to God", etc. The apostle Paul:

I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship [Rom 12:1; see Hebrew 5:1-5; 10:5-10; 13:16;].

Maybe Peter shows it better:

[In Joppa] Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him,

"Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."

"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I've never eaten anything impure or unclean."

The voice spoke to him a second time, "Don't call anything impure that God has made clean."

This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. [Acts 10:9-16, see 11:5-8]

This is a difficult subject. In the Old Deal God's people sacrificed animals for atonement. Jesus too took part in such deeds, in eating the Passover lamb, it is written. However, he said that God wanted mercy and kindness, not animal sacrifices. Then, somewhat later, he himself was sacrificed by God.

Peter was told that he was to kill and eat unclean animals - that is, teach about Jesus outside of the Jewish faith and so on. The unclean animals to "kill and eat" in his vision represented non-Jews he visited straight away after the vision. Accordingly, when Peter went up to Jerusalem after that, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them." [Acts 11:2-4]

Peter explained, "Who was I to think that I could oppose God?" [Acts 11:17]

Apparently the other apostles had met with a new idea, for at first they acted contrary to what Jesus says in the last few lines of Matthew (which is a late addition, we are told) [cf Matthew 28:18-20].

Soon afterwards Peter addressed the other apostles:

"God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He . . . purified their hearts by faith. [Acts 15:-79]

In a letter, Peter also states, "You . . . are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ [1 Peter 2:5]."

The apostles and the Holy Spirit together decided to drop circumcision and other Laws contrary to words by Jesus in Matthew 5:17-20.

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. Truly, till heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law till everything is accomplished.

Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven . . . [Matthew 5:17-19]

The apostles and the Holy Spirit evidently did. No one should get fooled into maiming himself or herself because of what Jesus said to Jews and for Jews only [in such as Matthew 5]. He came for Jews and his main instructions were for "sick Jews" who needed a heavenly doctor:

I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel [Matthew 15:24]. It's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I haven't come to call the righteous, but sinners [Mark 2:17].

Interestingly, ill legs may have to be amputated, but leave that to the medical expertise. More interesting still, Jesus failed in his heaven-allotted task, it stands out. Note how it failed even though it was given from God the Father.

All things have been committed to me by my Father [Matthew 11:27].

"O Hierusalem! Oh dear!" (Role Model)

This is what he thought was his commission:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I've longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you weren't willing. [Matthew 23:37; also Luke 13:34]

Then Jesus-and-Father gave it up, and Jesus was sacrificed.

He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." [Matthew 26:39, cf Luke 22:41]." And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. [Luke 22:44]

Hanging on the cross shortly after that, he felt he had done the task.

When he had received the drink [which was wine vinegar], Jesus said, "It's finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. [John 19:30]

But as you may know, he decided a bit afterwards that his fishing nets were to be cast over Gentiles instead of those who refused him. Then Jesus said,

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age [Matthew 28:18-20].

Being saved and being slaughtered came very close in the lives of many from then on. Millions of martyrs went down, filled with the joy of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

A REMINDER: Don't forget to have fun and smile, as Yogananda says, "It is good to laugh . . . Your smile must spread . . ."

The biblical question is not whether it's worth while to worship a stone and articles made by hands

AS SOON as this storm of material desires is over we can melt again into the ocean of God—We worship only Brahman, Spirit. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 305, 299]

What did Yogananda mean by "we"? That could be interesting to get clarified. Yogananda does not go against worshipping idols. In his autobiography he ritually worships a stone and says how exemplary it is.

I sauntered into the jungle, making my way through its tropical tangle till I reached Tarakeswar.

There I made a second pilgrimage to the famous shrine, and prostrated myself fully before the altar. The round stone enlarged before my inner vision till it became the cosmic spheres, ring within ring, zone after zone, all dowered with divinity. [LINK]

Some old bible commands in the matter are seen in Exodus 20:

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God . . . [Exodus 20:4-6]

Jesus affirms:

Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments [the Law of Moses] and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven [Matthew 5:19]

Odd as it may seem to ardent followers, he broke Law rules himself, two of the Ten Commandments. They were very central in the Old Pact.

"Mhm - next!" - Bugs Bunny.

After all, in Hindu teachings, when you leave the body, the Lord is called Sole Doer (in general) -

Someday you will have to leave the body. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 306]

For a while, Yogananda himself didn't appear to leave his body completely - or maybe he did. The body he died in, lay as a very much unchanged, non-breathing body for 21 days in sunny California - meticulously described in a notarised report by Harry Rowe, a mortuary director. At the rear of many books by Yogananda interesting gist from it is added. The complete report is in Paramahansa Yogananda in Memoriam [Sob]. It includes a detail of a little brown spot developed on the tip of his nose. SRF has usually not included that item afterwards.

That religious society (SRF) teaches that by advanced and progressive "clever gasping" called KRIYA YOGA, a teacher can stay alive and conquer death. The teaching includes a story of undying, rarely seen Indian avatars that are presented as more than twice as old as Methuselah. The spiritual head of Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) is one of them. A facet of his teaching is that the Lord is the Sole Doer. [Cf. Pa]

Yogananda did not use many concepts from the north

The Holy Ghost is the Cosmic Intelligent Vibration, whose sound is the Aum - Paramahansa Yogananda [cf. Ak 300]

We have seen what the gospels decree about the Holy Spirit already, and in that light we witness a largely unfit Hinduisation of a main Christian concept. To marshal dear-looking slogans was very, very Yogananda.

Irregular awe is counteracted by us

A material life without Thee, my Lord, is a source of physical misery, disease, crime, ignorance, and unhappiness. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 303]

He means that "to be constantly worried even in pleasant surroundings is to live in Hades, to live in the inner, boundless soul-peace, even though housed in a rickety shack, is real paradise." Adding deep meditation to the daily routines, and reaching a balanced life of meditation and activity must be favourable, the guru asserts [see Ak 303]

Going against his all-round counsel of dropping worries and freeing oneself from endless mental ills, Yogananda institutionalized "crying for God Mom" as one favoured practice. The inculcated practice may be hazardous to health. The rigmarole of SRF includes fervent prayers to God Mom that she shall come, manifest herself - not wholly unlike brownies in the barns too.

The publishers inform that "The Hindu scriptures teach that God . . . may be sought as . . . love, . . . in the form of . . . Mother". [Ak 472] Yogananda was aware of many a "jealous, hateful, angry woman" in the world, and yet kept on preaching that "If you continue to cry, "I want Your love!" the Divine Mother finally melts." Then "She gives you . . . Her divine love" [Ak 375-76]. That was his opinion. Something else has happened to many people. They are disappointed.

Parts of Yogananda's teachings are cry-for-Mother-blemished, and bring troubles to some. There are three main aspects to this:

• Crying for Mother God is not much Christian. Christianity operates with a Father and a Son, but not a Mother. Joseph's Mary served that end. Religious Mother crying forms no part of very common, widely accepted Christianity, where most people do call Jesus "Lord, Lord," and don't do as he says in all matters, don't live up to his old teachings much.
• The unhealthy item was introduced by Yogananda. If grown-ups keep crying for Mom for long, over and over, it is unbalanced. Adult living consists among other things in freeing oneself from one's childhood's mother and trauma, and loving the family instead.
• Crying for Mom goes very much against the whole effort of yoga contemplation too. The teachings of Lahiri Baba are rife with this: It is in mighty peace that the right sort of progress (of contemplation) can be made. Yogananda actually changed the kriya teachings in some ways. One thing he did, was to introduce fervent Mother calling into meditation sessions.

On the universe as real or unreal

As soon as you become focused on the limited physical body you will fall into the pit of misery. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 301]

Yogananda maintains this teaching, and also that the universe is unreal. The body is in the universe, and misery.

We say, by contrast: "As soon as you get confused you may fall into misery: As soon as you get confused . . ." You may happen to meet happy materialists who live well for no further (ulterior) reason:

There's no specific help in old and modern godhood teachings unless you manage to wade in or swims in or take up fishing - or master tides and waves - It's hardly the ocean but what is made out of it that matters. That's the often-ignored point, but it comes very much to the fore in the Yoga Sutras. First glide inside (contemplate) and next use focused attention (sanyama) to develop some more - that's it. [LINK]

The Ocean of God to experience through contemplation for a long time (or very short time, if you're one of the lucky ones) is experienced while being inside a universe. All the same Yogananda also teaches that the universe is unreal - a dream. That teaching has its problems:

Awe is not good for frivolity, nor is aching

The world is nothing more than a cosmic dream—this life is a dream." - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 237, 240]

It could be interesting to know what the psychologists think of such statements from Yogananda's talk "The Dream Nature of the World", given in his headquarters in Los Angeles on December 23, 1937. However, we regularly steer out of that arena, and try instead to give you philosophical gist where the guru delivers existential tenets, and we try them out tentatively as premises for assorted deductions. Thus:

If the universe is a swindle, we who live in it are too, and the guru teachings that the universe is unreal, and so on and on. Yogananda's teachings from "The Dream Nature of the World" appear to be a dead end street.

If the world's a dream, at least it is spacious. If the life is a dream, it's a trifle. Does Jesus teach that? Jesus teaches, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? [Matthew 16:26]"

Sound precaution cannot be done away with.

By contrast, thoughts of giving up the world most often spell "enter a lesser setting", perhaps to bring about a reduced or reductionist fare inside "the great illusion" too - and so on. It behoves a man to find a better way, if Jesus meant what he said: "Do greater works than me - in the right spirit" [John 14:12, paraphrased]. Thus you can feel free to do greater works than Jesus.

You can aim a bit higher than Jesus [see John 14:12]. Few things are harder to grapple with than intrinsic nonsense! That's a Norse lesson from a time the gods bound the really big, bad wolf by nonsense stuff. [Cf. Ng: Fenrir]

The lesson: You can batter minds of others by silly nonsense that is outside the realm of verification and sound documentation. Belief often serves it - the greater such beliefs are called, the more disappointments are wont to come, statistically talking. Things tend to function like that.

It's better to strive to make sure and not really invest belief in stories one is told. Make a good and sound working-hypothesis of the "believe it" tale, and check whether anything may be verified conveniently. It should not be risky, expensive and create wars - not even in the family - where a man's enemies are found, according to Jesus. Such enemies are to be loved a lot - accordingly things look normal.

It's very good if things come down to something that looks normal in every way. For that could last, like the "normal-looking nature" we are inside in the universe - A miracle is on top of that, but may require lots of adjustments after all. A great healing consists in getting better and perhaps normal-looking. There are some neat rules of the thumb here. "Get things normal to look at and they can last long." "Business as usual" is a British sentence on top of that again. It reflects a sound lesson.

Other Yogananda passages too state that the universe is an illusion. Some are found in his autobiography, centred on Babaji that builds a mystic palace and then drops it all of a sudden.

If the universe is non-real, there's no Ocean of God inside it, and no shoreline (our perceptions of godhead) around either. This is what we must call necessary deductions from basic Yogananda premises -

Another angle: If Yogananda gives infallible guidelines- they cannot be illusions - then the universe is real! His warm-hearted disciples are not allowed to think he could mar or cheat like that. Great obedience to Yogananda's "The world is an illusion" and very similar tenets may yield not a few startling points, however:

1. The universe is illusory, and with it, everything and everyone in it.
2. Avatars are just illusions - even less than ghosts, according to his dominant premise (axiom).
3. We are all illusions here. The value of Yogananda's teaching is illusory - it's not true.

All this is in strict accord with Yogananda's teaching in the matter. As with some deconstructivist teachings that claim "It is true that there is no difference between true and untrue" [Ericson], it may be much more rewarding to listen to a lamb's rustic "Bah-bah". That's good to know. [Ded 93]

Why all the verbosity in "a dream"? You find that out.

Faking surely aids deep identification with bigwigs - stay aware of that to avoid the trap

The destinies of both Jesus and Krishna were prophesied in the scriptures. These two avatars both stand up. [Cf. Ak 297]

JESUS: There is one thing to be sure of: Even though Jesus drew on Old Testament passages that suited him, there were many others passages that did not. For example:

"I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel." [Hosea 1:4]

"I will crush you". [Amos 2:13]

"Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again". [Amos 5:2]

"You are destroyed, O Israel, because you are against me, against your helper. (...) In my anger I gave you a king". [Hosea 13:9,11]

According to these prophets, then, Jesus did not come to the ten lost tribes of Israel, those lost sheep of Israel, for God had destroyed THEM hundreds of years earlier. They could never rise again either [Matthew 10:6; 15:24]

There is one more thing to know about prophesies: If they look much woolly, they may later be interpreted - and serviceable to hip demagogues and others of the same ilk.

The guru used many concepts that sought to safeguard a set-up conformity

From Christ we learn that the purpose of religion is to expand human consciousness and unite it with the omnipresent Christ Consciousness. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 298]

To the contrary, it often shows up that the purpose of religion is to get gifts and means from conform, obedient under-dogs, more often. This working is visible in the USA, and here we have a useful, if not complete outlook.

It can be useful to consider religion and spirituality together: Some hold that religion functions along the horizontal "axis", whereas spirituality functions along the vertical "axis". Kriya yoga is for spirituality, and churchism may or may not serve it very well.

Yogananda's religion was one of self-effort-salvation free from Jesus influence. At times Yogananda purports that the diving methods accelerate and stretch the subtle, human mind to encompass the ocean of God. He says his special panting exercises do the trick - they work like mathematics, he implies. Even so, devotion has to be added, he also tells. Yogananda has confounded many on these points.

• If the methods (that he changed) work like mathematics, no devotion is really needed.
• If devotion is needed, Yogananda should not have appealed to listeners by "science and mathematics". It is as simple as that.

In the West we have had contemplation for many centuries - in one way it's self-help: You have to do your part. And then again - it may not be that easy.

Yogananda instituted a hybrid religion. Why or how could he, if he felt it was all empty show-off - an illusory performance by nobody? You may never find the answer to that nifty koan.

The apostle Paul teaches that gaining Christ stems from the sacrifice of Jesus, by such as being baptised full well. Christianity is very much an heir-of-Jesus thing, as opposed to self-help-evangelising. The Catholic Father Matheo has more to add at this point: [Link]

Above all, heed what aids the soul. All our understanding is from maya (figure-making processes deep inside). The guru often seems to forget that

[Jesus] meant that the soul of Elisha had reincarnated in the body of John the Baptist—Jesus understood that "The Father has become myself." This truth is also brought out in the Hindu scriptures: "Tat twam asi," That thou art." - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 306, 299]

FROM HINDU SCRIPTURES: First, it is more fit to say '(some) Hindu scriptures' than 'the Hindu scriptures', because that body of literature is much variegated, and Hindu books do not necessarily agree with one another on all points - or big points, and minor ones, and so on.

Vedanta is said to rest on certain great statements, and "Tat twam asi" is one of them. The deeper meaning of "You are That" is that Atman [soul] and Brahman [Spirit] are the same. Atman is thought of as the indwelling spirit, and Brahman pervades and sustains the world. The Aryan teaching is that there is something (someone) in each entity, and that transcends and covers the whole world. Ancient sages pondered whether Atman and Brahman are one. "Tat Tvam Asi" was one answer: and a Sandilya discovered it. Therefore it is known as "Sandilya Vidya [knowledge]" [see Khandogya Upanishad 3.14].

REINCARNATION: Yogananda interprets some bible passages so that they appear to confirm his reincarnation teachings. The most important question is whether Yogananda is seeing the reality here - he who maintains the universe is unreal. If so, reincarnation is not real either, and so on.

Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured . . . Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. [Matthew 17:1-3; see also Mark 9:4]

Jesus [afterwards], "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they didn't recognise him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."

Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. [Matthew 17:11-13; see also Mark 9:11-13]

Yogananda uses these quotations to legitimate his view that the gospels teach reincarnation. Here we are faced with two problems, not one: (1) Does reincarnation exist? If so where is the good evidence of it? (2) Was it the recently beheaded John the Baptist that showed up on the mount in the shape of Elijah? It is a fine point that Jesus resurrected in the same body that went into the tomb. His body even retained the scars and wounds in His hands, feet, and side from the crucifixion [John 20:28]. Not so with Elijah on the mount, he did not appear with his head off or a scar around his neck as a sign of how John the Baptist had been killed; at least it is not mentioned . . . And besides Elijah did not die, but went to heaven alive, the Old Testament tells, so he should not be able to reincarnate for that reason alone.

Still, in Matthew 11:14 Jesus says, "And if you are willing to accept it, [John the Baptist] is the Elijah who was to come."

But what is it supposed to mean? Opinions differ. We should be informed, though, that some hold that Matthew 11:14 does not really teach that John the Baptist was a reincarnation of Elijah:

1. Luke 1:17 is made use of as a significant cross reference here; it tells that the ministry of John the Baptist was carried out "in the spirit and power of Elijah."
2. Reincarnationists drop the point that John the Baptist, when asked if he was Elijah, answered, "No!" [John 1:21].
3. The Old Testament shows that Elijah never died (which would have to have been required if reincarnation was in view), but was taken directly to heaven [2 Kings 2:1, 11-12].

In the light of such biblical evidence, the passages Yogananda use to show reincarnation in the bible, may not serve him full well - but we should leave room for miracles - [Ak 295; John 14.12]

Has reincarnation been proved full well nowadays? To explore this very difficult topic with some sort of knowledge and skill, there may be thoughtful considerations to learn from Dr. Ian Stevenson; he has tried to make out of this topic for decades. His findings may not be convincing to all - or very many - (and so on), but they are indicative. [Link].

Forget not that maya goes for handy ways out in general, even brilliant solutions. Dreams reflect that inherent capacity. All our concepts of God are due to maya (in the aspect of figuring prowess).

We cannot forsake all for the Atlantic Ocean, our duties to our family and other lives, without power borrowed from the (frantic) Atlantic, this is very much implied in Paramahansa Yogananda's fine-sounding slogans. [See Ak 302]

Yogananda's string of thought is, in main lines: The Hindu concepts of God and the Trinity agree completely with those of Christianity [Ak 299]; becoming concentrated on the physical body brings one into misery [Ak 301]; so renounce [Ak 302]. Yogananda likewise goes too far when he says "Christ teaches physical renunciation as the highest way of attaining God." A memorable Hindu passage that goes against this mistake, is "also renounce renunciation, and even give up the absence of renunciation. By nature all-pervasive as space, knowledge absolute are you [Avadhut Gita 4:21].

"The Avadhut is not concerned with the things of the world, because the natural state of Self-realization renders all else insignificant. Death and birth have no meaning; he meditates not, neither does he worship [Avadhut Gita 6:31]. Be that as it may for now. In other works Yogananda wants you to have Self-realisation with a capital S., defined as "the knowing—in body, mind, and soul—that we are one with the omnipresence of God (etc.)". The term derives apparently from 'atma-jnana' in Hindu texts.

In the United States, Yogananda made use of the term "Self-realisation" first, as can be seen in the current name of his fellowship, which is Self-Realization Fellowship. But as the years went by in the United States he used the word 'God' much more than 'Self' or Atman. To sell out somewhat in order to gain influence, is a little secret. What's more, you may have to do the same, for such is the power of arrogant or very biased company. This was to say that by "God" he often meant "your inner self defined as I say."

From business and money to own home suggests the smartness

Some holy-looking ones should learn to sweep in front of their own doors, and need to be told

Parts of Sanatana Dharma (also called Hinduism) are not unwelcome here. And there is much good elsewhere too. What we don't like, is proselytising agents that do not play fair and deal in blemishes or black trading that could demand faulty submissions all one's life.

Thus, even though we seldom care a bit, we have not refrained from refuting a lot here.

The big point for most people is to get enough wealth for their own house -

Avatar signifies the descent of Divinity into flesh—Cosmic energy is the Holy Ghost . . . and intelligent—The Father is the intelligence beyond creation. [Editorial note, Ak 294n, 299, 300] (5)

Maybe he isn't - "The Holy Ghost is energy" - maybe the Holy Ghost dislikes marring, Hinduism-adapted reductionism. We should be aware of the possibility. Further, maybe the Father of creation is inside the world, and not merely beyond the world, too. The Father of Jesus seemed inside. The good point: these things are hard to ascertain; maybe let it be and go for money enough for house, home and a garden.

Alien and so-called godsends may cheat in unexpected, unforeseen ways

There are also parallels in the personal stories . . . Jesus and Krishna were born—the Trinity was described in the Hindu scriptures: "Aum, Tat, Sat" - Cosmic Vibration, Christ Intelligence, and God the Father. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 296, 300]

The bible hardly ever gives sanction to worship Bhagavan Krishna for a Christian. If you are in doubt you can ask the Vatican or someone closer - All the same, there is much you can do to let alternative, choice thinking remain much welcome in your home and family to gain benefits and not stiffen.

Not all literature around Krishna may be called fiction

In deeper communion with the Christ Consciousness you realize you are one with God—Krishna is the Christ of the Hindus. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 300-01, 297]

About nine tenths of Hindus worship Krishna-Vishnu. One tenth (mainly in the south) are Shiva followers. We are not so sure whether they actually consider Krishna a Christ either.

The key question seems to be: How can you be one with Krishna in any original Christian spirit or gospel Christ.

Yogananda strives to fulfil his mission: to align Jesus and Krishna

Both Jesus and Jadava [Krishna] were one with the omnipresence of Christ Consciousness. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 298]

"It takes one to know one" is a saying. Unless Yogananda is dogmatic here, he knows what he is talking of. And the way he advocates is by going deep inside without breaking. The art of contemplation is for that.

What we are looking into on this page - Yogananda lectures and talks - is also a fruit of team effort by the editors and publishers, Self-Realization Fellowship. There is a risk that if you first give your trust to them, you may lose independence of mind and spirit, caught up in defences.

Gurus swindle and set up religious enclaves on top if it. Poking fun with men like that is at times important, rudely important

The great ones . . . became masters through their own efforts. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 294]

To the contrary, Jesus said he was sent by the Father, came and taught and paved the way, and that on one occasion disciples had got much for nothing and were to bring it out for nothing. He called himself living water and living bread of a special kind:

[Jesus:] Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." [John 4:14, emphasis added]

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. [John 6:35]

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever." [John 6:51, emphasis added]

In the bible there is no particular evidence that Jesus worked much as Yogananda said. At least in some respects this was once valid, "Freely you have received, freely give [Matthew 10:8]."

KNOCKS: We find in Yogananda's autobiography that he himself got much help in India, and a knock on his chest crowned these doings. This is part of what happened.

Master spoke caressively, comfortingly. His calm gaze was unfathomable. "Your heart's desire shall be fulfilled."

Sri Yukteswar seldom indulged in riddles; I was bewildered. He struck gently on my chest above the heart My body became immovably rooted; breath was drawn out of my lungs as if by some huge magnet. Soul and mind instantly lost their physical bondage, and streamed out like a fluid piercing light from my every pore. [LINK]

Besides, a Master behind him, Lahiri Baba, got a quite similar help one day in the Himalayas. He got help by being softly patted into it.

The saint approached and struck me gently on the forehead. At his magnetic touch, a wondrous current swept through my brain, releasing the sweet seed-memories of my previous life.

"'I remember!' My voice was half-choked with joyous sobs. 'You're my guru Babaji . . ." [LINK]

These miraculous stories are found in the Autobiography [cf. Pa 148, 316].

Note that we are not saying you should not exert yourself in the right way and right directions at all. We just point out some main differences in the teachings of Original Christianity - of Jesus in the gospels, that is - and of Yogananda.

What we are faced with includes an element of "Do as I say, not as I did". We think it should be admitted.

The higher faculties of man need a lot of fun at times. Burlesques may do too.

Health or no health, power or no power, seek God first. When you seek with that determination, "all things shall be added unto you" – not before. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 301]

The truth is: without health and some measure of power there is little to do. It may evoke a picture of a death-bed scene. The half-dead man (or woman) can do little more than gasp and turn his eyes upward. That could be the clue of practice for seeking God too - Seeing is believing.

But don't forget to live too. Bland Zen may help, it hardly lames higher faculties.

A belief should refrain from bitching slogans and making nervous wrecks

Christianity taught reincarnation. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 306] (6)

We have studied that topic above. And today Christianity is linked to Santa Claus, particularly during some marketing months before Christmas. What is not spoken neatly of, is the value of that linkage. It's much the same with coupling reincarnation and Christian teachings from antiquity. Some Gnostic did so, others didn't, as revealed in books by the Church Fathers, and Qumran findings.

It often pays to stay away from minority teachings. Bluntly said, "Feel inspired to invest rude belief differently, and it can pay!" It's a good thing not to fall victim to lots of believing - that's our point - at least one of them.

In conclusion: Many great belief can aligned to fluffy dreams "up in the air" or in the heads and minds of men and women - and may prove too shallow. There is good enough reason to fear:

"The greater the belief required, the less evidence is at hand, and the more likely one is to get immobilised from one's believing as years go by."

It may work better to live up to "Better safe than sorry" and the Russian "Believe, but make sure."

There are good assertions and the rest. Mediocre assertions may serve us somehow

The vibration of Amen produces a great voice, as of the trumpet in John's Revelation 1:10. [see Ak 300].

Interpreting mystical sayings can go this way, and it can go that way. Yogananda's assertion is that the sound of the Holy Ghost is Aum, and that in the behind-me-trumpet's vibration is our comfort. And this is not really a thing of flatulence.

And after all, the Om sound that one hears by plugging the ears in a yogic contemplation method, is not really like a trumpet!

Not everyone is great inside that is called great without, said Jesus: The greatest is like a child - perhaps least to look at among others

It is true that Christ lived in India during most of the eighteen unaccounted for years of his life; studying with India's great masters. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 306] (7)

"It is true", but to whom? And who were the great masters? Who did Yogananda appear to sanction as India's great masters of that time?

"Don't believe everything you hear" is much sound. Rather much depends on how mature and tidy and bright you are. And terribly much on inherited tradition to remain staunch inside. We should not be made victims of hearsay and fine-sounding words that lack a fit foundation.

"Nice words are far from always true [Tao Te Ching, Chapter 81]." It appears that Lao Tzu warns against swollen or high-flown phrases.

Yogananda stood up in his time and called his guru fathers almighty and all-knowing - one of them "a master in every way" [Ak 99]. In the gospels, Christ is given all authority on earth - but first he had to go through his crucifixion. (#2 6)

Summary

1. There is not any fit Christian exegesis to adjust to in Yogananda's fellowship, but there is much suave verbiage.
2. Those who are not too crippled, should be able to recuperate from guru fetishes and blunders and go inside competently by meditation.
3. Learn to speak for and manifest yourself better in rewarding ways - small ways or other ways, as is fit, then. "From conducting business and gaining rightful money to cater to home and one's children" suggests the basic life-handling deals that are into it.

Exegesis can work fine, but it remains just a servant for all who are filled with the Right Spirit, the one Jesus promised ALL his followers, but whihc they did not get enough of, all of them, it stands out. Speak from your heart, accordingly, when appropriate, and you don't HAVE TO believe every tale of reincarnation you're told either. Go for evidence to eliminate swindles too. Having one's own home should be fit and work well.

"The honeyed tongue of . . . improbably schemes"

Gurus have gained much respect in "God's own country" by infiltrating talk and other forms of demagoguery, and so on. If their footing doesn't stand sound inspection, what then?

Learn to take heed in time - Yogananda was sent on a mission to propagate "unified Christianity-Hinduism. Babaji asked a Priya Nath Karar (later named Sri Yukteswar) to write that there was no real discrepancy between the scriptures of East and West. However, there are significant differences between handed-over Christianity and Hinduism. Babaji set him to work on a wrong footing. Inspect the evidence we have brought to light.

Note further that the Mahabharata, the very extensive epos that the Bhagavad Gita is a part (kanda) of, shows that the most cherished avatar in India caused ruin and manslaughter, and in the end let his own children with 18,000 wives and concubines drown. He did not go against that.

Also, in the long epic poem Mahabharata Krishna admits that a dreadful war was manipulated into being by him. Five husbands who shared one wife became Krishna's buddies - and yet they left the world feeling empty and useless.

Heed such gist you may steer better along than those who get duped and misled by guru statements raife with distorted views and the like.

Literature

Ak: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Man's Eternal Quest. 2nd ed. Los Angeles: Self-Realization Fellowship,, 1982.

Ap: Mieder, Wolfgang (main ed.), Stewart A. Kingsbury, and Kelsie E. Harder: A Dictionary of American Proverbs. (Paperback) New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.

Ay: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Autobiography of a Yogi. 1st ed. New York: Philosophical Library, 1946. Online. [oaks.nvg.org/pv6bk12.html]

Bht: Narada. The Buddha and His Teachings. 4th ed. Kuala Lumpur: Buddhist Missionary Society, 1988. — I recommend it.

Coco: Leggett, Trevor: The Complete Commentary by Sankara on the Yoga-Sutras. Kegan Paul. New York, 1990.

Dr: Yogananda, Paramahansa. The Divine Romance. New ed. Los Angeles: Self-Realization Fellowship, 1993.

Ebu: Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica 2008 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD. London: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2008.

Goa: Nikhilananda, sw. tr: The Gospel of Ramakrishna. Abr. ed. Ramakrishna- Vivekananda. New York, 1974.

Ha: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Autobiography of a Yogi. 12th ed. Los Angeles: Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), 1981.

Him: Zaehner, R. C.: Hinduism. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press. London, 1966.

Ji: Ehrman, Bart D. Jesus, Interrrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (And Why We Don't Know About Them). New York: HarperCollins, 2009.

Jse: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Journey to Self-realization: Discovering the Gift of the Soul. New ed. Los Angeles: Self-Realization Fellowship, 1997.

Mil: Miller, Elliot. Swami Yogananda and the Self-Realization Fellowship: A Successful Hindu Countermission to the West.. Charlotte, NC: Christian Research Institute, 2009.
[www.equip.org/articles/swami-yogananda-and-the-self-realization-fellowship]

Mj: Ehrman, Bart D. Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why. New York: HarperCollins, 2005.

Mux: Bühler, G. tr: The Laws of Manu. Banarsidass (Reprint from Oxford University's 1886-edition). Delhi, 1984.

Net: Lamsa, George tr: The New Testament. Holman Bible Publishers. Philadelphia, 1968.

Pa: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Autobiography of a Yogi. 11th ed. Los Angeles: Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), 1971.

Sf: Klaus K. Klostermaier: A Survey of Hinduism. State University of New York Press. Albany, N.Y, 1989.

Sob: Self- Realization Fellowship: Paramahansa Yogananda in Memoriam. SRF. Los Angeles, 1958.

Spa: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Sayings of Paramahansa Yogananda. 4th ed. Los Angeles: Self-Realization Fellowship, 1980.

Tas: Ramakrishna: Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishna. 5th ed. Ramakrishna Math, Madras, 1974.

Via: Nikhilananda, sw.: Vivekananda. The Yogas and Other Works. Rev. ed. Ramakrishna-Vivekananda. New York, 1953.

Yof: Isherwood, Christopher and Pranabhananda, sw: How To Know God. Mentor. New York, 1969.

Yolt: Johnston, Clive tr: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Stuart and Watkins. London, 1968.



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