"Things I Learned from My Guru" - Swami Kriyananda's 60th Discipleship Anniversary - 9-13-08

In this video, Swami Kriyananda celebrates his 60th discipleship anniversary to Paramhamsa Yogananda and the spiritual path of Self Realization. He expresses his deep gratitude for the blessings of Divine Friendship, community and the many transformative experiences that have deepened and enhanced his spiritual growth and understanding. Kriyananda shares personal stories and emphasizes that his learning was not acquired merely intellectually but as a recognition at the soul level. The path of Self Realization is essentially about self-discovery - a path and community that he found allowed him with deep love and respect from others, to be true to himself without conformity to an institutional mold.
ABOUT SWAMI KRIYANANDA
In 1948 at the age of twenty-two, Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) became a disciple of the Indian yoga master, Paramhansa Yogananda. At Yogananda’s request, Swami Kriyananda devoted his life to lecturing and writing, helping others to experience the living presence of God within. He taught on four continents in seven languages over the course of 65 years. His talks, his music, and his many books have touched the lives of millions. An advocate of simple living and high thinking, his more than 150 books emphasize the need to live wisely by one’s own experience of life, and not by abstract theories or dogmas. A composer since 1964, Walters has written over 400 musical works. His music is inspiring, soothing, and uplifting.
His books and teachings on spiritualizing nearly every field of human endeavor include business life, leadership, education, the arts, community, and science. He wrote extensive commentaries on the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita, both based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. He is known as the “father of the intentional communities movement,” which began in the United States in the late 1960s, fullfilling Yogananda's dream.
He founded the first of what are now 10 Ananda communities worldwide in 1967 near Nevada City, California. Other Ananda communities have developed over the years worldwide. Each community has a spiritual focus (a teaching center and temple) and a community (homes where members live). More than 1,000 people live in these intentional spiritual communities. Swami Kriyananda’s example of inspired leadership was the reason for Ananda’s success. He uplifted and encouraged people through personal example, spiritual counseling, writing, lecturing, music, and prayer. He trained the current Ananda leaders in much the same way: free from egoic motivation, always placing the spiritual needs of others foremost in all decisions. He was a patient and sensitive teacher, allowing people to learn by experience, and never placing institutional needs ahead of the needs of an individual. “People are more important than things” is one of the foremost guiding principles of Ananda. And “Where there is adherence to dharma [right action], there is victory,” is another.
Find out more at www.swamikriyananda.org
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ABOUT PARAMHANSA YOGANANDA
Paramhansa Yogananda, born in 1893, was the first yoga master of India to take up permanent residence in the West. Yogananda arrived in America in 1920, and proceeded to travel throughout the United States on what he called his “spiritual campaigns.” Hundreds of thousands filled the largest halls in major American cities to see the yoga master from India. Yogananda continued to lecture and write up to his passing in 1952.
ABOUT ANANDA WORLDWIDE
Ananda is a worldwide movement to help individuals realize the joy of their own higher Self. Ananda is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and was founded by his direct disciple Swami Kriyananda in 1968. Learn more at ananda.org.
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[@mccashmax9156]

there is so much joy in his speech. I get goosebumps hearing it. He is so in love with God.

[@wendylee8654]

Such passionate devotion! And such a soothing voice! I love listening! 💙✨️

[@ThomasBertels-cq8vv]

I didn't know Swami Kriyananda, but I met him quite briefly at a Whole Life Expo in New York City in the early 90s. It was quite by "chance" as I walked into an elevator and there he was. He gave me this wonderful smile and acknowledgement. I am so glad to be able to see these videos. I am so delighted to witness his bright and joyful spirit and humor.

[@AnandaWorldwide]

Thank you for sharing, Thomas! 🙏

[@ruthnamaste]

Beautiful truth.... ❤😊

[@maha77]

Always so beautifully uplifting to hear him speak

[@MOSloan]

So magnificent that we have these historic but present teaching moments available to us. Many thanks, Swamiji and Ananda for providing this for us all!

[@nancythomason5767]

thank you!

[@2sridhark]

Swamiji is so beautiful. I love him so much. He is very much alive. In our hearts!

[@sonelle77d]

AUM guru. Thank you Swamiji

[@govindt1367]

Such a sweetheart

[@thaisdarosa2100]

From his first word of greeting to the last note sung by the choir, this is a joyous ramble of reminiscence and wisdom. Thank you Master and Swamiji.

[@spirit_and_nature]

Touch me but once and I will change 🙏

[@nitefox4411]

Very beautiful. 6:35 it is hard to understand as human beings "why". Ram Dass speaks of Fierce Grace. Under your Guru's blanket now Swami. No more hurt. Its all ok. Yogananda's world brotherhood colonies through Ananda ARE a blessing for all the world... What a wonderful 100 year commemoration your ministers put together for Yogananda. Thank You Kriyananda for your work. Blessings to you Swami.

[@violungu3246]

Thank you! 🙏🏼❤️

[@amrishlove9398]

What a wonderfull discourse. It brings me closer to god. Appreciated

[@ethousandsofsuns5376]

I love listening to stories about Master and I am very grateful for the videos.💛 I just feel a little sad when he drops in a few negative and unkind comments about other monks and keeps comparing organisations implying certain superiority, despite quickly denying it with words. I have no sides, just a sincere and deep longing for peace and unity. May Guru bless and illuminate us all with his love, humility and wisdom to navigate through this world of distortions and illusions. Jai Guru. 🕉🙏🏼📿☀️✨

[@sikandersingh3267]

Positive.... Positive....

[@ly6203]

I feel so poor without having found my Guru in flesh, nevertheless being so rich with Jesus in me♥️

[@bullsdeepdish6982]

Your guru is you. But it would have been such a blessing to know and love master yogananda.

[@bretdaley6869]

Love You, Thank You 💖

[@sunitasharma2617]

🙏🌷

[@celessiemyers5821]

Thank you for sharing your learning from a Divine Guru that I REVEREND. I am reading the autobiography of a yogi. Love light and bliss.

[@bettytoh9088]

Besides the "Autobiography of a Yogi, " I would also recommend " Man's Eternal Quest." Great book !

[@MrReedTea]

Our gurus are working for us watch this please and do not think much mediate remember the good karma get rid of the weights of guilt shame and so on we are here to get to GOD TO RISEAND THRIVE

[@radhakrsnasbhakta5755]

♥️

[@anandasearch]

💖🙏💖✨⭐️💙⭐️✨

[@eStephani_]

More need to listen at 1hr in. This is what we must all learn to know. Internally. Jesus was a man who found divinity. He didn't want the world. He wanted the people of this world to see who they could become. Lead by example.

[@gregorallnight371]

I wonder why that God would say He sent bad ones to Master at first to test his love but he passed that test many incarnations before and was a fully liberated soul, one with God and sent to America by God,through Babaji,sending him first to Yukteswar,also a liberated soul,for training then on to the mission to the West..surely divine Mother knew of his total,unwavering love for and total devotion to God and being a liberated soul already...can you shed light on this for me?

[@AnandaWorldwide]

Hi Gregor - perhaps it was just part of the Cosmic Lila - the Divine Play where everyone plays their part, even avatars. Like you said, Yogananda played the part of the disciple to Sri Yukteswar, even though he was already liberated many lifetimes ago. So it might have been a lesson for all of us to persevere and not give up when it's difficult in the beginning, when we try to accomplish something important and worthwhile, trying to help others spiritually.

[@gregorallnight371]

@@AnandaWorldwide Hello,thank you for reply...it has been a somewhat puzzling aspect when a liberated being is,God Him,Her or Itself,why then have to be tested when such tests had been already passed many times in past lives and also this life...thanks again for your reply..also that we should deeply pray for one another while on this incredible and often difficult journey..

[@mococa4]

Yogananda himself admits he was't perpect in his autobiography.

[@lightjoybliss]

Dear @@gregorallnight371 , you know, our true goal is to achieve Nirvikalpa Samadhi (Jivan Mukta). We can easily become fully liberated (next step after being a Jivan Mukta) Let me quote a conversation between Paramhansa Yogananda (PY) and Swami Kriyananda (SK) . It's mentioned in "The New Path": SK: “Sir, why can’t a master simply dissolve all his karma the moment he attains oneness with God?” PY: “Well,” Master replied, “in that state you don’t really care whether you come back or not. It is just like a dream to you then. You are eternally awake, merely watching the dream. You may go on for incarnations that way, or you may say, ‘I am free,’ and be free right away. It’s all in the mind. As soon as you say you are free, then you’re free. _________________________________ Hope this will ease some doubt from over you!

[@gregorallnight371]

@@lightjoybliss Hello and thanks for reply..then it appears that the Master,being one with God,was testing Himself when bad ones were sent..which still prompts the question as that sounds unlikely and that too makes one wonder..perhaps it is answered by what is written, that the Yogi may come down from the most high states at times to enjoy the loving, I and Thou relationship with God

[@cynthiagayle8564]

How did srf put you out? Im just starting out with srf and want to do tge right thing.

[@crieff1sand2s56]

He put out for breaking his celibacy vows...a very dodgy character....check the internet for his history.....not very spiritual...in my humble opinion

[@cynthiagayle8564]

@@crieff1sand2s56 Thank you for answering. I have done some research after i asked that question and have come to the conclusion I wont look further into Ananda.

[@crieff1sand2s56]

@@cynthiagayle8564 i think you are making the right move Cynthia.the swami seems to be quite a character, deception and lies not to mention the litigation with the srf...there quite a bit online about his behaviour and it not good reading yet he come across humble and tearfull I am afraid ther are a lot of charlatans in the god buisness! Take care and always take a good look if your gonna join some of these groups and there ARE GOOD PEOPLE out there🙏namaste

[@cynthiagayle8564]

@@crieff1sand2s56 Thank you! Blessings, Pease, Love.

[@carinar.1623]

Please read the book "Lightbearer" or "a Place called Ananda" and you will learn all about the answers you are seeking. Dont believe the negative comments you read here. They are not true.