The Five Koshas
Mar 24, 2007

The five Sheaths (Koshas) are the layers that veil the True Self.

“In ascending order from matter to Spirit, the five natural evolutionary stages of life are results of these five sheaths. When one by one the sheaths are unfolded, there is a corresponding manifestation of a progressively higher expression of life.”
- Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

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The Sins
Feb 20, 2007

The semblance of the various sins described in the different religions is striking. When the Ego or ‘I’ consciousness has sided with the materialistic forces of creation, it is said to have these faults (sins).

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The following excerpts are taken from
‘Bhagavad Gita’ by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
published by Yogoda Satsanga Society of India

Pride: Pride means the Love for the “I” or ego self that is constantly on the defensive (or offensive) to support and promote the interests of that self. Because of the mada, within the ego there arises arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, presumptuous behavior and passionate or wanton lust after the desires, interests, or demands of the “I, Me, and Mine”.

Jealousy/Envy: The word derives from matsara, meaning “envy jealousy, selfishness, hostility, passion for, exhilarating; intoxicative and addictive".

Lust: It is the compelling desire to indulge in sensory temptations. It applies to the abuse of any or all the senses in the pursuit of pleasure or gratification. Through the sense of sight man may lust after material, objects; through the sense of hearing , he craves the slow sweet poison of flattery, and vibratory sounds as of voices and music that rouse his material nature; through the lustful pleasure of smell he is enticed towards wrong environments and actions; lust for food and drink causes him to please his taste at the expense of health; through the sense of lusts after inordinate physical comfort and abuses his creative sex impulse.

Delusion: It is the basic attachment of the Ego, its indivisible cohesion to delusion, causing the mind to become darkened, unable to perceive what is truth and reality.
The basic meaning of the word is delusion, illusion, ignorance, bewilderment, infatuation and attachment.

Greed: The enslavement to whims, likes and dislikes is Greed
It is covetousness, avarice, acquisitiveness, a confusion of the mind between necessary necessities and unnecessary “necessities”

Anger: Desire that is frustrated leads in anger.
Attention > Contact > Desire > Unfulfilled > Anger > Delusion
Even if the anger is supposedly justified, so-called “righteous anger”, it must never take the place of calm, discriminating judgment and action

In sum, the principle practical evil that comes long with ego consciousness and its six faults is the increasing compulsion to forget ones Self-the soul-and its expression, manifestation, and requirements; and to become stubbornly inclined to engage oneself in pursuing the insatiable “necessities” of the ego.


References:
1: Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, ‘The Bhagavad Gita – Chpt I Verse 9’
2: Drubwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche, ‘The significance and the benefits of the Six-Syllable Mantra recitation’.
http://www.kmspks.org/download/ebook/Ombk201205.pdf
3: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Para 1866,
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P6D.HTM

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‘The Physical and Spiritual Rewards of Fasting’
Jan 3, 2007

The following excerpts are taken from the book
‘Man’s Eternal Quest’ by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
published by Yogoda Satsanga Society of India

Fasting gives rest to the overworked organs, the bodily engines; and also to the life force itself, relieving it of the extra work. When you cease to make the life force feel it has to depend for its existence on external sources – food, water, oxygen, sun-shine – it becomes self –supporting, independent.

A fast of three days on orange juice will repair the body temporarily, but a long fast (strictly under an experienced supervisor) will completely overhaul it. But if you want a permanent overhaul, then you must also watch at all times what, and how much, food you take into your body.

There is great metaphysical science behind fasting. Jesus reminded us of the truth when he said: “Man shall not live by bread alone….” Two things keep you bound to the earth: breath and “bread”. In sleep, however, you are peaceful unaware of any need for either breath or food; your spirit is detached from body-consciousness. Fasting uplifts the mind in the same way.
Through fasting, let your mind depend on its own power. When that power manifests, the life force in the body becomes increasingly reinforced with the eternal energy continually flowing in to the brain and the spine from the cosmic energy around the body entering through the medulla. Becoming detached from the dependence on outer physical sources of bodily sustenance , the life force sees that it is being supported from within, and wonders how this is so. The mind then says: “The solids on which the body used to depend are nothing more than gross condensations of energy. You are pure energy. And you are pure consciousness.” Then, whatever command the mind impinges on the consciousness of the life force it will manifest accordingly.

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Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
Dec 23, 2006

Words are not enough to describe the divinity of Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the greatest saints to walk this earth. His love for God has awakened many dormant souls to walk the path of Self Realization. His book 'Autobiography of a Yogi' takes us through the enchanting journey of his life. This is not a book but an experience which will take you to a higher state of being. Never before written account of the great saints of India finds a mention in this book. This book will bring about a Spiritual Revolution and should be experienced by all.

Jai Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda!

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