Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Paramahansa Yogananda (Indian Hindu Mystic)

Paramahansa Yogānanda (1893–1953) was an influential Indian Hindu yogi and spiritual teacher who specialized in kriyā yoga. His Autobiography of a Yogi (1946) proved exceptionally popular, especially in the West.

Born Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Yogānanda was initiated into the ancient yogic tradition of kriyā-yoga by his teacher, Lahiri Mahasaya. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in arts from the Calcutta University in 1915, Yogānanda became a saṃnyāsin and founded the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India in Dakshineshwar near Calcutta in 1917.

In 1920, Yogānanda went to lecture in the USA to “spread to all peoples the knowledge of the self-liberating yoga techniques.” He stayed in America teaching kriyā yoga in the West. He developed specific yoga and meditation techniques that claimed to foster soul awareness and a heightening of consciousness from outward affairs to inner spiritual centers (in essence a form of kuṇḍalinī yoga.)

Yogānanda founded the Hindu Self-Realization Fellowship in Boston in 1920 and a Yoga Institute in Los Angeles in 1925; these institutions continue to propagate his teachings.

The Autobiography of a Yogi was widely influential in attracting Americans to Eastern religion. Yogānanda’s other notable works include The Science of Religion (1953,) Scientific Healing Affirmations (1958,) Cosmic Chants (1938, 1943,) Whispers from Eternity (1959,) and Songs of the Soul (1983.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Paramahansa Yogananda

The season of failure is the best time for sowing the seeds of success.
—Paramahansa Yogananda

If our senses conveyed the whole truth to us, we would see the Earth as rivers and glaciers of electrons, each speck of dust as a rolling mass of light.
—Paramahansa Yogananda

Kindness is the light that dissolves all walls between souls, families, and nations.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Kindness

Today I forgive all those who have ever offended me. I give my love to all thirsty hearts, both to those who love me and to those who do not love me.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Forgiveness

Behind the dark clouds of temporary disillusionment
awaits the silver lining of eternal fulfillment.
—Paramahansa Yogananda

Live for others, and they will live for you.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Kindness

Truth is exact correspondence with reality.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Truth

Remain calm, serene, always in command of yourself. You will then find out how easy it is to get along.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Control

True friends want nothing from you except the joy of your presence. No matter what you do, they will always be your friend.
—Paramahansa Yogananda

Change yourself and you have done your part in changing the world.
—Paramahansa Yogananda

Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can become.
—Paramahansa Yogananda

Affirm divine calmness and peace, and send out only thoughts of love and goodwill if you want to live in peace and harmony. Never get angry, for anger poisons your system.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Harmony

The kingdom of God is just behind the darkness of closed eyes, and the first gate that opens to it is your peace
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Meditation

Since you alone are responsible for your thoughts, only you can change them. You will want to change them when you realize that each thought creates according to its own nature. Remember that the law works at all times and that you are always demonstrating according to the kind of thoughts you habitually entertain. Therefore, start now to think only those thoughts that will bring you health and happiness.
—Paramahansa Yogananda

There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first … when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Friends and Friendship, Thinking, Friendship, Service, Kindness, Giving

Weaken a bad habit by avoiding everything that occasioned it or stimulated it, without concentrating upon it in your zeal to avoid it. Then divert your mind to some good habit and steadily cultivate it until it becomes a dependable part of you.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Zeal

There are always two forces warring against each other within us.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Conflict

So long as we believe in our heart of hearts that our capacity is limited and we grow anxious and unhappy, we are lacking in faith. One who truly trusts in God has no right to be anxious about anything.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: God, Heart, Believe, Happy, Trust, Faith

In your heart must well that sympathy which soothes away all pains from the hearts of others.
—Paramahansa Yogananda

Sing songs that none have sung
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Singing

Harmony with nature will bring you a happiness known to few city dwellers. In the company of other truth seekers it will be easier for you to meditate and think of God.
—Paramahansa Yogananda
Topics: Harmony

Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the dumb can understand.
—Paramahansa Yogananda

Love is the silent conversation between two hearts.
—Paramahansa Yogananda

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