“Ask, and you shall receive.”
Standing just ten feet within the front door of the nearest “New Age” store, I was amazed to find exactly what I wanted. Even though I did not come to this store for them, there they were, all four of them:
Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar Giri, and Paramahansa Yogananda.
Just the other week I had thought, “I should buy or print pictures of these men, to help keep them in my mind… I mean, heart.”
The store owner took delight that I was interested in these fellows. He explained that he himself was from that lineage, an exact thought I had once I began reading Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi.
Reading Yogananda’s book, I finally had some answers, explanation, PROOF!, of my own spiritual awakening that happened just a few years ago. Page after page, Yogananda explained the exact situation I had encountered. It dawned on me, “I experienced a Guru-Disciple Relationship!”
Uncovering more about this Yogananda, I was lucky enough to see his film Awake: The Life of Yogananda. The film absolutely resonated with me, and I recommend it to anyone, yogi or not.
Christmas was approaching, and I was being inquired about what I might like this year. I spend a good deal of the winter months getting my reading done, so I took to the internet to see what caught my eye. I knew that I wanted The Holy Science, by Yukteswar Giri, but The Secrets of Kriya Yoga (the awakening yogic information taught within their lineage) was screaming, “BUY ME!”
With a little internet surfing I began to see the lineage forming, who was who’s guru, and what was special about each and every one of them.
On the car ride home from that magical store, I was staring at each Guru, reading the back of each card. My boyfriend and I were talking about the wonderful experience we had in such a shop, with such amazing owners. Commenting about the experience, my boyfriend said, “I like how the guy called you Yogananda.” Surprised as all heck I bounced back, “He did? No he didn’t!” “Yes, he did! Not once, but twice!” I thought to myself, “So strange that I did not hear it, I was absorbed in every word this man was saying! It’s not everyday that you come across people that know about The Great Masters!”
I sank into my seat, with my own secret, too difficult to explain in just a few words. If it helps to paint the picture, I recently shared an experience with my yoga instructors for my Teacher Training. I had to write about my viewing of Awake: The Life of Yogananda, and felt compelled to leak a little Truth:
“If I may share how Yogananda is truly in my heart:
About two weeks after seeing the film, I was in line at Wegman’s Market. I’m always pleasant with any cashier, at any store: for some reason I receive great joy interacting with cashiers. However, on this one day, I was confronted with unpleasantness. Long story short: I was having a problem scanning my Loyalty Card, and the woman cashier was rude and very quick with me. I was treated as if I was just a number. I uncontrollably started to boil. My heart began to race. I may have even had lasers coming out of my eyes. As I swiped my debit card, and entered my pin, instead of seeing the ENTER key on the touchscreen I mysteriously saw Yogananda’s smiling face! I instantly thought, “He’s right! Have Love in my heart. Maybe this woman is just having a bad day. Maybe she just needs a lunch break. Don’t have hate for her, Love her.” And I thanked Yogananda for being one of my many gurus within.”
the gluten free yogi 