Paramahansa Yogananda on Kriya Yoga — The Scientific Path to the Infinite

December 2021 Newsletter

Dear Divine Atman,

In this month’s newsletter we share instructive words of Paramahansa Yogananda on how to make this Christmastime a truly meaningful and uplifting experience. He encourages us to give most importance to the spiritual aspect of this special time of year — that we might receive the life-transforming blessings of this holy season in greatest measure.

From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:

Each year at Christmastime there are stronger than usual vibrations of Christ-love and joy that emanate to earth from the heavenly realms. The ether becomes filled with the Infinite Light that shone on earth when Jesus was born. Those persons who are in tune through devotion and deep meditation feel in a wondrously tangible way the transforming vibrations of the omnipresent consciousness that was in Christ Jesus.

[Note: In 1931 Paramahansa Yogananda inaugurated in SRF/YSS the custom of holding an all-day meditation during the Christmas season, which will be held online this year on December 19.]

The idea of an all-day Christmas meditation was really given to me by Christ, that he might do something for you. He wants to bless you, but his hands are tied if you are not receptive. He wants to come to you, but he can’t if the portals of devotion, through which alone he can enter your life, are closed. Wherever he finds sincere souls, he tries to come to them; but how can he get in when the doors of calmness are shut, and the latch of restlessness has locked up the soul? Yet if you meditate long and deeply, and call to Christ with all the love of your soul, removing all barriers of restlessness and doubt, you will find him willingly entering in. You will know the real meaning and joy of Christmas.

I urge you to celebrate truly the birth of Jesus: by realizing within yourself his universal love, forgiveness, character, renunciation, and devotion, and by feeling Christ-love for all brother races and all living creatures.

Add to your social festivities the bringing of Christ a second time — in your meditative consciousness. There is only a suggestion of Christ in Christmas festivities; but in the cradle of divine ecstasy in meditation he is seen and felt as an everlasting, ever joyous reality.

Please visit our “Seasonal Inspiration” page for a guided meditation on the Infinite Christ and more writings of Paramahansa Yogananda that help one to experience the deepest significance of this holiday season.

A Christmas Message From

Swami Chidananda Giri

“Loving Christmas greetings to you, Paramahansa Yogananda’s spiritual family and friends around the world! May the light and spiritual power of this joyous season inspire and uplift you, as we celebrate the birth — and rebirth — of the blessed Lord Jesus Christ.”

Please join us on Sunday, December 19, for this year’s All-Day Christmas Meditation led by YSS monastics. The meditation will stream live from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (IST). The meditation will be available for viewing until Christmas Day.

We hope you can join for the special day of divine communion and opening ourselves to receive the love and blessings of the ever-living Universal Christ.

Learn more

Autobiography of a Yogi – Hindi Audiobook Now Available on YSS YouTube Channel

It is with great joy we inform you that Autobiography of a Yogi – Hindi audiobook is now available for listening on the YSS YouTube channel. This year, YSS/SRF is celebrating the 75th anniversary of this spiritual classic.

Listen now