These rare recorded talks were taped during a gathering at Self-Realization Fellowship International Headquarters on Christmas Day, 1950. Paramahansa Yogananda inspires his listeners to a deeper understanding of the twofold path of highest spirituality: inner communion with God combined with serviceful activity in the world.
Paramahansaji reminds us that within each of us is an inner core of peace that we can learn to access at will. His sage and encouraging counsel shows us how to:
• Overcome fear, worry, anger, nervousness, moodiness
• Stay calmly present and actively focused, no matter what is going on around you
• Experience the expansive timelessness and beauty of each moment
The great Master’s words — and the subsequent talks by two of his advanced disciples, Rajarsi Janakananda and Dr. M. W. Lewis — give powerful testimony to the truth that the help and blessings of a true guru are ever available to all who inwardly attune themselves with his God-united consciousness — whether or not he is outwardly present.
During the latter years of his life, having completed much of the outward organizational work he had been sent to the West to accomplish, Paramahansaji often spent long periods away from the day-to-day activities of the organization — devoting much time to completing his writings and remaining immersed in the highest states of samadhi, union with God. The 1950 Christmas season was one such period of seclusion; Paramahansaji stayed in his quarters at the SRF International Headquarters, but through a speaker system addressed the disciples and guests who were assembled downstairs.
Since Paramahansaji was not in attendance, the traditional Christmas banquet was presided over by Rajarsi Janakananda (Mr. James J. Lynn, referred to by the Guru as “Saint Lynn”), whom he had designated to be his successor in leading Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India after his passing. Another close disciple, Dr. M. W. Lewis (vice president of Self-Realization Fellowship until his passing in 1960), assisted Rajarsi in officiating at the festivities. Their talks follow Paramahansaji’s address.
Though on this occasion the Guru’s words were directed primarily to his renunciant disciples — those who had dedicated their lives completely to seeking God and serving His work in the Self-Realization Fellowship monastic ashrams — the inspiring truths in his words of guidance are applicable by all.
The original tape of these talks was made in less-than-ideal conditions, with only the relatively primitive recording technology available at that time. However, SRF monks have now painstakingly restored the original to the maximum degree possible with today’s state-of-the-art digital equipment. Though there are differences in sound quality throughout the talks, and some portions are not as clear as we would like, we felt that their inspiration and historical value made them all well worth presenting.
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Terms of Use
It is our privilege to offer the MP3 recording featured on this webpage, exclusively for your personal use. We invite you to download this edition onto your own digital devices, as you may see fit for your individual (non-commercial) use. Kindly note, however, that upon acquiring this MP3 recording you are agreeing not to reproduce and/or transmit the contents of this MP3 recording to others without the publisher’s prior written authorization. We thank you for supporting our publishing endeavors in connection with the spiritual legacy of our founder, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda.
Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) is widely regarded as one of the preeminent spiritual figures of our time. Born in Gorakhpur, India, he was sent by his guru to the United States in 1920 as India’s delegate to an International Congress of Religious Liberals. He instructed hundreds of thousands of men and women in the yoga science of meditation and balanced spiritual living.
The life and teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda are described in his widely acclaimed Autobiography of a Yogi, which has become a classic in its field since its publication in 1946. He founded Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) in 1917 and Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in 1920 to disseminate his teachings worldwide and to preserve their purity and integrity for generations to come. In 2017, Government of India paid a tribute by releasing a commemorative stamp in honour of the centennial of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. 
