The purpose and goal of Yoga is to regain the lost paradise of soul consciousness by which man knows that he is, and ever has been, one with Spirit,” said Sannyasini Draupadi Mai, quoting her Guru, the founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India/Self-Realization Fellowship (YSS/SRF), Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda (author of Autobiography of a Yogi), in the closing talk of a three-day Sadhana Sangam at YSS Ranchi ashram.
Addressing an audience of over 500 devotees present on a Sunday morning at this serene ashram, SRF sannyasini Draupadi Mai spoke on the theme: “Kriya Yoga: Quickening Our Human Evolution”. The satsanga was simultaneously watched online by over 2,000 YSS and SRF devotees across India and the world via live streaming. Draupadi Mai and three other SRF sannyasinis — Brahmani Mai, Brahmacharini Krishnapriya and Brahmacharini Vaishnavi, have come from the SRF international headquarters in Los Angeles, USA, and are presently visiting Yoganandaji’s ashrams in India.
“Paramahansa Yoganandaji says that Yoga is not only a means for God-communion, but also self-transformation; we must consciously attempt to purify unwanted behaviours to prepare us for higher states of realization,” Draupadi Mai said, explaining how we can anchor our consciousness in our true nature, so that we can express our soul qualities of peace, harmony, and intuitive insight. Referring to the definition of Yoga by the ancient Indian sage Patanjali: “Chitta Vritti Nirodha,” or the cessation of the whirlpool of thoughts and emotions that ceaselessly arise within us, Draupadi Mai explained: “By Kriya Yoga meditation, the mind and emotions become calm and undisturbed….Then we can also view situations and people with clarity; respond respectfully and clearly to the challenges we face or the activities we engage in; and in all situations to live a dharmic life making wise choices that align with right living.”
Encouraging the devotees to lead a life guided by dharmic principles, she said, “By living a life of Dharma, of virtue, of deep love and devotion for God, we become carriers of the light of God, scattering its love to all people of the earth wherever we go and whenever we pray for others.”
During the three-day long Sadhana Sangam, the venerable sannyasinis gave satsangas on Yoganandaji’s Kriya Yoga teachings and conducted group meditations. Women devotees were able to avail of this unique opportunity to receive personal guidance from the sannyasinis in the application of Yoganandaji’s teachings in their daily lives. One of them shared: “It is a blessing to meet with our SRF sannyasinis from USA who are walking steadfastly in the footsteps of our beloved Gurudeva Yoganandaji, a jagadguru, and inspiring us to do the same.”
After Ranchi, the sannyasinis will conduct a similar programme at YSS Noida ashram later this month. Learn more about YSS and Yoganandaji’s Kriya Yoga teachings here: yssi.org
