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The Wisdom of Yogananda #2
Karma and Reincarnation: Understanding Your Past to Improve Your Future
Many people share theories on reincarnation, or karma, or what happens at death. Paramhansa Yogananda, a master of yoga, writes from his own true knowledge and experience. Coming through Yogananda?s words, above all, is the deepest encouragement to every reader: the reassurance that God loves us, and that all of life is designed to help us move toward our own highest fulfillment. Included in the book are such subjects as: * Why do we see a world of suffering and inequality? * How should we handle the challenges in our lives? * What happens at death, and after death? Is there a heaven? * What is the origin and purpose of reincarnation? * This book offers fascinating answers for life?s great mysteries, but, more importantly, it tells you how to make the most of every day of the life you?ve been given. * As Yogananda explains the operation of karma, death, and reincarnation, he also shares the deeper purpose of existence for every soul. Understanding these truths can bring clarity, confidence, and inspiration into your life. The Wisdom of Yogananda series features writings of Paramhansa Yogananda not available elsewhere. These books capture the Master?s expansive and compassionate wisdom, his sense of fun, and his practical spiritual guidance. The books include writings from his earliest years in America, in an approachable, easy-to-read format. The words of the Master are presented with minimal editing, to capture the fresh and original voice of one of the most highly regarded spiritual teachers of the 20th century.
- GenresSpirituality
156 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2007
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334 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 23, 2016
This book culls information from several of Paramahansa Yoganada’s writings and speeches. If one missed reading Autobiography of a Yogi, this slim volume is a small nugget of wisdom that introduces the reader to the ideas of Self and its connection to the divine.
Karma is a much used word. We hear people complaining that this is their karma and so they can’t escape it. Or sometimes karma is punishment. However Karma is not any of these things. Karma is not retribution. It is simple cause and effect, except that we most often can’t locate the causes of why a particular lifetime is challenging. Karma is allocation of consequences to thoughts, words and actions. One has to live out these consequences because we created them through the exercise of our own free will. All the accumulated energies of vengeance, energies of anger or sadness, contentment or peace manifest as one’s natural tendencies or inclinations (P.99). We take birth to spend these karmic deposits. But who are we and where do we come from? This books value lies here in breaking down the complex ideas of soul and reincarnation into simple easily comprehensible bytes of knowledge.
Karma cannot be avoided to the extent that every cause has an effect. Our actions and thoughts create our reality and this reality cannot be avoided. To change the reality we have to change our thoughts and actions. Karma is a just reward system that operates across lifetimes where we reap what we have sowed. Unlearned lessons are repeated, until the student gets it completely and makes spiritual progress. Unlearned lessons might be about letting go of jealousy, cultivating patience, being tolerant, forgiveness, etc. If a particular situation keeps repeating in one’s life it is a prime signal to look into one’s self and to understand the lesson to be learnt. Reincarnation underscores this idea of soul learning in a series of lifetimes. Learning eliminates suffering. One needs to continuously love and forgive as God does and this is the only way to come out of the cycle of creating and accumulating new karma (P.42).
Death is a temporary intermission in the unending cycle of lifetimes. It gives the soul a chance to review the lifetime and identify imperfections that separate it from the Divine. Reincarnation is a chance for the soul to make spiritual progress. We break the cycle of life and death when we use our free will to consciously and deliberately make an effort to realise God. When we attain this knowledge of wholeness that we do not lack in anything, that we are perfect at the soul level and the seeming lack is only manifest at the outward physical level we achieve freedom. We achieve freedom from suffering, blame and guilt (pp. 104-105).
Each one us is a part of the Divine Consciousness. At the highest level we are all souls, sharing the same divine attributes. Differences of language, religion, colour, inequalities and prejudices mask this inherent purity and divine oneness. The purpose of our life is to understand this inherent oneness and make a conscious effort to realise the divinity within one self and realise how each one of us is also part of the grand tapestry of Divine consciousness. Death is not physical. True death is the inability to understand the divine unity and the inability to use one’s free will to cross the chasm of separation of the individual self from the Divine consciousness (P.73). Karma, death and reincarnation are steps on the spiritual ladder to understand the ultimate purpose of life.
Karma is a much used word. We hear people complaining that this is their karma and so they can’t escape it. Or sometimes karma is punishment. However Karma is not any of these things. Karma is not retribution. It is simple cause and effect, except that we most often can’t locate the causes of why a particular lifetime is challenging. Karma is allocation of consequences to thoughts, words and actions. One has to live out these consequences because we created them through the exercise of our own free will. All the accumulated energies of vengeance, energies of anger or sadness, contentment or peace manifest as one’s natural tendencies or inclinations (P.99). We take birth to spend these karmic deposits. But who are we and where do we come from? This books value lies here in breaking down the complex ideas of soul and reincarnation into simple easily comprehensible bytes of knowledge.
Karma cannot be avoided to the extent that every cause has an effect. Our actions and thoughts create our reality and this reality cannot be avoided. To change the reality we have to change our thoughts and actions. Karma is a just reward system that operates across lifetimes where we reap what we have sowed. Unlearned lessons are repeated, until the student gets it completely and makes spiritual progress. Unlearned lessons might be about letting go of jealousy, cultivating patience, being tolerant, forgiveness, etc. If a particular situation keeps repeating in one’s life it is a prime signal to look into one’s self and to understand the lesson to be learnt. Reincarnation underscores this idea of soul learning in a series of lifetimes. Learning eliminates suffering. One needs to continuously love and forgive as God does and this is the only way to come out of the cycle of creating and accumulating new karma (P.42).
Death is a temporary intermission in the unending cycle of lifetimes. It gives the soul a chance to review the lifetime and identify imperfections that separate it from the Divine. Reincarnation is a chance for the soul to make spiritual progress. We break the cycle of life and death when we use our free will to consciously and deliberately make an effort to realise God. When we attain this knowledge of wholeness that we do not lack in anything, that we are perfect at the soul level and the seeming lack is only manifest at the outward physical level we achieve freedom. We achieve freedom from suffering, blame and guilt (pp. 104-105).
Each one us is a part of the Divine Consciousness. At the highest level we are all souls, sharing the same divine attributes. Differences of language, religion, colour, inequalities and prejudices mask this inherent purity and divine oneness. The purpose of our life is to understand this inherent oneness and make a conscious effort to realise the divinity within one self and realise how each one of us is also part of the grand tapestry of Divine consciousness. Death is not physical. True death is the inability to understand the divine unity and the inability to use one’s free will to cross the chasm of separation of the individual self from the Divine consciousness (P.73). Karma, death and reincarnation are steps on the spiritual ladder to understand the ultimate purpose of life.
May 22, 2020
Most people seem to love this book, I can't really wrap my mind around that. I expected it to be spiritual to some degree but it seems more strictly religious instead - lots of talk about God, Jesus and the devil, lots of Bible quotes and so on. A couple of valuable insights but in general not my cup of tea.
April 30, 2023
This is a must-read for anyone who is keen on gaining control over his life. The chapter on what happens at death is capital --- the paramahansa has summarised the same account on death in Garuda Purana.
Identifying desires as one of the principal causes of repeated rebirths, the enlightened master has explained quite convincingly that how one can have ambitions without desires.
The sections on contacting departed souls, detachment and proper attitude towards life on earth and death are very informative and valuable.
The booklet will serve both as an instructive manual on death and reincarnation as well as a good spiritual book that one can read when life becomes tedious and painful.
Identifying desires as one of the principal causes of repeated rebirths, the enlightened master has explained quite convincingly that how one can have ambitions without desires.
The sections on contacting departed souls, detachment and proper attitude towards life on earth and death are very informative and valuable.
The booklet will serve both as an instructive manual on death and reincarnation as well as a good spiritual book that one can read when life becomes tedious and painful.
June 28, 2008
This was a very compelling book. I don't know that I agree with all of the concepts explained, but it was far enough on the edge that I wanted to discuss it with friends. I always judge whether or not I like a book by whether or not I'm still thinking about it weeks after I read it, and this one definitely falls into that category. I had some great conversations as a result of reading it, so I have to say it was pretty good!!!
December 27, 2024
Very interesting
The reason for karma and reincarnation is to learn lessons that will perfect yourself. Reincarnation is hinted at in daily life by observing how you have changed, in body personality, social standing, etc., over one life but still retain the sense of "I". The way out is to cling to God in meditation and thought.
The reason for karma and reincarnation is to learn lessons that will perfect yourself. Reincarnation is hinted at in daily life by observing how you have changed, in body personality, social standing, etc., over one life but still retain the sense of "I". The way out is to cling to God in meditation and thought.
September 8, 2017
A book of pure wisdom. It brings me tears.
November 15, 2018
No words
Everyone must know the purpose of life without falling in to impact of Maya. I recommend everyone to read this precious book
Everyone must know the purpose of life without falling in to impact of Maya. I recommend everyone to read this precious book
August 4, 2020
This book does not tell about the technical details about karmas instead further extension of autobiography of yogi and is not exciting at all.
January 25, 2022
Nice thoughts on life after death and reincarnation so it’s a must read if you have some questions to be answered.
February 13, 2011
I have really come to believe in the theory of reincarnation and this is a good book for explaining and giving answers. Jesus and the Jews of his time believed in reincarnation, and he never said it wasn't true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2013
I really like reading Yogananda. His teachings are so on the mark and he has a very easy way of explaining reincarnation, providing many references where the Bible references reincarnation before the church hierarchy got ahold of it and sanitized it. Logical.
January 5, 2016
Quite an interesting book, loved that the it was concise and gave very relevant insights. Though it did taper off a bit for me in the Insurrection section (a tad bit too 'out there'), but a recommended read nevertheless.
September 2, 2013
What a sweet, little informative book. I loved the case examples in the back. Lots o' good stuff in here. yum!
February 23, 2013
I don't known if it was me or not but I found this book dry read long winded boring read I got something out of others he was just repeating himself.
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November 28, 2015Brilliant book, talks about life after death and expose you the world of immortal. This book reveals hidden truth behind the fear of death and loosing prosperity. Should read !
June 15, 2019
A small gem of Yogananda's speeches and writings. Lovely to keep on hand. And of course, his Autobiography of a Yogi is a necessity.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews