A Touch of Light Podcast

One question she asked stopped me in my tracks: “On your lifelong spiritual journey, what has surprised you?” My answer was unexpected even by me: “It has been a journey from knowing, to unknowing, to knowing.”

Paramhansa Yogananda told Swami Kriyananda that his life would be one of intense activity and meditation. It was no accident that he put service first, and until now our own life has followed the same pattern. Now we feel ready to reverse it: an intense search for God, with activity flowing from that. It is a big change for us, and we would welcome your prayers.

What do I want to say to sum up all the talks we have given over these past months? What have I learned?

Our rational minds might immediately object: “But Devi doesn’t speak twelve languages.” Yet dreams are the soul’s way of touching the astral world. Across all our past incarnations, who is to say how many languages we have spoken? Dreams have the power to change a life. Let me share two of my own.

Some moments in life seem ordinary at first glance, but if we’re attentive, they can reveal God’s hidden presence. We’re in India now, and a friend here shared a story that describes just such a moment.

Devi and I recently gave a talk to a standing-room-only audience of nearly seven hundred people in Delhi. It was called “How to Achieve Your Highest Potential,” a vital subject for all seekers, whether new or experienced. I thought you might enjoy exploring some of the themes we discussed.

But for me, the most inspiring transformation of all was watching the journey of Swamiji’s life. These are some of the aspects that I witnessed.

There is no release except by going within and finding spiritual freedom. Yogananda incarnated to show us how to escape our cells, and gave us meditation, service to others, and right attitude—the tools we can use to open our prison’s doors. If we employ them well, we will come to realize that we were confined by nothing but the fears and limits of our own minds.

Recently I had two experiences that helped me understand the hidden truths in his words. The first occurred one night after a disturbing dream in which people were treating me cruelly and abusively. At first I felt agitated and upset, but then the verse came into my mind, and I thought, “These are just past memories that you’re weaving into a dream.

What is the purpose of life and, specifically, of my present incarnation? What is the essence of the techniques of our path?

How can we draw answers to our problems and find solutions to every challenge before us? The more we practice faith, the more we can experience God’s hand in every aspect of our life.

Here is the method Paramhansa Yogananda recommends for developing wisdom-guided intuition: When you have the urge to do something that might be unwise, stop for a moment and mentally list the reasons you shouldn’t do it. If you do this, he says, you will gradually develop your intuition, and then you will be guided by your inborn wisdom.

How do we rise above egoic self-identity? Swami Kriyananda said that the secret to dissolving the ego is longer, deeper meditations, and seeing God as the Doer in everything

To the extent we realize that God is the doer, we are given the capacity to be channels of His power.

Miracles are happening around us all the time; we simply need to open our eyes to see God’s constant presence in our lives. In the past week alone, two friends shared with me extraordinary experiences of their own.

Can’t many of us relate to his yearning, where a life without God no longer holds our interest, where unfulfilled desires no longer motivate us? If we haven’t yet reached the state where we are ready to take the final leap of faith, we can at least see that high state shining on the horizon. We feel intuitively that, if we keep trying, we can reach it in this incarnation, or before many more have passed. After all, Swami Kriyananda told us that we should all try to be jivan muktas in this life.

As we sat by the river each day to meditate in the early dawn hours, we began to feel that the Mississippi is a conscious being with much to teach us.

How do we hold on to the inspiration we experienced during those precious days? This question implies broader vistas—how do we hold on to the inspiration of a particularly deep meditation, an uplifting sensation, or a peak experience?

By the time you read this, dear friend, we will already be well into the Centennial Celebration week at Ananda Village. The week preceding the event has been its own inspiration, with volunteers coming from all over the world to help prepare for the arrival of the guests. I’ve been mentally sharing with Swamiji all the remarkable things we’ve been witnessing, and I thought I’d write him a letter with these reflections...

How did Swamiji radiate this magical quality of divine friendship, and how can we follow in his footsteps?

Swamiji’s guiding love didn’t end with his passing — it remains available to anyone who reaches for it inwardly.

We live in a sea of miracles, though we recognize only the big ones and ignore the small ones. In fact, most people can accept only the big ones as true miracles at all. One of these occurred with Swami Kriyananda, and we have several woven together in the tapestry of life that were smaller, but nevertheless, amazing in their unfolding.

Paramhansa Yogananda said that a yogi should be able to stand unshaken amidst the crash of breaking worlds. In celebrating the centennial of Swami Kriyananda’s birth, I want to share a few episodes from his life that illustrate exactly this quality. During Ananda’s first years, Swamiji’s classes were Ananda’s primary source of income, funding the purchase of property and the construction of its first buildings. He taught classes every weeknight throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and led programs at the Meditation (now Seclusion) Retreat on weekends. Few people could sustain such a schedule, but so determined was he to serve his guru that he found the strength to continue for several years.

As I write this, it is the one-hundredth anniversary of Swamiji’s birth. People from around the world of Ananda are sharing stories and photos and expressing their gratitude to him. Devi and I shared many birthdays with Swamiji. One of my most memorable birthdays was in 1985.

I’d like to share three stories in which Swamiji gave me simple advice that changed the course of my life.

Swamiji was always expressing joy in one way or another. It effervesced from his very being like a spring bubbling up from the depths of the earth. Here are a few ways I saw that fundamental essence expressed.

The days to experience this all knowing Divine Love did not end with Swamiji’s passing. His presence is always within reach for those who sincerely call on him, for he was a channel for Master’s all-encompassing, eternal love. Each of us is a little sparrow in God’s sight—this is His greatest gift to all his children.

What were they like? Stories from my time with Swamiji...

Here are some lessons I learned during my first few years at Ananda, and offer ways you might apply them in your own life.

This blog is about the courage to begin again when we experience loss or change—something we all face on a regular basis. We need to look beyond loss and ask the harder spiritual question: What actually makes a fresh start possible?

It’s puzzling to me why this choice to prioritise our spiritual path is so difficult to make—but I suppose that is the central challenge: the state of ego-consciousness feels familiar, while soul awareness seems uncertain. And so we hesitate to surrender into it.

As we grow in self-awareness, we come to realize that we are made of infinite light and perfect joy. But how far does this web of self-awareness extend? Is it only humans and a few of the most evolved animals that are self-aware?

Have you ever had a series of seemingly random events that, taken together, carried unexpected significance? Recently I had just such an experience.

Have you ever felt the nagging sensation that you need to change something in yourself, but you don’t quite know what it is? The first step in overcoming a challenge is to bring it to the surface of your awareness and clearly identify it. If we don’t do this voluntarily, life will find a way of forcing us to face our issues.

Truth is the light that shows us the way forward. More than ever, we need the guidance of truth to navigate today’s world and to find ways to be of help to others. Yet, given current circumstances, many ask themselves: Is there really anything I, as an individual, can do to help in these turbulent times?

When one looks at the news, it is hard to make sense of what is happening in these turbulent times. Yet the more we focus on current events, the harder it becomes to see the bigger picture. Is there a deeper reason for this choppy sea we’re trying to navigate? Last week, during the classes at our annual Inner Renewal Retreat, we explored this question at length and we will use this blog to share even more.

Practical tips for ego-transcendence.

When we open our heart to the guru, as our friend had done, the guru really does enter and take charge of our life. Devi and I have heard many such stories over the years. When we place our full faith in God, seemingly magical things begin to happen. I

For whenever a soul reaches the journey’s end, he leaves behind a trail of light for others to follow.

We bathe not only to rid ourselves of something we don’t want, but also in order to infuse ourselves with something we do want — extra energy or prana. When we are attentive, we draw more prana from nature.

Four steps to the light that will offer you a roadmap toward God—and toward bringing His transforming light to a world that sorely needs it now.

Every thought, word, and deed—positive or negative—creates a magnetic vibration that is sent into the ether. Like radio waves, we are continually bombarded by this force. More important is the constant exchange of magnetism with our environment and, especially, the people we connect with.

God is talking to us all the time, but we need to learn His language. Sometimes He speaks to us through words we perceive within, but often it’s in beautiful moments when time seems to stop. All too often we forget these moments, feeling only His absence in our life, but nevertheless His presence is there.

As 2026 rolls around, it’s important to review the past year and make plans for the coming one. For those of us who are part of the Future Saints Club, this is a perfect time to rededicate ourselves to our spiritual quest.

I’m going out on a limb here, sharing something quite personal.

Yet each lifetime has certain major transition points—moments when life takes on an entirely new direction and meaning. Some of these are biologically determined and apply to everyone; others are more individual and often more transformative. Let’s look at some of these transitions, noticing common threads and learning from them. I’ll use my own life as an example.

The message that Yogananda brought to the world was one of unity: the unity of all religions; the unity of science and religion; the unity of East and West; and the unity of all people: “world brotherhood.” His message is especially relevant today, as we see divisiveness—the spirit of “us against them”—dominating global politics and economics. Yet the light of Yogananda and this line of masters is not dimmed by human ignorance. In fact, it can shine even more brightly for those who try to live by it.

Here are some parts of the chapter, “The Science Behind Service,” a subject of interest to many. It’s remarkable how often the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda anticipated scientific discoveries made decades later.

Each of us must ascend our own stairway, which we ourselves have shaped by past thoughts and actions. Rather than wondering who we were in the past, it is far better to look at what challenges lie before us due to old karmic patterns. On every step of the stairway, we should ask: “What are the lessons I need to learn now in this lifetime?” Perhaps it’s softening a judgmental nature, or quieting reactive tendencies, or overcoming anger when things don’t go our way.

Imagine that we’re caught at sea with a hurricane approaching, and we can’t reach the shore in time. What should we do? The best course of action would be to race toward the eye of the storm.

In that moment we also understood that there is no real need for feelings of longing, regret, or grief. God’s love for us is eternal and can reach us in unforeseen ways.

So, if we know that we want happiness, and even know where to look for it, why does it remain so elusive? One simple reason is that when we try to clutch happiness for ourselves, it slips—like water—through our fingers. But ironically, when we seek to give happiness to others, we find it growing in our own hearts.

In essence, what we call “time” is dependent on the movement of material objects through space. The teachings of India tell us that time and space are both part of maya, or delusion, and have no ultimate reality. The seemingly objective thing we call “time” is, in truth, subjective, a mirage. True reality transcends time—it is eternal.

An experiment for us in the year ahead. How making a monthly sacred contract can help you to advance on the spiritual path.

For Jyotish and me, Ananda has been our home for all of our adult life—a place where we have sought God and served Him alongside our ever-growing spiritual family.

This has truly been an inspiring, even life-changing pilgrimage to sacred places in Italy, Spain, and India. And yet, travel also brings its challenges. During this time, we’ve given more than a hundred classes and satsangs, spent countless hours in cars and airplanes, and eaten—since we’re among friends here, I’ll be candid, overeaten—countless meals.

Like the mother squirrel, when we put determination, compassion, and service to others at the forefront of our life, miracles can happen.

Recently, we were blessed to go on pilgrimage to the sacred places of several such saints in Europe. On the surface, all these saints may seem separated by time and place, but as the pilgrimage unfolded, we began to perceive a deeper, repeating pattern.

During our time in Seville, Spain, we were asked to speak about “How to Live Autobiography of a Yogi.” Here are a few lessons from Yoganandaji’s life that can guide our own journey.

This age is badly out of balance. The angry, divisive, power-mad energy needs to be replaced with unconditional love. One of the best ways each of us can help the world is to open our hearts to Divine Mother in meditation and offer Her love, friendship, and support to everyone we meet.

Patient acceptance of oneself and others is the key to true happiness and ego-transcendence. In today’s turbulent times, patience brings strength to endure as well as hope for the future.

As for many at Ananda, Self-realization has become my personal life goal. But how do we achieve so lofty a purpose? Here are four steps to use as a guide.

My friends, every day we face choices—to take the path that brings us closer to God, or the one that seems easier, safer, or more rewarding in worldly terms.

We recently heard a beautiful example of how God responds to a sincere soul-call.

If you are reading this blog—whether you are a member of a spiritual community or meditation group or simply long for a better world—you are helping to bring about the future envisioned by great saints like Yoganandaji.

In this life, we incarnate not only with the influences of our personal karma, but also with the confining mindset of the age we live in, the family we are born into, and the country and culture we inhabit. If we are seeking freedom, we need wise guides to help us navigate delusion’s labyrinth.

We need more stillness in our lives. Stillness—and silence. In our overstimulated world, nearly everyone lives amid a constant barrage of noise, distraction, and overstimulation. Periods of deep silence are not just a luxury; they are essential. Silence allows us not just to relax, but to reset our nervous system, and reconnect with our inner peace. Here's how.

Much more important than the Guru's protection, in practical terms, are other ways the guru helps us: Teachings and techniques that guide our lives and give us a step-by-step path to the realization of our own divine nature. Second, the guru's magnetism subtly transforms our consciousness. The more we open ourselves to him, the more he can influence our awareness. And, finally, his love and divine promise are the greatest gift of all.

Transcendence and self-forgetfulness are the answers to every problem that life presents us. Blame, self-pity, and anger only deepen our suffering. How often do we think, “This isn’t fair. Why do I need to suffer like this?” But if we ask, as Uma did, “What can I do to help?” then we break the hold that darkness and suffering have on us.

But I believe the real power of the one-minute solution lies in applying it to our inner lives.

If we tie our joy to a particular event or experience, when that ends we inevitably slide down the slope of sadness. Yogananda explained that most people live in an endless cycle: happiness when desires are fulfilled, sadness when those desires aren’t met or stop bringing satisfaction, and boredom in between. This is a roller coaster that we definitely want to avoid.

We live in a world that values effort, but often overlooks the importance of relaxation. We count our steps, track our workouts, and even “work” at our tennis games. Where is the element of fun in all this? Where is the relaxation? While discipline is essential, too much effort—especially if it becomes tense or joyless—can be counterproductive. This is true not only in our outer lives, but in our spiritual practices as well.

Many friends from around the world have been writing Ananda asking for prayers, guidance, and words of comfort. To offer hope and an understanding of what’s happening, we’ve chosen as the focus this year for our annual Spiritual Renewal Week “The Time for Knowing God Has Come.”

For the small things in life, follow the advice in one of Swami’s books: Do It NOW! Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink. Try answering all your emails before going to bed. You’ll be amazed at how much freer your mind will feel. For larger tasks, don’t let them languish on a shelf. Leaving something unfinished is like leaving a faucet dripping: It drains your energy. I’ve had this lesson brought home to me recently.

This little incident totally changed my experience of being in India. I realized that I could either “hold my breath” and live in fear, or follow reasonable precautions and enjoy the trip. I chose the latter. We traveled throughout the country, visited holy shrines, and fell in love with the spiritual depth and beauty of India and her people. None of our group ever got so much as a sniffle. Our minds are powerful receiving stations, and we’re constantly being bombarded by thoughts vibrating in the ether. Love, compassion, fear, anger—they’re all out there, waiting to be picked up by minds receptive to their vibration. It’s up to us to choose.

Embarking on the journey of life is also like creating a garden. You need to start with a vision.

Paramhansa Yogananda tells us that there is no one whose prayers haven’t been answered in some way. But he warns us that God listens to our hearts, not just our words. The little wishes that loop quietly in the background of our thoughts—those are our real prayers.

If, when in the face of difficulties, we choose to be positive, undaunted, and filled with hope, then little by little, we’re transformed into a person of such strength and courage that nothing can defeat. That is the opportunity that obstacles offer us: to become our own highest self.

Fear of the unknown is deeply ingrained in human nature. But for the spiritual aspirant, fear becomes not an enemy, but a valuable teacher. I’d like to share three stories—each one illuminating a reason why it’s important to face our fears with courage and faith.

Why do thousands of people come each year to visit the tulips?

The key takeaway is clear: Each of us can, and must, become agents of the light.

How do I maintain my peace amidst all the struggles and demands of my daily life?

Nervousness, worry, and anxiety each have distinct different causes and cures. Worry usually involves a specific situation and is generally temporary. Anxiety is a persistent, generalized state of unease or fear that may not have any specialized trigger. Nervousness, however, arises from overstimulation of the nerves. Let’s focus on this, because strengthening our nervous system can lead to permanent improvements in our well-being on all levels—body, mind, and soul.

Since Jyotish and I just celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary, and have both written blogs about it, I thought I’d play a little joke on you. The “I do” that I’m talking about today is not the one that the bride and groom say to each other as they stand before the altar during a wedding ceremony. Nor is the “dilemma” the sometimes difficult choice as to whether a person is the right one for you.

All of us live out the pattern of our nature. Our choices—thoughts, words, deeds, and feelings—when added up and averaged, create a tapestry of tendencies. Over time these tendencies form our personality. The pattern is formed by the magnetic pull of our likes and dislikes.

This was the beginning of a lifelong relationship that started as only a tiny ember of love, but over the years has grown into a beautiful flame which illumines both of our lives, and perhaps the lives of others as well. As we approach the celebration of our fiftieth anniversary, Jyotish recently wrote a blog about what he has learned through our five decades together. I thought I’d follow his lead and share a few thoughts as well.

One of the loveliest aspects of selfless service is its power to expand the heart. Love is an aspect of God that can be found everywhere. Some of its most touching expressions appear in the deep care and affection of parents toward their children. Not only people, but animals as well will sacrifice their own lives in order to protect their young.

t’s important to take time out to experience our own nature—not as defined by our body, mind, or personality; nor by our desires and attachments; nor yet by socially accepted goals and personas. This search is aided by using the dictum of gyana yoga, the yoga of discrimination: “Neti, neti,” or “Not this, not that.” We must make an effort to discover who we really are, apart from outer self-definitions, until we begin to feel like our authentic self.

With our anniversary approaching, I’ve been reflecting on what has made our marriage so harmonious, successful, and fulfilling. Here are a few elements that come to mind...

Here are some of Master’s techniques for healing and strengthening the light in our body, our mind, and our soul.

When we ask, “How do I need to change myself?” we are really asking, “What deep-seated mental/emotional patterns do I need to break?” Pulverizing these patterns is not always easy, especially those repeated patterns that follow from place to place and person to person.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed or heard many stories of miraculous protection. Yet there’s another, subtler form of divine intervention. One example is from Babaji’s life, recounted in Autobiography of a Yogi.

I suggest that you give this a try: Make waking from the dream your first priority. Then act immediately on the whispers from your conscience.

There are no shortcuts on the spiritual path. God cannot be deceived by outward gestures when the heart remains entangled in worldly attachments. A sincere seeker must strive to rise above external distractions and desires, placing God at the center of their life.

The story of how Jyotish began painting.

Once we’ve found our guru, the next stage in the journey is to develop deeper self-offering and attunement to him.

A single theme runs through spiritual teachings like a string that connects the beads of a mala. That theme is: Pay attention, focus on what you are doing, be here now. At this time of year many people make resolutions for the new year. Generally, these are about creating new, healthy habits or leaving behind harmful ones. They’re typically about something on the physical plane—diet, say, or exercise. A few people may resolve to improve mental or emotional habits: changing attitudes or controlling emotions. Fewer still make resolutions about their spiritual lives. All of these are helpful, especially the spiritual resolutions. These help us transcend the endless dualities of maya rather than, as Swami Kriyananda occasionally put it, “trying to improve the mud puddle we’re sitting in.”

We are all “works in progress,” and while we need to build on our successes, let’s not be discouraged about where we fell short. Take some time now to introspect and see in what ways you have succeeded; analyze where you could have done better; and decide on the goals you want to set for 2025. Let’s look at these three components.

The Christmas season is an ideal time of year to expand our hearts and minds. As Paramhansa Yogananda wrote, “This Christmas morning we invoke the spirit of Jesus, the spirit of Christ to descend upon our consciousness and give us the realization of infinity.”