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The Yoga of Jesus

The Yoga of Jesus

Understanding the Hidden Teachings of the Gospels
by Paramahansa Yogananda 2007 160 pages
4.40
1k+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Jesus was a Universal Avatar and Supreme Yogi, bridging East and West.

Jesus was an Oriental Christ, a supreme yogi who manifested full mastery of the universal science of God-union, and thus could speak and act as a savior with the voice and authority of God.

Divine emissaries. God sends divine incarnations, or avatars, to guide humanity when virtue declines. Jesus, like India's Bhagavan Krishna and Gautama Buddha, was a purna avatar, fully one with God, returning to fulfill a divine mission appropriate to his time and purpose.

Oriental roots. Jesus was born and trained in the Orient, using its customs and parables to spread his message. He journeyed to India during his "lost years" (ages 14-30), where he studied with masters and received initiation into esoteric yoga science, reinforcing the universality of truth he later preached.

Uniting East and West. Jesus, radiating the spiritual strength of the Orient to the West, serves as a divine liaison to unite God-loving peoples. His teachings, though universal, are saturated with Oriental culture, making them best understood through the lens of India's ancient spiritual traditions and philosophies.

2. Christ Consciousness is God's Omnipresent Intelligence, distinct from the man Jesus.

In his little human body called Jesus was born the vast Christ Consciousness, the omniscient Intelligence of God omnipresent in every part and particle of creation.

Universal reflection. Christ Consciousness is God's infinite intelligence present throughout creation, the "only begotten son" of God the Father, the sole pure reflection of Spirit in the created realm. This universal intelligence (Kutastha Chaitanya or Krishna Consciousness in Hindu scriptures) was fully manifested in Jesus and other divine beings.

Beyond the physical. The name Jesus refers to the man, while Christ is his honorific title signifying his state of consciousness. This consciousness is not limited to the physical body but extends to the boundaries of all vibratory regions, feeling the entire universe as one's own self.

Intelligent design. The universe is not a result of blind chance but the manifestation of a hidden Immanent Intelligence. This Divine Intelligence is evident in the intricate order of nature, from the atom to galaxies, confirming the ancient principles of yoga that proclaim unity pervades the universe.

3. The True "Second Coming" is the Resurrection of Christ Consciousness Within You.

What is necessary is for the cosmic wisdom and divine perception of Jesus to speak again through each one’s own experience and understanding of the infinite Christ Consciousness that was incarnate in Jesus.

Inner resurrection. The "Second Coming of Christ" does not refer to a literal return of Jesus' physical body to earth. His physical reappearance is unnecessary for his teachings' fulfillment. The true Second Coming is the awakening of the cosmic wisdom and divine perception of the infinite Christ Consciousness within each individual soul.

Experiential truth. To "receive Christ" is not achieved through church membership or outer ritual, but by direct inner experience. Through meditation and ecstasy, one expands consciousness to partake of the same omnipresent cosmic wisdom and bliss that was incarnate in Jesus.

Beyond churchianity. Real Christ followers are those who commune with the omnipresent Christ within, guided by His infinite wisdom. These teachings aim to give the real Christ-teaching: how to become like Christ, how to resurrect the Eternal Christ within one's Self, transcending sectarian boundaries.

4. The Holy Ghost is Aum, God's Intelligent Cosmic Vibration, the Great Comforter.

Holy Ghost is the sacred, invisible vibratory power of God that actively sustains the universe: the Word, or Aum, Cosmic Vibration, the Great Comforter, the Savior from all sorrows.

Cosmic creative force. The Holy Ghost is God's intelligent cosmic vibration, the "Word" or Aum (Om) in Hindu scriptures, which went forth from the Creator to manifest the universe. This vibration is imbued with Cosmic Intelligence (Christ Consciousness) and is the origin of "all things."

Trinity explained. The Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost) can be understood through yoga cosmology:

  • God the Father (Ishvara/Sat): Transcendental Intelligence beyond creation.
  • Holy Ghost (Aum/Amen): Cosmic Vibration, the creative energy emanating from Spirit.
  • Son (Christ Consciousness/Kutastha Chaitanya): God's intelligence manifest within the Holy Ghost vibration, guiding creation.

Inner communion. The Holy Cosmic Sound of Aum is the witness of the manifested Divine Presence. Communing with this Aum sound, the voice of God in the Holy Ghost vibration, is believing "on his name" and is the way to become a son of God, touching the immanent Christ Consciousness.

5. Salvation and Eternal Life come through Direct, Intuitive Experience of God.

To know Christ signifies to close the eyes, expand the consciousness and so deepen the concentration that through the inner light of soul intuition one partakes of the same consciousness that Jesus had.

Beyond blind belief. Salvation is not attained through mere intellectual belief or church affiliation, but through personal realization of truth. Jesus urged people to "believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God," meaning to commune with the Aum vibration, the active manifestation of the immanent Christ Consciousness, through meditation.

Inner transformation. The "condemnation" Jesus spoke of is not punishment from God, but the self-inflicted suffering resulting from ignorance and identification with the limited mortal self. By turning inward and realizing one's unity with the universal Christ Intelligence, one is saved from the cycles of suffering and death.

Unshakable realization. Scientific meditation leads to direct experience of God as ever-new joy, cosmic sound, love, wisdom, light, and life. This indisputable realization, unlike fragile beliefs, is proof against doubt and is what truly saves people, bestowing eternal life—conscious existence beyond mortal limitations.

6. The "Second Birth" is the Awakening of Soul-Intuition through Meditation.

Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Beyond physical birth. Jesus' teaching of being "born again" refers not to physical rebirth or water baptism alone, but to a spiritual awakening in one's present incarnation. This second birth is the transcendence of mortal consciousness and the awakening of soul intuition, the pure knowing by which one directly apprehends reality.

Intuition vs. senses. The ultimate truths of heaven and the kingdom of God cannot be grasped by the limited senses or rational mind. They can only be known by intuition, the soul's direct perception, which is developed through meditation.

Guru's role. While human birth is from parents, spiritual birth is given by a God-ordained guru. A true guru can open the spiritual eye, the inner window of oneness with Spirit, allowing the disciple to be "twice-born" (dwija), transcending body consciousness and entering the perception of God's omnipresence.

7. The Spine is the "Straight Way" to Ascend Consciousness and Enter God's Kingdom.

The way of liberation of the soul from its ties to mortal consciousness in the body is identical for all: through the same “straight” highway of the spine by which the soul descended from Spirit into the body and matter.

Divine architecture. Man's body contains spiritual cerebrospinal centers (chakras), described by yogis and symbolized in Revelation as seven seals, stars, and candlesticks. These are gateways through which the soul descended from Spirit into the body.

Reversing the flow. The soul, garbed in causal and astral bodies, descends through the spinal centers into physical identification. To reascend to Spirit, the life force and consciousness must be reversed from their outward flow through the senses and lifted upward through the spine's subtle passage.

Serpent force. This upward movement involves awakening the "serpent force" (kundalini), the coiled energy at the base of the spine. Lifting this force through the spinal centers opens the spiritual eye and leads to higher states of consciousness, transcending the limitations of the fleshly prison.

8. Meditation, especially Kriya Yoga, is the Scientific Path to God-Realization.

By the definite science of meditation known for millenniums to the yogis and sages of India, and to Jesus, any seeker of God can enlarge the caliber of his consciousness to omniscience—to receive within himself the Universal Intelligence of God.

Universal science. Yoga is the universal science of divine union, providing practical methods for actual inner experience of God. It is the unifying path followed by all religionists in their final approach to God, transcending sectarian boundaries.

Direct approach. Kriya Yoga, a specific form of Raja Yoga taught by Paramahansa Yogananda, employs methods that deal directly with energy and consciousness. It is described as the quickest and most effective approach to conscious union with Spirit.

Techniques for union. The science involves:

  • Stillness of body and mind (transcending sensory distractions).
  • Interiorization of life force and consciousness (withdrawing from senses).
  • Concentration on the spiritual eye (doorway to divine realms).
  • Communion with the Holy Ghost (Aum vibration).
  • Ascension through spinal centers (lifting the serpent force).

9. Divine Love for God and Neighbor is the Highest Goal and Path to Oneness.

To love God supremely is to receive from Him eternal contentment and fulfillment, with freedom from all human desires that irresponsibly provoke continuous births and deaths with their unforeseen miseries.

Two great commandments. The essence of religion and life is encapsulated in loving God with all one's being and loving one's neighbor as oneself. This is the path to eternal life, rising above mortal consciousness.

Loving God wholly. Loving God with heart, soul, mind, and strength corresponds to the yoga path:

  • Heart: Bhakti Yoga (devotion).
  • Mind: Concentration (one-pointed focus).
  • Soul: Superconscious ecstasy (direct perception).
  • Strength: Prana control (mastery of life energy via techniques like pranayama).

Loving neighbor as Self. This means seeing and loving the Divine Presence in all beings and creation. Extending love beyond self and family to all humanity and creatures is to attune with the universal Christ-love and realize the oneness of all souls as reflections of God.

10. The Kingdom of God is Within You, Found Through Inner Stillness and Bliss.

The kingdom of God—of eternal, immutable, ever-newly blissful Cosmic Consciousness—is within you.

Not external observation. The kingdom of God is not a physical location or an earthly dominion, but an inner state of consciousness. It is found not by using the outward-tuned senses ("observation") but by interiorizing consciousness to perceive the Divine Reality within.

Transcendent realms. The kingdom consists of the transcendental infinitudes of Cosmic Consciousness and the heavenly causal and astral realms, which are finer and more harmonized with God than the physical world. These realms exist within and behind the layers of matter, energy, and thought.

Inner journey. Delving within through meditation transcends human consciousness, leading to successively higher states: superconsciousness (peace, soul awareness), Christ Consciousness (omnipresence, universal intelligence), and Cosmic Consciousness (oneness with the Absolute, eternal bliss). Peace is the first glimpse of this inner kingdom.

11. The Beatitudes Outline the Qualities and Path to Heavenly Bliss.

To beatify is to make supremely happy; beatitude signifies the blessedness, the bliss, of heaven.

Path to blessedness. The Beatitudes describe the moral and spiritual principles by which man's life becomes blessed and filled with heavenly bliss. These qualities cultivate the inner state necessary for God-realization.

Qualities for bliss:

  • Poor in spirit: Non-attachment to material things and ego.
  • Mourn: Yearning for God-union.
  • Meek: Humble and receptive to truth.
  • Hunger/Thirst: Intense desire for righteousness and God.
  • Merciful: Compassionate and helpful to others, seeing God in them.
  • Pure in heart: Cleansed consciousness, enabling direct perception of God.
  • Peacemakers: Those who find inner peace and spread it, manifesting Christ-love.
  • Persecuted for righteousness: Steadfastness in spiritual ideals despite opposition.

Heavenly reward. Cultivating these virtues leads to inner contentment and ultimately inherits the kingdom of eternal fulfillment. Advanced souls, fixed in inner bliss through meditation and righteousness, carry this portable heaven with them, experiencing higher astral realms and ultimately oneness with God.

Last updated:

Review Summary

4.40 out of 5
Average of 1k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

The Yoga of Jesus receives mostly positive reviews, with readers praising its fresh perspective on Jesus' teachings through a yogic lens. Many find it enlightening and thought-provoking, appreciating the parallels drawn between Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. Some readers note it clarifies biblical passages and offers a more practical approach to spirituality. Critics argue it's overly complex or misinterprets Jesus' teachings. Overall, the book is seen as a bridge between different spiritual philosophies, encouraging readers to explore meditation and inner consciousness.

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About the Author

Paramahansa Yogananda, born Mukunda Lal Ghosh, was an influential Indian yogi and guru who played a significant role in introducing meditation and Kriya Yoga to the Western world. His seminal work, "Autobiography of a Yogi," became a gateway for many Westerners to explore Eastern spiritual practices. Yogananda's teachings emphasized the unity of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, particularly focusing on the parallels between yoga philosophy and Christian teachings. He founded the Self-Realization Fellowship to disseminate his spiritual teachings and techniques. Yogananda's work continues to impact spiritual seekers worldwide, offering a unique blend of ancient wisdom and modern understanding of consciousness and self-realization.

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