The first of three great waves of blessing for mankind began in 1861 in the Himalayas. It was then that the great avatar Babaji initiated his disciple, Lahiri Mahasaya, into the yogic science of Kriya Yoga. As he was about to return to his job and family, Lahiri pleaded to Babaji, “I pray that you permit me to communicate Kriya to all seekers, even though at first they cannot vow themselves to complete inner renunciation. The tormented men and women of the world, pursued by the threefold suffering, need special encouragement. They may never attempt the road to freedom if Kriya initiation be withheld from them.”
Thus the blessing of Kriya became available to sincere men and women like you and me. This first wave was, however, confined to India. Among Lahiri’s many disciples were Yogananda’s parents and his guru, Sri Yukteswar. During his years in India Yogananda was prepared for his divine mission, to bring the science of meditation to the millions of thirsty souls in the West.
The second wave began
with Yogananda’s coming to America in 1920, where he lectured and wrote tirelessly. In the next 30 years he personally taught more than 100,000 people the ancient science of yoga and Kriya meditation, and planted these practices in the mindscape of America. His mission was to uplift the consciousness of a whole culture, and to knit together East and West. It culminated with the publishing of Autobiography of a Yogi, one of the most influential books ever written.
And yet that book is not meant to be just read. It needs to be lived. It is an owner’s manual for how to live a happy, successful, and holy life in these modern times. Another, third, wave was needed to demonstrate that these teachings are practical in the home, and the workplace, and the schools; that they are effective in health and sickness, in birth and death, and not only in the church. This third wave started in, of all places, Beverly Hills, California. As Swami Kriyananda writes in The New Path:
I remember especially how stirred I was by a talk he gave at a garden party in Beverly Hills on July 31, 1949. Never had I imagined that the power of human speech could be so overwhelming; it was the most moving talk I have ever heard.
“This day,'”he thundered, punctuating every word, “marks the birth of a new era. My spoken words are registered in the ether, in the Spirit of God, and they shall move the West. . . . Self-Realization has come to unite all religions. . . . We must go on—not only those who are here, but thousands of youths must go North, South, East, and West to cover the earth with little colonies, demonstrating that simplicity of living plus high thinking lead to the greatest happiness!”
This third wave is our golden opportunity. If we live our lives in attunement with the Divine within us, and practice a life of meditation and selfless service, it will lead to our own greatest happiness. But, more than that, this third wave can fulfill Master’s promise of a new and better era for the whole world.
In joy,
Nayaswami Jyotish
18 Comments
Dear Jyotishji,
Thank you for the wonderful inspiration!
Personally, the blessing of the third wave for me has been Ananda and Swami Kriyananda through which this ray of light has reached all of us. For me the personal touch of Ananda Acharyas as a channel from Master and Swamiji has been invaluable in bringing Master and our line of Gurus alive in my heart.
Thank you for these weekly inspirations and your continuous support and guidance.
– Prasanna
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji,
Thank you for the blog. I am blessed to be connected with Ananda Community and in sharing the path.
Sincerely thank Swamiji for making Master’s wish true.
I am looking forward to that day where I could be part of creating a Ananda Comminuty in Chennai or in South India and live a life as Master Said – Simple Living plus High Thinking .
Aum,
Prem
Your guidance will definitely help us in lliving with utmost attunment with the divine..Thanks to God,Christ,guru,Swamiji and ananda Sangha to bring us into your fold.
Wonderful and I am honored to add the 4th comment this time.
AUM
Pat
Dear Jyotish ji,
Thank you for the inspiration.
Glad to be part of this sacred ray, the Divine has offered us all.
Joy and regards,
Aditya, Pune.
Thank you for the inspiration. ॐ ॐ ॐ !
Thank you for the inspiration . Om Guru ! Jai Guru !
Jai our third wave!
Thanks, Jyotish , when I retire I would like to live in an Ananda community, I will try to make myself worthy through Kirya and daily meditation.
Another inspiring word from you – I share your posts with students and friends.
It was wonderful to see you and Devi again on Wednesday, and to be in the wondrous atmosphere at Ananda!
With love and light, Marjorie
Thank you..it is also good to stress that people now should/must day and night enter into very concentrated,deep prayer.Prayer is very much needed for this country,the environment and for all countries of the world because evil,demonic,powerful destructive forces/entities continue to attack and make war against the divine uplifting beneficial forces and beings.Swami said we must fight on the side of the angels of light.Continued deep prayer is a powerful weapon in this fight.Inform all those you know the very real need for all of us to deeply pray day and night.Thanks again.
It was a blessing to be able to hear this in person.
Dear Jyotishji,
Thank you for this guiding blog! I always enjoy reading this blog because it gives guidance and inspiration when I need it.Wonderfully expressed!!
Aum
Neela
I whole heartedly support the third wave and I am hopefull that your efforts would bring peace and harmony to all mankind.
Thanks for the initiative.
I honor the greatest Blessing in ‘all the three world’s’, my Guru and fellow gurubhais. In Divine Blessing I bow to “Thee” MA. Thank you great souls.
Pranam Ji
I was Fortunate to Visit Yogiraj Lahari Mahashya Home on Gurupurnima Day With Anandha India Pilgrimage 19th July 16
When I was waiting for my turn in queue my memory recalling all the Teaching and Tools Ananda bestowed on me since 2013 and overwhelming with Gratitude entered Yogiraj Home and Received the Blessings I have no word to Express rather I can say that every Atoms of my body felt ever new Joy. Aum.
There was Certainly a Tangible Energy pervading the Sanctorum Yogiraj Lahari Mahashya’s Home.
.
With Gratitude
R Sundararajan
Enjoyed your article on the three waves. Yogananda’s spirit is so powerful. Thank you so much.
Incredibly inspired and inspiring!
“This third wave is our golden opportunity. If we live our lives in attunement with the Divine within us, and practice a life of meditation and selfless service, it will lead to our own greatest happiness. But, more than that, this third wave can fulfill Master’s promise of a new and better era for the whole world.”
May we all fearlessly ride this third wave and share the energy of this wave with all whom we meet!
May we “take it on” as our own, envisioning ourselves at that garden party – as if Master spoke these very words to us… may His words ring in our ears and in our hearts, shaking us to our foundation; that we may know – without doubt or fear that we can access, and ultimately are already, the Divine Within.
Let no fear,
Let no doubt,
no negativity of any kind –
cloud the brilliance of the Light within!
JAI JAI JAI GURU!
~~~Peace, Josette