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The Chela To Chela PodcastS4E7 A Visit With Gerd
Welcome to Season 4 of The Chela to Chela Podcast! This season features a special series on “Kriyabans & Covid” where we explore insights into the Covid journey as experienced by various Kriyabans as they endeavor to “live the life and serve the work.”
Join me with Gerd as we hear about his journey from worry and confusion to understanding and contentment… and how he plumbed the depths to understand his experience of the Covid Era from the highest truth.
Gerd’s sharing about his focused reflection on Brother Ishtanandaji’s admonition to be a...2022-05-1244 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS4E6 A Visit With Jean
Welcome to Season 4 of The Chela to Chela Podcast! This season features a special series on “Kriyabans & Covid” where we explore insights into the Covid journey as experienced by various Kriyabans as they endeavor to “live the life and serve the work.”
Unlike most of us during this Covid Era, Jean, as a direct support professional, has been a first responder for those with intellectual and developmental differences in the charitable community she directs.
While the outer Lila has been different, the challenges for us as disciples to “let go and walk in...2022-03-1325 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS4E5 A Visit With Shailesh Welcome to Season 4 of The Chela to Chela Podcast! This season features a special series on “Kriyabans & Covid” where we explore insights into the Covid journey as experienced by various Kriyabans as they endeavor to “live the life and serve the work.”
In this episode Shailesh shares how he experiences the Covid Era as a wonderful time Guruji has given for reflection, sadhana intensification, and personal transformation.
Making sure we do what we can now with this gift of time so we leave with no regrets has become his driving awareness and practical goal, and we are reminded of what Brother Chidan...2022-02-0718 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS4E4 A Visit With Bella
Bella is a twice-retired (and still working!) criminal defense lawyer ~ and has been a Kriyaban for 25+ years.
In Season 2 Bella shared her story with us of how she found Guruji. In this episode, listen as we explore with her the three words Bella gave to describe her overall Covid Era experience: Refining, Isolation, and Opportunities.
You are sure to find that it is yet another testimony of how Guruji gives exactly what is needed for the unfoldment of each unique disciple!
Join us in affirming:
It...2022-01-1538 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS4E3 A Visit With Pete
Among the many life lessons and karma-burning experiences of this incarnation, Patience, Gratitude and Contentment are the attributes Pete chose and cultivated. Now they are the legacy of his sadhana; valuable beyond any experiences of phenomena!
Join us now for a thought-provoking, soul-touching episode of Season 4 of the Chela To Chela Podcast, “Kriyabans & Covid.”
It’s a wonderful life with Guruji in it!
Jai Guru! Jai Ma!
The Chela To Chela Podcast is brought to you by Soul Calls Infinity. We are pleased to share with you the...2022-01-0236 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS4E2 A Visit With Blue
“I refuse to live in fear….”
If Blue was 50 years younger, she might have been called a “bliss baby.” But now, at 80, her faith and determination to own and manifest her joy in daily life is all the more poignant when you hear some of her back story at the close of our visit!
In Season 1, Episode 9 Blue shared how she found Master, and what her life was like before and after becoming a disciple. In this episode we learn how Blue endeavors to “live the life and serve the work” as sh...2021-12-1025 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS4E1 A Visit With KenWelcome to Season 4 of The Chela to Chela Podcast!
This season features a special series on “Kriyabans & Covid” where we explore insights into the Covid journey as experienced by various Kriyabans as they endeavor to “live the life and serve the work.”
In the informal chat episodes you will hear that each Kriyaban guest was a little surprised to have been asked impromptu to give just 3 words that described their overall experience of Covid.
Then you will come along with us as we travel an introspective journey of further e...2021-11-3025 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS3E9 Meet Shailesh R.
Although this interview was recorded in 2019, the insights of living with Guruji in Surrender, Faith, Forgiveness, Perseverance, and Devotion are timeless and especially relevant in today’s world, as attested to by Brother Achalanandaji in his Convocation talk “Cultivating Deeper Faith” (See it on the SRF YouTube Channel.)
Listen as Shailesh, a business owner of 40 years, shares how he has learned to spiritualize his professional and personal world.
We also talk about the lessons and blessings of hosting an SRF Circle for 20 + years. And you will hear what Shailesh feels is an important element f...2020-11-0532 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS3E8 Meet Dana T.Longtime San Diego devotee Dana has written a book, conducts workshops, and has a private practice as a Bowen and EMDR relationship therapist.
Listen as Dana shares with us a few segments of this incarnation with Guruji and as we talk about some of the principles of sadhana and the blessings of Gurudev in our life.
Our conversation covers an in-depth look at her use of Guruji’s soul-mate affirmation, the important roles of divine friendship in her life, and how she brings Master’s teachings to bear in her professional and personal life.
You...2020-10-3140 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS3E7 Meet Jean W.The interview with Jean once again points to the ever-living presence of Guruji to bless and change us.
After finding Guruji, Jean made a soul-searching leap from a high-profile position in Corporate America to following her heart in the nonprofit sector. While on pilgrimage to India, she told Swami Smarananandaji about her desire to serve the homeless. Jean shares with us Swamiji’s incisive and compelling response which continues to be pivotal for her… and thought-provoking for us.
Jean also talks about the impact of being a caregiver in the final stages of her aunt’s life...2020-09-1732 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS3E6 Meet Mike G.
Picture yourself in a general store sitting around a potbelly stove of long ago listening to a weaving story of far-off places being told by the village storyteller, and it very well might have been a previous incarnation with Mike!
Long time SRF devotee, Mike, brought with him a love of travel and the good karma to actualize it! In today’s world, 130,000 slides later…..Mike shares his love of fellowship with others.
In this podcast Mike shares with us the story of his much-failed search for “Happiness” and its surprise ending in the high Hi...2020-08-0246 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS3E5 Meet Eileen C.Welcome to The Chela To Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Constancy… it's a concept… it's a practice… it's an experience… it's a gift. In this conversation with Eileen, although not stated directly, constancy is unveiled as foundational in her sadhana.
With a background in Catholicism and sociology, hear how it was the concept of reincarnation that first lead her to the path.
Eileen shares a unique insight about attachment, garnered from the experience of being a spoiled child who had severe temper tantrums.
Eileen also tell us abo...2020-05-2829 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS3E4 Meet Robert K.
Brother Anandamoyji, on one of his CD's, tells us of the three categories of disciples: The monastic, the householder, and the (seldom mentioned) single person, serving and practicing sadhana while working in the world. (Brotherji goes on to tell us that they are all the same, that we have all belonged to each of the categories, and that he has observed devotees with varying levels of commitment to the Teachings in all three categories.)
Robert, in this lifetime, has belonged to the third category. In this fast-paced episode filled with the essence of many-facet...2020-03-3131 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS3E3 Meet Cindy K.
Like most of us, Cindy has been through a lot…and her magical find of Guruji was right down her "spiritually radical" alley!
The growth process of widowhood turned out to be the primary topic of our conversation, and brought some sweet unexpected moments.
If you have been on the path with your significant other for some years, you may find the insights shared will give you much to think about….
You can find Cindy's contact information on the Private Access Pages when you subscribe to the Soul Calls Infinity mailing list...2019-12-2638 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS3E2 Meet Alejandro C.
"Seasons of Sadhana" is an apt term that covers the life of the striving devotee, and for Alejandro each season has had a theme of finding the balance with seemingly diverse engagements. Engineer/artist, monastic/householder, sweet meditation/performing duties in the world.
We all have our own version of areas in which we struggle for balance. Sometimes it's helpful to get some objectivity by knowing we are not alone in our quest for balanced living "…being in the world, but not of it…." Inspiration to carry on sometimes comes from the support of fellowship.
...2019-12-0735 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS3E1 Welcome & Introduction to Season Three
Hello dear friends and welcome to Season Three of the Chela To Chela Podcast featuring stories of "How I Found Master" and life on the path from SRF/YSS devotees around the world.
In Season Three we will be meeting more devotees in diverse roles from different backgrounds - all with two underlying attitudes that permeate their lives and their consciousness… Perseverance and Gratitude.
Each conversation is a tribute to the blessing of Guruji in their lives and each shares a unique story of growth and change. If you're enjoying the Podcast, please go...2019-12-0704 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS2E9 Meet Christine G. Welcome to The Chela To Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
After coming to Guruji again in this lifetime, Christine has lead a life of selfless service to her family and faith in Guruji's loving Presence. Not a bed of roses, Divine timing has been evident in Christine's life…(which usually means for most of us that Divine Timing is often not our preferred timing!)
As a single mom, and caregiver for her aging father for many years, chanting and knowing that Guruji was always with her was her refuge during the sto...2018-10-2529 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS2E8 Meet Julie T. Welcome to The Chela To Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Julie is Candor personified! As she shares and views herself with sweet humor, we are swept along her sadhana trail which truly reveals the humble heart of a devotee.
From Catholic to atheistic encounters, fears of cultism, dry spells, and marital challenges, Julie has seen the Divine Hand in her life and shares some of her introspective journey with us.
Julie and her husband own and work in a demanding wholesale organic food supply business together; a recipe for test...2018-10-2538 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS2E7 Meet Jay F. Welcome to The Chela To Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
We all know that life on the path with Guruji is "a many splendored thing." In this episode we chat with long-time devotee, Jay - about almost every aspect of being in the world as a committed devotee.
Those who know Jay, know that he is on fire for realization. A powerful dynamo-householder, Jay shares his enthusiasm for life with Guruji. His story of unfolding sadhana through service covers the dynamics of building a successful business and marriage.
O...2018-10-2557 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS2E6 Meet Barbra H. Welcome to The Chela To Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Barbra is a heart-centered devotee who is conscious of the need to actively engage in the Guru-disciple relationship and pay attention to the Quiet Voice Within.
Working in the world among many non-devotees, Barbra shares with us how she privately and quietly brings Guruji into her work to give the best service she can.
Her story of how Guruji brought her to the path again in this lifetime is another reminder for us all of the enduring love of the Gur...2018-10-2522 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS2E5 Meet Robert A. Welcome to The Chela To Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
In 1968 Robert was an antiquities art dealer when he met someone at an exhibition who introduced him to Yogacharya Oliver Black. Perhaps some of you have heard the story about Mr. Black and Guruji. The short truncated version is that in the early days Mr. Black did not attend the all day meditation because he didn't think he could sit that long. Finally, Master prevailed and Mr. Black came. To his surprise, Master seated him right next to him up on the stage! ...2018-10-2529 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS2E4 Meet Bella D. Welcome to The Chela To Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Bella is an attorney who has been a Los Angeles Court Public Defender for 31 years. In this episode she shares her memories of counseling with Brother Bhaktanandaji on how to best perform her very tough job, and she tells us how she brings Master to Court with her every day.
Speaking about her experiences of being on pilgrimage in India, Bella explains how it changed her life and how it gave her a greater appreciation for all that Guruji left behind...2018-10-2533 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS2E3 Meet Ken F. Welcome to The Chela To Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Ken is a man of action and will. After a long and varied search for Truth, Ken chose SRF because it was the hardest!
With the determination of a spiritual warrior, doing his 25% with a life dedicated to service to others in the world, Ken talks about the value he has found in his pattern of growing the most through undertaking difficult situations and challenges.
Serving others in an extended family-life, and in business helping entrepreneurs of other religio...2018-10-2543 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS2E2 Meet Oya E. Welcome to The Chela To Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Oya lives in Berlin. Born in Turkey, Oya was brought up in a Moslem family. It's particularly admirable how she respects her family's path of spirituality, truly echoing Guruji's respect for all.
Instead of getting into discussions and debates about religious values and practices, Oya has taken the peaceful approach of respecting her parents freedom to choose (and safeguarding her own freedom as well).
Her plan and effort has been to try to live life of Guruji's teachings; letting...2018-10-2539 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS2E1 Season Two Introduction This brief introductory episode gives you an overview of the thread that runs through the episodes in Season Two of The Chela to Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda, featuring inspiring stories of "How I Found Master."
You will also learn more about our sponsor and producer, Soul Calls Infinity and the Soul Calls Music Meditations, along with news about the Chela To Chela Private Access Pages, where subscribers to the Soul Calls Infinity Mailing List can connect further with our Podcast Guests.
Would you like to be a supporting...2018-10-2410 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS1E9 Meet Blue B.W. Welcome to The Chela to Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Blue is happy. She's active, dynamic, serviceful, and creative. What brings Blue Joy? A kaleidoscope of internal/external elements make joy Blue's habitual M.O. (If she were 50 years younger, we'd appropriately call her a bliss-bunny.)
But it hasn't always been that way. Early childhood trauma, widowed and divorced, two children passed from this earth plane, another with autism; life has not been a cake walk. But fast forward, and the color of her life now is bright and beautiful....2018-08-0423 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS1E8 Meet Gerd Z. Welcome to The Chela to Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Sometimes being absorbed in the teachings escapes our view. Yes, we know we are dedicated and have much work to do. Yes, we love Guruji beyond words. But there comes a time when every activity, relationship, and emotion is for us an immediate fertile opportunity for spiritual growth. We are no longer trying to live a spiritual life; we are living it. For us it has become as Guruji says in Whispers From Eternity: "When I was blind, I found not a door that...2018-08-0439 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS1E7 Meet Doc John H. Welcome to The Chela to Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Doc John H. is a chiropractor for humans and animals. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Surfing at Swami's (just below the Encinitas Hermitage) and having the blessing of being daily in the company of the second generation of monks and nuns, made Encinitas his home for nearly 50 years. John tell us about those early days and the great spiritual souls he got to hang with!
How John came to Master is just the beginning of a life-long dedic...2018-08-0439 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS1E6 Meet Anneke L. Welcome to The Chela to Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Somewhere it is written that only you can do the work that you came in to do. Anneke's story is compelling. She came in to work on some heavy things this lifetime. In fact this incarnation is all about work for Anneke…as an advocate for victims of child sex trafficking, she tells her story around the world and mentors those who have suffered child abuse, helping them work through the past to grow and be free from the repressed emotions that often a...2018-08-0441 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS1E5 Meet Ajay R. Welcome to The Chela to Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.
We each walk a different road to get to our Gurudev. But once in the fold, we share the blessing of those who know Him. The inner knowing compels and propels us onward and upward! Jai Guruji! Jai!
In this episode we get a glimpse of a devotee's life in India … before and after finding Guruji. We learn about the Mumbai group of devotees and then hear from Ajay about what it was like growing up in an Indian family.
2018-08-0425 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS1E4 Meet Kirsten G. Welcome to The Chela to Chela Podcast. Most devotees have experienced the angst of feeling misunderstood and alone. In this episode Kirsten shares her story of how, feeling completely misunderstood by her family, she left home at a young age and found the source of her anger was not her parents; it was within herself. Internally "screaming for help," answers came in anciently familiar expanded consciousness experiences. Alone and isolated by her new understandings and experiences, her search began.
From facing and dealing with unwanted emotions, feeling extremely isolated, and being widowed soon after her marriage, to finding Mast...2018-07-3034 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS1E3 Meet Pete O. Welcome to The Chela To Chela Podcast. We all know that Master said a smooth life is not a victorious life. In this inspiring episode Pete Olson takes us on a journey from drugs and alcohol to saints and sobriety with a gratitude that epitomizes Guruji's words about the movie of life in Whispers From Eternity:
"…ah, it was a good film, full of life and worth-while struggle. I learned much from it."
Pete kindly shares with us some of the struggles, insights garnered, and profound lessons learned by the grace of our Divine Gurudeva.
N...2018-07-3037 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS1E2 Meet Lynn W. Welcome to The Chela to Chela Podcast. In this episode Lynn Walker shares with us her world-wide, multi-ethnic search for God and the unique way she was introduced to Guruji.
We all play many roles in this incarnation. Lynn is a talented videographer, as well as a mother of 2 Kriyabans, the wife of an author, care-giver for an aging parent with dementia, long time disciple, and an avid supporter of the devotee community, and all who are doing good work in the world. It's safe to say that Lynn is one of the "light-bearers" and you will hear about wha...2018-07-3032 minThe Chela To Chela PodcastS1E1 Welcome and Introduction This brief introductory episode welcomes you and gives you an overview of the purpose and format of The Chela to Chela Podcast - Interviews and Conversations with Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda, featuring inspiring stories of "How I Found Master."
Because devotees are doing a lot of good in the world right where they are, we'll also find out what programs, products and services they're involved with so we can support them with our prayers, our good will, and perhaps even with our resources and business connections …to help make this world a better place.
There will be a separate...2018-07-2306 min