The Story of the Eight Obstacles

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About the Author Paramahamsa Prajnanananda is the current spiritual leader of the Kriya Yoga international organizations. These organizations were founded by his master, Paramahamsa Hariharananda, who spread the teachings of Kriya Yoga all over the world. Paramahamsa Hariharananda was Swami Shriyukteshwar and Paramahamsa Yogananda's most outstanding direct disciple, one of the greatest realized Kriya Yoga masters in the lineage of Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj and Shri Lahiri Mahashaya.

Born in Odisha, Paramahamsa Prajnanananda was raised in a profound spiritual environment that inspired his search for Truth. He received his higher education in Cuttack and became a professor of economics there. In 1980, while still a student, he met Paramahamsa Hariharananda, who initiated him into Kriya Yoga, then fifteen years later, into the sacred path of sannyasa. After only three years, at the early age of 39, his master conferred upon him the highest title of Paramahamsa, a designation reserved for monks and saints who have attained the summit of realization.

Enriched by his own direct experience, fathomless wisdom, and deep love for humanity, Paramahamsa Prajnanananda guides and inspires spiritual seekers, a living example of how to fulfill one's infinite potential. In addition to running the main ashrams in Puri. Cuttack, Vienna, and Miami, Prajnananandaji spreads spiritual knowledge and the ancient science of Kriya Yoga by holding seminars and retreats all over the world. Prajnana Mission, founded by Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, provides service to humanity with free medical assistance units and centers, residential schools for the poor, and many other charitable and educational activities.

Author of many books on the science of yoga, practical guidelines to the application of the wisdom of Vedantic philosophy, and insightful metaphorical commentaries on the major holy scriptures and world religions, Paramahamsa Prajnanananda binds and bridges Eastern and Western cultures with a harmonious, fresh, and non-sectarian approach.

Introduction It is commonplace to be conscious of our voices when we sing. When we sing solo, a certain degree of shyness is felt. That shyness, however, is nonexistent when we sing in chorus. At that time we forget our individual voices and any other differences. When we sing together, we sing with one voice, and that voice is beautiful and powerful. The spiritual masters say that a voice with love is the voice of God.

Life Is a Song

The truth is we all love to sing, and many of us strive to sing better. However, when we are faced with singing alone, an uncomfortable feeling of shyness often arises. Many do not realize that life itself is a song, and each one of us is the designated singer. A beautiful song by Rabindranath Tagore says: "I have been trying to sing Your tune, O God, but time has passed away and the evening of life has come." Yes, God is constantly singing, and a few sincere yogis can listen to the marvelous song of God. As the loving Mother, God expresses Her melodious voice through the mouths of all Her children: through the chirping of the birds, through the voices of the animals, through the smiles and laughter of human babies.

As human beings, we are endowed with an innate ability to feel and perceive the voice of the Divine. During every breath, do we listen to the voice of God? During every moment, do we listen to God's call? Within every conversation, can we hear the whisper of God? With every footstep, do we see God's footprints? With our eyes closed, can we see the light of God? With our eyes open, can we see God's smile? At every moment, do we perceive the presence of God?

Human life is a special gift. We can live and love while simultaneously allowing others to live and grow. Every human being should focus on becoming a creative instrument in God's creation, rather than a medium for its destruction. Moreover, each human being should strive to fulfill the true meaning and purpose of life by becoming joyful, useful, creative, and productive.

Work and Success

In this world two key words are essential in our lives: work and success. Which word comes first? In the English dictionary, the word "success" comes before the word "work." However, it is only in the dictionary that this holds true. Simply put, when it comes to our lives, we must first work diligently for success to follow. For any work, we need goals, hope, and some motivation or inspiration. To achieve success in any field, we need one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. The one percent inspiration may come from our parents, friends, or teachers; but the ninety-nine percent perspiration must come from our own hard work, especially in spiritual life where we try to imitate God.

Why should we imitate God? Because God is our model, our ideal. In the New Testament of the Holy Bible, the Epistles of Paul (Ephesians 5:1) state, "Be imitators of God." Throughout our lives, we imitate others. As children we imitate our parents. The first language we learn is known as our mother tongue, because we typically learn to speak by imitating the words (tongue) of our mothers. Hence, doesn't it stand to reason that since we are children of God, we should imitate God?

Generally, we need to work hard to be successful, and this work should be continuous, not just a little bit here and there, if we really want to transform ourselves. A student attending college must work (study) several hours every day to be successful in his or her studies. Thus, for spiritual success, which is the only true success, we must work twenty-four hours a day. In every moment, we should be conscious of our ultimate goal and sincerely strive for it. Even when we dream, our dreams should be about divinity. During our everyday family life, relationships, and work, we must diligently try to bring divinity into our lives. The scriptures describe spiritual life as difficult, saying the path is slippery, or like a razor's edge. We must therefore work carefully with concentrated attention and focus.

**Contents and Sample Pages**