Benefits of Yoga
In chapter 15, The Cauliflower Robbery, Yogananda has harvested 6 cauliflowers that he is proud to share with Sri Yukteswar. As the disciples are called out to go march, Sri Yukteswar questions Yogananda about whether he locked the door to the Ashram or not. Yogananda carelessly replies that he "thinks so." In teaching a lesson, Sri Yukteswar relates thoughts with a peasant and has him steal one of Yogananda's cauliflowers. Much like the way a radio operates, Sri Yukteswar's thoughts vibrate in radio waves and he receives signals from other people then carries their thoughts out. A couple days later Yogananda's lamp had been missing so he assumed the master would know where it is. The master read Yogananda's thoughts and directed him directly to where another pupil said he took it to. The lamp was not where the pupil said it was and Yogananda realized Sri Yukteswar was only mocking his expectations because he wouldn't display his powers when challenged. Weeks passed, and one day the master asked the narrator to lead his disciples on a procession walk across the beach. Yogananda was worried the sun would make the sand too hot to bare but Sri Yukteswar assured him that with faith in the Omnipresent God his problems will be resolved. The master had faith that God would protect him and his disciples as long as he was faithful in him and indeed God provided clouds to make shade for the sand trail. The lesson learned in this chapter is that God is impartial and will listen to everyone that has faith in him. He will fulfill anything one strongly desires with the right heart and faith. As a christian, this chapter strongly relates and is a recurring message in my life. Like Yogananda, I constantly forget to keep my strong faith and to trust that God will provide in the end. Many times in my life I have forgotten about God as I try to resolve all of my own issues. Things don't end up my way but usually they end up better because God's plan is always best. Especially in