In the Publisher’s Note to the first edition, it was noted that psychology, for the author, is a developing science which is considered to be a part of philosophy. Traditionally philosophy has included the branches of ontology, metaphysics, ethics and epistemology, but Shrii Shrii Anandamurtijii has expanded the scope of philosophy to include psychology and spiritual cult (practices). In fact, this is one of the features which makes Ananda Marga spiritual philosophy unique.

Regarding the scope of philosophy and psychology, in “Our Philosophical Treatise” (Tattva Kaomudii Part 2, 1969), the author writes:

In Western philosophy there is no mention of spiritual cult, because Western philosophers had no opportunity to learn such a cult. The main reason is that, in the theology prevalent in the West, there is no concrete spiritual cult.

According to general belief, psychology is a part of general science, and should therefore not be included as a part of philosophy. Thus psychology has been accepted as a branch of science in the West. But in Ananda Marga, psychology has been included as a part of philosophy. Moreover, according to Ananda Marga, the scope of psychology is wider than what is usually accepted by psychologists.

Yoga psychology, though a part of philosophy, is also a science, but is not restricted to the materialistic paradigm which characterizes Western philosophy and psychology. It is the science by which spiritual aspirants can acquire knowledge and mastery of themselves in their quest for Self-realization. Knowledge of yoga psychology is essential for spiritual practices; without this knowledge, aspirants will not achieve success in their spiritual endeavours.

The discourses published in this book include only some of the important discourses given by the author on yoga psychology. Other important discourses on the subject have been published in works such as Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell Parts 1-8; Ánanda Vacanámrtam Parts 1-31; A Guide to Human Conduct; Subháśita Saḿgraha Parts 1-24; Idea and Ideology; and Ananda Marga: Elementary Philosophy. Those interested in yoga psychology should also consult these books.

To assist researchers, it is our policy to indicate here – in addition to the original language of each speech, the date and place, by whom it was translated, and where, if other than in this book, it was originally published – whether or not a tape of the speech is in existence. At the time of this printing, however, not all the cataloguing of tapes has been finished. Further information as to tapes will be given in future printings.

In the cases of some of the discourses published here, no written record was found of the language in which the discourse was given; but if the language could be clearly inferred from the location and other circumstances of the discourse, we have cited that language.

The abbreviation “DMC” sometimes appears at the end of a discourse. Dharma Mahácakra was a special spiritual gathering addressed by the author as the preceptor, or guru, of Ananda Marga. The abbreviation “RU” at the end of a discourse indicates that the discourse constituted a Presidential speech to Renaissance Universal.

Square brackets [   ] in the text are used to indicate translations by the editors or other editorial insertions. Round brackets (   ) indicate a word or words originally given by the author.

The author used a certain shorthand for explaining the etymologies of words. Under this system, a minus sign (–) follows a prefix, and a plus sign (+) precedes a suffix. Thus ava – tr + ghaiṋ = avatára can be read, “the root tr prefixed by ava and suffixed by ghaiṋ becomes avatára.”

“Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development”. Discourse in Hindi. Originally published both in Bengali, in Tattva Kaomudii 2, 1978 (as “Khádya, Kośa, Sháriirika o Mánasika Unnati”), and in English in Notes on Spiritual Philosophy booklet, c. 1970. First published in English in book form in Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell 4, drawing only on Tattva Kaomudii 2, tr. by ÁVA. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK. Retr. for this edition, drawing on Notes on Spiritual Philosophy as well as on Tattva Kaomudii 2, by ÁVA and ÁAA.

“Cerebral and Extra-Cerebral Memory”. Discourse in Hindi. Originally published in Bengali in Tattva Kaomudii 2, 1978. First published in English in Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell 4, tr. by ÁVA. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK. Retr. for this edition by ÁVA and ÁAA.

“Dream, Telepathic Vision and Clairvoyance”. Discourse in Hindi. Originally published in Bengali as part of “Vede Brahmavijiṋána – 5” in Subháśita Saḿgraha 2, 1957. First published in English as part of “The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 5” in Subháśita Saḿgraha 2, 1957, tr. by Manohar Gupta. Third English publication as part of “The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 5” in Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell 3, 1988, tr. by ÁVA. Due to time considerations the 1957 translation has been used here rather than the 1988. English re-editing by ÁAA.

“Ghosts and Evil Spirits”. Discourse in English. Originally published in English in Ánanda Vacanámrtam 3, 1981. Second English publication in Ánanda Vacanámrtam 3, 1986. Third English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991. Fifth English publication in Discourses on Tantra Vol. 1, 1994.

“Extra-Cerebral Memory”. Discourse in Bengali. Originally published in Bengali as “Játismaratva” in Ánanda Vacanámrtam 6. First published in English in Ánanda Vacanámrtam 6, 1987. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK.

“The Two Human Approaches”. Discourse in English. Tape. Originally published in English in Ánanda Vacanámrtam 14, 1981. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991.

“Mysticism and Yoga”. Discourse in English. Tape. Originally published in English in Ánanda Vacanámrtam 14, 1981. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991.

“The Faculty of Knowledge – 1”, “– 2”, “– 3”, “– 4”. Discourses in Bengali. Originally published in Bengali as Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 of Prajiṋá Sampad. First published in English in The Faculty of Knowledge, tr. by ÁVA. Fourth English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK. Retr. by ÁVA and ÁAA.

“The Faculty of Knowledge – 5”. Discourse in Bengali. Originally published in Bengali as Chapter 5 of Prajiṋá Sampad. First published in English in The Faculty of Knowledge, tr. by ÁVA. Fourth English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK.

“Are Ghosts Hallucinations?” Discourse in Bengali. Originally published in Bengali in Abhimata 5. First published in English in A Few Problems Solved Part 5, 1988, tr. by ÁVA and Avadhútiká Ánanda Mitrá Ácárya. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK. English re-editing by ÁAA.

“Instinct and Devotion”. Discourse in English, Bengali and Hindi. Tape. Originally published in English in “Instinct and Devotion” booklet. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK. First Bengali publication as “Vrtti o Bhakti” in Subháśita Saḿgraha 17, 1987. Some originally-Bengali portions retr. from the Bengali by ÁVA and ÁAA.

“Questions and Answers on Psychology”. Discourses in English. Source: Notes taken by sádhakas on various questions the author addressed to aspiring workers of Ananda Marga in their final examinations 1987-1990, and on the answers he himself gave. Originally published in English in Yoga Psychology, 1991, edited by ÁVA and JK. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, English re-editing by JK.

“Four Dimensions of Micropsychic Longing”. Discourse in English. Tape. Originally published in English in “Four Dimensions of Micropsychic Longing” booklet. Second English publication in A Few Problems Solved 8, 1988. Third English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK.

“Bio-Psychology”. Discourses in English. Source: Notes taken by sádhakas in seminar-training classes. The handwritten notes were compiled into a typed set of notes (“fair copy”). Originally published in English in Yoga Psychology, 1991, edited by ÁVA and JK. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, English re-editing by ÁVA, Ácárya Prańavánanda Avadhúta, Ácárya Mantreshvaránanda Avadhúta, JK. English re-editing by ÁAA.

“Biological Transformation Associated with Psychic Metamorphosis and Vice Versa”. Discourse in English, Hindi and Bengali. Tape. Originally published in English in “Biological Transformation Associated with Psychic Metamorphosis and Vice Versa” booklet. Second English publication in Subháśita Saḿgraha 18, 1991. Third English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK. Fourth English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, English re-editing by JK. English re-editing by ÁAA.

“Plexi and Microvita”. Discourses in English. Sources: Notes taken by sádhakas in seminar-training classes; “The Acoustic Roots of the Indo-Aryan Alphabet” in Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell 8, 1988. The handwritten seminar-training notes were compiled into a typed set of notes (“fair copy”). Originally published in English in Yoga Psychology, 1991, edited by ÁVA and JK. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, English re-editing by JK. English re-editing by ÁAA.

“Questions and Answers on Meditation”. Discourses in English. Source: Notes taken by sádhakas on various questions the author addressed to aspiring workers of Ananda Marga in their final examinations 1987-1990, and on the answers he himself gave. The handwritten notes were compiled into a typed set of notes (“fair copy”). Originally published in English in Yoga Psychology, 1991, edited by ÁVA and JK. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, English re-editing by JK. English re-editing by ÁAA.

“Glands and Sub-Glands”. Discourse in English. Tape. Originally published in English in Yoga Psychology, 1991. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, English re-editing by ÁVA, Ácárya Prańavánanda Avadhúta, Ácárya Mantreshvaránanda Avadhúta, JK. English re-editing by ÁAA.

“The Mind Grows in Magnitude”. Discourse in English. Tape. Originally published in English as “The Mind Grows in Magnitude” booklet. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK. Third English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, English re-editing by JK.

“The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order”. Discourse in English, Hindi and Bengali. Tape. Originally published in English as “The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order” booklet. Third English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1991, English re-editing by JK. Fourth English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, English re-editing by JK.

“Ideation and Meditation”. Discourse in English. Source: Notes taken by sádhakas in seminar-training classes. The handwritten notes were compiled into a typed set of notes (“fair copy”). Originally published in English in Yoga Psychology, 1991, edited by ÁVA and JK. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, English re-editing by JK. English re-editing by ÁAA.

“Under the Shelter of the Guru”. Discourse in Bengali. Originally published in Bengali as section on “Gurusakásha” in Shabda Cayaniká Part 25. First published in English as “Ideating on the Guru” in Yoga Psychology, 1991, tr. by ÁVA and JK. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, retr. by ÁVA and JK. Shloka beginning Prátah shirasi retr. by ÁVA and ÁAA.

“The Human Body Is a Biological Machine”. Discourse in English. Tape. Originally published in English in Yoga Psychology, 1991. Second English publication in Yoga Psychology, 1994, English re-editing by ÁVA, Ácárya Prańavánanda Avadhúta, Ácárya Mantreshvaránanda Avadhúta, JK.

Key:
ÁVA = Ácárya Vijayánanda Avadhúta
ÁAA = Ácárya Acyutánanda Avadhúta