03/05/2026
Dogmatism vs Common Sense
- This Week: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteDiy7IMD7zEFPa7L6jRFSlK
The Sunday Service from Week 10, titled "Dogmatism vs Common Sense," addresses the contrast between rigid dogmatism and practical, experiential common sense in spiritual life. It teaches that intellects lacking steady spiritual purpose tend to be scattered and distracted, while truth remains one and eternal, accessible through realization of oneness with the deathless Self within.
Drawing on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and scriptural wisdom, including Jesus’ counsel in the Gospel of St. Matthew to "know them by their fruits," the service emphasizes the importance of using God-given common sense and discernment rather than accepting lofty but unprovable claims. Common sense here is described as rooted in actual experience, going beyond mere abstract reasoning.
The teaching warns against two extremes in scriptural interpretation: gullible superstition, which accepts everything literally without reason, and automatic denial, which dismisses spiritual truths outright. True faith, in contrast, is born from honest doubt, a willingness to question, test, and experiment rather than suppress doubts dogmatically. St. Paul’s exhortation to "test the spirits" is cited as a model attitude for spiritual seekers.
The service also highlights that worldly practicality often fails to bring the deeper fulfillment sought by the soul, whereas common sense guided by love for God and charity toward others can protect against both gullibility and skepticism that stifles inspiration.
In essence, the service calls for a balanced spiritual approach: cultivating open, courageous faith grounded in personal experience and common sense, while avoiding rigid dogmatism or blind superstition.
ABOUT THIS SERIES
Each week, we share short video clips from our Ananda Palo Alto Sunday Service, featuring chanting, choir music, prayers, readings, and minister talks. These topics and readings are drawn from the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
We share these shorter clips to allow listeners to focus deeply on a single experience. By engaging fully with these moments, anyone dedicated to reaching their highest potential can experience profound and positive change.
Paramhansa Yogananda’s guru, Sri Yukteswar, taught him to meditate deeply on a single passage or aphorism until its spiritual vitality was fully absorbed. Sri Yukteswar famously noted, "Wisdom is not assimilated with the eyes, but with the atoms." By following this example, we can use these teachings to fight against karma and find the freedom to explore our own spiritual solutions, supported by the vibration of the Guru.
CURATED PLAYLIST RESOURCES
- 2026 Affirmations and Rays Series Complete 52 Weeks Menu of Links: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteDztTxZsiFyIxdv7xaDPc7r
- NEXT WEEK: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteABuk_izxOqQTgOhbupayJU
For additional inspiration, please explore our curated playlist resources:
- A Festival Of Light: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteDcS3ilwQLpNWq3748fmHJ1
- Affirmations For Self-Healing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteDDXLrjcQDbU6J9Q55WmJxL
- Chanting & Choir Music: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteDTgEHJWXVgtRPY2ppB1kLY
- Minister Talks: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteDrBXkdbqO_x0Wnp2IyThCT
- Prayers From Ananda: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteD7oum0OynzSwMWYFgPD1aA
- Rays Of The One Light Comparative Scriptures: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteAsTDpbzHh10BlvhgjnuWfF
- Whispers From Eternity: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteAJs2imO_WYd2F38KuT7nnB
- Weekly Sunday Announcements: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNoFDGg-oteChQH1uodkRuj6Xz3yyqfk_
JOIN US LIVE IN-PERSON OR ONLINE
We also invite you to join us for our Sunday Service, either in person at our Palo Alto location or via our livestream at https://www.anandapaloalto.org/livestream.
Our schedule begins at 9:00 am PT with the Fire Ceremony and Purification, followed by the Sunday Service and Festival of Light at 10:00 am PT.
FIND AN ANANDA LOCATION NEAR YOU
https://www.ananda.org/location/ananda-palo-alto/
CREDIT BELONGS TO:
All videos are from the 2026 Ananda Palo Alto Sunday Services. The talks are based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda as given to us through many talks, books and pieces of music by Ananda's founder Swami Kriyananda.
Swami Kriyananda's books and music are published by Crystal Clarity Publishers - https://www.crystalclarity.com.
Self-Realization Fellowship publishes the Cosmic Chants in a book by the same name.
All Sunday Services utilizes the following Crystal Clarity published resources:
Affirmations For Self-Healing
Rays Of The One Light
Whispers From Eternity
Ananda Chants
Ananda Songbook
