The Divine has loved me as mother, as father, and as friend, behind all friends.
Paramahansa Yogananda
As Mother, As Father
Topic: Divine Love & Goodness
The Divine has loved me as mother, as father, and as friend, behind all friends. I searched for that one Friend behind all friends, that one lover whom I now see glimmering in all your faces. And that friend never fails me.
Paramahansa Yogananda, born Mukunda Lal Ghosh on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur, India, is considered one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century. From a young age, he showed a deep interest in spirituality, seeking guidance from saints and sages in India. In 1915, after completing his education, he became a monk of the Swami order, taking the name Yogananda, meaning "bliss through divine union." His early work focused on teaching and promoting Kriya Yoga, an ancient meditation practice aimed at self-realization.
In 1920, Yogananda traveled to the United States and established the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in Los Angeles. Through SRF, he shared the philosophy and practices of Kriya Yoga, bridging Eastern spirituality with Western culture. His Autobiography of a Yogi, published in 1946, remains one of the most widely read spiritual texts, offering a personal account of his spiritual journey and inspiring readers across the globe.
Yogananda passed away on March 7, 1952, in Los Angeles, after a lifetime devoted to promoting unity among all religions and the transformative power of meditation. The organizations he founded, including SRF and the Yogoda Satsanga Society in India, continue to share his teachings today. His legacy endures through these institutions, and his message of spiritual unity and inner peace continues to inspire millions worldwide.
The Divine Romance
Yogananda, Paramahansa. "The Divine Romance: Collected Talks and Essays on Realizing God in Daily Life." Self-Realization Fellowship, 2016].
Paramahansa Yogananda
Theme: Divine Father and Mother
About This Paramahansa Yogananda Quotation [Commentary]
Paramahansa Yogananda’s words, “The Divine has loved me as mother, as father, and as friend, behind all friends,” express a direct experience of divine love through the closest human relationships. Rather than describing the Divine in abstract terms, Yogananda speaks of love that has come to him as mother, as father, and as friend—each offering a different expression of presence and care. The phrase “behind all friends” draws the listener inward, pointing to a love that supports and animates all relationships. It is not a distant or removed divinity but one who meets the soul in familiar ways.
In the next line, “I searched for that one Friend behind all friends, that one lover whom I now see glimmering in all your faces,” Yogananda describes an inner search that leads to recognition. The Friend he longed for is not separate from others, but revealed through them. The use of “that one Friend” and “that one lover” underscores both singularity and intimacy. What was once a search becomes a recognition: the Divine is not only behind every friendship but shining through the faces of those around him. The journey moves from seeking to seeing.
The closing line, “And that friend never fails me,” brings the reflection to its center. Human relationships may falter, but the Friend who is the Divine does not. The love that has come as mother, as father, and as friend remains constant. This enduring presence is not imagined—it has been found, seen, and trusted. In Yogananda’s words, we are reminded that the Divine, whether known as Father, Mother, or Friend, is always near and never failing.
A Paramahansa Yogananda, Friendship—Grandest Relationship of Human Loves [Excerpt]
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