The ShinsungHwa of Yogananda (2019)(2022) – Art Capturing the Light of the Soul
Introduction to ShinsungHwa
ShinsungHwa is my unique artistic practice of visualizing invisible spiritual energies through meditation and bringing them to life on paper. Though this may sound unconventional, these works reveal geometric patterns and forms that surface during deep meditative communion. Common elements that appear include spiritual core, path to the spiritual core, symbol of the light, and symbol of the cosmic principle—each shifting in meaning based on where they appear in the composition.
The 2019 Yogananda ShinsungHwa
When I first painted Yogananda’s spiritual essence in 2019, I witnessed energy flowing around his physical presence and radiating outward from his spiritual core. Yet something caught my attention—disrupted flow weaving through this otherwise harmonious flow.
These irregular movements intrigued me at the time, though I resisted drawing conclusions about what they might mean. A future work would eventually shed light on these mysterious observations.
Three years later, lingering questions drew me back to Yogananda as my subject.
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Why Negative Energy Appears in ShinsungHwa and Its Meaning – The Essence of Spiritual Art I never know what the finished ShinsungHwa will look like. When I begin creating, I’m more like… |
The 2022 Yogananda ShinsungHwa
This particular ShinsungHwa depicts symbols of light emanating from the spiritual core, accompanied by rotating energy flows that surround the body with luminous presence. A distinctive feature appears in the upper left corner—a small, independent symbol of light that maintains a direct connection to Yogananda’s mouth. This suggests the presence of a luminous being offering spiritual support and guidance to Yogananda.
Between 2019 and 2022, ShinsungHwa underwent significant material transformations as part of an ongoing effort to remain true to the essential nature of this spiritual art form. These changes reflected a deeper commitment to authentically expressing the spiritual energies perceived through meditation.
Quote
“Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty of all before you. The future will take care of itself.”
_Paramahansa Yogananda
“Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can become.”
_Paramahansa Yogananda
“You may control a mad elephant; You may shut the mouth of the bear and the tiger; Ride the lion and play with the cobra; By alchemy you may learn your livelihood; You may wander through the universe incognito; Make vassals of the gods; be ever youthful; You may walk in water and live in fire; But control of the mind is better and more difficult.”
_Paramahansa Yogananda
“Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.”
_Paramahansa Yogananda
“Persistence guarantees that results are inevitable.”
_Paramahansa Yogananda
“Kindness is the light that dissolves all walls between souls, families, and nations.”
_Paramahansa Yogananda
The Monk Who Changed the West: Paramahansa Yogananda’s Journey to America
In 1920, a young Indian monk arrived in Boston with ancient wisdom and a strong conviction that Eastern and Western spiritual traditions could enrich each other1. This quiet teacher would go on to introduce millions of Americans to meditation and yoga philosophy, creating a lasting influence that continues today.
A Childhood Touched by Divine Purpose
Mukunda Lal Ghosh entered the world on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur, India, but even as a baby, something set him apart. His parents were followers of a renowned spiritual master named Lahiri Mahasaya, who took one look at the infant and made a startling prediction: “Little mother, thy son will be a yogi. As a spiritual engine, he will carry many souls to God’s kingdom”.
From his earliest years, young Mukunda felt an intense longing for something beyond the ordinary world. While other children played with toys, he spent his time seeking out holy men and saints across India, searching for answers to life’s deepest questions. This wasn’t just childhood curiosity—it was a soul on a mission.
Finding His Guide
At seventeen, Mukunda’s search ended when he met Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri in 1910. This meeting wasn’t coincidence but destiny. His new teacher immediately recognized the young man’s purpose and began preparing him for something extraordinary: bringing the ancient science of Kriya Yoga—a powerful meditation technique—to the Western world.
For the next decade, Mukunda lived in his master’s hermitage, absorbing not just spiritual knowledge but also the wisdom of how to bridge two very different worlds. After graduating from Calcutta University in 1915, he took formal vows as a monk and received the name Yogananda, meaning “bliss through divine union”.
The Adventure Begins
In 1920, opportunity knocked when Yogananda received an invitation to speak at a religious congress in Boston. His teacher’s words rang in his ears: “The West is high in material attainments, but lacking in spiritual understanding. It is God’s will that you play a role in teaching mankind the value of balancing the material with an inner, spiritual life”.
What started as a single speaking engagement became a lifelong mission. Yogananda traveled across America, drawing crowds of thousands who were hungry for something their material success couldn’t provide. He eventually settled in Los Angeles, establishing the Self-Realization Fellowship to share his teachings.
Revolutionary Ideas
Yogananda didn’t just teach meditation—he brought revolutionary concepts that transformed Western thinking. His message was simple yet profound: “Only God exists,” and everything we see is like a cosmic movie with God as the director. This ancient Indian wisdom was brand new to most Americans.
He taught that daily meditation could help people “see behind the dream” of everyday life. When Yogananda arrived in America, almost nobody meditated—now millions practice daily. He also introduced the concept of prana, or life energy, teaching that controlling this subtle force could improve every aspect of life.
Perhaps most revolutionary was his teaching about karma and reincarnation—that our thoughts and actions create waves of energy that return to us. In a world built on prejudice and separation, Yogananda preached radical oneness. When he discovered that only white people could attend his lectures, he founded a center for African Americans. He even officiated the marriage of an Indian man and a white woman, challenging society’s racial barriers.
The Book That Changed Millions
In 1946, Yogananda published “Autobiography of a Yogi,” a spiritual masterpiece that would become one of the most influential books of the 20th century. The book sold over four million copies and has been translated into more than fifty languages. Famous admirers include Steve Jobs, George Harrison, and Elvis Presley.
What made this book special wasn’t just its spiritual teachings, but its accessible storytelling. Yogananda shared miraculous encounters with saints and sages, making the mystical feel real and attainable. The book fulfilled a prophecy made by his teacher’s guru fifty years earlier about yoga spreading to the West.
A Saint’s Departure
Yogananda’s earthly journey ended as remarkably as it began. On March 7, 1952, during a banquet in Los Angeles, he collapsed while reading from his poem “My India”. But even in death, he remained extraordinary. The mortuary director wrote a notarized letter describing how Yogananda’s body showed no signs of decay even twenty days later, with a slight smile remaining on his lips.
“The case of Paramahamsa Yogananda is unique in our experience,” the director stated, adding another mysterious chapter to an already extraordinary life.
