Autobiography of a Yogi

Plot
Autobiography of a Yogi is an autobiography of Paramahansa Yogananda, first published in
1946. The book introduces the reader to the life of Paramahansa Yogananda and his
encounters with spiritual figures of both the East and West, presenting a fascinating portrait
of one of the great spiritual figures of our time. This astonishing autobiography details the life
of a man who knew from childhood he would travel a mystic path, and would follow his
dreams to be a devotee of God and an exemplary yogi. With engaging candour, eloquence,
and wit, Paramahansa Yogananda narrates the inspiring chronicle of his life: the experiences
of his remarkable childhood, encounters with many saints and sages during his youthful
search throughout India for an illumined teacher, ten years of training in the hermitage of a
revered yoga master, and the thirty years that he lived and taught in America.

The book begins by describing Yogananda's childhood family life to his search for his guru,
Yukteswar Giri, to the establishment of his first school, Yogoda Satsanga Brahmacharya
Vidyalaya, to his journey to America where he lectured to thousands, established Self-
Realization Fellowship and visited with Luther Burbank, a renowned botanist to whom this
book is dedicated. The book then takes the reader on Yogananda's return visit to India in 1935
where he encountered leading spiritual figures. The reader then returns to the West with
Yogananda where he continues to establish his teachings in America including writing this
book.

The book is an introduction to the methods of attaining God-realization and to the spiritual
thought of the East, which had only been available to a few in 1946. The author claims that
the writing of the book was prophesied long ago by the nineteenth-century master Lahiri
Mahasaya.

The preface was written by Walter Evans-Wentz, an Oxford scholar of anthropology, a writer
who was a pioneer in the study of Tibetan Buddhism and an author of The Tibetan Book of
the Dead and Tibet's Great Yogi Milarepa. In the preface he wrote, "His unusual life-document
is certainly one of the most revealing of the depths of the Hindu mind and heart, and of the
spiritual wealth of India, ever to be published in the West.

Autobiography of a Yogi is at once a beautifully written account of an exceptional life and a

profound introduction to the ancient science of Yoga and its time-honoured tradition of
meditation. The author clearly explains the subtle but definite laws behind both the ordinary
events of everyday life and the extraordinary events commonly termed miracles. His
absorbing life story, thus, becomes the background for a penetrating and unforgettable look
at the ultimate mysteries of human existence.

Did you like it?

Is it an important book?
Autobiography of a Yogi is a book that opens windows of the mind and spirit. The book
offers a stunning account of the 'cosmic consciousness' reached on the upper levels
of yogic practice, and numerous interesting perspectives on human nature from the
yogic and Vedantic points of view. Thus, Autobiography of a Yogi is justifiably
celebrated as one of the most entertaining and enlightening spiritual books ever
written. Whatever your own religious beliefs, you'll find Autobiography of a Yogi a
Autobiography of a Yogi
joyous affirmation of the power of the human soul. Among the thousands of books
that are published each year, there are those that entertain, those that instruct, and
those that edify. A reader can consider himself fortunate if he finds one that does all
three.

Who should read it?

Lessons taught
Autobiography of a Yogi talks about miracles, the yogic teachings, and the teachings
of Jesus Christ in a modern way;a way that is easy to understand and even
entertaining. For someone interested in spirituality, or even just alternate ways of
looking at life, its incredibly illuminating.
The book is about Yoganandas life, but it is also about yoga teachings. This means that
it offers important life lessons to the reader. Reading the autobiography of a yogi
teaches people that:
There is no wrong way to do things.
There is no destination. Keep going forward, even though there is no endpoint.
Life is one big journey and the finish line is far from the high point.
We should choose love over fear, because love is the opposite of fear.
Its great to be vulnerable.
We should live in the present. Whats coming next doesnt matter, because in
this moment, it doesnt even exist. We just have right now and its so important
to focus on this moment.
We are all victim to the ego and most of us dont realize how prevalent it is.
Ego gets us all caught up in our neurotic thoughts and our desire to have
control over what happens to us. It stops us from admitting our true feelings
to ourselves and following our gut. The second we become aware of this is the
second life gets interesting, and the more we practice letting the ego go, the
more in tune we become with ourselves and with our bodies.
Every moment is a fresh start. Your past mistakes or regrets are never so
great that you dont get to try again in the next moment. Each breath is a new
chance to have a different perspective or try a new approach.
We should set an intention. We shape our own lives through our actions, little
by little, and when we set intentions, we act in accordance with our goals.
Some days are easy, some are hard and thats okay.
Its important to take baby steps. The biggest changes can happen so slowly
and subtly that we barely even notice. Thats why its so important that we just
show up each day and go from there.

Favourite character
Paramahansa Yogananda, known in childhood as Mukunda Groh, was an adventurous,
spirited boy. His family was of an upper caste in India, his father a railroad executive
and fairly well-to-do. Young Mukunda seems to have full and clear recall of events and
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conversations of his childhood, particularly those that reveal the supernatural and at
times, awesome experiences he has as a budding enlightened being. Young Mukunda,
although mischievous, is extremely honest and maintains the highest level of integrity,
especially for a child. He seems to have been born with a set of spiritual values that
were reinforced by his parents, who were devotees of Lahiri Mahasaya, a celebrated
saint and prophet.