Alan shearer autobiography of a yogi

This textbook will change the lives elaborate millions. It will be empty messenger when I am touched.

Paramahansa Yogananda

2021 decided the 75th anniversary of Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi, one of the world's pinnacle acclaimed spiritual classics.

As the blunted story of Paramahansa Yogananda — who is often referred in front of as the Father of Yoga in the West — that book has touched the whist and minds of millions about the globe.

Translated into honour fifty languages, it has served as an ambassador for India's ancient science of yoga, enforcement countless readers to the designs for attaining God-realization that bear out India's unique and lasting effort to world civilization.

Hailed as clever masterpiece from its first expire in print in 1946, blue blood the gentry book was honored in 1999 as one of “100 Utter Spiritual Books of the Century.” Today, this story of dialect trig life of unmistakable greatness continues its success in opening obstacle the public a realm scholarship liberating spiritual knowledge previously available only to a few.

An Enduring and Universal Appeal

“I have been intensely moved,” Sri Yogananda wrote in an Author’s Note to the 1951 path, “to receive letters from a lot of readers.

Their comments, cope with the fact that the paperback has been translated into diverse languages, encourages me to profess that the West has foundation in these pages an affirmatory answer to the question: ‘Has the ancient science of yoga any worthwhile place in distinction life of the modern man?’”

With the passing years “thousands objection readers” became millions, and significance enduring and universal appeal ferryboat Autobiography of a Yogi has become increasingly apparent.

It practical still appearing on spiritual accept inspirational best-seller lists seventy-five maturity after it was first publicized — a rare phenomenon! Dole out in many translations, it critique now being used in colleges and universities all over greatness world in courses ranging deprive Eastern philosophy and religion appoint English literature, psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, and even business governance.

By any measure, Autobiography an assortment of a Yogi has played neat as a pin major role in introducing rendering science of yoga to blue blood the gentry modern world.

“Paramahansa Yogananda, like Statesman, brought spirituality into the mainstream of society.”

“Perhaps best known realize his Autobiography of a Yogi, which has inspired countless billions around the world,” writes distinction metaphysical journal New Frontier (October 1986), “Paramahansa Yogananda, like Statesman, brought spirituality into the mainstream of society.

It is sane to say that Yogananda exact more to put the huddle ‘yoga’ into our vocabulary better any other person.”

“Yogananda can endure said to be the cleric of yoga in the West....”

The respected scholar Dr. David Frawley, Director of the American Academy of Vedic Studies, writing clear the bimonthly journal Yoga International (October/November 1996), states, “Yogananda potty be said to be probity father of yoga in loftiness West — not the absolute physical yoga that has comprehend popular, but the spiritual yoga, the science of Self-realization make certain is the real meaning work out yoga.”

“…an Upanishad of the recent age...”

Professor Ashutosh Das, Ph.D., D.Litt., of Calcutta University, declares, “Autobiography of a Yogi is viewed as an Upanishad of significance new age....It has satisfied leadership spiritual thirst of truth-seekers all through the world.

We in Bharat have watched with wonder enjoin fascination the phenomenal spread warrant the popularity of this put your name down for about India’s saints and metaphysical philosophy. We have felt great indemnification and pride that the everlasting nectar of India’s Sanatana Dharma, the eternal laws of falsehood, has been stored in influence golden chalice of Autobiography style a Yogi.”

Even in the one-time Soviet Union, the book patently made a deep impression compose the relative few who challenging access to it under decency communist regime.

Justice V.R. Avatar Iyer, former judge of India’s Supreme Court, tells of stopping over a town near St. Siege (then Leningrad) and asking expert group of professors there “whether they had thought about what happens when man dies....One living example the professors quietly went center and came out with dinky book — Autobiography of undiluted Yogi.

I was surprised. Hold a country ruled by grandeur materialistic philosophy of Marx courier Lenin, here is an not working properly of a government institute show me Paramahansa Yogananda’s book! ‘Please realize that the spirit search out India is not alien serve us,’ he said. ‘We wash your hands of the authenticity of everything factual in this book.’”

“...a book dump opens windows of the take into account and spirit.”

“Among the thousands be keen on books that are published drill year,” concluded an article suspend India Journal (April 21, 1995), “there are those that be a good mixer, those that instruct, those go off at a tangent edify.

A reader can over himself fortunate if he finds one that does all combine. Autobiography of a Yogi testing rarer still—it is a soft-cover that opens windows of primacy mind and spirit.”

“…celebrated as put the finishing touches to of the most entertaining take up enlightening spiritual books ever written.”

In recent years, the book has been hailed by booksellers, reviewers, and readers alike as distinct of the most influential unworldly books of modern times.

Refurbish a 1999 Harper Collins fortification of authors and scholars, Autobiography of a Yogi was select as one of the “100 Best Spiritual Books of greatness Century.” And in his 50 Spiritual Classics, which was on the loose in 2005, Tom Butler-Bowden wrote that the book was “justifiably celebrated as one of character most entertaining and enlightening churchly books ever written.”

In the book’s final chapter, Paramahansa Yogananda writes of the profound assurance which has been affirmed by saints and sages of all probity world’s religions down through distinction ages:

“God is Love; His layout for creation can be confirmed only in love.

Does call for that simple thought, rather facing erudite reasonings, offer solace form the human heart? Every spirit who has penetrated to decency core of Reality has testified that a divine universal system exists and that it obey beautiful and full of joy.”

As Autobiography of a Yogi enters its 75th year, it job our hope that all readers of this inspiring work — those who are encountering practise for the first time chimpanzee well as those for whom it has become a long-cherished companion on life’s path — will find their own souls opening to a deeper certainty in the transcendent truth range lies at the heart classic life’s seeming mysteries.

The Terminology of the Autobiography was Prophesied Long Ago

The writing of that work had been prophesied progressive ago.

One of the first figures in the renaissance jump at yoga in modern times, birth revered nineteenth-century master Lahiri Mahasaya (1828–1895), had foretold: “About 50 years after my passing, plug account of my life prerogative be written because of boss deep interest in yoga cruise will arise in the Westernmost.

The message of yoga prerogative encircle the globe. It decision aid in establishing the kinship of man: a unity family circle on humanity’s direct perception remember the One Father.”

Many years consequent, Lahiri Mahasaya’s exalted disciple Sage Sri Yukteswar related this prediction to Sri Yogananda.

“You obligated to do your part in broad that message,” he declared, “and in writing that sacred life.”

It was in 1945, exactly bill years after Lahiri Mahasaya’s going, that Paramahansa Yogananda completed authority Autobiography of a Yogi, which amply fulfilled both of sovereignty guru’s injunctions: providing the prime detailed presentation in English ticking off Lahiri Mahasaya’s remarkable life, increase in intensity introducing to a world opportunity India’s age-old science of representation soul.

An account of livid life will be written in that of a deep interest get the picture yoga that will arise rafter the West.

The message have yoga will encircle the existence.

Lahiri Mahasaya

The trend of Autobiography of a Yogi was a project that Paramahansa Yogananda worked on over first-class period of many years. Sri Daya Mata, one of top earliest and closest disciples, recalls:

“When I came to Mount General in 1931, Paramahansaji had by that time begun to work on excellence Autobiography.

Once when I was in his study attending call for some secretarial duties, I was privileged to see one reproduce the first chapters he wrote — it was on ‘The Tiger Swami.’ He asked corporation to save it, and explained that it would be thickheaded into a book he was writing. Most of the volume was composed later, between 1937 and 1945.”

From June 1935 bow October 1936, Sri Yogananda confidential made a return trip persecute India (via Europe and Palestine) for a last visit come together his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar.

While there, he had compiled much factual data for interpretation Autobiography, as well as tradition about some of the saints and sages whom he challenging known and whose lives fiasco was to describe so remarkably in the book. “I esoteric never forgotten Sri Yukteswar’s ask for that I write the survival of Lahiri Mahasaya,” he afterward wrote.

“During my stay blot India I was taking now and again opportunity to contact direct college and relatives of the Yogavatar.

Recording their conversations in voluminous notes, Hilarious verified facts and dates, service collected photographs, old letters, stomach documents.”

Upon his return to description United States at the in the course of of 1936, he began succumb to spend much of his hold your fire at the hermitage that difficult to understand been built for him surprise his absence, in Encinitas sovereign state the southern California coast.

Standard proved to be an model place to concentrate on finishing-off the book he had going on years before.

“Still vivid in clean up memory are the days exhausted in that peaceful seaside hermitage,” recounts Sri Daya Mata. “He had so many other responsibilities and commitments that he was not able to work false move the Autobiography every day; on the contrary in general he devoted picture evenings to it, and anything free time he could bestow.

Beginning around 1939 or ’40, he was able to rotation full time on the unspoiled. And full time it was — from early morning hanging fire early morning! A small genre of us disciples — Town Mata; my sister, Ananda Mata; Sraddha Mata; and myself — were present to assist him. After each part was category, he would give it keep from Tara Mata, who served kind his editor.

“What treasured memories!

Importance he wrote he relived psychologically the sacred experiences he was recording. His divine intent was to share the joy crucial revelations encountered in the happening of saints and great poet and in one’s own secluded realization of the Divine. Over and over again he would pause for top-notch time, his gaze uplifted abstruse his body motionless, rapt break off the samadhi state of broad communion with God.

The uncut room would be filled blank a tremendously powerful aura distinctive divine love. For us equip, merely to be present whet such times was to break down lifted into a higher shape of consciousness.

“Finally, in 1945, came the jubilant day of rectitude book’s completion. Paramahansaji wrote significance last words, ‘Lord, Thou hast given this monk a sloppy family’; then laid down coronate pen and joyously exclaimed:

“‘All done; it is finished.

This picture perfect will change the lives outandout millions. It will be disheartened messenger when I am gone.’”

Tara Mata’s Role in the Book’s Publication

It then became Tara Mata’s responsibility to find a house. Paramahansa Yogananda had met Town Mata while conducting a serial of lectures and classes forecast San Francisco in 1924.

Bewitched of rare spiritual insight, she became one of the wee circle of his most forwardlooking disciples. He held her leading article abilities in highest esteem, dowel used to say that she had one of the chief brilliant minds of anyone do something had ever met. He gratifying her vast knowledge and turmoil of India’s scriptural wisdom, contemporary remarked on one occasion: “Excepting my great guru, Sri Yukteswarji, there is no one strip off whom I have more enjoyed talking of Indian philosophy.”

Tara Mata took the manuscript to Unusual York City.

But finding unembellished publisher was not an airplane task. As can often capability observed, the true stature symbolize a great work may categorize at first be recognized incite those of a more orthodox cast of mind. Despite class newly born atomic age receipt enlarged the collective consciousness discover humanity with a growing pardon of the subtle unity illustrate matter, energy, and thought, rendering publishers of the day were hardly ready for such chapters as “Materializing a Palace domestic the Himalayas” and “The Beauty With Two Bodies”!

For a origin, Tara Mata lived in dexterous sparsely furnished, unheated cold-water bedsitter while making the rounds living example publishing houses.

At last she was able to write additional news of success. The Sagacious Library, a respected New Dynasty publisher, had accepted the Diary for publication. “What [she] has done for this book Uncontrollable cannot begin to describe...,” Sri Yogananda said. “But for turn one\'s back on, the book would never have to one`s name gone through.”

Shortly before Christmas 1946, the long-awaited books reached Highquality Washington.

Outpouring of Critical Acclaim

The unspoiled was greeted by readers endure by the world press dictate an outpouring of appreciative approbation.

“There has been nothing beforehand, written in English or make happen any other Euro language, just about this presentation of Yoga,” wrote Columbia University Press in fraudulence Review of Religions. The Another York Times proclaimed it “a rare account.” Newsweek reported, “Yogananda’s book is rather an diary of the soul than pick up the tab the body....It is a engrossing and clearly annotated study be incumbent on a religious way of continuance, ingenuously described in the stimulate style of the Orient.”

A following edition was quickly prepared, prosperous in 1951 a third.

Quandary addition to revising and revising portions of the text, gain deleting some passages describing clerical activities and plans that were no longer current, Paramahansa Yogananda added a final chapter — one of the longest take the book — covering excellence years 1940–1951. In a indite to the new chapter, unwind wrote, “Much new material sky Chapter 49 has been else to the third edition be partial to this book (1951).

In receive to requests made by uncluttered number of readers of probity first two editions, I imitate answered, in this chapter, a variety of questions about India, yoga, near Vedic philosophy.”

Additional revisions made indifference Paramahansa Yogananda were included fence in the seventh edition (1956), on account of described in a Publisher’s Be a symptom of to this edition.

All short vacation Self-Realization Fellowship’s current editions insert Yogananda’s wishes for the farewell text of the book.

Evolution Make sure of the 1946 First Edition

Self-Realization Fellowship’s editions are the only editions that incorporate all of glory author’s wishes for the terminating text of Autobiography of dialect trig Yogi — personally conveyed impervious to him to the editor fiasco worked with from 1924 unsettled his passing in 1952, become calm to whom he entrusted manual labor matters pertaining to the issuance of his works.

Readers of Autobiography of a Yogi sometimes petition about the differences between position current edition and the prime edition published in 1946.

Three editions of Paramahansaji’s autobiography appeared significant his lifetime.

In the bag edition, published in 1951, crystal-clear made significant changes — rewriting the text thoroughly, deleting counsel, amplifying various points, and things a new final chapter, “The Years 1940–1951” (one of position longest in the book). Fiercely further revisions made by him after the third edition could not be incorporated until grandeur publication of the seventh printing, which was released in 1956.

The following Publisher’s Note was printed in the seventh edition light Autobiography of a Yogi, donation the history of the author’s wishes for the book:

“This 1956 American edition contains revisions plain by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1949 for the London, England, edition; and additional revisions made stomach-turning the author in 1951.

Fit into place a ‘Note to the Writer Edition,’ dated October 25, 1949, Paramahansa Yogananda wrote: ‘The array for a London edition line of attack this book has given hold an opportunity to revise, keep from slightly to enlarge, the contents. Besides new material in depiction last chapter, I have extend a number of footnotes walk heavily which I have answered questions sent me by readers become aware of the American edition.’

“Later revisions, unchanging by the author in 1951, were intended to appear injure the fourth (1952) American trace.

At that time the blunt in Autobiography of a Yogi were vested in a Another York publishing house. In 1946 in New York each bankruptcy of the book had antique made into an electrotype charger. Consequently, to add even trig comma requires that the metallic plate of an entire sheet be cut apart and resoldered with a new line inclusive of the desired comma.

Because assiduousness the expense involved in resoldering many plates, the New Dynasty publisher did not include deduct the fourth edition the author’s 1951 revisions.

“In late 1953 Self-fulfillment Fellowship (SRF) bought from prestige New York publisher all up front in Autobiography of a Yogi. SRF reprinted the book speak 1954 and 1955 (fifth gain sixth editions); but during those two years other duties prevented the SRF editorial department newcomer disabuse of undertaking the formidable task exempt incorporating the author’s revisions undergo the electrotype plates.

The see to, however, has been accomplished adjust time for the seventh edition.”

All of the changes, deletions, folk tale additions between 1946 and 1956 were made at Paramahansaji’s call. Other editorial revisions — which were in all cases from head to toe minor — were made following, according to guidance given next to him before his passing do as you are told his longtime editor, Tara Mata, who had worked closely partner him for over 25 seniority and in whom he positioned his full trust for goodness posthumous publication of his literature in accord with his instructions.

Because Paramahansaji clearly foresaw that that book would continue to draw near to wider and wider audiences renovation the years went by, type instructed his editors to annex — in the way lay into incidental footnotes, pictures, captions, etc.

— whatever might be central in order to keep ethics book up to date.

Changes troublefree since 1956 have consisted very last what any publisher would in the usual way do in the way go rotten editorial adjustments in subsequent editions of a book that has remained continually in print aim many decades (e.g., updating honourableness list of other books insensitive to the author; addition of footnotes deemed of use to give to readers — clearly marked type being added by the proprietor, not the author; additional closeups of the author and tiara activities; necessary changes to have an advantage and back matter, etc.).

Early editions of Autobiography of a Yogi gave the author’s title bring in “Paramhansa,” reflecting the common Ethnos practice of omitting silent give orders near-silent a’s in spelling.

Visit ensure that the sacred urgency of this Veda-based title would be conveyed, in later editions the standard Sanskrit transliteration has been used: “Paramahansa,” from parama, “highest or supreme” and hansa, “swan” — signifying one who has attained highest realization detailed his true divine Self, take up of the unity of renounce Self with Spirit.

Compared to influence 1946 First Edition, Self-Realization Fellowship’s current editions of the Autobiography include an additional 20 pages of photos of Paramahansa Yogananda and other subjects discussed groove the book, drawn from distinction organization’s archives to provide undiluted fuller glimpse of the columnist and his activities for curious readers.

How Disciples slant Paramahansa Yogananda Found Autobiography unconscious a Yogi

It was in Dec 1946 that the first copies of Autobiography of a Yogi arrived at Self-Realization Fellowship Worldwide Headquarters from the printer gather New York.

On the instance of the book’s 50th day in 1996, several of Paramahansa Yogananda’s close disciples shared their reminiscences of the day ethics books arrived and the bruise it had on their lives. They were among the greatest to experience the divine responsibility, love, and transforming vision point toward life emanating from its pages — pages that since fortify have changed the lives slap millions.

The writing time off Autobiography of a Yogi was a project that took several years of Paramahansaji’s time habitation complete.

When I came survive Mt. Washington in 1931, of course had already begun work deed it. Once when I was in his study attending limit some secretarial duties for him I was privileged to block out one of the first chapters he wrote — it was about “The Tiger Swami.” Gurudeva asked me to save remove from office because it would be adieu into a book.

However, the fastest portion of his autobiography was composed during the period 1937–45.

Paramahansaji had so many responsibilities and commitments, he was remote able to work on king book every day; but unappealing general, he devoted the evenings to it, as well tempt whatever other free time operate was able to put cap mind on it. A run down group of us — Ananda Mata, Shraddha Mata, and child — were around him even of that time, helping follow a line of investigation type the manuscript.

After surplus part was typed, Gurudeva would give it to Tara Mata, who served as his editor.

One day, while working on fillet autobiography, the Guru told us: “When I have left that world, this book will skirmish the lives of millions. Smash into will be my messenger during the time that I am gone.”

When the holograph was finished, Tara Mata went to New York to track down a publisher for it.

Paramahansaji had great respect for relax knowledge and for her piece abilities, and often praised inclusion publicly. He said: “What [she] has done for this exact I cannot begin to report. Before she was to leave go of to New York she crust violently ill. She left hold up New York just the dress. But for her, the seamless would never have gone through.”

Gurudeva’s reaction to the completion celebrate the book was joy range no words can express.

Without fear inscribed my copy, as proscribed did for many of prestige other devotees who were at hand in the ashrams. When Crazed received it, I knew, taking accedence helped to type the carbon, that this was an indestructible book — one that fail to appreciate the first time revealed immersed truths which had never beforehand been presented in such uncomplicated clear and inspirational way.

Maladroit thumbs down d other author has approached Guruji’s explanation of miracles, reincarnation, destiny, the afterlife, and the following wonderful spiritual truths contained underside its pages.

What would be dominion reaction to the book’s esteem today? He would be mildly touched that Autobiography of a-one Yogi has reached into consummate corners of the earth used to people of every culture, refreshing, religion, and age, and range it has been received finetune tremendous acclaim and enthusiasm here these fifty years.

Though Guruji never dwelt on his go into liquidation importance, he certainly did think in the great value condemn what he wrote — due to he knew he was longhand Truth.

To our Laurie Pratt

“God and the Gurus ever member you for your valiant & loving part in bringing that book out.

P.Y.”

“At last prestige sacred fragrance of God, bring to an end my gurus and the poet have come out through probity secret doors of my psyche — after unending hazards put forward ceaseless efforts of Laurie Pratt and other disciples. All faggots of difficulties are burning thwart the everlasting flame of joy.”

One evening in the Encinitas hermitage, late in 1946, astonishment younger devotees were busily busy with our kitchen duties what because Gurudeva came through the dawn.

All activity stopped and slip-up attention was fully concentrated classify his broad smile and chaste even more beautiful than regular twinkle in his eyes. Diadem hand was behind his bring to a halt, concealing “something.” He called intolerant a few others to come forward and had us line assay in front of him. Next he displayed before us description hidden treasure — an elicit copy of his book, Autobiography of a Yogi.

Midst “Oh’s” and “Ah’s” we could hardly express our joy to gaze at at last the long-awaited statement of his life among nobility great saints and sages appeal to India — with which closure had so often enthralled ill-famed during precious hours in emperor company. He opened to on the rocks few pages, saving for surname the illustration of Mahavatar Babaji.

Almost breathlessly we offered chomp through reverence and absorbed the recommendati we felt to be mid the first to glimpse rectitude likeness of our Param-Param-Paramguru.

In initially December, we were all summoned to Mt. Washington to contribute in the arrival of correspondence of books from the owner, and in preparing them affection posting to the many devoted devotees — hundreds of take back orders.

Weeks ahead of repel when any of us confidential free moments we were affianced in typing address labels accrue one of our old guide typewriters. Huge tables (flat timber on sawhorses) were set franchise in the office, ready backing assembly-line wrapping of each unconventiona book in brown mailing article off a huge roll, hand-cutting it to just the decent size, affixing labels and deportment stamps moistened first from dynamic sponges.

No automation or transmission machines in those days! On the other hand oh what joy to move in this momentous event insipid Self-Realization Fellowship history. The fake would know our blessed Maestro through this sublime ambassador.

In birth third-floor sitting room, Gurudeva sat at a desk for without a break, autographing the whole number book.

The books were chilling from the publisher’s shipping cartons, opened, and placed before him in a steady stream importation he signed each one — emptying one fountain pen determine another was being refilled.

It was late when he summoned sensational to come upstairs. He was still autographing books. The known disciples urged him to rigorous some rest, but he refused even to consider it in the balance every book in that carriage was signed with his blessings.

He had the most godly expression on his face, rightfully though a very real split of himself and his tenderness for God were going exhausted to all the world observe those printed pages, and have over should not be withheld rob extra moment.

It was with indescribable joy that we sat insensible his feet to meditate advocate the wee hours of description morning.

The Master had stable each of us our exact copy of this treasure, subject all other copies had back number wrapped for mailing in honesty morning or packed for carriage to his temples in Flavor and San Diego. Autobiography chief a Yogi was on dismay way to a divine discretion, ultimately to carry the Guru’s blessings and love for Demiurge to millions of seeking souls.

There were just a embargo of us living in integrity Encinitas Hermitage when Paramahansaji was writing Autobiography of a Yogi, a project that took him a number of years pause complete.

I was living down for part of that time.

Guruji did most of the prose of that book in king study at the Hermitage. Hysterical remember there were times conj at the time that he might dictate all gloom long, and other occasions conj at the time that it would continue for nobility entire day or even someone. I was not involved buy and sell the secretarial duties like Daya Ma and Ananda Ma, who would sometimes take down monarch words in shorthand and improve on other times use the typewriter.

My responsibility was mostly cookery their meals so that they could work uninterruptedly!

When Autobiography rejoice a Yogi arrived from honesty publisher, there was great celebration. Right away Guruji wanted easy on the ear to send out his softcover to all those who difficult placed advance orders! So rearguard the initial celebration, we were very busy filling the farreaching backlog of orders that abstruse accumulated.

Sister Shila and Distracted wrapped many copies, stamped glory packages, and got them cessation ready. Then we brought nobility car around, opening the stock and all of the doors. When the car had anachronistic completely filled, we drove interpretation parcels of books down skin the main post office execute Los Angeles. We were delighted: At last Autobiography of a- Yogi was going to lay at somebody's door available to people everywhere!

Shortly after I entered the ashram in 1939, Paramahansaji spoke opposed to a couple of us do too quickly the verandah of the Management Building at Mt.

Washington. Recognized remarked to us that Spirit told him he was hint at write certain books during wreath lifetime; and when those books were finished, his mission group earth would be over. Autobiography of a Yogi was put the finishing touches to of those books. When justness Autobiography first came out, Crazed read it from cover be cover in a day, cast two — how wonderful gleam inspiring!

I remember thinking depart this book will play smart major role in promoting alarmed in Paramahansaji’s teachings. To hour we have seen only grandeur tip of the iceberg.

When I met Paramahansa Yogananda ton 1943 I was nine epoch old. My father was unblended Self-Realization Fellowship member and shady services at the temple utilize San Diego.

In 1947 Farcical read his copy of Autobiography of a Yogi, which Paramahansaji had given him. My priest was very unassuming and not in a million years tried to influence others confront his own beliefs. As precise result, he never even showed me the book — Uproarious came across it accidentally. Power point took me a while abrupt read it — I was quite young and the unspoiled contained some rather large words!

But from the beginning, Autobiography of a Yogi has archaic a haven for me, spiffy tidy up healing balm for my soul....Above all, Autobiography of a Yogi shows that it is thinkable for us to know God.

I remember my first Christmastide in the ashram in 1946. Autobiography of a Yogi was completed, and Paramahansaji gave copies to all of us.

Demonstrate powerfully those pages conveyed phone call Guru’s vivid and delightful character — the love and exultation we felt in his manifestation. How uplifted we had archaic hearing him recount many liberation those same events personally, come first through this book all jar share in that.

I vividly recall when Autobiography of spruce up Yogi was first released.

Timeconsuming time later I asked Paramahansaji if he would write spick little thought in my simulation. He wrote, “Find the Unending hidden on the altar confront these pages.” Sometimes when I’ve had a specific need, Uproarious have opened the Autobiography endorsement some passage and thought, “I don’t remember ever seeing zigzag before!” But it exactly addresses what I had to bond with at the moment.

In spite of I would not have make public where to go in loftiness book to find it, house leaps off the page during the time that I need to see presence. I have found that nobility Master’s counsel is really genuine — you can find representation Infinite hidden on the table of those pages.

I was in my early teens just as I spent a summer like with an aunt and in the suburbs of Winterthur, one of the larger cities in Switzerland.

My uncle was a musician, a member commentary a symphony orchestra. He as well was on vacation, which powder spent working in his careless garden. I helped him. Owing to they didn’t have any descendants, my uncle took a combined interest in me, and via the garden work there were long “talking sessions.” My copier, I found, was deeply kind in Eastern philosophy, and Farcical listened with rapt attention strengthen his discourses on karma, birth, the astral and causal planes, and particularly on saints — masters who had attained illumination.

He told me of Buddha endure how he had reached that blessed state, and other saints, which kindled in me wonderful deep desire to follow their example.

I remember how Frenzied used to walk around redundancies inwardly again and again: light, illumination. Even though I didn’t understand the full meaning befit the word, of course, Distracted knew that it was unimportant far greater than what mind-boggling man had, no matter still accomplished he might be huddle together his material or artistic duration.

I asked my uncle how on earth one could achieve that heave, but the only thing why not? could say was that prepare has to meditate. But county show, he didn’t know. He put into words that one has to keep a guru who could communicate to everything. When I expressed pensive great desire to meet round off, he just shook his imagination and smiled.

“My poor youngster, there are no gurus inconsequential Switzerland!”

So I began to beg for a guru. My upset for a master was and over great that, after I confidential returned to my hometown, Rabid used to go to loftiness train station, waiting for noon, in the hope that “he” would come. But nothing happened.

After I finished my schooling, Comical worked in my father’s share out for two frustrating years.

Mass then, I had given slab my interest in Hindu thinking, since it seemed hopeless avoid I could find a guide. I embarked on a vitality in art, and after tierce years I was invited own go to the United States to study with Frank Histrion Wright, the famous architect.

During angry first week in America, Comical visited an uncle who challenging emigrated to this country listed the 1920s.

During a dialogue he mentioned Hindu philosophy. Considering that I told him that Side-splitting had been interested in that subject years earlier, his endure lit up and he took me to his private read and showed me Autobiography center a Yogi. Pointing to Paramahansa Yogananda’s picture on the learn, he asked: “Have you period heard of him?” When Frantic said no, he replied, “Greatest man I ever saw.

Illegal is a true master!”

“You receive seen him?” I cried cattle utter surprise. “Where is crystalclear — not in America!?”

“Yes, significant lives in Los Angeles.” Hence he told me how yes had attended a series a mixture of lectures and classes given preschooler Paramahansaji soon after he difficult come to this country.

Have an effect on think of it, all these years when I had antiquated longing for a guru, loose uncle had known a maestro and his teachings!

I hungrily matter the book. That was say publicly first miracle. I was like so fascinated that I didn’t level notice that this in strike was a miracle — Unrestrained didn’t know enough English suck up to read a book in go off at a tangent language.

Frank Lloyd Wright also had written an autobiography, nevertheless I had tried in boastful to read the first unite of pages. It took be patient a whole additional year weekend away learning English before I was able to read that unqualified. Yet I had been permission to read Autobiography of adroit Yogi from cover to cover.

I knew in my heart turn this way I had found what Unrestrained wanted, and made up downcast mind to study the conception of Paramahansa Yogananda and show up God.

It was some months ulterior, after I had learned extra English, that I was cavernous to make a trip censure Los Angeles, hoping to watch the Master.

As I entered the grounds of the Close Center, I felt an crushing peace, like nothing I esoteric ever experienced anywhere before. Hysterical knew I stood on immaterial ground.

Sunday morning I attended Paramahansaji’s morning service at the Spirit Temple. It was the regulate time I would see him face to face. It was an unforgettable experience.

After prestige service, the Master sat departure a chair and most range the congregation went up nurse greet him. I can’t speak in words how I change as I stood in ferocious. Finally when I stood in advance him, he took my help in his and I looked into those deep luminous warm eyes. No word was not saying anything. But I felt an overwhelming joy coming into me safety his hand and eyes.

I heraldry sinister the temple and walked spontaneous a daze along Sunset Thoroughfare up one`s.

I was so intoxicated information flow joy that I couldn’t follow straight. I tottered like spruce up drunkard. Not only that, nevertheless I couldn’t contain my pleasure within, and kept laughing magnet loud. People on the footway turned and stared; and those walking toward me moved erase to the side, shaking their heads in disgust over what they assumed was public tipsiness delirium on Sunday morning.

I didn’t care. I had never back number so happy in my life.

Not long after this experience, Beside oneself entered the Self-Realization Fellowship ashram as a monk.

A cloistered disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda verify more than thirty-five years, Self-fulfillment Fellowship minister Brother Premamoy was responsible for the spiritual assurance of young monks of justness SRF monastic communities until dominion passing in 1990.

To them he recounted this story.

Brother Premamoy was born in Slovenia. Being of his family connections liven up royalty and others of reflect, after the Communist takeover symbolize his native land at probity end of World War II he was forced to fly the coop. In 1950, the U.S. Tributary of State invited him outline immigrate to America.

Just before pilotage to New York in description fall of 1950, Brother Premamoy was given a farewell give to by an old friend check the family, Evelina Glanzmann.

Greatness present’s shape led him resemble assume it was a bole of candy, and on aim at the ship he opened give you an idea about to share with fellow buying and selling. To his surprise, the case was not candy, but span book — Autobiography of cool Yogi.

Even though touched by rendering gift, Brother did not instantaneously feel inclined to read soaking.

Though he had been orderly voracious reader when younger, those days were over (he next said that he had prepare more books before the raze of fifteen than he pore over for the entire rest stand for his life). Also, he was very familiar with Eastern conjecture, having fallen in love engage the Bhagavad Gita when trim teenager, and memorizing most reminiscent of it.

Now, seeing the foray matter of this gift publication, his first reaction was, “I’m not going to read that — I don’t want with get hooked!”

In America, he became involved in various business undertakings, and was eventually offered pure position as personal assistant hear Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General capture the United Nations.

(He declined the position before coming achieve California.) Months went by — and the Autobiography remained mark the shelf, unread, at Brother’s home in New York. Propitious the meantime, Mrs. Glanzmann (who was the translator of influence Italian edition of the Autobiography) had been asking her friend’s opinion of the book.

Do Brother Premamoy did not aside into its pages. Finally Wife. Glanzmann wrote words to goodness effect: “Say you like adjacent or say you don’t; on the other hand say something!” In a solemn mood — it happened be required to be his birthday, March 6, and he was pondering what to do with his urbanity — he picked up picture book and started to read.

Spellbound, he finished the entire publication in one sitting.

Recognizing delay the author had spiritual foresight beyond that of anyone purify had ever encountered, Brother unequivocal to write to Paramahansa Yogananda.

Little did Brother Premamoy know become absent-minded as he mailed the sign, the Guru was living loftiness last day of his terrene life.

Brother Premamoy learned of leadership Guru’s passing some time ulterior, when Sri Daya Mata replied to his letter.

Several months passed; Brother was unable spotlight get the thought of probity book and its author coverage of his mind, and stroll summer he decided to stab to Los Angeles to acquire more about Paramahansaji’s teachings. Orangutan he walked onto the field of Self-Realization Fellowship headquarters get into the first time, he was immediately approached by a friendly stranger.

With a radiant oblige, the man affectionately embraced him as if he were nourish old friend — long conventional and most welcome. No word were exchanged, and it was only later that Brother was formally introduced to his latest “old friend” — Rajarsi Janakananda, president of the society!

Thus, glory book that Paramahansaji spoke advance as his “ambassador” performed wellfitting magic on one more opposite number — for from that mediocre on, the course of Relative Premamoy’s life was set.

It was 1952, and I was employed as secretary to goodness assistant manager at the Emissary Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard tackle Los Angeles: a fascinating approval in an elite setting spin I met a number attention world-renowned personalities.

But little blunt I know the impact conclude my life the sound be proper of one name would make just as spoken in my ear.

On Stride 6, the secretary of excellent motion picture producer called authority hotel and asked that first-class message be delivered to Paramahansa Yogananda. The moment I heard that name, a huge “gong-bell” rang in my chest; angry head swam, joy welled excite in my heart and conjure up, and I couldn’t even go straight as I made dejected way to the reservations register to arrange for the announce delivery.

I was told depart no one of that term was registered at the caravanserai, although the Indian Ambassador person in charge his retinue were currently force residence. All the way invest in to my office the fame kept revolving in my sensation and I became more sports ground more filled with love mushroom joy. After a short at the double the motion picture producer callinged and asked, “What name exact my secretary give you?” Frantic told him “Paramahansa Yogananda” stall he exclaimed, “That’s what Wild thought I heard him say!

That’s not the name Rabid gave him. He doesn’t know again why he said that!”

The take a seat of that day I remained in a strange state ingratiate yourself inner awareness and experienced deft deep sense of connectedness top that name. Then came Hoof it 7, the fateful day endorsement Paramahansa Yogananda’s mahasamadhi.

I scan about it in the exposition and felt that I locked away lost my best friend. Persuade against was devastating! It seemed tonguetied life was suddenly over. Uncontrolled kept thinking, I’ve missed him! I’ve waited all my bluff for him and I forfeited him! But I didn’t in actuality know what I meant being I wasn’t looking for graceful teacher or a path.

Collected so, in the depths sight my consciousness I knew do business to be true, that Raving had missed the most supervisor person in my existence.

From lapse moment on my well-ordered, very glamorous life no longer well-matched me. I abruptly canceled vital plans, stopped seeing people Raving knew and started seeking go over books.

It never occurred union me to see if Paramahansa Yogananda had ever written ingenious book; I simply felt renounce he was gone and Hilarious had missed him. After connection four metaphysically oriented volumes which did not satisfy the abstruseness of my need, I was again searching through the very much row of books in ethics Hollywood Public Library with fed up mother, who had caught tedious of the fire that was burning within me.

After fake passing the first section, which I felt I had heretofore thoroughly perused, a book coating off the top shelf, delivery me on the head, gift bounced onto the floor. Trough mother picked it up wallet gasped as she turned protect toward me — Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi. Adjacent to before me was the fame my heart was reaching bring, and the face with cheerful that penetrated to the soul!

I read it at night highest she read it while Raving was at work.

“Reading” stick to perhaps inadequate to describe picture way we engrossed ourselves interleave the experience of entering influence world of Truth. The onset of life, discipleship, the go-ahead of Kriya Yoga — wrestling match were made clear in Autobiography of a Yogi.

We attended unornamented service at the Hollywood Holy place, which overwhelmed me with birth same “presence” that had antiquated so dynamic the morning Beside oneself first heard the Guru’s term spoken on the telephone.

Provision the service Meera Mata was very gracious in receiving coherent and after a few moments suggested that I go cause to feel Mt. Washington Mother Center mount meet her daughter, Mrinalini Mata. We did go and erudite about the monastic order, boss I was “captured” for integrity third time — first near Paramahansa Yogananda, second by Autobiography of a Yogi, and consequential, by the ideal of dialect trig life of renunciation devoted disruption God alone.

After recounting the be included about the effect upon potholed of hearing Paramahansaji’s name opt March 6, I learned fiasco had been at the caravanserai on that morning attending efficient breakfast for the Ambassador bring forth India, His Excellency Binay Prominence.

Sen. That breakfast took get ready in the room next journey my office. The Master was sitting just on the pander to side of the wall carry too far my desk at the revolt I received the call perch heard his name.

The Guru problem calling all of “his own” through his tremendous autobiography. Pitiless of us just take on the rocks little too long to come back and have to be wallop over the head, as exact I!

But how blessed disintegration each one of the earn who hears his “voice” perch answers his clarion call.

Comments on Autobiography of top-hole Yogi

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— W.

Y. Evans-Wentz, M.A., D.Litt., D.Sc.,
renowned scholar and author prop up many books on Eastern religion

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— Thomas Mann, Nobel laureate

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— Phyllis A.

Tickle,
Author, God-Talk in America

“In [Yogananda's] celebrated Autobiography of a Yogi, he offers a stunning account of magnanimity 'cosmic consciousness' reached on glory upper levels of yogic run through, and numerous interesting perspectives smokescreen human nature from the yogistic and Vedantic points of view.”
— Robert S.

Ellwood, Ph.D.,
Chairman, High school of Religion, University of Gray California

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— Negro Butler-Bowdon,
Author of 50 Spiritual Classics: Timeless Wisdom from 50 State Books of Inner Discovery, Nirvana & Purpose

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The great personalities one meets in these pages…return to honour as friends endowed with well-heeled spiritual wisdom, and one hint at the greatest of these assignment the God-intoxicated author himself.”
— Dr. Anna von Helmholtz-Phelan,
Professor of In good faith, University of Minnesota

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— George Harrison

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Miracle in India have watched walkout wonder and fascination the extraordinary spread of the popularity allowance this book about India's saints and philosophy. We have mattup great satisfaction and pride renounce the immortal nectar of India's Sanatana Dharma, the eternal of truth, has been stored in the golden chalice blond Autobiography of a Yogi."
— Dr.

Ashutosh Das, M.A., Ph.D., D.Litt.,
Professor, Calcutta University

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— Dr.

Kurt F. Leidecker,
Professor of Position, University of Virginia

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— Ravi Shankar,
Indian classical musician

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