Reading Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda at the age of forty-two was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. From the beginning chapter, I felt like I had finally come home. This was the life I had always wished was possible but never dreamed it could be! After finishing it, I sent away to Self-Realization Fellowship, the organization Yogananda founded in 1920, for the three-and-a-half years’ worth of bimonthly lessons on “right living” and follow Yogananda’s teachings today as part of my daily spiritual discipline.
I just now finished listening to Chapter 23 in my car. I’ve listened to the audiobook version, read by Ben Kingsley, three times now and it never fails to thrill me. Everything in this book resonates in harmony with who I am and who I wish to become. I was already teaching spiritual classes by the time I encountered this book and was amazed at how much deeper it took me in my knowledge and practice.
Yogananda teaches that direct contact with God is possible through the application of scientific yoga principles. After practicing his techniques, which have been handed down for thousands of years by Indian saints, I have reached new heights of peace, happiness and alignment with what Yogananda’s guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar, refers to as “that supreme intelligence which governs everything.”
May this wonderful book enrich your spiritual life as it has mine!
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ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
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Tags: Autobiography of a Yogi, Ben Kingsley, happiness, love, paramahansa yogananda, peace, right living, Self-Realization Fellowship, spiritual practice, SRF, supreme intelligence, Swami Sri Yukteswar
August 22, 2008 at 1:02 AM
Autobiography of a Yogi changed my life too and Teachings of Pramhansa Yogananda ji has brought a miraculous change and many miracles in my life.
Subhash Bakshi
August 22, 2008 at 7:05 AM
I am happy for you, Subhash. This path is not for everyone but for those who do walk it, it is a path filled with deep blessings.
July 6, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Phil, I sent this message today to my friends about this very book; The book, Autobiography of a Yogi, has illuminated the meaning of Biblical scripture for me like a light to read by in a darkened room. It has become my theological candle by which I read all scripture. Absolutely fantastic
July 6, 2009 at 6:31 PM
That’s great, Lori. Are you aware of Yogananda’s two-volume set, “The Second Coming of Christ?” That’s exactly what it does: illuminate Biblical scripture. You would love it!
July 12, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Phil, I first picked up Autobiography of a Yogi when I was in my early 20s (I’m 55 now). I’ve read it many times since and never cease to be inspired by Yogananda’s single-minded devotion to God and his message that all religions are simply paths that lead to the same end: to blissfully merge one’s small consciousness with that of the Creator of the Universe (however one’s religion chooses to name or express this concept ). The stories of his encounters (some miraculous) with famous individuals are fascinating in and of themselves. They also prepare the reader to receive the book’s more profound teachings. This is definitely a book worth reading.
July 13, 2009 at 6:29 AM
I’m glad Autobiography has been so meaning to you as well, Ray. I can only imagine what my reaction would have been had I read it when I was in my early 20s. I don’t know that I would have been ready for it. Better late than never!
September 26, 2009 at 12:40 AM
ack! synchronicity again phil!
when i lived in ca, i used to go to menlo park alot to work. one of the ananda retreat centres is there.
plus, i used to go to east/west book store ALOT. the original location in menlo park was quite special to me. so special, that when they moved the store to mountain view, i started driving from my home to alameda at least once a month to go there.
be well.
thank you for being you.
annie!
September 26, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Love the synchronicities, Annie! Glad you could experience that in California!
December 11, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Hello.
I am not sure why I am here, at this site?
I live in a home that Madame Amelita Galli-Curci lived in and my research of her tonight has brought me to Autobiography of a Yogi which I will try and check out of my library tomorrow and that has then led me here.
Just saying “hello” I guess.
Hello
December 11, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Welcome, Bill, for whatever reason you’re here. I’m glad you will be checking out “Autobiography of a Yogi.” Please visit again and let me know what you think of the book.
December 11, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Will Do. Thanks for the reply.
May 2, 2010 at 8:48 AM
I was fortunate enough to find the AoY when I was 16. I had the same experience. I couldn’t believe the book was real. Everyday I would wake up and couldn’t believe it wasn’t a dream. All my crazy theories about life had been confirmed in stark simplicity and logic.
I ended up living in one of the SRF ashrams for 2 1/2 years.
Currently reading AoY again in Spanish (good way to learn another language) with the English copy close by.
May 2, 2010 at 9:25 AM
That’s wonderful, John! Your experience first reading AoY sounds exactly like mine, although I was 42 instead of 16! Which ashram did you live in? Would love to talk to you more!
May 2, 2010 at 11:40 AM
My grades sure suffered when I did start reading the AoY in high school. Yogananda wasn’t the best scholastic example. I graduated with 51-55% in most subjects except English, Drama and Religion (where I averaged 95%).
Once I graduated I moved to Hidden Valley Ashram. Stayed for 9 months. Got injured and had to return to Canada for surgery. Stayed in Canada for 9 months, then went back to the ashram for another two years of training.
May 2, 2010 at 1:23 PM
Ha! Yes, Yogananda was not the most disciplined college student, was he? Would love to hear about your experiences at Hidden Valley. Let’s talk soon!
September 30, 2010 at 5:05 PM
One of my favourite chapters has to be “The Cauliflower robbery.”
“Your six cauliflowers will soon only be five.”
Yogananda’s Vocabulary and skill with Language I always delight in and find simply incredible.
“I dashed to my room, where I found that the thief, evidently one with a vegetable fixation, had left untouched my gold rings, watch and money, all lying openly on the blanket.”
The book is a work of Divinity.
September 30, 2010 at 5:32 PM
The cauliflower story is one of my favorites too, aaummm! I, too, marvel at Yogananda’s deftness with the English language, especially considering he didn’t learn English until he was an adult. Astonishing!
December 17, 2010 at 1:51 PM
I read the Autobiography of a Yogi many years ago and it changed my life. Yogananda’s teachings through Self-Realization Fellowship have greatly enriched all areas of my life. Too many persons only read that book once, such a profound teaching does warrant deeper study and research to fully understand what He has given the world.
December 17, 2010 at 2:26 PM
Agreed, Federico. Reading or listening to “Autobiography” continues to enrich my life as well.