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Autobiography of a Yogi

Format: Paperback

Author: Paramahamsa Yogananda

ISBN No: 0-87612-079-6

Price: US10.00 on Amazon.com

When writing an autobiography, the challenge for the writer, I would imagine, would be to write a story that everyone would say, "I want to read that!" More often than not, autobiographies of celebrities, statesmen and others can be deadly dull. I found, however, that Autobiography of a Yogi is anything but dull.

In so writing his autobiography, I would say, Paramahamsa Yogananda has probably fulfilled his life's mission and that was to introduce Eastern philosophy to the Western World.  He writes with humour, simplicity and pure entertainment. However, all throughout the book you are learning. Learning about a philosophy, learning about the truth and yourself. Perhaps, one can say that he went beyond his divine mandate and actually introduced Eastern philosophy to the world.

What then is this Eastern philosophy that he talks so much about? It is all based in the art and practice of Kriya Yoga - prevented by divine injunction from explaining the whole concept, Paramahamsa Yogananda explains this as comprehensively as he can - he says, "Kriya Yoga is a simple, psychophysiological method by which the human blood is decarbonized and recharged with oxygen. The atoms of this extra oxygen are transmuted into life current to rejuvenate the brain and spinal centers. By stopping the accumulation of venous blood, the yogi is able to lessen or prevent the decay of tissues; the advanced yogi transmutes his cells into pure energy. Elijah, Jesus, Kabir and other prophets were past masters in the use of Kriya or a similar technique, by which they caused their bodies to dematerialize at will. Kriya is an ancient science."

It has been written: 'Yogananda's masterly storytelling epitomizes the Indian oral tradition with its wit, charm, and compassionate wisdom. The yogi begins by showing how his childhood experiences in turn-of-the-century India produced a spiritual youth in search of an enlightened teacher, continues with an account of his years of training in the hermitage of a revered master, and concludes with the highlights of a period, beginning in 1920, during which he lived and taught in America. Yogananda sensitively interprets not only his own spiritual evolution but also his relationship with elements of the West's spiritual tradition, such as the story of Adam and Eve, providing a penetrating look at the ultimate mysteries of human existence.'

It is a profoundly inspiring and at the same time vastly entertaining read. I would recommend it to anyone!