NewAutobiography of a Yogi
A Spiritual Odyssey Across India and Beyond
by Paramahansa YoganandaSpiritualAutobiographyPhilosophy
Autobiography of a Yogi
Originally in English1946
48 chapters554 pages10h read
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About This Book
Embark on a mesmerizing journey with Paramahansa Yogananda as he traces his extraordinary life from a mystical childhood in India to his transformative encounters with saints, yogis, and his revered guru. Through vivid storytelling, Yogananda unveils the wonders of Hindu philosophy, miraculous events, and the profound science of Kriya Yoga. With heartfelt sincerity and sparkling wit, he invites readers into a world where the quest for truth and self-realization transcends borders and cultures. This timeless spiritual memoir not only reveals the secrets of yogic wisdom but also inspires seekers everywhere to explore the boundless possibilities of the soul.
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Paramahansa Yogananda
1893–1952
Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) was born Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur, India. From a young age, he showed an intense spiritual inclination, eventually becoming a disciple of the revered Swami Sri Yukteswar. Yogananda was educated at Serampore College and soon after dedicated his life to spiritual pursuits. In 1920, he traveled to the United States as India's delegate to an International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. There, he founded the Self-Realization Fellowship, which became the foundation for his lifelong mission: introducing the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga to the Western world. He spent much of his later life in America, establishing centers and lecturing widely until his passing in 1952.
Places and Terms in this Book
Calcutta— A major city in India where the family gathers for Ananta's wedding and where Mukunda's mother dies.
Kriya Yoga— A spiritual practice and meditation technique taught by Lahiri Mahasaya.
Serampore— The location of Sri Yukteswar's hermitage.
Benares— Benares, also known as Kasi or Varanasi, is a sacred city in India, central to the lives of Lahiri Mahasaya and other spiritual figures in the narrative.
Ganges— A holy river in India, considered sacred and often used for ritual bathing.
India— The country where the events of the chapter take place and the spiritual traditions discussed originate.
Vocabulary
guru— A spiritual teacher or guide in Indian tradition.
yogi— A practitioner of yoga, often associated with spiritual discipline and meditation.
yoga— A spiritual discipline involving physical, mental, and meditative practices aimed at self-realization.
ashram— A spiritual hermitage or monastery (mentioned in the context of ashrams in the Himalayas).
karma— The law of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences.
maya— The illusion or appearance of the phenomenal world.