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Autobiography of a Yogi (Self-Realization Fellowship) Mass Market Paperback – January 5, 1998
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Self-Realization Fellowship's editions, and none others, include extensive material added by the author after the first edition was published, including a final chapter on the closing years of his life.
Selected as "One of the 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century", Autobiography of a Yogi has been translated into more than 50 languages, and is regarded worldwide as a classic of religious literature. Several million copies have been sold, and it continues to appear on best-seller lists after more than sixty consecutive years in print.
With engaging candor, eloquence, and wit, Paramahansa Yogananda tells 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. Also recorded here are his meetings with Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Luther Burbank, the Catholic stigmatist Therese Neumann, and other celebrated spiritual personalities of East and West. 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 becomes the background for a penetrating and unforgettable look at the ultimate mysteries of human existence.
- Print length596 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSelf-Realization Fellowship
- Publication dateJanuary 5, 1998
- Dimensions4.49 x 0.94 x 7.48 inches
- ISBN-109780876120798
- ISBN-13978-0876120798
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Fabulous stories from his life keep the reader inspired, informed, and thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. --Yoga Journal
This book is a must-read for the budding yogi, the spiritual veteran looking for a deeper understanding, and everyone in between... --Yogi Times
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : 0876120796
- Publisher : Self-Realization Fellowship; Reprint edition (January 5, 1998)
- Language : English
- Mass Market Paperback : 596 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780876120798
- ISBN-13 : 978-0876120798
- Item Weight : 1 pounds
- Dimensions : 4.49 x 0.94 x 7.48 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Chalk full of wonderful stories and wisdom filled lessons.
Cary Decker
About the author
1893 – 1952 Hailed as the “father of Yoga in the West,” Paramahansa Yogananda is regarded as one of the great spiritual figures of our time. Born in northern India, he came to the United States in 1920, where he founded Self-Realization Fellowship, to disseminate his writings and teachings worldwide. Through his best-selling classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, and his numerous other books, he has introduced millions throughout the world to the spiritual principles of yoga meditation and the universal truths underlying all world religions.
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Customers find the book insightful and inspiring, providing a profound understanding of the spiritual path. They describe it as an amazing, must-read spiritual book with entertaining stories about other spiritual masters. Readers appreciate the love and gentle approach to life that touch their hearts. Overall, they describe it as a great autobiography that serves as a guide for life situations.
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Customers find the book provides profound insights into the spiritual journey of a yogi. They describe it as inspiring, motivating, and transformative, with an insightful interpretation of Jesus' teachings. Readers mention it is a must-read for anyone on the spiritual path and applies to many aspects of life and spirituality.
"...after reading this book, that Yogananda was one of the great religious figures of the 20th century...." Read more
"...and I think this would be the perfect book to start with as it lays a nice fundation explaining his life and many concepts." Read more
"...saints who dedicated their lives to God, it is an introduction to the scientific techniques to having a direct experience of the Soul, the spark of..." Read more
"This book changed my life. George Harrison, Steve Jobs Elvis Presley, James Arnez and Dennis Weaver are some of the famous followers of Yogananda...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They appreciate its practical wisdom and relatable analogies. The book offers inspiration and love, allowing readers to expand their horizons.
"...Autobiography of a Yogi is a long book, but it is engaging and well worth reading. I would love to give it more than 5 stars...." Read more
"...had a lovely, narrative writing style which makes the book very pleasurable to read. Yogananda recalls his early childhood and his search for a guru...." Read more
"...So for this reason, this book was very much worth a read...." Read more
"...this book simply fills you with inspiration and love. Maybe the book is that way or it finally broke into me by then...." Read more
Customers find the book's storytelling entertaining and fascinating. They describe the stories as eye-opening, spiritual, and humorous. Readers also mention that the book chronicles the life of a yogi and includes stories about extraordinary people.
"...Lastly, Autobiography of a Yogi is a long book, but it is engaging and well worth reading. I would love to give it more than 5 stars...." Read more
"...book to anyone interested in spirituality, as it really contains many deep truths about life and its purpose...." Read more
"True story. Riveting and at the same time humorous in parts. A must read at least once in your lifetime .It’s a treasure." Read more
"...This biography is an eye opening tale of what we, me, you can truly be.as.we.accept our true nature. Some say, " I am one with God. "..." Read more
Customers find the book a fascinating account of a remarkable individual's life. It explores the lives of many great masters and yogis, as well as their own human abilities. Readers describe the author as an amazing man and teacher whose words have made a huge impact on their lives. The book is described as an homage to the guru, a story about the real, authentic life of a true yogi who lived by the book.
"...I would just add: Although this is a great version of Autobiography of Yogi, that if you do decide to go on and learn the techniques of meditation..." Read more
"...as he traversed his spiritual path, as well as the lives of many great masters, yogis, and yoginis...." Read more
"...A truly remarkable man and remarkable book. If this book was required reading in every school the world would be a far better place." Read more
"Blessed are those that have the privilege of reading this great yogi’s life history...." Read more
Customers find the book full of love and wisdom. They feel a clear sense of love for all humanity coming from Yogananda. The book is described as light-hearted, gentle, and passionate. Readers mention it saves them mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
"...recommend reading this beautiful book to anyone looking for peace, love, and inspiration." Read more
"...Love and Peace, Brother Vin" Read more
"...At some point I started feeling this clear sense of love for all humanity coming from Yogananda. It's hard to describe...." Read more
"But, for this book, I wouldn't be a practitioner of Yoga. This a passionate and authentic account of a true yogi who lived his life by the book...." Read more
Customers enjoy the autobiography. They find it insightful and a useful resource for life situations.
"...so clearly and though I have read a lot of his books, the Autobiography is a classic...." Read more
"...It was a great autobiography, a must read in my opinion!!!..." Read more
"...or was on edibles all the time but this was one hell of a great autobiography. Read it." Read more
"So grateful to have found this precious gem. Its my go to book for all my life situations and I read atleast a page of it daily for inspiration." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find the writing style humorous and light-hearted. The prose is described as honest and cheerful.
"True story. Riveting and at the same time humorous in parts. A must read at least once in your lifetime .It’s a treasure." Read more
"...One feature of this work that I especially appreciate is its humor...." Read more
"...It is deep and philosophical and REAL, no miracles, and it is also funny and entertaining." Read more
"...of perspectives ranging from the depths of spiritual insight to delightful humor...." Read more
Customers have different views on the book's power. Some find it enlightening and powerful, saying it can change lives. Others feel it does a disservice to serious spiritual pursuits, with too much mysticism and lack of insight into spirituality and yogic teachings.
"...This is a very great and power book and it is just a vast reservoir of undeniable wisdom...." Read more
"...I found this interesting. Miracles everywhere in Hindu. No miracles in Buddhism. I have ordered the Vedas and I will read them...." Read more
"...I don't get how this comes about, but it has been so powerful that I now understand why Steve Jobs had it as the only book on his iPad." Read more
"This is a hysterical account of a delusional religious zealot who died at a young age because his spiritual healthy lifestyle was based on fairy..." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2015Autobiography of a Yogi is a book that was on my wish list for a long time. I saw the book referenced by another author. Several months back, I watched an old interview with George Harrison. The dullard MTV reporter made a comment about Elvis Presley not being a spiritual seeker, to which George Harrison stepped in to defend Elvis. A little bit of investigation led me to the fact that Autobiography of a Yogi was one of Elvis’s favorite books. This prodded me into buying the kindle version of this book.
There are 2 groups I would not recommend read Autobiography of a Yogi. The first are religious fundamentalists of any religion. You already know everything you need to know about God. Some of you see the devil in anyone who doesn’t believe what you do, you see the devil in everything but your own hatred for the other, whether the other is another religion, another viewpoint, another tribe who stand in the way of you taking what you want from them, including their land and their right to a living.
The other group I would recommend not reading Autobiography of a Yogi are the secular-materialist progressives, especially the Hollywood and news media pundit variety. You already know everything. You know that religious people are idiots, religious miracles are fairy tales, you know your mentality is superior, and anyone who doesn’t agree with you is mean-spirited, even though the filth that comes out of your mouth is more mean-spirited than any of the groups you criticize. Don’t read this book. You don’t want to learn anything, you already know it all.
However, if you are a seeker of God, or a person interested in world religions, or mysticism, you SHOULD read this book. I am convinced after reading this book, that Yogananda was one of the great religious figures of the 20th century. He was a man on a mission, chosen by his guru to come to the west, introduce Kriya Yoga here, and to show the similarities between his religion and Christianity. The reality is that most religious mysticism is similar from one religion to another. But of course, the ones who study the mystical aspects of religion are the few. What is apparent reading this book, is that Yogananda knew and understood the Bible better than most Christians.. His work displays a love and admiration for Jesus Christ, which is unusual since in our own country, Jesus is blamed for the crimes that were committed in his name. The fact is many in the public eye hate Jesus and his teachings, and take every opportunity to spew their hatred and ill mental health towards his name. One wonders what the world would be like if more westerners (especially Americans) were similar to Yogananda, if we Americans were as familiar with the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita and other religious books from various traditions as we are with the Bible. I personally think the world would be a better place.
Autobiography of a Yogi presents many fantastic stories and miracles that require a leap of faith. However, if you are a Christian, you have already made that leap. Why would the miracles be limited only to Christian saints? I have no difficulty believing what Yogananda says he has witnessed. Lastly, Autobiography of a Yogi is a long book, but it is engaging and well worth reading. I would love to give it more than 5 stars. Anyone who would like to understand India better should read this book. Long it may be, but what a joy to read. Thank you Yogananda for this book and for your life and work.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2009Autobiography of a Yogi was recommended to me by various sources as one of the basic books any spiritual seeker should read. The moment I picked it up I already wholeheartedly agreed and after reading the book in its entirety, I think it is one of the best spiritual books written in the last century. I certainly agree that it should be included in the library of all spiritual persons.
I was not familiar with Yogananda before, so reading an autobiography of someone unknown to you might seem a bit strange. But it really reads like a novel. Swami Yogananda had a lovely, narrative writing style which makes the book very pleasurable to read. Yogananda recalls his early childhood and his search for a guru. A large part of the book is spent recalling anecdotes about the time with his guru, Sri Yukteswar, and Yogananda's spiritual development. Being a westerner with virtually no knowledge about Yoga (apart from knowing some people practicing 'Hatha Yoga' - most of whom are focusing on the physical aspects and practising yoga for 'relaxation' and 'well being' only), I think the book does a good job at explaining the purpose and different practises / variants of Yoga. All concepts (unknown to many westerners) are explained clearly, also many footnotes are included, among which are many from the publisher to update the information after Yogananda's death.
What surprised me is the great number of references to the life of Jesus and/or the christian Bible. I didn't expect to find this in a book about a Yogi. But this only strengthens my conviction that there is only one true, underlying spiritual path to the various religions. Also, later I learned that Yogananda had a high degree of Christ consciousness. Maybe the numerous references were also included to make the book appeal more to the western mind, as it was Yogananda's life-long mission and divine plan to bring Yoga to the west. Anyhow he does a great job. In the second half of the book, Yogananda's successful effort to bring yoga to the west is described in detail, of course also with many inspiring, uplifting and wonderous anecdotes.
In the book there are many descriptions of 'miraculous' happenings by the Yogis. These stories are fun to read and makes one wonder at the powers of these great masters. I'm sure the average western mind will be fascinated with these stories and this may be a reason to include them (I reckon that in India this is less regarded as extraordinary).
All in all I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in spirituality, as it really contains many deep truths about life and its purpose. Of course it is not necessary for everyone to begin practising yoga (although it made me consider it), it is written in such a way that the truths are universal.
Yogananda has written many books, and I think this would be the perfect book to start with as it lays a nice fundation explaining his life and many concepts.
Top reviews from other countries
- ISReviewed in Canada on November 26, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual seeker’s gem
The Autobiography of Yogi is one of the most memorable and life-changing books you could read. Swami Yogananda will take you on a spiritual journey with him. It is a blissful book filled with insights and is comfortable to read. The book comes in both hardcover and paperback.
- Matheo GalatisReviewed in Germany on July 18, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the must read spiritual books of all time
It opens the mind to so many possibilities and can help us step briefly outside of our limited thinking and understand how to access greater levels of consciousness. I love Yogananda's story, his relentlessness to teach his work and the state of inner peace he achieved prior to leaving his body. Still impactful after more than 14 years of reading this book.
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naresh r.Reviewed in Spain on January 9, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy recomandable
Muy interesante
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Kristian TReviewed in Sweden on June 28, 2023
1.0 out of 5 stars Autobiografi av en yogi
En besvikelse
- ANIL SHARMAReviewed in India on April 14, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing !
An amazing autobiography of the great Yogi of India known as the father of Yoga in the west. Quality of paper, printing and photos all are excellent. It’s a masterpiece.