“Paramhansa Yogananda has been called the father of yoga and meditation in the West. His Autobiography helped spark and inspire a spiritual revolution across the world. Among the over three-hundred (influential spiritual voices) I interviewed about their key spiritual influences, a high percentage named a book, and by far the book most often mentioned was Yogananda’s unique memoir.” –PHIL GOLDBERG, AMERICAN VEDA
Paramhansa Yogananda (sometimes spelled Paramahansa Yogananda), 1893 – 1952, was the first yoga master of India to take up permanent residence in the West.
Yogananda arrived in America in 1920 and proceeded to travel throughout the United States on what he called his “spiritual campaigns.” He was the first yoga master of India whose mission was to live and teach in the West. Hundreds of thousands filled the largest halls in major American cities to hear his presentations.
Yogananda continued to lecture and write until his passing in 1952. His initial impact was truly impressive. But his lasting influence is greater still. The Autobiography of a Yogi, first published in 1946, helped launch and continues to inspire a spiritual revolution in the West. Translated into more than a dozen languages, it remains a best-selling spiritual classic to this day.
Yogananda’s message was nonsectarian and universal. Before embarking on his mission to the West he received this admonition from his teacher, Swami Sri Yukteswar:
“The West is high in material attainments, but lacking in spiritual understanding. It is God’s will that you play a role in teaching mankind the value of balancing the material with an inner, spiritual life.”
THE PATH OF SELF-REALIZATION
“The true basis of religion is not belief, but intuitive experience. Intuition is the soul’s power of knowing God. To know what religion is really all about, one must know God.” Paramhansa Yogananda, from “The Essence of Self-Realization.”
The lasting contribution brought by Yogananda to the West is the non-sectarian, universal spiritual path of Self-Realization.
Yogananda gave this definition to the term Self-Realization:
“Self-Realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God’s omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing.”
As the means of attaining this exalted spiritual state Yogananda initiated his followers into the ancient technique of Kriya Yoga, which he called the “jet-airplane route to God.”
The path of Kriya Yoga, which combines the practice of advanced yogic techniques with spirituality in daily life, can be learned through the Ananda Kriya Sangha.
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The book is available for purchase here.
