Autobiography of a Yogi

"Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda is a spiritual memoir written in the mid-20th century. This influential work recounts Yogananda's journey towards self-realization, offering insights into the philosophy and practice of yoga, the dynamics of the guru-disciple relationship, and the lives of various spiritual figures in India. At the start of this memoir, Yogananda reflects on his early life and family, detailing his experiences growing up in a spiritually oriented Bengali household. He shares poignant memories of his parents, especially his mother, and discusses their devotion to spiritual practice, particularly the effects of their relationship with the renowned yogi, Lahiri Mahasaya. The opening chapters also introduce themes of spiritual awakening, the significance of divine experiences, and Yogananda's desire to understand higher states of consciousness, setting the stage for his later encounters with various saints and significant figures in his quest for enlightenment. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Paramahansa Yogananda was an Indian-American Hindu monk, yogi and guru who introduced millions to meditation and Kriya Yoga through his organization, Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) / Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) of India – the only one he created to disseminate his teachings. A chief disciple of the yoga guru Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, he was sent by his lineage to spread the teachings of yoga to the West. He immigrated to the US at the age of 27 to prove the unity between Eastern and Western religions and to preach a balance between Western material growth and Indian spirituality. His long-standing influence in the American yoga movement, and especially the yoga culture of Los Angeles, led him to be considered by yoga experts as the "Father of Yoga in the West". He lived his last 32 years in the US.