When I first read the Autobiography of a Yogi in Danish translation it made me enter Self-Realization Fellowship and ignore the hooks in the book. They include:

* Romantic idealisations of things Indian.
* Great and glorious claims that are not really backed up, but wrapped in by "the scriptures aver", the ancient rishis (seers) found" etc. He has never specified which scriptures says man needs a million years to reach cosmic consciousness, and which rishis found that gold, silver, other metals and gems can protect against planetary influences, to my knowing.
* Hiding that the author made changes in the kriya methods - left out parts that are claimed to be essential by others in the kriya tradition, simplifying other things, and leaving out that his own guru gave much less positive prospects for those who learn it - 144 times less, I saw.

A Yogananda biography, *Paramhansa Swami Yogananda: Life-portrait and Reminiscences* (Portland: Yoga Niketan, 2006), by an Indian kriya yogi who knew Yogananda well, thows added light on Yogananda's writings too. It appears that Yogananda many times hid unpleasant things, including tense quarrels with his guru (p. 85) . The biographer even questions that Yogananda's guru bestowed on him the title Paramhansa. Quote:

"[One] day, Ananda-da -- Ananda Mohan Lahiri -- was with us. It was almost nightfall. Maharaj ji [Yogananda's guru Yukteswar] was standing on the upstairs veranda and someone was standing next to him. Ananda-da and the writer [Dasgupta] were downstairs. Before going upstairs, Yoganandaji went to a drainage spot, a bit apart from the area, and began to urinate into the drainage passage. This caught Gurudev's [Yukteswar's] attention and he cryptically joked, "Yogananda has become a 'paramhansa' [great swan, or great soul]!" After urinating, Yoganandaji saw Ananda-da standing at the front door and quietly said, "Ananda-da! Did you hear? Swamiji [Sriyukteshvarji] called me a 'paramhansa!'" Later, Ananda-da laughed and said to the writer, "You'll see. Yogananda will one day use this title!" (p. 84)

The Autobiography is filled with stories of the miraculous. However, the Yogananda biographer questions some of the tales. "When examined with an investigative eye, many of the accounts could have been caused by ordinary means, nevertheless, in Swamiji's perception, all happened supernaturally. (p. 101)"

And with reference to an alleged meeting of Yogananda and a secretive yogi called Babaji, the biographer writes:

"Yoganandaji was a man who lived in the world of imagination and spiritual feelings. He saw some things directly and some things with the eyes of his feelings. Towards the end, he often did not perceive a difference between the two (p. 99)."

It would be well to keep these points in mind throughout the book, so as not to be enamoured by, frankly, Yogananda propaganda.

Another problem with the SRF editions of the Autobiography after Yogananda's passing, is the heavy editing. There appears to be over a thousand changes in it. Some of them are minor and non-essential, whereas others reflect the drift of Yogananda's fellowship sectwards with the years.

Why the author was drawn to becoming a Yogi as a child is very revealing. Paramahansa plainly relates that he believed he would have power over animals, such as having tigers as pets. What child doesnt fantisize about super powers?; India at the turn of the last century was rooted in superstition,with countless Fakirs demonstrating all manner of powers from levitating to producing the the smell of various flowers at the tip of ones fingers,as the author relates. The Discovery channel has shown how such feats,(tricks)are performed by fakirs(fakers),but such knowledge would not have been known by the author who obviously absorbed the cultural beliefs of that time period and built on such magical thinking.
Many of his stories as heresay,such as a herb appearing in the hand of a relative,and monks that live without eating for hundreds of years. Other accounts,such as witnessing the astral projections of other gurus,and bringing the dead back to life,leave me wondering whether Paramarhansa purposely fabricated such accounts to enhanse his teachings or whether he was honestly delusional in his perceptions.
The most memorable account to me,and perhaps the one which has imspired so many ratings of 5, is the following discription of a meditation experience he had:
....."My body became immovably rooted; breath was drawn out of my lungs as if by some huge magnet. Soul and mind instantly lost their physical bondage, and streamed out like a fluid piercing light from my every pore. The flesh was as though dead, yet in my intense awareness I knew that never before had I been fully alive. My sense of identity was no longer narrowly confined to a body, but embraced the circumambient atoms. People on distant streets seemed to be moving gently over my own remote periphery. The roots of plants and trees appeared through a dim transparency of the soil; I discerned the inward flow of their sap. The whole vicinity lay bare before me. My ordinary frontal vision was now changed to a vast spherical sight, simultaneously all-perceptive. Through the back of my head I saw men strolling far down Rai Ghat Road, and noticed also a white cow who was leisurely approaching. When she reached the space in front of the open ashram gate, I observed her with my two physical eyes. As she passed by, behind the brick wall, I saw her clearly still.
All objects within my panoramic gaze trembled and vibrated like quick motion pictures. My body, Master's, the pillared courtyard, the furniture and floor, the trees and sunshine, occasionally became violently agitated, until all melted into a luminescent sea; even as sugar crystals, thrown into a glass of water, dissolve after being shaken. The unifying light alternated with materializations of form, the metamorphoses revealing the law of cause and effect in creation. An oceanic joy broke upon calm endless shores of my soul. The Spirit of God, I realized, is exhaustless Bliss; His body is countless tissues of light. A swelling glory within me began to envelop towns, continents, the earth, solar and stellar systems, tenuous nebulae, and floating universes. The entire cosmos, gently luminous, like a city seen afar at night, glimmered within the infinitude of my being. The sharply etched global outlines faded somewhat at the farthest edges; there I could see a mellow radiance, ever-undiminished. It was indescribably subtle; the planetary pictures were formed of a grosser light. The divine dispersion of rays poured from an Eternal Source, blazing into galaxies, transfigured with ineffable auras. Again and again I saw the creative beams condense into constellations, then resolve into sheets of transparent flame. By rhythmic reversion, sextillion worlds passed into diaphanous luster; fire became firmament. I cognized the center of the empyrean as a point of intuitive perception in my heart. Irradiating splendor issued from my nucleus to every part of the universal structure. Blissful AMRITA, the nectar of immortality, pulsed through me with a quicksilverlike fluidity. The creative voice of God I heard resounding as AUM, {FN14-1} the vibration of the Cosmic Motor. Suddenly the breath returned to my lungs. With a disappointment almost unbearable, I realized that my infinite immensity was lost. Once more I was limited to the humiliating cage of a body, not easily accommodative to the Spirit. Like a prodigal child, I had run away from my macrocosmic home and imprisoned myself in a narrow microcosm. My guru was standing motionless before me; I started to drop at his holy feet in gratitude for the experience in cosmic consciousness which I had long passionately sought. He held me upright, and spoke calmly, unpretentiously. "You must not get overdrunk with ecstasy. Much work yet remains for you in the world. Come; let us sweep the balcony floor; then we shall walk by the Ganges." I fetched a broom; Master, I knew, was teaching me the secret of balanced living. The soul must stretch over the cosmogonic abysses, while the body performs its daily duties. When we set out later for a stroll, I was still entranced in unspeakable rapture. I saw our bodies as two astral pictures, moving over a road by the river whose essence was sheer light.
Sri Yukteswar taught me how to summon the blessed experience at will, and also how to transmit it to others if their intuitive channels were developed. For months I entered the ecstatic union, comprehending why the UPANISHADS say God is RASA, "the most relishable." One day, however, I took a problem to Master. "I want to know, sir-when shall I find God?" "You have found Him." "O no, sir, I don't think so!" My guru was smiling. "I am sure you aren't expecting a venerable Personage, adorning a throne in some antiseptic corner of the cosmos! I see, however, that you are imagining that the possession of miraculous powers is knowledge of God. One might have the whole universe, and find the Lord elusive still! Spiritual advancement is not measured by one's outward powers, but only by the depth of his bliss in meditation. "EVER-NEW JOY IS GOD. He is inexhaustible; as you continue your meditations during the years, He will beguile you with an infinite ingenuity. Devotees like yourself who have found the way to God never dream of exchanging Him for any other happiness; He is seductive beyond thought of competition. "How quickly we weary of earthly pleasures! Desire for material things is endless; man is never satisfied completely, and pursues one goal after another. The 'something else' he seeks is the Lord, who alone can grant lasting joy."...
As far as I am conserned the above is a beautiful excerpt which is the prize of the book,sandwich among what is either boring, fanciful,and questionable. I am sorry to shatter any goal anyone has of this author being a Guru with all the answers. Just consider the author's 'teachings' regarding a heathy diet, basically cow fat(ghee)on too many starchy carbohydrates, he dropped dead of a heart attack in his late 50s; yet in a clip on Youtube he is teaching how one can live 100 years.
If you search Youtube you can hear the author's voice which is in the same "grand sounding authoritarian style" of the politicians of the 1930s. I think it shows an accurate image of a man who unequivically believes in the power of amulets but who just may be attempting to oversell the power of being a Yogi with a few good Avatar stories,topped off by an Indian-style Lazareth-raised-from-the-dead account,but then again he may have been honestly delusional. I suggest buying The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I would highly recommend it to any one interested in spirituality, India, history, Yoga and just life. Slow start, but interesting, inspiring and really a classic. I ran into the book after someone recommended it to me, and I am so glad I did....my favorite parts about the living saint Babji and the miracles the author witnessed. Fun and thought provoking. Loved it.

In fact I read this after I read the book ""God Talks to Arjuna"by Paramhansa Yogananda. The variuos terminology given in the book and the Kriya Yoga has attaracted me to become a member of the Yogoda Satsang Society and get the lessons. I have never read any other Auto Biography so vivid and truthful account of what transpires the young man seeking God. Though I was at the age of 49/50 at the time of reading this book in the year 1997 the details are still very much deeply imprinted on my mind as if I have read it now. This shows as to how much this book has the powerful grip of the Author and one has to read only once.
I strongly recommmend this book to those who wants to do something different than eating , sleeping , producing kids and vanishing away like any other insects than Human.


Ramamrat Iyer

This book got me interested in Kriya yoga. It has been a life changing book. Next step after the book to delve deeper is :

Kriya Yoga - Its Mystery and Performing Art
by Swami Sadhanananda Giri book:

I agree with all those who gave it 5 stars. I'm writing to address the comment made by a Western male regarding the homoeroticism between the guru and his devotee and the misogynistic slant of the book. You're having difficulty because you are reading this book trapped in the perspective of your homophobia and expectation. That is exactly why you should read this book, so it can make you get out of your limitations and call to your soul, which has no gender. God has no gender, though of course God can appeal to you as a Mother God or Father God, depending on your need for it. Paramahansa Yogananda cannot possibly write for the current trend of political correctness of American society to assuage your criticism for not putting more women in his book; he is obviously way beyond the trappings of human identifications of the gross material body and gender. Spend some time meditating and detaching from all that, including the fact that you're a heterosexual male, so your soul can be awakened by the words of this giant of a man. Don't worry, you won't turn gay!

Reading this book at the age of forty-two was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. From the beginning chapter, I felt like I had finally come home. This was the life I had always wished was possible but never dreamed it could be!

I just now finished listening to Chapter 23 as I was driving to a restaurant. I've listened to the audiobook version, read by Ben Kingsley, a few times now and it never fails to thrill me. Everything in this book resonates in harmony with who I am and who I wish to be. I was already teaching classes on spirituality by the time I encountered this inspiring book and was amazed at how much deeper it took me in my knowledge and practice.

Yogananda teaches that direct contact with God is possible through the application of scientific yoga principles. After practicing his techniques, which have been handed down for thousands of years by Indian sages, I have reached ever higher levels of peace, happiness and alignment with what Yogananda's beloved guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar, calls "that supreme intelligence which governs everything."

May this magnificent book enrich your spiritual life as it has mine!

I rememeber this book in 1970 when I worked in a bookstore in Greenwich Village.It was popular then and it seems to be my karma to obtain a cloth version upon recommendation from a new friend in a local ashram.
Besides have a great impact on my own spiritual life as it attempts to reconcile Christianity with Hinduism, it is startling to read the poetic and crafted wording used by the author to describe the world from his own spiritual state of mind.There are many miracoulous events that occur and it is fifficult to be cynical when they are described in such a simple and beautiful way with self effacement.The events have a profound effect upon the reader and the scientific part of the mind, generating cause and effect, is overcome.It is incredibly footnoted and as Herman Melville describes the history of whaling in Moby Dick, this yogi provides ample background of the spiritual and scientific paradigm is his life and the world around the time of the First World War.
I recommend exposing your mind to the peaceful and poetic journey that awaits the reader describing this remarkable life.

Several years ago, I was introduced to Yogananda and Self Realization Fellowship by my wife, who had been a member for a number of years prior. I'd read Yogananda's book from cover to cover several times - I have it on my PDA to read before bed or when waiting in line, etc. These CD's take his message to the next level. Expertly narrated by Ben Kingsley, they are the perfect companion while driving, working on the computer, walking, or whenever one needs an uplifting and thought-provoking interlude to a hectic life.

For those that aren't familiar with Yogananda and SRF, and for those who are, I would highly recommend this set. 5 stars!

This is one of the most important books I have ever read. It changed my life and is as current today as the day I read it many years ago. This is definitely a book for a spiritual seeker and will take you many steps along your path.

This book is a challenge to Western religious thought. Having been written not so many years ago, it is difficult to dismiss. I am grateful that Paramahansa Yogananda made it his mission to introduce the West to some of the truths of Hinduism. His work supports many of the claims of my own faith, Christianity.

Aum Kriya Babaji Nama Aum

This is the story of the life of a spiritual seeker, the most famous in the west, Paramahansa Yogananda.

Reading this book was a captivating experience. I did not know what was happening while I read it, but it was igniting an inner flame within me.

The book has great pictures, and constantly talks about what Mr. Yogananda believes to be a method to obtain ultimate realization, Kriya Yoga. Stories in the book are hypnotic, and seem to defy the material reality of the West.

It helped me connect to great teachers, Kriya Babaji and Sri Yukteswar. Also Mr. Yogananda is a good role model of a spiritual seeker. Always striving for the source within.

Ramiel Nagel is author of Cure Tooth Decay: Heal and Prevent Cavities with Nutrition

"When the student is ready the teacher will appear" the saying goes... regardless of your path in life, even if spirtuality is not your 'thing' this book opens a new world for anybody that will read it. Actually, it's not reading, you EXPERIENCE this book as you move from one paragraph to another...you will be a changed person before you'll reach its final chapter.

Yoga was finally explained to me with this book. Very enlightening stuff. It can help you understand the messages of all the saints and spiritual teachers. Just lovely and worth wading through (it's a very thick book).

Ive been waiting so long to write this. I will probably get a lot of flack for it, but I KNOW Yogananda went againt Lahiri Mahasay AND Mahamuni Babaji's words to NOT create a religion or orginization around Kriya Yoga. It is to be taught ONLY under the direct (not group!) lips of a personal Guru. He went against and decieved his ancient masters. He lost all rights to the YSS school in India and many lawsuits because of this. Dont get me wrong,it is OK to learn and read and decde whats right for you, but practicing Kriya Yoga without the direct utterance of a Guru in your presence, its very dangerous and also can drive one mad. What yogananda did was deceitful and wrong. I have nothing against what hes teaching, just HOW he went about it. Greed encompassed him. Babaji is most likey not very happy about this, nor am I. So, let it be said. I m not scared to call him out on ALL his books as HE is deceptive. Look into it for YOURSELF. Please see this amazing work on Babaji (and all of Mr Yoganandas lineage): "Babaji: The Divine Himalyan Yogi and His Legacy: BY Swami Satyesarananda Giri Babaji Maharaj. ISBN: 187785431X , particulary pg 707-718 (its a really really interesting long hard factual truthful and insightful read of well over 700 pgs and quite rare)
You will find there ACTUAL PROOF --papers, lawsuits photocopied for you to see how he decieved his ancestors all for money and power ego and greed, and created the foretold lawsuits that would occur of his twisting of mass Kriya Initiation and mass practice.. Im sorry but I do not care for Yogananda. That is my opinion after much research. Before you go follow someone's borrowed ideas, please do your research 1st.

One of the VERY best books I have ever read. The first time I read it I was inspired and motivated, but the realities of life soon brought me to believe it must be a fairy tale. The second time I read it I got more out of it and still questioned could all of these miraculous events really have occurred? But by the third time I had read it I had many of my own miracles occur in my life and they came due to the wisdom contained in this book and others like it. I knew Yogananda was reporting truth and was very accurate in what he presented. We can come to have control over our own life experience, including our own deaths.

Michael Skowronski
Author of Unforgettable: A Love and Spiritual Growth Story

I live in Encinitas, California and subscribe to Buddhist philosophies/teachings yet I was very intrigued and fascinated by the SFR center illuminating the coast line of the Pacific Ocean causing me to seek further information on the manifestation of these various centers in California, and for that matter across the world which at the time was unbeknownst to me. The SFR center in my opinion is the embodiment of the city of Encinitas, due to the infinite presence and super consciousness of the yogi master Paramahansa Yogananda. You can pick this book up and arbitrarily pick a page number and find fascinating and deep expressions of ancient Hindu philosophies. The book takes the reader on a spiritual journey of Paramahansa Yogananada containing ineffable realizations, insight, and premonitions. These experiences gave Paramahansa Yogananada the tools, devotion, compassion, support, and opportunity to spread these messages as well as the science of Kira Yoga to the entire world particularly to the western world leading to the manifestation of various SFR centers throughout the United States. These SFR centers are the embodiment of Paramahansa's legacy of encapsulating his divine love and peace to all of mankind. Paramahansa's legacy leaves an imprint on the consciousness of mankind instilling a higher level of awareness just as Lord Jesus Christ, Lord Buddha, Ghandi, Martin Luthur King Jr, and other great figures compassionately taught our civilization.

Yogananda called out to my soul and explained and is explaining everything that I thought I would never understand.

This book was one of the BEST books I've ever read. I have 2 copies of the book, I'd like to start a book club and would like this to be the first book on the list. Autobiography of a Yogi is a book club must.

This is a review of the unabridged audio CD version of the book. I couldn't have made a better choice to listen to while driving in my car and listening to my CD player. Ben Kingsley's voice was excellent, and the journey and experiences of Yogananda's life were both breathtaking and magnificent to learn about. It was also wonderful to learn of the anxiety, fear, and doubt he would experience throughout his lifetime, too, despite being the wonderful human and spiritual being that he had evolved into.

Listening to what both he and his masters were capable of...utilizing his fingers as antennae to find the exact home where the soul of one of his students was now reincarnating in the form of an unborn fetus inside of a woman, manifesting a palace in the middle of a forest for a ceremony and then making it disappear again afterwards, and having his master appear and reappear in front of him at different times throughout his life...all of these making me ask myself, "If all of this is real and what's really possible, what the heck is this other world that I've created for myself?"

If you want to travel on a great spiritual journey and have it all read to you in a magnificent voice, this audio version of the book is the one you'll want.

More than anything, it is the divine love of Paramahansa Yogananda that shines through this book. Combined with a beautiful sense of humor, profound truths are presented in a very readable and enjoyable way.

Like many others, this book changed my life. Along with studying the SRF Lessons and practicing the meditation techniques, I have come back again and again to the Autobiography of a Yogi, never growing tired of it, and learning something new each time.

Listening while driving to the audiobook read by Ben Kingsley has been very enjoyable, and makes like long drives go by quickly.

Highly recommended.

This book is a masterpiece-- a book about a spiritual master teacher actually written by a spiritual master teacher! There is so much that can happen that us westerners need to know is possible. And having it on audio makes it just that more accessible. Together with Paramahansa Yogananda's audio casettes/etc, of recordings of him speaking, you can get what his voice really sounds like-- deep, resonant, passionate. Wow!

This-the only authorized version of the great Master's life-is a life-altering spiritual adventure. More than a fascinating read, Yoganandaji's story shares the secret science of Yoga and its potential for humanity. The real miracle he reveals is that we all may thus learn our destiny and purpose. This book is one which magnetically draws true seekers of Truth and of God to that fountain of Wisdom which quenches our deep thirst. We can check out AND leave the Hotel California of worldly disillusionment - at last. Kriya Yoga, the blessed gift of the Gurus of India, is the plane ticket.

The author Yogananda and his trained/appointed editors who succeeded Him have made a great classic even better.

The changes introduced by the author and others at SRF pubishers have made it more accurately reflect the true overall teachings and intentions of Yogananda.

Even on the 60th anniversary of its original printing, there were many reviews that praised these latest editions with the orange cover.
One will have to study some of Yoganandas other great works to see how this all ties together, as the SRF's version of this spiritual classic is just the beginning of this amazing story of a modern day divine prophet.

The contiunually emerging testimonials of how this master is still working througha and inspiring many lives towards Self-Realization [Salvation] testifies to the quality of His organization and their handling of His publications.

I for one will add my voice to these testimonials.

This book and others that have flowed from the devoted editing/publishing of SRF publishers has done a great service to our global spiritual evolution and enlightenment. And the successful representation and promulgation of Yoganandas mission in this age.
[see review of "The Yoga of Jesus," By W. H. McDonald Jr. "The American Author Assoc... (Elk Grove, CA USA

Also recommended;Please read "Amapedia" below on this page.

Only Love by Daya Mata., The Yoga of Jesus, the Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita, Mans Eternal Quest, The Journey to Self-Realization by Paramahansa Yogananda, Treasures against Time by Brenda Lewis.

The author Yogananda and his trained/appointed editors who succeeded Him have made a great classic even better.

The changes introduced by the author and others at SRF pubishers have made it more accurately reflect the true overall teachings and intentions of Yogananda.

Even on the 60th anniversary of its original printing, there were many reviews that praised these latest editions with the orange cover.
One will have to study some of Yoganandas other great works to see how this all ties together, as the SRF's version of this spiritual classic is just the beginning of this amazing story of a modern day divine prophet.

The contiunually emerging testimonials of how this master is still working througha and inspiring many lives towards Self-Realization [Salvation] testifies to the quality of His organization and their handling of His publications.

I for one will add my voice to these testimonials.

This book and others that have flowed from the devoted editing/publishing of SRF publishers has done a great service to our global spiritual evolution and enlightenment. And the successful representation and promulgation of Yoganandas mission in this age.
[see review of "The Yoga of Jesus," By W. H. McDonald Jr. "The American Author Assoc... (Elk Grove, CA USA

Also recommended; Only Love by Daya Mata., The Yoga of Jesus, the Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita, Mans Eternal Quest, The Journey to Self-Realization by Paramahansa Yogananda, Treasures against Time by Brenda Lewis.

The author Yogananda and his trained/appointed editors who succeeded Him have made a great classic even better.

The changes introduced by the author and others at SRF pubishers have made it more accurately reflect the true overall teachings and intentions of Yogananda.

Even on the 60th anniversary of its original printing, there were many reviews that praised these latest editions with the orange cover.
One will have to study some of Yoganandas other great works to see how this all ties together, as the SRF's version of this spiritual classic is just the beginning of this amazing story of a modern day divine prophet.

The contiunually emerging testimonials of how this master is still working througha and inspiring many lives towards Self-Realization [Salvation] testifies to the quality of His organization and their handling of His publications.

I for one will add my voice to these testimonials.

This book and others that have flowed from the devoted editing/publishing of SRF publishers has done a great service to our global spiritual evolution and enlightenment.

There are so many reviews telling you how wonderful this book is that you don't need to hear it from me. What I hope is helpful to you is to point out that the 1946 (blue cover) version is the authentic writing of Paramhansa Yogananda. The later versions have been "updated" by some folks at the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF). They even changed his name. Don't believe me? Look at the 1946 version. His name is actually Param-hansa not Param-A-hansa. Reportedly, it was changed because a Hindu "expert" said that both titles meant the same thing, though he was wrong and besides that wasn't how Yogananda signed his name. They went with the extra "a" because it sounded more western and added the extra "a" to his signature as well...all after his death. The changes didn't stop there (and I'm sorry if this disappoints) but space here really limits me from elaborating on it. You can find the comparisons of the editions easily on the internet, just as I did. There was nothing sinnister in it that I found. One example was SRF appearing in the text more and more as the years progressed! But the point is, it did change the essence of the reading to those who compared editions. So, why would you want to read anything but the original? (And why would anyone think they needed to change it?)

There are so many reviews telling you how wonderful this book is that you don't need to hear it from me. What I hope is helpful to you is to point out that the 1946 (blue cover) version is the authentic writing of Paramhansa Yogananda. The later versions have been "updated" by some folks at the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF). They even changed his name. Don't believe me? Look at the 1946 version. His name is actually Param-hansa not Param-A-hansa. Reportedly, it was changed because a Hindu "expert" said that both titles meant the same thing, though he was wrong and besides that wasn't how Yogananda signed his name. They went with the extra "a" because it sounded more western and added the extra "a" to his signature as well...all after his death. The changes didn't stop there (and I'm sorry if this disappoints) but space here really limits me from elaborating on it. You can find the comparisons of the editions easily on the internet, just as I did. There was nothing sinnister in it that I found. One example was SRF appearing in the text more and more as the years progressed! But the point is, it did change the essence of the reading to those who compared editions. So, why would you want to read anything but the original? (And why would anyone think they needed to change it?)

Paramahansa Yogananda, a beautiful Saint from the soul of the earth (India) captured my attention on page one and had it all the way to the very end. And now I miss him! The timelessness of his words, the rapture of his soul, and the gentleness of his humor poured off of every page. One may wonder and perhaps even dismiss the supernormal miracles that were present in this book as wonderful but fanciful thinking. But consider that an electron (one of the basic building blocks of matter) has no objective existence, and you can see that consciousness is the one, true power and that the consciousness of Aum is the only thing really conscious at all anyway.......well one can see that someone who has transcended object-subject, (i.e. duality) may in fact no longer be subject to boundaries.

As for the actual writing, there is not one college student that I know of today that has the command of the English language that Sri Yogananda had/has. I think they went a little footnote crazy, but in this case, the more information the better. I wish there had been a bit of discussion as to his final exit, even if it was done posthumously from the SRF.

This book was in a word, Godly.

This book gives optional ways to find peace within. In this NOW world that we live in it helps to find ways to relax and be able to find the peace within.

I have read this book 3 times and continue to derive joy from repeated readings. Swami Yoganada's unshakable faith in God during his young age is breath-taking, his devotion to his master is inspiring and his dedication in spreading yoga in the West is examplary. :) Swami Yogananda encompass the true spirit of Yoga and is a shining beacon in the history of mankind.

This book was a great read, all the way through, and a great introduction to Hindu philosophy. Some things that struck me about it though, are:
1) The almost homoerotic devotion to the guru: As a Westerner, I suppose I am finding the idea of having a guru as a prerequisite for enlightment off-putting. I don't like the idea that I can't do it myself.
2) The author extolls the benefits of Kriya Yoga all through the book as a speedy path to enlightment, but he doesn't tell how to DO it. In order to find out, you have to PAY for the lessons. That's another thing that discourages me about about Eastern philosophy, the idea that you have to be "initiated" into "secret" knowledge. And before you can get that knowledge, someone has to deem you worthy. You have to be "approved".
3) The culture is misogynistic. Paramahansa Yogananda, who travels with a male secretary, interacts with and discusses few women. And when he does discuss a few female "saints" toward the end of the book, particularly in his depiction of Ananda Moyi Ma, I thought that his tone was condescending.
4) The goal of the book was to describe living "saints" who perform miracles just like the ones that were attributed to Jesus in the New Testament, and then point out the similarities between Christianity and Eastern philosophy. It was at that point that I really began to lose interest, because considering the way that Christianity has been used as a political tool by the Bush administration, I did not think that making comparisons to Christianity was enhancing my view of Hinduism.

This is the first spiritual book I read, and too this day I read it about once every 2 years. I always find this book an inspiration.

When people ask me to recommend one book - this is the one I recommend.

I read this books about 3 years ago but since that point it has changed my life. The teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda are some of the most excellent teachings in the world . . Bar none. Eventhough, I am not his disciple. Paramahansa's teachings are priceless and is something that we should all study and implement in our lives.

I read this books about 3 years ago but since that point it has changed my life. The teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda are some of the most excellent teachings in the world . . Bar none. Eventhough I am not his disciple they

Words truly do not do justice to this classic work by Paramahansa Yogananda who wrote one of the premiere books about the science of Yoga.

Yogananda not only helps to introduce Yoga science to the West, but also demonstrates that yoga (which means "union") is the unifying science that shows the underlying truth among ALL religions. Using many scriptural passages from both the Bible and the Hindu Bible (the Bhagavad Gita), he also demonstrates that they are saying, essentially, the same thing; the same TRUTH.

This book chronicles the life of Mukunda La Ghosh whose passion and yearning for God leads him to many saints and sages in India.

We find that it is the wish of Jesus Christ and Babaji (One of India's great masters who has been living for an untold number of centuries) that it be revealed to the world that TRUTH is universal and that it does not matter what path you've chosen (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc.)

Whether you are religious or not, you will find this masterfully well-written work touch you in ways that you've not dreamed of. Yogananda orchestrates chapters about the astral realms, great scientists, poets, saints (in India as well as in the West), masters, Gandhi, and others which are both moving and inspirational.

This book also reveals, for the first time to Westerners the lost science of Kriya Yoga (which means, "Divine Union"), which is a scientific technique to develop direct experience of God. Yogananda explains this technique, its history, and why it is so effective.

This is a book that can be read many times, and you will find that each time, it still has a "divine" effect. If nothing else, it will help you to ask yourself about your Self. This is one of the greatest books ever written, not only of modern times, but of ALL time.

I have been looking for this book my entire life. It presents spirituality from a direction that we all know exists, but find very few people with the integrity to uphold it. Yogananda takes one over the indoctrinated hump of fear and into the blessings of divinity that is available for all.

What a great book. After years of reading Carlos Castaneda books--I've never read the Bible but plan to someday--I felt my mind open with Yogananda's autobiography.

This is because there is a one sidedness to Shamanism, which may stem from the fact that Native Americans never had a chance to reflect on their religion, and how it contrasts with Western Civilization. Yet Yogananda does just that . . .

In the context of his own life, he relays the stories, and myths, that shape his spiritual progression through life. There are some real mind blowing chapters in this book that force the reader to step back and think. However, it is cleverly interlaced with Western tradition so that any average American could read this book and not be offended.

That is the mission Yogananda's gurus sent him out to accomplish. This book is the product of that goal.

Still, my favorite part of this book is a passage about Alexander the Great. I've only heard the Western Civilization stories about his military conquests. But in this book Yogananda speaks of the one conquest Alexander could not complete, the conquest of India's spirit.

Understand spiritualism and see the larger picture of life and existence through this autobiography, which breaks down barriers between religions.

"Autobiography of a Yogi" is a must for anyone irrespective of religion or race who has the strong desire of understanding spiritualism and experiencing the divine spirit. The book is a true blessing for the modern world with perfect references from the Bhagwad Gita and the Bible. The book draws amazing and true parallels between Indian spirituality and teachings of Christ. It is an excellent text describing the scientific basis of the art of meditation practiced by the Indians for more than five thousand years. The disciples of the immortal sage "Babaji" described it in a way more practical for the modern world and called it Kriyayoga. The science of meditation is based on the ancient Indian text called "Patanjali Yogasutra". The book describes the experiences of Shree Paramahansa Yogananda and his quest for experiencing God. However, to gain a real experience from this book it is important read it with an unbiased mind and a true intellectual perspective. It is important to understand that although the science of mediatation was first described by ancient Indians it is the ultimate component of every religion that has been practiced in different ways.

This is the book that can take you beyond organized religion, and beyond sectarian dogmatism, to help you explore the spiritual and the sublime. It will change your life. You will feel Yogananda's presence at your side while you read. It does not not matter what spiritual traditional you were raised in; this book will take you from where you are, without judgement, and guide you along the path to the next level.

Great book. This is a must read fro people who wants to understand the bigger picture about our life and existence.

For most people who read this book, it is a life changing experience. It introduces you to a child of God who can show you the way to heal your soul. It gives you a way to find purpose and joy in life. It will show you how to have Heaven on Earth.

Yogananda's message is potentially world changing. However, I got more out of the Autobiography of a Yogi published by Self-Realization Fellowship because it was full of added footnotes which I found just as important and meaningful as the text. Many explaining the essential oneness of western and eastern religions through biblical passages, etc.

I am ever grateful that this book was recommended to me. It has changed my life in many ways and helped to send me on my spiritual journey. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking spiritual development.

This is one of those rare books that jump off the shelf at you. In a lifetime, there are only a handful of books that people can say changed them entirely....this is the top one of those for me.

George Harrison was given "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Ravi Shankar to read when he showed an interest in Eastern spirituality (he asked Ravi Shankar to give him some books), he said he believed every word written in it without any doubts (when comparing it to other writtings of similar spiritual content). [Note: the interview I watched where George Harrison was talking about this can only be viewed at SRF retreats]

If it calls to you in any way, you need to read it....and expect to be moved deeply.