Wonderfully said. Many misunderstand the guru-shishya relationship. I've read 3 different printings of Autobiography, and seen many reviews of it. Many can't get past the word Autobiography in the title and immediately claim yogananda was a wealthy boy consumed by his own ego, otherwise why would he title his book this way and write about his own life? What Many miss is that Yogananda wasn't rich. His father was poor and worked hard at the railway and has been providing for his family from a small age. His father had minimal belongings and actually gave away more of his money than he spent on himself. As far as the book being a Autobiography it is more than that, it contains info about great saints like Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, his wife, and other saints like anandamoyi ma. Originally this book was going to be titled something different but a lot of his disciples feared that it would be misunderstood.
I have many favorite parts of this book, one being the cauliflower robbery. I also enjoyed the Chapter about his student Kashi. So many great things come to us from this work and much much more. Happy to see posts like this from the library. Keep them coming.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. I agree that many people miss the larger context of the books, it really introduces readers to an entire spiritual lineage, not just one life. And yes, those chapters you mentioned are unforgettable. You have brought out something very important: Autobiography of a Yogi was never merely a self-focused life story. It opens into a much wider spiritual world and introduces readers to a living lineage, to saints, teachers, discipleship, and the unseen depth behind the outward narrative. Thank you again for reading and for adding such richness to the conversation.
Wonderfully said. Many misunderstand the guru-shishya relationship. I've read 3 different printings of Autobiography, and seen many reviews of it. Many can't get past the word Autobiography in the title and immediately claim yogananda was a wealthy boy consumed by his own ego, otherwise why would he title his book this way and write about his own life? What Many miss is that Yogananda wasn't rich. His father was poor and worked hard at the railway and has been providing for his family from a small age. His father had minimal belongings and actually gave away more of his money than he spent on himself. As far as the book being a Autobiography it is more than that, it contains info about great saints like Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, his wife, and other saints like anandamoyi ma. Originally this book was going to be titled something different but a lot of his disciples feared that it would be misunderstood.
I have many favorite parts of this book, one being the cauliflower robbery. I also enjoyed the Chapter about his student Kashi. So many great things come to us from this work and much much more. Happy to see posts like this from the library. Keep them coming.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. I agree that many people miss the larger context of the books, it really introduces readers to an entire spiritual lineage, not just one life. And yes, those chapters you mentioned are unforgettable. You have brought out something very important: Autobiography of a Yogi was never merely a self-focused life story. It opens into a much wider spiritual world and introduces readers to a living lineage, to saints, teachers, discipleship, and the unseen depth behind the outward narrative. Thank you again for reading and for adding such richness to the conversation.
beautiful
you have touched beautifully on the point of guru... the joy and the parampara...
the treasure that guides... the eternal quest indeed!
Thank you 🙏 This book, and Yogananda, contributed immensely to the Western world’s understanding of yoga.
This is my small effort to help people see the deeper force behind any great Guru the lineage, the grace, and the truth they carry forward.