Product Description

Designated One of the 100 Most Important Spiritual Books of the 20th century, here is a verbatim reprinting of the 1946 first edition, with all its inherent power intact.Read about real-life saints and masters, how yogis perform miracles, the science of kriya yoga, and much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31004 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 481 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The original text of Yogananda's classic introduction to Eastern mysticism.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
After half a century in print, this widely acclaimed autobiography is now available in a superb audio translation narrated by Academy AwardR-winning actor Ben Kingsley. The work is enduringly popular because it introduces millions of readers to Eastern spiritual thought. Yogananda's masterly storytelling epitomizes the Indian oral tradition with its wit, charm, and compassionate wisdom. The yogi begins by showing how his childhood experiences in turn-of-the-century India produced a spiritual youth in search of an enlightened teacher, continues with an account of his years of training in the hermitage of a revered master, and concludes with the highlights of a period, beginning in 1920, during which he lived and taught in America. Yogananda sensitively interprets not only his own spiritual evolution but also his relationship with elements of the West's spiritual tradition, such as the story of Adam and Eve, providing a penetrating look at the ultimate mysteries of human existence. Bibliographical footnotes, which would have interrupted Kingsley's magnificent narration, are thoughtfully included in an accompanying booklet. This extraordinary work will greatly enrich any library.?James Dudley, Copiague, N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
More than the story of the life of Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), this autobiography offers an insider's view of many of the great teachers, saints and traditions of yoga. Ben Kingsley's smooth, articulate performance makes the formal writing style accessible to the listener. Kingsley never falters with the Indian individual and place names. The individual case for each tape increases portability and slips into a package sized to fit comfortably on any bookshelf. The slipcase also provides an outline of chapter headings included on each tape, which is a great aid for those using this volume as a reference. Footnotes are omitted from the reading but presented in a separate chapter notes. J.E.M. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

No Way!
I will have to go against the flow, here. So, some people can actually perform "miracles" like talking and seeing gods, teletransporting themselves, materializing objects and even entire castles out of thin air, appearing in two places at once, bringing back people from death, fighting and taming wild tigers armed with only their kindness, levitating, predicting the future, healing wounds and fatal diseases with only their will, reading minds, etc, etc? Sorry, I don't think so.

I am almost finishing the book and if it were sold as a fiction piece I would give it more credit. But since it is the author's "biography" and all the fantastic events in it described as truth... sorry again, I just can't.

As a philosophycal way of life it is still very interesting, though.

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

Recommend the footnote version
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.