summary of autobiography of yogi

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Autobiography of a Yogi

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-12

Chapters 13-16

Chapters 17-20

Chapters 21-24

Chapters 25-28

Chapters 29-32

Chapters 33-36

Chapters 37-40

Chapters 41-44

Chapters 45-49

Key Figures

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952) was first published in 1946 and has since become a much-loved and admired book around the world. It is regarded as one of the classics of 20th-century spiritual literature. In 1999, it was named by a HarperCollins panel of authors and scholars as one of the “100 Best Spiritual Books of the Century.” In the book, Yogananda tells the story of his life, beginning with his childhood and family, his interest from an early age in seeking God, and his relationship with his spiritual master. After meeting his master, Sri Yukteswar, he became a monk. His spiritual understanding matured, and in 1917 Yogananda founded both a school and a spiritual organization: the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. Three years later, he sailed to the United States, where he founded the Self-Realization Fellowship. From that point until his death in 1952, Yogananda dedicated himself to bringing knowledge of Indian spirituality to the West, primarily through teaching the Kriya Yoga technique. One of Yogananda’s goals was to present Indian spiritual philosophy and techniques in practical, scientific terms that would appeal to his Western audience .

Autobiography of a Yogi relates many anecdotes from Yogananda’s life and from the lives of the many saints and gurus he interacted with. Many of these stories include apparently supernatural phenomena including miraculous healings, divine visions, and premonitions of the future. Yogananda treats these miraculous events as evidence of the essential unity of all things. As such, they aid the spiritual seeker in Realizing the True Nature of the Self , which—in Yogananda’s philosophy—extends beyond the individual self to encompass the universe in its entirety.

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For more than 75 years, Autobiography of a Yogi has influenced spiritual seekers all over the world, including Steve Jobs, cofounder of Apple Inc., and George Harrison, musician and member of The Beatles. The book has been translated into over 50 languages. From its headquarters in Los Angeles, the Self-Realization Fellowship continues to further Yogananda’s teachings today.

This study guide is based on the 13th edition of Autobiography of a Yogi , published in 1998 by the Self-Realization Fellowship with a preface by W.Y. Evans-Wentz.

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Growing up in Uttar Pradesh, India, around the turn of the 20th century, Mukunda Lal Ghosh feels the desire to seek God from a young age. Both of his parents are devotees of the guru Lahiri Mahasaya , and even as a child he often prays and experiences visions. In high school, he plans a trip to the Himalayas to find a spiritual master, and he also seeks out various saints and learns about their powers. One saint has the ability to be in two places at once; another can manifest specific perfumes, a third used to fight tigers, and a fourth is able to levitate. Mukunda also visits an Indian scientist, Jagadish Chandra (J.C.) Bose, inventor of the crescograph, an instrument that measures the growth—and, Bose claims, the emotional life—of plants. With another saint, Master Mahasaya, he takes a pilgrimage to the Temple of Kali, where he learns about the Divine Mother.

After graduating high school, Mukunda joins a hermitage in Benaras, but he is not happy there. One day, he meets Sri Yukteswar Giri , who will become his spiritual master. Mukunda spends much time at Sri Yukteswar’s ashram in Serampore, near Calcutta, and he also enrolls in college. Under Sri Yukteswar’s tutelage, he makes great spiritual progress. The guru initiates him into the technique of Kriya Yoga. Mukunda also experiences Sri Yukteswar’s miraculous powers. His master can predict the future and heal the sick. Miracles, visions, healing, and the master-disciple relationship thus emerge as themes in the narrative . Mukunda also learns that it is wrong to misuse spiritual powers. After Mukunda graduates from college, Sri Yukteswar initiates him into the Swami Order, and Mukunda adopts the name Yogananda.

Yogananda visits Japan and China. His brother dies and his sister falls dangerously ill but recovers, thanks to the spiritual help he and Sri Yukteswa offer. In 1917, Yogananda founds a school for boys in India. As Yogananda continues to grow in spiritual wisdom, he meets the poet Rabindranath Tagore and visits Srimati Kashi Moni, the wife of his parents’ mentor Lahiri Mahasaya. Moni tells him of miracles that her husband performed. Then, Sri Yukteswar tells of the time when Lahiri Mahasaya raised a man from the dead. Yogananda also learns about Babaji , an immortal guru, whom Sri Yukteswar has met three times.

Yogananda travels to America in 1920 as a delegate to an international congress in Boston. This trip begins a 15-year period in which he travels widely across the United States, speaking about Indian spirituality and teaching Kriya Yoga. He establishes an American headquarters in Los Angeles and becomes friends with botanist Luther Burbank. Returning to Europe, he visits Catholic mystic Therese Neumann. Back in India, Sri Yukteswar dies in 1936, and Yogananda sees his guru’s resurrected form. Yogananda then looks back at his 1935 visit to Mahatma Gandhi and later visits two more female saints before returning to America, where his disciples have built a hermitage for him in Encinitas, California. The Self-Realization Fellowship he founded flourishes in the years 1940 to 1951.

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Book Summary: Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda Book Cover

Autobiography of a Yogi is an autobiographical book written by Paramahansa Yogananda, an Indian yogi and guru. The book was first published in 1946 and has since become a classic in the field of yoga and spirituality. In this book, Yogananda shares his personal experiences and practices of yoga, meditation, and spirituality. He also shares his encounters with many famous spiritual figures of his time, including Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna, and Mahatma Gandhi.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: Early Years

In this chapter, Yogananda shares his early years growing up in India. He was born into a devout Hindu family and was introduced to the teachings of yoga and meditation at a young age. He was drawn to the spiritual life and began to seek out spiritual teachers and gurus.

Chapter 2: Meeting My Guru

In this chapter, Yogananda shares how he met his guru, Sri Yukteswar. He was searching for a guru who could teach him the highest truths of yoga and spirituality. He found Sri Yukteswar and became his disciple. Under his guidance, Yogananda learned the highest teachings of yoga and meditation.

Chapter 3: Kriya Yoga

In this chapter, Yogananda shares the teachings of Kriya Yoga, a form of yoga that emphasizes the importance of breath control and meditation. He explains how this practice can lead to spiritual enlightenment and inner peace.

Chapter 4: Encounters with Spiritual Figures

In this chapter, Yogananda shares his encounters with many famous spiritual figures of his time, including Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna, and Mahatma Gandhi. He shares how these encounters shaped his understanding of spirituality and his own spiritual journey.

Chapter 5: Journey to America

In this chapter, Yogananda shares his journey to America and his experiences spreading the teachings of yoga and meditation. He founded the Self-Realization Fellowship and began to teach thousands of people the practices of yoga and meditation.

Chapter 6: Final Years

In this chapter, Yogananda shares his final years and his continued dedication to spreading the teachings of yoga and meditation. He continued to teach and write until his death in 1952.

Autobiography of a Yogi is a classic book that shares the personal experiences and practices of yoga and meditation of Paramahansa Yogananda. Through his encounters with spiritual figures and his own spiritual journey, Yogananda shares the importance of yoga and meditation in achieving inner peace and spiritual enlightenment. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the teachings of yoga and spirituality.

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Autobiography of a Yogi Summary & Study Guide

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

Autobiography of a Yogi Summary & Study Guide Description

This astonishing autobiography details the life of a man who knew from childhood he would travel a mystic path, and would follow his dreams to be a devotee of God and an exemplary yogi. Paramahansa Yogananda, known in childhood as Mukunda Groh, was an adventurous, spirited boy. His family was of an upper caste in India, his father a railroad executive and fairly well-to-do. Young Mukunda seems to have full and clear recall of events and conversations of his childhood, particularly those that reveal the supernatural and at times, awesome experiences he has as a budding enlightened being. Young Mukunda, although mischievous, is extremely honest and maintains the highest level of integrity, especially for a child. He seems to have been born with a set of spiritual values that were reinforced by his parents, who were devotees of Lahiri Mahasaya, a celebrated saint and prophet.

As a young boy, Mukunda yearned to study in the Himalayas, and always knew that his first and true love was for God. Under the tutelage of the wise Sri Yuketeswar, whose guru was also Lahiri Mahasaya, Mukunda finishes his schooling and delves with devotion into the world of Kriya Yoga. As his spiritual life grows, Mukunda experiences more and more unusual events that we would today, perhaps, be classified as paranormal. In the process of his spiritual development, he becomes a true swami and monk, and his name is changed to Yogananda, with the title of Paramahansa being added to him later, an honor bestowed by Yukteswar.

The gentle and kind-spirited Yogananda is destined to do many wonderful things, including establishing a progressive school for boys, and bringing eastern Indian spiritual teachings to the western world. Led by saints and prophets, he eventually takes on that status himself and develops a following that still exists today, as the Self-Realization Fellowship, which is now established globally. Yogananda is a kind, humorous and determined man who finally finds the God-consciousness he has sought from birth, and passes on his wisdom to others through his teachings and through his autobiography.

Paramahansa Yogananda's schools and worldwide centers for Self-Realization Fellowship activities have flourished, primarily due to the material he provided in this relatively small book. One can go to almost any major city and attend a meditation or worship session, conducted with his recommended methods. This is a book that has survived the test of time and continues to be a source of inspiration to thousands of people. Whether one is interested or not in Kriya Yoga, Yogananda's teachings are effective, memorable and ahead of their time.

Autobiography of A Yogi Summary

Paramahansa Yogananda's spiritual classic "Autobiography of a Yogi" has enthralled millions of readers worldwide. In addition to recounting the life of Yogananda, this book introduces the reader to the profound depths of Kriya Yoga and the lineage of spiritual masters, including the immortal Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya , and Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri . In between, Yogananda weaves timeless lessons and truths that are just as applicable today as they were back then. It provides an insider's perspective into the ancient Indian spiritual traditions.

Kriya Yoga: The Heart of the Autobiography

A scientific method of meditation called Kriya Yoga forms the basis of "Autobiography of a Yogi." It places a strong emphasis on firsthand human experience and self-awareness. Kriya Yoga, according to Yogananda, is a systematic approach to spiritual development and is the quickest route to oneness with the Divine. The method concentrates on using particular breathing exercises to manage the life energy, or prana, which speeds up spiritual development by cleansing the body and mind. Yogananda's thorough explanation of the Kriya Yoga path demystifies it, making it understandable to a worldwide audience and highlighting its importance for personal development.

Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri: The Guru’s Guru

The autobiography places great emphasis on Yogananda's master, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, who embodies spiritual discipline and knowledge. The teachings of Yukteswar advocate for a harmony between Eastern spirituality and Western scientific advancement, combining the ancient with the modern. His "The Holy Science," which describes his deep comprehension of the cosmos, emphasizes the harmony of the universe and the unification of all religions. Sri Yukteswar's guidance was key in preparing Yogananda for his sacred mission in the West, showing just how important a guru's role is in a disciple's spiritual path. As for Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar's own teacher, he is celebrated for rejuvenating Kriya Yoga for our times.

Lahiri Mahasaya: The Reviver of Kriya Yoga

Sri Yukteswar's master, Lahiri Mahasaya, is highly regarded for bringing Kriya Yoga back into the present day. His exceptional simplicity and commitment to the spiritual advancement of humanity throughout his life serve as an example of how approachable Kriya Yoga is. Lahiri Mahasaya stated that anyone who is a true seeker, regardless of their worldly responsibilities, can do Kriya Yoga. It is not just for ascetics. His teachings place a strong emphasis on how genuine spirituality blends in perfectly with everyday existence and provides a realistic and approachable route to God-realization.

Mahavatar Babaji: The Immortal Master

The autobiography's main character, Mahavatar Babaji, is portrayed as an eternal yogi, Lahiri Mahasaya's adored guru, and the guardian of Kriya Yoga. The mystical aspects of Babaji's lifelong presence and his guidance for humanity's spiritual advancement intrigue readers. The supernatural and timeless nature of the yogic path is further demonstrated by Babaji's cave and his appearances to a select group of pupils. His instruction to use Yogananda to propagate Kriya Yoga throughout the world is evidence of the teachings' enduring value and broad application.

Autobiography of a Yogi Summary and Lineage

Mahavatar Babaji's Cave: A Pilgrimage Site

The Himalayan cave of Mahavatar Babaji is portrayed as a hallowed place charged with spiritual energy. It provides followers with a location for meditation and pilgrimage and acts as a physical link to the everlasting guru. In addition to providing insights into the mystical experiences that such locations might promote, Yogananda's account of his travel to the cave emphasizes the transformational impact of sacred settings in one's spiritual journey. This cave is located in present day Dunagiri, near Kukuchina Village in Dwarahat, Uttarakhand.

Dunagiri : A Cradle of Spiritual Heritage

Another important place in the autobiography, Dunagiri, is described as the birthplace of spiritual heritage. Dunagiri is well-known for its tranquil beauty and historic temples. It is also strongly linked to yogic stories and divine appearances. It symbolizes both the dynamic yoga tradition that still draws inspiration from people all over the world and the rich tapestry of spiritual heritage found in India.

Conclusion: Autobiography of A Yogi Summary

More than just a book, "Autobiography of a Yogi" is a spiritual gem that never stops guiding and enlightening readers. The autobiography sheds light on the road of Kriya Yoga as a universal path to self-realization through the lives of Yogananda, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, Lahiri Mahasaya, and Mahavatar Babaji. The story is enhanced by the significance of holy locations like Dunagiri and Mahavatar Babaji's Cave, which provide a window into the ethereal core of India's yogic legacy. We are reminded of the continuing power of spiritual awakening and each person's capacity to achieve connection with the Divine as we consider the teachings and lineage of masters described in this autobiography. Through the Autobiography of a Yogi and this summary, Dunagiri Retreat seeks to honor and perpetuate this timeless spiritual legacy, inviting all to explore the depths of their own spiritual journey in the light of these teachings.

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