George Harrison was a cafeteria Hindu who embraced Krishna consciousness and transcendental meditation, along with the teachings of Yogananda. Jayananada praised the autobiography’s voice and use of language, calling some of it “Shakespearean,” and he said the book’s story of spiritual pilgrimage can connect with seekers at various stages in their journeys, as it did with him.

Woven into the narrative are descriptions of the miraculous deeds of he-man saints, discussions of concepts like “Christ consciousness,” how-to guides on various meditation and yoga techniques, repeated reminders that God is within - not somewhere out there - and exhortations to show compassion and love to everyone. It also describes Yogananda’s return to India to meet esteemed teachers, including Gandhi, and his return to the U.S, where he died in 1952. The book tells the story of a pilgrimage that begins with a child’s sensitivity to spiritual things, his quest to learn from dozens of sages and saints, his decade-long discipleship to his guru, his founding of a school based on his teachings and his mission to take yoga to the West. Jayananada, who spoke about the 75th anniversary of the autobiography at Self-Realization Fellowship’s summer convocation, discussed its lasting impact in an interview with. Since his 600-page “Autobiography of a Yogi” appeared in 1946, it has been translated into 50 languages, sold many millions of copies, appeared on many best-book lists and influenced untold numbers of men and women who abandoned their Western faith and values for ancient Eastern teachings.Īmong them is Brother Jayananada, a former Roman Catholic who has been a Self-Realization Fellowship monk for 43 years and now leads its Bay Area Temple in Walnut Creek. It now operates hundreds of temples and retreat centers in 175 countries around the world.

He soon founded Self-Realization Fellowship, traveling tirelessly to spread his teaching before settling down in Encinitas, California, to write and oversee his movement. Paramahansa Yogananda - the name means bliss through yoga - came to Boston from India in the fall of 1920 to speak at a gathering of religious liberals. Ford at an Oval Office meeting arranged by Ford’s son - a big fan of Ravi Shankar, who introduced George Harrison to Eastern music and religion. He gave one copy of the book to former President Gerald R. Harrison, who died 20 years ago, devoured the autobiography and regularly bought cases of the book to hand out to friends, fellow musicians and people he met. Few books achieve the impact of “Autobiography of a Yogi,” which - with the help of celebrity endorsers including Beatle George Harrison and Apple founder Steve Jobs - popularized Eastern religious concepts like “cosmic consciousness” and practices like yoga and meditation.

An autobiography of a yogi