Paramahansa Yogananda documents his childhood in India and his search for a spiritual teacher, which culminates in his apprenticeship under Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. The narrative details his training in Kriya Yoga, a specific meditation technique intended to accelerate spiritual development. Yogananda describes his encounters with various saints and miracle-workers, such as the "Tiger Swami" and the "Sleepless Saint," while explaining the scientific principles behind yogic feats. The text concludes with his move to America in 1920, where he established the Self-Realization Fellowship to bridge Eastern Vedic philosophy with Western Christian traditions.
This book serves practitioners of meditation and those interested in the historical migration of Eastern theology to the West. Readers use the text to understand the lineage of Himalayan masters and the mechanics of breath control and life-force regulation. The audience gains a technical framework for dhyana (meditation) and a perspective on the compatibility of diverse religious scriptures. People finish the book with a timeline of how modern yoga schools formed and a basic grasp of the metaphysical laws governing Indian asceticism.
- Published
- 1946
- Language
- EN
