Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.00 You Save: $5.50 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.00 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Autobiography of a Yogi
Book Review: Valuable at many levels
Summary: 5 Stars
I read Autobiography of a yogi many years ago. The book inspired me, confused, made me uncomfortable. The stories about miracles were unbelievable by any common sense way of thinking. Reading between the miracle stories were excellent advise on how to think about many situations in life. So that was good useful information. Then I started meditating and a new level of understanding came out it. So the book is at many levels.
This is a must read for anyone interested in spirituality but the book not a text book. As yogis are mystic, paramhansa yogananda also makes you read multiple times before you get to the core. If you are serious about understanding spiritual concepts, make sure you read his Geeta commentary "god talks with Arjuna", If you know Hindi, review a Geeta commentary by Bhupender Nath Sanyal, saint in same lineage. If you want a simpler explanation of spirituality (that aligns with yogananda's philosophy & other yogis) review patajali's yoga sutra's, by swami vivekananda (in his book raja yoga) or by Swami Satchidananda. If you haven't formed opinions to synthesizing all this spiritual knowledge, checkout a book by a yogananda follower Sunil Sheoran; myLife Framework: A Model for a Successful Life based on the Yoga Principles. He has excellently simplified and summarized all the philosophy for practical use.Good luck expediting your "eternal quest" with the help of these sources.
Book Review: Words of wisdom, compassion, and love....
Summary: 5 Stars
I live in Encinitas, California and subscribe to Buddhist philosophies/teachings yet I was very intrigued and fascinated by the SFR center illuminating the coast line of the Pacific Ocean causing me to seek further information on the manifestation of these various centers in California, and for that matter across the world which at the time was unbeknownst to me. The SFR center in my opinion is the embodiment of the city of Encinitas, due to the infinite presence and super consciousness of the yogi master Paramahansa Yogananda. You can pick this book up and arbitrarily pick a page number and find fascinating and deep expressions of ancient Hindu philosophies. The book takes the reader on a spiritual journey of Paramahansa Yogananada containing ineffable realizations, blissful insight, and surreal premonitions. These experiences gave Paramahansa Yogananada the tools, devotion, compassion, support, and opportunity to spread these messages as well as the science of Kira Yoga to the entire world particularly to the western world leading to the manifestation of various SFR centers throughout the United States. These SFR centers are the embodiment of Paramahansa's legacy of encapsulating his divine love and peace to all of mankind. Paramahansa's legacy leaves an imprint on the consciousness of mankind instilling a higher level of awareness just as Lord Jesus Christ, Lord Buddha, Ghandi, Martin Luthur King Jr, and other great figures compassionately taught our civilization.Book Review: This could be the most important book you ever come across.
Summary: 5 Stars
Now, this book is fantastic, wonderful, and full of Truth. Not just a truth, but THE TRUTH, Capitalized! I read this over a year ago, and still feel humbled by the sweet way this story is told. Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of Self-Realization Fellowship, is a Yogi Master who has a grand mastery of the English language. If you love miraculous stories, then this is the book for you. I do not speak lightly when I say that it was an great honor to read this book. There is plenty of history in this book, and heartwarming stories. If you do not want to be changed forever, then do not read this book! However, if you could use sweetness, love, and all of the light you can handle, this book can change you forever! I give this book the highest possible ratings: 5 Stars. Please be warned that this is a real tear jerker. The humbleness with which this story is told is enough to keep you home for weeks crying with joy and it gives you hope! I can honestly say that my life has changed 1000-fold after reading this book. We have several copies in both hardback and paperback in our house, and we lend them out occasionally when our friends really need it. If you buy this book, and keep your heart and mind open, this will be the best investment you ever made. It has been said that Paramahansa Yogananda is present with all who read his book. I believe this with all my heart.Book Review: A wonderful life
Summary: 5 Stars
I received this book as a gift. It was a very enjoyable read which not only reveals the life of Paramahansa Yogananda but the Indian spiritual traditions. I always felt a sense of love and peace emanating from this book. By this I was able to disern that this book was indeed inspired. I got the impression that Paramahansa Yogananda was a man that lived what he taught and was genuinely led by the love of God. The whole story is like a fun ride where you find precious jewels along the way. By precious jewels I mean to say all the bits of profound information found throughout the book. My only concern is with the Self-Realization organization which I find to a potential harm for his teachings(he gave many lectures) As far as I understood, his teachings were intended for everyone and I think they shouldn't be restricted to just one organization. This is where I find a potential problem that can arise. Another thing that concerns me is the selling of the Kriya Yoga. I believe that Kriya Yoga is for those who are ready for it and money should not be involved. With money, there is a potential for greed to play a part and also for people who cannot afford it to miss out. Money is the root of all evil. However, the book in and of itself is wonderful and enlightening so I would recommend people to start with this book first or wherever their intuition leads them to.Book Review: Both Entertains and Enlightens
Summary: 5 Stars
I found this book to be very interesting on many levels.
The book is made up mostly of stories of extraordinary people that the Yogi, Yogananda, met (or at least heard about)in his life. It is also about his life as well. Many of the stories described various "supernatural" abilities/experiences. Even if one didn't accept these as fact, the book also goes into a lot of religious philosophy and ways of getting closer to God that are really worth looking at.
Yogananda seems to have merged Christianity and Hinduism in his system. His interpretations of the New Testament made a lot of sense to me; some passages had always seemed odd to me, until I read what Yogananda had to say about them. I have noticed that a two volume New Testament interpretation by him has recently come out; I have looked throught it, and it has some interesting things in it.
I'm not sure where I stand on some of the stories, but the philosophy made a lot of sense to me. Who knows, maybe the people he met really could do the things he said. I think we would all be better off if things were as he described.
The book has inspired me to investigate Yogananda's philosophy some more. I am doing the Self Realization Fellowship home study program and it has been very helpful. I recommend the book (and the home study program).