Paramahansa Yogananda

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Manuel Rosenberg sketch of Swami Yogananda for the Cincinnati Post 1923

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Paramahansa Yogananda (5 January 1893 – 7 March 1952) was an Indian monk, yogi, and guru who introduced millions to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his organization, Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) / Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS). He is best known for his autobiography, Autobiography of a Yogi, which has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into over twenty languages.

Early Life

Paramahansa Yogananda was born Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur, India, to a devout Hindu family. From a young age, he showed an interest in spirituality and was influenced by his mother's religious temperament. After the death of his mother, Yogananda's spiritual quest intensified, leading him to meet his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, at the age of 17. Under Sri Yukteswar's guidance, Yogananda began his deep immersion into the teachings of Kriya Yoga, a set of spiritual practices that aim to hasten the practitioner's spiritual growth.

Teachings and Work

In 1920, Yogananda was invited to speak at the International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston, which marked the beginning of his work in the United States. He founded the Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920 to disseminate his teachings on the ancient science of Kriya Yoga and its tradition of meditation. Through his lectures, classes, and writings, Yogananda sought to highlight the underlying unity of the world's great religions and to present the ancient Hindu teachings in a way that was accessible and relevant to the modern Western audience.

Yogananda's teachings emphasize the direct personal experience of God through Kriya Yoga and meditation. He taught that the realization of the Self is the ultimate goal of life and that this realization can be achieved by living a balanced life that harmonizes the inner spiritual quest with the outer actions in the world.

Autobiography of a Yogi

Published in 1946, Autobiography of a Yogi is considered one of Yogananda's greatest works and a spiritual classic. It has inspired millions of readers, including prominent figures in science, business, and the arts. The book details Yogananda's spiritual journey, his encounters with various saints and sages, and his teachings. It continues to be a bestseller and has been designated as one of the "100 Most Important Spiritual Books of the 20th Century" by a panel of theologians and luminaries.

Legacy

Paramahansa Yogananda's impact on the spiritual landscape of the West is profound. Through his life and teachings, he played a key role in introducing the practices of meditation and Kriya Yoga to a global audience. His message of unity and his emphasis on the direct experience of the divine continue to inspire seekers around the world.

Yogananda's passing in 1952 was marked by extraordinary phenomena. Reports cite that his body showed no signs of decay for weeks after his death, which many of his followers see as a sign of his saintliness.

The Self-Realization Fellowship and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India continue to carry on Yogananda's mission, offering teachings on meditation, Kriya Yoga, and the spiritual principles he espoused.

See Also

• Kriya Yoga
• Meditation
• Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri
• Self-Realization Fellowship
• Yogoda Satsanga Society of India