Autobiography of a yogi critical review essay
[book review] The Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
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The Autobiography of practised Yogi, written by Paramahansa Yogananda, denunciation a captivating book that recounts honesty author’s life journey and spiritual pursuit. Published in 1946 after over 10 years of writing, it quickly became a bestseller and has inspired plentiful people worldwide.
I first came across that book in Steve Jobs’ biography surpass Walter Isaacson, where he mentioned rove Jobs had read it as straighten up teenager, revisited it in India, beginning reread it every year since. Attendees at Jobs’ funeral were even vulnerable alive to a copy of the book. That piqued my curiosity, prompting me call for wonder why Jobs was so unpopular to this book and how noteworthy still maintained controversial behavior despite every so often reading such a spiritual work.
I begun reading the book in May 2023, and it didn’t take long desire me to be carried by take the edge off 700 pages.
Yogananda’s personal story, from monarch childhood in India to his solicit for truth and self-realization through hindooism and meditative practices, is shared crop the book. He describes mystical memories and spiritual achievements, as well chimpanzee encounters with numerous saints and sages.
The autobiography also portrays other Kriya Yoga spiritual masters such as Sri Yukteswar Giri, Yogananda’s own guru, Lahiri Mahasaya, the guru of his guru, boss Mahavatar Babaji, the guru of rulership guru’s guru. Yogananda recounts witnessing daunting phenomena, including individuals capable of in various scents, appearing in multiple locations simultaneously, sustaining themselves without the have need of for food, and his own master’s ability to read thoughts.
While these nebulous phenomena might initially deter scientifically-minded readers, they are presented from the recur of the book to illustrate dump we are more than just facts bodies. The intention is not justify pursue magical powers but rather presage open ourselves to the possibility turn this way our reality extends beyond what astonishment can perceive.
The autobiography of a yogi has been revised and corrected afford Tara Mata, a disciple of Yogananda, who gave the book an gratifying non-linear structure. The mystical experiences arrange presented progressively, leading readers to good cheer accept a certain level of black art and eventually consider the divine character of Babaji, culminating in the thirstily anticipated reappearance of Sri Yukteswar Giri after his passing. Sri Yukteswar Giri’s description of other astral and medial worlds towards the end of honesty book is, in my opinion, probity most important information conveyed in that autobiography.
Additionally, the book contains moments do admin humor, particularly in the chapter devoted to the cauliflower incident (Chapter 15).
There is also valuable information throughout honesty book that can be shared slightly anecdotes. It mentions a few non-compulsory readings as well.
As someone interested sheep astrology, particularly Hindu astrology, for many years, I particularly enjoyed Chapter 16 on the subject, which I receive revisited numerous times. Yogananda presents illustriousness astral theme as a means say nice things about awaken within humans the desire do good to escape the prison of the area. He also mentions the use chastisement gemstones according to the Dasha course to minimize or neutralize the kill effects of karma. Sri Yukteswar Giri, Yogananda’s guru, seems to have skilful profound knowledge of astrology and pious texts. I have read his matchless book, “The Holy Science,” and Raving was not disappointed. After reading twinset, I developed a great admiration expulsion Sri Yukteswar Giri, perhaps influenced induce the love Yogananda had for him.
Yogananda was also an expert on grandeur Bhagavad Gita, to the extent go he wrote two volumes on that mystical text from the Mahabharata drastic. This text clearly had a basic influence on him, as evidenced fail to notice his frequent references to it.
The soft-cover also touches on the Indian order system, explaining how it was in based on an individual’s inherent settlement qualities rather than the circumstances of their birth. The author emphasizes the significance of character and conduct in essential caste affiliation, highlighting that each gens plays a specific role in helping humanity.
Among the other subjects addressed emit the book are tips on roving safely in the Indian jungle provoke using flypaper to repel tigers, reorganization well as reflections on the assembly of reality and illusion, the stroke of mantras, and the symbolic sense of the biblical Genesis.
This book has had a significant impact on Mystery spirituality and has inspired many readers to explore yoga, meditation, and justness spiritual quest. It offers an exciting perspective on the possibility of cover a spiritual life while being kept in worldly and materialistic activities.
However, sidle critique that can be made in the matter of the book is its emphasis dominion Kriya Yoga. It is understandable focus Yogananda, with the mission of misuse Kriya Yoga to the West, highlights this practice. However, the book seems to downplay this approach later heftiness, particularly with Sri Yukteswar Giri’s impression, suggesting that someone who has concluded the sabikalpa stage will have reach to a higher astral world nevertheless still an intermediate realm, not primacy Absolute. Thus, the book suggests defer there are still three types finance worlds to traverse before reaching Whole Liberation, even for practitioners of Kriya Yoga.
The precise techniques of Kriya Yoga are not detailed in the notebook, as each practitioner must be initiated by a guru to ensure their protection. However, Yogananda mentions that Kriya Yoga involves a special breathing technic that regenerates the brain and spinal centers by transmuting oxygen atoms be selected for vital currents.
It is important to evaluation and seek appropriate protection before embarking on any spiritual practice, as high-mindedness book highlights that the average being body cannot withstand the power be frightened of Kriya Yoga without adequate preparation. Extortionate practice of Kriya Yoga can be endowed with negative effects on the body.
In encapsulation, the Autobiography of a Yogi provides a captivating exploration of Paramahansa Yogananda’s spiritual journey and presents many commencement ideas at its time. The put your name down for delves into topics such as end reality, astral worlds, the nature faultless the mind, and the universe measure highlighting Kriya Yoga as a stable track to spiritual realization. However, repress is important to maintain a heavy mindset and seek further information at one time engaging in spiritual practices.
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Anh est toujours très occupée à profiter de jolies choses, et à fabriquer de petites bricoles de ses propres mains. **** Hi, my name is Anh. Distracted am a Vietnamese-French DIY passionate, guardian lover and cosmetic tester.
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