“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” – Matthew 5:8
Of all the Hindu saints, Paramhansa Yogananda remains my favorite. His enduring legacy, the gospel of Kriya Yoga, is remarkable because it bridges the chasm between the scientific and the spiritual. His seminal work, Autobiography of a Yogi, didn’t just introduce me to new concepts; it opened a door to experiences I never knew were possible. Yogananda’s influence on modern Western thought is immense. Key figures have been profoundly shaped by his teachings, from Mahatma Gandhi, who became his official disciple, to Steve Jobs, who requested that copies of the Autobiography be given to all attendees at his funeral. This level of impact is what first drew my curiosity. My own encounter with the book was serendipitous. About three years ago, my uncle mistakenly gifted two copies of the Autobiography to my father. I used to stare at the cover, wondering what immense secrets could be bound within its pages. I eventually picked it up about a month later, and finished it in a few weeks. The experience was transformative, introducing me to a whole new world of spiritual masters and profound truths about India.
What is most compelling is how the book narrates personal experiences of the divine, visions, out-of-body experiences, and past-life memories, that defy modern belief. Yet, Yogananda presents these as proof of a higher, systematic, and entirely scientific application of spiritual law. This unified approach to faith is a recurring theme. Yogananda meticulously drew similarities between the Bhagavad Gita and The Holy Bible to convey the true message of Jesus to Western audiences. The most mysterious and compelling narrative involves the account suggesting the science of Kriya Yoga boasts an ancient and expansive lineage. It began with Krishna teaching the method to Arjuna, then passing through figures like the ancient sage Patanjali. After spreading to the West through masters such as Jesus, St. Paul, and St. John, the technique was eventually lost to the general public. It was later dramatically revived by Mahavatar Babaji in the 19th century. According to the accounts, it was Jesus who instructed Babaji to send a dedicated master to the West to spread this unifying message. This teaching then passed down to Lahiri Mahasya, then to Sri Yukteshwar Giri, and finally to Yogananda Ji, who successfully brought it to the world.
This spiritual lineage highlights the limitless importance of the Guru-disciple relationship. My favorite part of the Autobiography is Yogananda’s first encounter with his main guru, Sri Yukteshwar Giri. It was a recognition that transcended time, similar to the spiritual recognition felt by Peter, Philip, and Nathanael upon meeting Jesus. Yogananda felt spiritually restless; he ran to his guru, fell at his feet, and cried helplessly in extreme ecstasy, feeling as if their souls had been reunited after centuries of separation. This deep spiritual bond echoes the words: “You did not choose me, but I chose you. And appointed you to go and bear fruit” (John 15:16). It beautifully illustrates that true teachers know their students, directing them toward fulfilling their ultimate purpose, a principle that applies to all great mentorship, whether in spiritual paths or formal education.
Beyond Yogananda, the Autobiography was my doorway to other guiding lights, such as Ramana Maharshi. I feel I have no words to describe him; he seems to embody pure, effortless bliss. I also owe a debt of gratitude to the wisdom of Ramakrishna Paramhansa (Swami Vivekananda’s teacher), Neem Karoli Baba, and Lao Tzu, all of whom have further refined my journey. Ultimately, Yogananda’s vision helped me glimpse a grander truth. He once reflected that “The drama of sleep has given me the greatest faith in God… It made me realise that we’re not a man or a woman; but a piece of consciousness.” This profound idea, that our cosmic existence is a form of dream consciousness, suggests that everything we perceive is our own creation. The one who realizes this profound truth, Yogananda taught, can attain liberation in this very moment. While the practice of Kriya Yoga is reserved for members of the Self-Realization Fellowship, I find immense value in the wisdom he shared freely. I don’t plan to join, but I certainly hope to meet the members and visit their centers someday. The seed of divine truth planted by this book continues to guide me every single day.
Notice – This article is a chapter from Glimpses of My Worldview (2025). It is being republished here on my blog as part of a complete serialization of the work.