Preparation of the Book

In Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda (1893-1952) not only described his inspiring life and journey to Self-realization, but also left the world a precious jewel of the highest spiritual literature. Where else, for example, does one find such a vivid description (later to be changed by the editors) of the experience of Cosmic Consciousness, by a true master?

Yoganandaji stated that he had worked for 25 years on writing his most important book. Here is a short history:

1921-35: Yogananda collected and wrote down many stories which he planned to use in his autobiography. Some of them he also used in his Praecepta Lessons: Hazrat, the Muslim Wonder-Worker ("Allow to grow in the mind only that which is good"); the Missing Cauliflower ("a valuable lesson in concentration"); the policeman severing the saint's arm ("Such is the power when you contact OM"). 1935-36: In India, Yogananda collected stories concerning the life of Lahiri Mahasaya and other saints.

1937-46: Yogananda worked on his autobiography mostly in the tranquility of his Encinitas Hermitage in California. From 1939/1940 on he dedicated himself intensely to his book.

"The time for knowing God has come," he proclaimed with vigor and mighty voice! He proclaimed Kriya Yoga to be the "airplane route" to God! Still, he always sincerely respected and revered all other true paths and religions. Dogmatism, sectarianism, and "churchianity" (using his word) were alien to Yogananda. His freedom of spirit could easily be felt by reading his original manuscripts.

When reading this book, it takes spiritual sensitivity to perceive, between the lines, Yogananda's own stature as a towering God-filled saint. A leading spiritual figure in India, the Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram, perceived who Yogananda really was: "As a bright light shining in the midst of darkness, so was Yogananda's presence in this world. Such a great soul comes on earth only rarely, when there is a real need among men."

Yoganandaji originally intended to call his autobiography Yogi-Christs of India. At the end of the 1938 edition of Cosmic Chants, Yogananda announced its future publication: "YOGI-CHRISTS OF INDIA. The product of twenty years of metaphysical research. Stranger than fiction, and yet a record of authentic happenings, and personal experiences of the author. Many amazing stories of the miraculous lives of the great masters and saints of India. True, illuminating and entertaining from beginning to end. Contains an extraordinary description of the Astral World, the true Hereafter to which all mortals repair between incarnations. Will be published in Feb. 1944."

However, it took a little longer for Yoganandaji's literary jewel to be born. One of the last sentences in Autobiography of a Yogi is the joyful exclamation, "August 15, 1945, close of Global War II!" Also in the last chapter he writes, "New Year's week of 1945 found me at work in my Encinitas study, revising the manuscript of this book."

Sri Yogananda recounts that there was a great lesson for him in writing this book. He used to write without ever reading over his manuscripts; it was a task he'd always avoided. But he had to go "over and over" every bit of his autobiography. Yoganandaji added that the Lord disciplined him, yet in a noble way, because he had enjoyed reliving those wondrous experiences as he read the account again. Soon after this labor of love the book was finally ready to begin its blessed role in East and West: "May all men come to know that there is a definite, scientific technique of self-realization for the overcoming of all human misery!"

Next: Autobiography of a Yogi During Yogananda's Lifetime