Book Review: Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

 The best of all I have read so far, and probably the most trancedental I have discovered.  It diminishes the area between reality and illusion. Perhaps, what we perceive is all an illusion, and what we fail to see is reality. Taking away from the material world to spiritual world and that too through a scientific path, is what makes it special. The mystery of Himalayan saints unfolds worldly, through material living saintly figures(sometimes figure less, yes they do so).

Starting from the quest of Mukunda(later Yogananda), to run away to Himalayas, searching for his guru and true knowledge. It narrates the real life experience of India’s most valued Yogi who took the Yogic technique of Kriya Yoga to distant lands. 

Kriya yoga : is a simple , psychophysiological method by which human blood is decarbonated and recharged with oxygen. The atoms of this extra oxygen are transmuted into life current to rejuvenate the brain and spinal centers. By stopping the accumulation of venous blood , the yogi is able to lessen or prevent the decay of tissues. The advanced yogi transmuted his cells into energy.

Kriya yoga mentally directs his life energy to revolve, upward and downward , around the six spinal centres.  All men are affected by an inner and an outer universe 

Victory over last enemy “ death” .

Shakespeare quotes , and death once dead, there’s no more dying then.

They caused their body to materialise and dematerialise at will.

Patanjali mentions , kriya yoga consists of body discipline, mental control, and meditating on Aum. 

It trancends the thoughts to another dimension beyond space time graph, which  we possibly don’t  know. Thoughts are perfect human radio: Thoughts are no more than very subtle vibrations moving in the ether. Further, it narrates the spiritual narrative of Sabikalpa samadhi and nirbikalpa samadhi .

In initial states of god communion Sabikalpa samadhi  the devotee’s consciousness merges in the cosmic spirit; his life force is withdrawn from the body, which appears “dead,” or motionless and rigid. The yogi is fully aware of his bodily condition of suspended meditation. As he progresses to higher spiritual states ( nirbikalpa samadhi ) , however he communes with god without bodily fixation; and in his ordinary waking consciousness, even in the midst of exacting worldly duties. 

Relating to the aspect of faith and science (possibly human science), it shows the astrological significance. The immense power posed by human mind and faith can heal even most chronic ailments. In some cases it has been able to defeat death. Astrology can be looked as human science interlinked with cosmic consciousness 

and vice versa.

“ astrology is the study of man’s response to planetary stimuli. The stars have no conscious benevolence or animosity; they merely send forth positive and negative radiations. Of themselves,these do not help or harm humanity, but offer a lawful channel for the outward operation of cause- effect equilibriums that each man has set into motions in the past. 

“ seeds of past larka cannot germinate if they are roasted in the fires of divine wisdom”.  

Speaking on the forms of soul , and life beyond death visualising human as not  only the being of this physical world but being a soul of three world .

God encased the human soul successively in three bodies- causal body (the idea) , the subtle Astral body ( mental and emotional), the gross physical body . The cohesive force by which all three bodies are held together is desire. The power of unfulfilled desires is the root of all of man’s slavery.

Astral desires centre around enjoyment in terms of vibrations 

Causal desires are fulfilled by perception only. Man can close his eyes and realise that he exists, even though his body is invisible to his physical eyes and is present only as an idea.

Causal beings realise that the physical cosmos is not primarily constructed of electrons, nor is the astral cosmos basically composed of life trans - both in reality are created from the minutest particles of God-thought, chopped and divided by Maya, the law of relativity that apparently intervened to separate creation from its creator .

In wakeful state on earth a human being is conscious more or less of three vehicles. When he is sensuously intent in tasting, smelling,touching,listening,or seeing he is working principally through his physical body. Visualising or willing , he is working mainly through his astral body . When man is thinking of divine deep in introspection or meditation, his causal being finds expression,

If he dreams he remains in his astral body .if man’s sleep be deep and dreamless, for several hours he is able to transfer his consciousness, or sense of I-ness , to the causal body;such sleep is revivifying .

Life and death are relativities of thoughts only . Vedanta points out that god is the only reality; all creation or separate existence is maya or illusion.

“ so long as the soul of man is encased in one, two, or three body- containers , sealed tightly with the corks of ignorance and desires , he cannot merge with the sea of spirit “

 This book increases search for meaning of life and the purpose of us on earth. Generating that innermost consciousness, it magically transmutes thoughts to see a universe out of conscious reach of humanity. 

My inner quest for searching meaning of life and the possible reason of my existence is on path now, it has taught me a possible way to dive in the field.

In the end, it is a must read if one is onto spiritual journey, and for those who desires to be. It may seem fanatic, but it explains our ancient treasure in the most lucid way. 

Happy reading,

Sab moh maya hai!!