Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography with Personal Reflections and Reminiscences

by Kriyananda, J. Donald Walters

Paramhansa Yogananda's classic Autobiography of a Yogi was more about the saints Yogananda met than about himself―in spite of the fact that Yogananda was much greater than many he described.
Now, one of Yogananda's few remaining direct disciples, Swami Kriyananda, author of award winning book The New Path, tells the untold story of this great spiritual master and world his teenage miracles, his challenges in coming to America, his national lecture campaigns, his struggles to fulfill his world-changing mission amid incomprehension and painful betrayals, and his ultimate triumphant achievement. Kriyananda's subtle grasp of his great guru's inner nature reveals Yogananda's many-sided and extraordinary greatness. Includes many never-before-published anecdotes.

Genres: Biography, Spirituality

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

See also: J. Donald Walters

Kriyananda (born James Donald Walters; May 19, 1926, Azuga – April 21, 2013, Assisi) was a direct disciple of the yogi Paramahansa Yogananda, and the founder of the Ananda, a worldwide movement of spiritual intentional communities based on Yogananda's World Brotherhood Colonies ideal. Yogananda made Walters a minister for his organization, Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF).

Reviews

[Juanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography of Yogananda written by a devotee is tricky thing to review, but ultimately the book captures the divine love that Swami Kriyananda felt for Yogananda. In that sense it is an inspiring read. Swami Kriyananda has criticisms of The Self-realization fellowship and those who ousted him, but never does his love sway from his guru.

I admit I struggled to see that he was still not beyond the conflict with his colleagues at SRF - I guess I always hope that someone so spiritual would be able to look at the situation with grace. Yet, on the other hand this attachment also brings out his human side and the realization that he too has his issues and faults.

A thought-provoking book with much wisdom and love.

[Tandava Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography is an excellent companion (or "disciple," if you will) to Autobiography of a Yogi. Like the AY, it flows between engaging storytelling and clearly explained yogic teachings, so you can learn about not only Paramhansa Yogananda's life but the deeper meaning behind his life and ours. The complementary perspective (3rd person vs. 1st person) greatly rounds out our understanding of the Master and his impact on the world. Swami Kriyananda writes from a lifetime's experience of living his guru's teachings and explaining them to others. No one else could have done this so clearly and beautifully.

[Jayesh Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book. Swami Kriyanand had spent many years with Swami Paramhansa Yogananda. This book gives us insight into the life of Swami Yogananda that the autobiography of a yogi does not. In this book, we learn a lot about many aspects of the Swamiji's life.

I immensely enjoyed the book but then I read about the life of Swami Kriyanand himself who authored this book. It is so sad that even after meeting a great divine man like Swami Yogananda, he could not live a saintly life himself.

[Shreeja Keyal Kanoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked some bits of the books.. scratch that.. I liked most parts of the book.. it shed light of chapters of PY's life that went beyond the Autobiography. But the parts where the author talks about other devotees in a bad light and criticises his fellow-yogis sounds like he's washing dirty linen in public.

[Steven]

Beautifully written. Very inspiring.

[Kimberly Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't the book to start with if you are interested in Yogananda...with that said, it's like listening to family sharing stories of one you have loved that has passed away. Every one of the short stories is like a treasure that gratefully is received when information of one so loved by many is too short in the intimate details.

[Jared Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers unique, intimate depiction of Yogananda. Great read.

[Melissa Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read, nicely paced with just the right blend of memories, teachings, history, and wisdom. If you loved Autobiography of a Yogi, you’ll enjoy this too.

[Ashley Connolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good biography but more about the author than the master

[Michelle Chabot · Rating 5 out of 5]

With deep love and dedication, Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) carefully paints a beautiful tapestry of Yogananda's life, showing his humor and charm, as well as his depth and strength of character.

As he draws the reader into the drama of Yogananda's life, Kriyananda never lets us forget that Yogananda was never himself captivated by the drama. Kriyananda makes it clear that Yogananda knew, at every moment, he was fully free and unaffected by any of his life's circumstances. By contrast, in Yogananda's own book Autobiography of a Yogi, Yogananda writes as if he were a humble seeker of God who has been fortunate enough to encounter so many great saints, while never mentioning that he is much greater than most of them. Kriyananda tells the stories that Yogananda left out, the stories that really show him to be a true yoga Master.

Along with the events of Yogananda's life, Kriyananda discusses the philosophy and practice of yoga, showing how Yogananda's life is an example of the highest yogic principles. Through this in-depth and intimate look at Yogananda's life, we not only learn what a great saint is like, but how we can become saints ourselves. I highly recommend this deeply inspiring book to all truth-seekers.

More books by Swami Kriyananda

[Ametista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro trovato su un muretto del Castello Buonconsiglio.

[Stardust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting life story about Swami Kryananda told by his long time colleague/friend.

[Arjun Syal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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