How to Be a Yogi

by Abhedananda

This edition is now out of print. For the latest version, use the Amazon search engine to find 9789380568225

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality, Mysticism, Nonfiction

159 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1940

About the author

Swāmi Abhedānanda (Bengali: স্বামী অভেদানন্দ), born Kaliprasad Chandra (Bengali: কালীপ্রসাদ চন্দ্র) was a sanyasin associated with the Bengali Rennaisance of Vaisnavite Vedanta. Swami Vivekananda encouraged him to head the Vedanta Society, New York in 1897, and spread the message of Vedanta, a theme on which he authored several books. In 1921 he returned to India, and the next year he traveled to Tibet to study with the lamas there. He later founded the Ramakrishna Vedanta Math in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Darjeeling, India. At the time of his death, he was last surviving direct disciple of the 19th century mystic Sri Ramakrishna.

Reviews

[Nikhil Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise yet well-explained description of different types of "yogas" - Hatha, Raja, Karma, Bhakti, and Jnana.

[Ashish Iyer · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

There are times when I think about life and the purpose. I bought this small book from Vivekenadar Elam (Vivekananda house), Chennai How to Be a Yogi is a thought-provoking introduction to the philosophy and practice of Yoga by Swami Abhedananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. The book goes beyond the popular understanding of Yoga as merely physical postures and presents it as a path towards self-discipline, inner peace, and spiritual realisation. It goes on to explain Hatha, Raja, Karma, Bhakti, Jnana and Science of breathing. Abhedananda’s clear and rational approach makes ancient Indian wisdom accessible to the modern reader.

[Wanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since taking yoga for a year, I wanted to learn more about the history and different branches of the practice. Found this book cheap at Half Price Books and thought it might enlighten me. It did, but not wholly in the way I was looking for. Still, I learned some things I didn't know. It read a little funny to me and after looking it up on Good Reads and seeing it was originally published in 1940, it kind of explains it. My book is from an Australian publisher, copyright 2006.

[Abhishek Kumar · Rating 1 out of 5]

The same could have been said in one or two blog posts.

[Abhi Yerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of it is pretty generalized information on the different paths of yoga, but the last chapter was worth the read.

[Siwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only an enlightened soul could have explained it so well. The history hasn't been interpreted correctly and illuminated beings like Swami Abhedananda have rightly fulfilled the task of elaborating and deciphering the metaphorical historical texts.

[Abani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definition of a true yogi

Nicely explained and that too these are the words from realised one, the highest of the mankind .Let us adopt these principles in our lives.