How to be a Yogi:

by Abhedananda, K.R. Harrison (Editor)

“The aim of a Yogi is to establish absolute harmony between his vital actions and his mental functions, to transcend all laws, to rise above the influence of all environmental conditions, and to be the supreme ruler of the mind and of the entire system. According to the Yogi, this perfect self-mastery and consequent freedom do not come to one who has not learned the secret of regulating the vital energy, and who has not acquired the power to direct it wherever it is needed. Before anyone can control this invisible vital force, he must know its principal seat in the body; he must learn where this unseen king of physical activities is enthroned, who are his attendants, and how lie governs his kingdom.”

How to be a Yogi, is a guided meditation and spiritual reflection on the wisdom and traditions passed down from generations of Yogi practitioners. Swami Abhedananda introduces the reader to a vast ocean of ancient knowledge in this guidebook. His insights into various practices such as Hatha, Raja,Karma,Bhakti,and Jnana Yoga, open up the boundless cosmic world of the Yogi--to the average reader and practitioner. Abhedananda delves into the intricacies of the “Science of Breathing”, and asks the complex theological question, “Was Christ a Yogi?”. This edition has been edited and optimized for Kindle readability with illustrations.

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality, Mysticism

89 pages, Kindle Edition

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.

[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 Agarwal · 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.