The New Path: My Life with Paramhansa Yogananda

by Kriyananda

An in-depth account, written by a direct disciple, of what it was like to live with the world teacher, Paramhansa Yogananda-author of the classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. This newly revised and expanded edition of this life-changing book commemorates Swami Kriyananda's 60th year of discipleship to Yogananda. It includes a new cover and introduction, and special sections not published in the original.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Biography, Nonfiction

488 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

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

[Judith]

This is a new edition of J. Donald Walter's original book, The Path, detailing his life with Yogananda. Written from a more mature perspective, after 60 years of yogic discipleship, it is deeper and more complete than the original.

[Prakash Murthy]

Worthy of consideration as a sequel to Paramahansa Yogananda's spiritual classic 'Autobiography of a Yogi'. This book tells the story of the author's time with the guru during the last few years of the guru's life, reinforcing and expanding on the lessons from the autobiography.

The personal details in this book make Paramahansa Yogananda much more accessible as a real human being who lived a while ago!

[Ricardo]

I was interested in reading this book after reading "Autobiography of a Yogi", by Paramahansa Yogananda. Swami Kriyananda narrates his experiences on following the Kriya Yoga path (an ancient meditation technique), as well as what it was like to learn from a great Eastern Yogi in America (Yogananda). Although not as intensely described in terms of spirituality as Autobiography of a Yogi, this book is nevertheless a great source of motivation for those seekers who are in the spiritual path.

[George]

Lovely.

[Gail]

I really enjoyed this book, but I can recommend it primarily to those who are spiritual seekers. Swami Kriyananda, the author, was a disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, whose book, The Autobiography of a Yogi, touched me deeply when I was in college. It tells of Kriyananda (aka Donald Walters) path to becoming a disciple of Yogananda at the tender age of 22, the four years he spent with Yogananda until his guru's passing, and then a brief synopsis of his many years serving the mission of his beloved guru.

What I admire most about Kriyananda is his determination and success to create the spiritual communities that Yogananda felt were so important to found for people's happiness and spiritual growth. He founded Ananda Village in Nevada City, which has been an extremely successful venture in cooperative living for over 40 years now. They offer much to the spiritual seeker, both in retreats and via online webinars and courses, at ananda.org.

Happy seeking, whatever your path!

[Krishnan Ranganathan]

An excellent work, however, the cost of the book makes it out of reach for most people in countries like India and other not so affluent nations. The primary aim of bringing out the greatness of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda and his activities in US, which were very brief and sketchy in the autobiography of an Yogi has been well fulfilled. The narration is very lucid, gripping and full of insights and guidance for neophyte spiritual seekers.
The part one of the book describing the early days of Swamy Kriyananda was a little bit long and the part three describing author's life post Samadhi of his Guru was too short. In a way I felt the parts containing the life of the author seemed to be out of place in a book primarily meant to full fill the gaps in the life of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda. Repeating again, lower pricing of the book could help many more spiritual seekers around the world access these invaluable gems of this great teacher.

[Juhi]

Got to know about Paramhansa Yogananda from a completely different angle. If you have read the Autobiography of a Yogi, then you must definitely read this one. Loved the life journey and meditation lessons and tips throughout the book.

[Poornima]

I love and cherish this book more than any other spiritual book I have ever read in my entire life so far. And I have read quite a few spiritual books over the years. I intend to read this book again a few more times,

[Jared Walker]

One of the greatest books I've ever read.

[Zak Farrington]

Great follow up to Autobiography of a Yogi and the lives of many of the disciples of Yogananda.

[Parasu]

Many of my questions are answered after reading the book.

[Tandava Graham]

“For mine is the story of one who did his best to live without God, but who—thank God—failed in the attempt.” —Swami Kriyananda, The New Path, Chapter 1

This is a beautifully eloquent life story in which every moment of that life is expanded out into a broader reality of spiritual significance for us all. It is also a excellent sequel to the famous Autobiography of a Yogi, giving us a view of the spiritual master from the perspective of his foremost disciple.