About Paramhansa Yogananda

“The yogi who brought yoga to the West”

Autobiography of a Yogi

Read Yogananda’s famous Autobiography of a Yogi for free, online

Early Years in America

Born in India, Yogananda was the first yoga master to spend the majority of his life in America, revealing the truths and unity of all religions. His teachings were fresh, entertaining, and filled with deep insight. This combination made him extremely popular in a land ready for a new perspective of its ancient spiritual heritage, and for a practical approach to knowing God.

The Los Angeles Times wrote of him during one of his early lecture tours:

“The Philharmonic Auditorium presents the extraordinary spectacle of thousands being turned away an hour before the advertised opening of a lecture, with the 3000-seat hall filled to its utmost capacity. Swami Yogananda is the attraction. A Hindu invading the United States to bring God in the midst of a Christian community, preaching the essence of Christian doctrine.”

Yogananda for the World

Yogananda came to the West to bring the science of Kriya Yoga and a new interpretation of the great scriptures of East and West. However, his mission was not only for those disciples who were fortunate enough to be with him, but for the world, to uplift humanity as a whole.

Today, Yogananda’s teachings, with their non-sectarian approach, have inspired seekers throughout the world and brought many forward on the path to God-realization. His Autobiography of a Yogi has sold millions of copies and is published in many languages worldwide, making it the best-selling autobiography ever.

Though millions have read his autobiography, Yogananda presents himself so humbly in it that few see his great spiritual stature, and what he has to offer the world: even in his homeland of India. Thanks mainly to the efforts of Swami Kriyananda and a small group of Ananda members, the great yogi is once again becoming well-known in India. Yogananda once told one of Swami Kriyananda’s fellow monks:

“If [Kriyananda] had come only a few years earlier, we could have reached millions!”

Through his disciple, now he is reaching millions.