Embark on a spiritual journey across continents and consciousness with Paramahansa Yogananda’s ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’, and read the complete book online for free.
First published in 1946, Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi is widely regarded as one of the most influential spiritual books of the 20th century. It is not a conventional autobiography in the Western sense. Rather, it is a luminous tapestry of personal memoir, profound spiritual philosophy, and extraordinary encounters with saints, sages, and miracle-workers of modern India. The book chronicles Yogananda’s life from his childhood in Gorakhpur, through his years of training under the revered guru Swami Sri Yukteswar, to his eventual mission of bringing the ancient science of Kriya Yoga to the West.
The pages are filled with remarkable stories: levitating saints, bilocating masters, encounters with the deathless “Mahavatar” Babaji, and the author’s own experiences of God-realization. Yet the book never feels like mere fantasy. Yogananda writes with such sincerity, clarity, and intellectual rigor that even the most improbable events are presented as natural, if advanced, expressions of cosmic law. It is a book that has transformed the lives of millions, including luminaries like Steve Jobs (who insisted every guest at his wedding receive a copy), George Harrison, and Russell Simmons.
On this page, you can walk the path of the yogis. We offer the complete 1946 spiritual classic for online reading.
Book Info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Autobiography of a Yogi |
| Author | Paramahansa Yogananda |
| Year of Publication | 1946 |
| Genre | Spirituality, Autobiography, Philosophy, Religion |
| Language | English |
| Legal Status | Protected by Copyright (Check your local laws) |
| Format | Online Reading (Preview/Study) |
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This preview introduces Yogananda’s childhood search for enlightenment, but the full, sweeping narrative of his training under Sri Yukteswar and his encounters with the immortal Babaji is available in the complete text for our subscribers.
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About the Book Autobiography of a Yogi
This book defies easy categorization. It is part travelogue, part scripture, part scientific treatise on the nature of reality.
Kriya Yoga: The Science of Self-Realization
At the heart of the book is the teaching of Kriya Yoga, an ancient meditation technique that Yogananda claims was lost for centuries and revived by his guru-lineage. He presents yoga not as a religion, but as a practical, experimental science of the mind. The goal is direct, personal experience of the Divine, not blind faith.
The Lineage of Masters
Yogananda traces his spiritual lineage back through his guru, Sri Yukteswar, to Yukteswar’s guru, Lahiri Mahasaya, and ultimately to the deathless Mahavatar Babaji. These are not distant historical figures; they are living beings whom Yogananda describes with intimate detail. The chapters on Babaji, who is said to have maintained his physical form for centuries, are among the most fascinating in the book.
East Meets West
A significant portion of the book describes Yogananda’s journey to America in 1920 and his efforts to translate the esoteric wisdom of the East for a Western audience. He was a pioneer of what we now call “mindfulness” and “meditation,” long before these terms entered the mainstream. He speaks to scientists, philosophers, and skeptics with equal respect.
Miracles as Law, Not Magic
Yogananda repeatedly insists that the “miracles” he describes (levitation, materialization, bilocation) are not violations of natural law, but rather the operation of higher, subtler laws that Western science has not yet recognized. This rational, almost scientific framing makes the extraordinary seem plausible.
Unity of Religions
Throughout the book, Yogananda quotes not only the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, but also the Bible and the Koran. He argues that all genuine religions flow from the same source and point toward the same ultimate Truth. This ecumenical, inclusive vision was radical for its time and remains urgently relevant.
Why Read Autobiography of a Yogi Today?
Whether you are a seeker, a skeptic, or simply a curious reader, this book offers something profound. It is a window into a spiritual tradition that most Westerners knew nothing of before Yogananda. It is a challenge to materialist assumptions about the limits of consciousness. And it is, above all, a deeply human story of a man who dedicated his life to the search for God and invited the whole world to join him.
FAQ
Is this a “true” story?
Yogananda presents it as fact. For believers, it is scripture. For skeptics, it is a fascinating work of spiritual literature. Most readers find a middle ground, accepting the spiritual truths while remaining open regarding the physical miracles.
Who was Babaji?
According to Yogananda, Babaji is an “avatar” or deathless master who has maintained his physical form for centuries to guide humanity’s spiritual evolution. He is said to live in the Himalayas and appears to worthy disciples at will.
Do I need to be Hindu to appreciate this?
Absolutely not. Yogananda wrote specifically for a Western, often Christian, audience. He emphasizes the universal principles underlying all faiths.
Can I read it on my phone?
Yes. The book is structured into short, thematic chapters, making it perfect for contemplative reading on any device.