Autobiography of a Yogi
by Paramahansa Yogananda
Spiritual memoir · Reading guide
The Short Answer
Yogananda’s account of his life, teachers, and spiritual search connects personal narrative with his presentation of yoga to a wider readership.
Yoga; Self-Realization Fellowship · Spiritual memoir
Before you begin
First published in 1946, the book includes miraculous events as religious testimony. Those narratives do not independently establish scientific claims.
Reading lens: experiential teaching and interpretation; personal testimony is attributed to its author.
Choose an edition
The Self-Realization Fellowship edition represents its maintained publishing tradition. Earlier editions differ, so identify the edition when citing.
A path through the book
Childhood and search
Follow the narrative before extracting teachings.
Teachers and lineage
Notice how relationships shape the account of practice.
Reflect on the genre
Separate the author’s testimony, teachings, and your interpretation.
Sources & editions
- Self-Realization Fellowship: Autobiography of a Yogi ↗
Edition and reading reference.
An editorial reading guide with original summaries and source links. Modern translations remain the work of their named translators.
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Key Insights
Spiritual autobiography joins remembered life with religious meaning.
Teacher-student relationships organize much of the narrative.
Personal testimony should remain visibly attributed.