Do you know when and where Yogananda learnt the English language? Also, did he ad-lib his talks or read from a script? Thank you
Thank you
—Lynda Glen, Australia
Dear Lynda,
Yogananda learnt the English language in school and university. He passed a university exam in English literature, as you can read in his Autobiography of a Yogi:
“When I sat for the examination in English literature the following day, my first glance at the questions caused tears of gratitude to pour forth, wetting my paper.”
Yet Yoganandya’s English was’t as good as he would have liked it to be. He was quite worried about going to America, having to lecture in English. He told his guru:
“But, sir,” I said in dismay, “what do I know about public speaking? Seldom have I given a lecture, and never in English.”
“English or no English, your words on yoga shall be heard in the West.”
I laughed. “Well, dear guruji, I hardly think the Americans will learn Bengali! Please bless me with a push over the hurdles of the English language.”
Later, as we read in the Autobiography of a Yogi, he gave his maiden speech in America and he received this written comment:
“In fluent English and a forcible delivery he gave an address of a philosophical character on ‘The Science of Religion’.”
About your second question:
Yogananda never used a script when lecturing. He spoke freely from his inner inspiration. Reading a script would have been unnatural for him. His talks were spontaneous, ever-new, completely unprepared.
Joy to you,
Jayadev
