It was in the fall of 1966 that I found Autobiography of a Yogi, although in truth I think it found me. It was a time of great transition in my life. I had graduated from college and moved to San Francisco a few months earlier, and was just starting out as an independent adult. I was looking for a direction, having felt that my major in college, psychology, was simply not capable of answering the questions I had long been asking. I was interested in awareness, in the scope of human consciousness, and in happiness. More schooling was not going to give me what I was seeking. And yet, where was I to turn? I had long abandoned religion, at least the formalized “Churchianity” I was given in my youth.
Paramhansa Yogananda (right) dedicated his Autobiography to Luther Burbank (left).
San Francisco was an amazing place in 1966. While I was not into the hippie scene, there was a palpable sense that new paradigms were possible. The treadmill of school, job, marriage, family, career, and death seemed to be more and more distasteful, not only to me but to thousands of others as well. And yet, rejecting old ways did not automatically produce new answers. The question of how to find a meaningful life was becoming urgent. Then, the Autobiography of a Yogi found me.
I was 23 years old when my brother-in-law gave me a copy. As I began to read, a whole new world opened before me. Here was someone talking about the vast potential of consciousness, not from theory, but from experience. Here was a spirituality that was alive, dynamic, practical, and part of everyday life rather than prayers repeated on Sunday morning like formulas, then forgotten for the rest of the week. I was overwhelmed by gratitude to be shown a world with real meaning and purpose. It felt as if my narrow, overly rational world had begun to unravel like a threadbare sweater when the stitching fails.
As I read on, there were many things I could not fully accept. Many of the miracles were simply beyond me, having no part of the “reality” of a small town in Minnesota, where I’d grown up. But I utterly accepted the author’s integrity. I knew in my bones that Paramhansa Yogananda was speaking the truth from experience and realization. Those things that I couldn’t yet accept, I was able to put on a mental shelf, rather than reject them outright.
I felt transformed by reading the book, but I had no idea what to do next. So I continued to read similar types of books: Zen Buddhism, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, even some American Indian spiritual teachings. But none of them resonated like the Autobiography. A few months later I met Swami Kriyananda and my life direction took a whole new turn.
My brother-in-law was given Kriyananda’s address in San Francisco, and we were eager to meet this direct disciple of Yogananda. It was Easter Sunday, April 26, 1967, when we knocked on the door of his modest second-story apartment; he greeted us, and we exchanged names. Then he said, “I’m working on a project. Do you want to help?” We readily agreed. The project was to address envelopes for a mailing about upcoming classes, but I’ve often joked that I said “yes” to a project that is still continuing some 48 years later.
In gratitude,
Nayaswami Jyotish
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I was helping our liberian go through some books that were donated to our small library in a prison in
florida when I saw this old book, the dust cover was missing, but it looked like it could be salvaged. I picked it up and flipped through the pages. I saw black and white prints and none of the pages were missing.
I held on to this book for five years, sharing it with individuals who were spiritual seekers. I not sure exactly how I lost this book. It was either because I shipped it somewhere and never was able to retrieve it or I got rid of it one day when I allowed myself to be drawn back into the the false security of churchianity. I remember crying for that book. It felt like I lost my best friend. Many years later as I travelled on the Path of Spiritual evolution, I concluded that when my time to leave this body came, I would want a guide for I may not know or I may be confused about how to navigate through what seemed to me uncharted oceans. I found that Paramahansa Yogananda is the only one I could trust without question. I was not a follower in the sense of being some sort of member. I’ve read his books and heard his voice on recorded devices. It is the unconditional love that He fully realized in His heart that dulled all existence around me. And yet, as a result of His teachings, the enlightenment that allowed me the comfort and joy of turning to Him, this was not an influence or writings in a book that compelled me. It was intuitively manifested from my innermost being to my thinking brain. How pure this place from which we all find truth the same.
Although I enjoy reading about others life journey and the simple moments that change their life direction, it is discouraging as well. Why does there not seem to be any “moments” like this in my life. These small interjections of pathways that turn into profound life changes–for the positive, that many others seem to have. One might say “well you’re not looking in the right places” or you have to create your own luck. HOW? Nayaswami was simply handed a book by his brother in law.
I’ve prayed, read many books, looked, pondered, surfed the internet for inspiration, ideas. Still, a vast void. Why do some ‘get these treasures cast upon them,’ while other seekers continue to wander, unable to Connect.
Sometimes we get stuck in looking at.things with our mental frame of reference and this dulls the intensity of what we are experiencing. I have been driving a car for over 40 years, but its only been about three years that I became amazed at the magnitude of this machine. Perhaps looking from through the eyes, instead of from out of them will realize in you a Greater reality. What changes is inside. Its like your mind becoming less so that your consciousness becomes more.
Kat, for many years before finding this path, I felt the same way, so I sympathize to that extent. But you have found this website, which also means you’ve found Ananda. Rather than envying Nayaswami, you could drink from the same found he did. Or have you done so and still felt barren? If so, then I’d echo Victor’s sentiments that the problem may lie within. All the riches that others have found on this path of Self-realization and Ananda are also available to you, if you will take them. Some people experience only gradual awakenings, not milestone moments. Also, some people have to work harder to overcome spiritual inertia because of their past-life karma. Nonetheless, if you give yourself with sincerity to any true path, by universal law, you will eventually reap the just rewards. Only remember, it’s best not to focus so intently on reaping the fruits–simply concentrate on doing your part with faith. Then the results will follow, scientifically, sooner or later. I wish you all the best!
That’s a great story and thanks for sharing it! The book found me, too. I was “between homes” down in Silicon Valley in 1982 when the friend I was staying with lent me his copy of Autobiography, saying he thought I’d enjoy it. I soon discovered the East West Bookshop and the rest is history.
A friend of mine recomended Autobiography of a Yogi in 1995 and I went out and bought one…. I could not put the book down, it had everything….it was very easy to read plus it provided me with joy.
I had wonderful dreams of India during the first night.
I bought several copies and distibuted them to some of my friends.
It remains the best book that I have read.
Dearest Jyotishji,
What a blessing, not just for you, but also for all of us in this glorious community Ananda the day you found Swamiji after reading
the Autobiography!
Master has had you in the Palm of His/Her Hand ever since!
May your freedom be complete in this lifetime dear friend!
Love,
through Them,
brindey
I can not hear this story enough! Thank you! I’ve been “in the battlefield” for a long time now. I can’t wait to be able to visit The Meditation Retreat and see my dear gurubis Brindey & Durga! Then off to Ananda Village to see all my friends/family there! I look forward to these Ananda jewels in my in box every week! I usually post these wonderful blogs on my FB for our extended Ananda community through CASA. Yes! Clarity Academy of Spiritual Arts still lives! Love to all! Masters blessings! Kim Clarity
Nayaswami Jyotish, thank you for this wonderful, and very familiar testimonial. I think there is a “wave” that must have gone out at that time ( the mid-60s) that was meant to touch and capture a number of us. I thoroughly recognize myself in you narrative although at the same time I was still 2000 mile to the East in Illinois. There had to have been a strong spiritual “wave” that moved across the world at that time generated by Sri Paramhansa Yoganandaji and his disciple Swami Kriyananda that touched us, drew us, taught us and ultimately brought us here. A questioning generation was sent a current and it is so wonderful to recognize those who caught that current and have been traveling it this many years.
awwwww… I was right there. How I needed to read those words
Dear Jyotish, I loved hearing your story. I was very near you and Swamiji during that time. My family and I lived in San Jose just an hour away. We moved there from Brazil in 1965. I would like to share about the copy of Autobiography of Yogi which has been in my possession since 1969. I visited Ananda with a group of students from Pacific High School. We helped build the kitchen dome and the dig the deep hole beside it to keep the fruits and vegetables. I was was so blessed to be blessed by Swamiji and healed by him and Master and God of a trauma and made whole again. On our leaving Satya let me take a copy of the Autobiography which is still with me. I was never a reader in my life but always a turned the pages and looked at the photographs and would smell the book. The scent would take me back to Ananda. Today as I smell the book, the perfume is still there . . . 46 years ago! Aummmmm Jai Guru
Master bless you and dear Devi, Mariana
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji, Thank you for the article. It was so lovely to know how you got in to the path. Thank you for accepting the project ??
Thank you dear soul. In Divine Friendship, always, steve
dear Guru Jyotish ji
!! OM jai Gurudeva Shri Yoganand !!
Your experiences are amazingly pleasant. Upon reading the Autobiography I too felt that moment of my liberating self realisation was near.
warm regds