In December 1946 the Autobiography of a Yogi was first published. Shortly before Christmas it reached Mount Washington: A beautiful Christmas present for Yogananda, his disciples, and many other seekers.
To Tara Mata (L.V. Pratt), the book’s editor, Yogananda wrote on the dedication page that he is “deeply indebted” to her “for her long editorial labors over the manuscript of this book”. Her job was “pure grammar”, as she once wrote. The content was entirely Yogananda’s. Both worked “unendingly” on the book. Her karmic blessing was obviously immense: Yogananda wrote in a letter to Rajarsi that the Lord would bless her with redemption for the immortal service she has given.
The Autobiography of a Yogi started to “rouse the world” (to use Yogananda’s words), and he received, as he wrote, “thousands of letters” as a result. One of them was printed in Yogananda’s magazine, East/West, May-June, 1947:
“I wish to report to your fine group that upon reading twelve chapters in this marvelous book I experienced an amazing healing from a terrible psychological affliction which had been with me since I was fourteen. I am so deeply thankful for this that I am dedicating the rest of my life to living the truth as taught by Yogananda and by helping to lift others into light. . . Be sure to inform Yogananda of this. He is indeed a great saintly light in this day!”
All kinds of wonderful feedback began streaming in to Yogananda: On the flap of the dust jacket comments from several famous persons were printed. Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann wrote to Yogananda: “This renewed contact with the Yogi-sphere, its mental superiority to material reality, and its spiritual discipline, was very instructive to me, and I am grateful to you for granting me some insight in this fascinating world.”
The Autobiography of a Yogi indeed proved to be a book for the world: Not only for Kriya Yogis, but also for seekers of all kinds, the it has been, from the very beginning, a shining and beautiful star on the firmament spiritual life, illumined by one who had reached its supreme heights.
As readers know, it is pleasant, enjoyable, fun, inspiring to read from beginning to end. Divine truths are presented in a story-telling fashion: the Autobiography of a Yogi conveys universal teachings, a fresh and inspiring approach to religion, and a sense of joy on the spiritual path- all clothed in Yogananda’s life-story. It inspires the reader to love God, to search Him, and to make Him real in his live. It lets us know that we all can find Him, and introduces the ancient science of Kriya Yoga.
Yogananda unites impersonal wisdom and deep devotion in a most beautiful way, talking a language that all readers can understand.
Here is a big question:
What did Yogananda’s mainly want to accomplish with his Autobiography of a Yogi? Why did he work for 25 years on it?
You may answer: “He wanted spread India’s ancient yogic science of Self-realization.” “He wanted to introduce the path and ray of Kriya Yoga.” “He wanted to inspire the reader with God-love.” “He wanted to uplift the reader.”
Certainly this is true. But his universal and expansive mind, it seems, was even aiming at a global goal: world-peace. Here are some of his quotes:
“The yogic message will encircle the globe, and aid in establishing that brotherhood of man which results from direct perception of the One Father.’”
“Toward realization of the world’s highest ideal–peace through brotherhood– may yoga, the science of personal contact with the Divine, spread in time to all men in all lands.”
“Kriya Yoga, the scientific technique of God-realization,” he finally said with solemnity, “will ultimately spread in all lands, and aid in harmonizing the nations through man’s personal, transcendental perception of the Infinite Father.”
“The effective League of Nations will be a natural, nameless league of human hearts…[flowing] from knowledge of man’s sole unity– his kinship with God.”
To his German readers, Yogananda’s wrote this preface in Oct. 1950 – a call for brotherhood, too:
“It is a great joy for me to hear that there will be a German edition of the Autobiography of a Yogi. Not less than seven German publishing houses wanted to translate and publish the book. This certainly proves that Germany is turning toward the thought of spiritual growth. After all, it was Germany in the late 18th century, where the vast Sanskrit-heritage of India found its first enthusiastic friends and translators.
In 1936 I traveled by car through Germany. What a marvelous country! And how friendly its people. To my German readers I send this message: let us walk forward together – Germans, Indians, the whole human race! What could delight the heart of our One Father more than when we rejoice in our brotherhood?”
Next chapter: 1949, 2nd Edition