“Yogananda’s book, his stories and lessons, are as relevant today as they were in the previous century,” writes entrepreneur, programmer, and author Virk (The Simulation Hypothesis) in this illuminating celebration and explication of Swami Paramahansa Yogananda's epochal 1945 Autobiography of a Yogi. Virk calls the autobiography a “passport in the form of a paperback,” noting its profound influence to generations of seekers eager to find a “union with the self and with the Divine” and embark on “a path that allowed one to seek God no matter what one’s religion or lineage.” This volume draws on Yogananda’s wisdom, including tales of miracles (or siddhis) and jinn, to present 14 lessons for navigating worldly and spiritual paths, written in crisp, accessible language with contemporary resonance.An impassioned preface connects Yogananda’s teachings to innovators of recent history, such as George Harrison and Steve Jobs, who, according to Walter Isaacson, only had one book on his iPad: Autobiography of a Yogi. More compelling is Virk’s account of his own spiritual journey, especially the discovery that “Meditation and yoga weren’t there just to help me” in facing life’s trials. Instead, they “were there to help me with my own path of self-discovery and meditation.”
The lessons have been crafted to help readers forge their own path, offering practical reminders to stay out of one’s own way and to accept that setbacks often are a way forward. More provocative are lessons that consider Yogananda’s more fantastical stories, of superpowers and divine figures. Some are tantalizingly updated, such as Yogananda’s conviction that life was like a play in a theater—Virk persuasively argues that we now can see that it’s more like “an interactive video game,” an opportunity for Virk to explore the simulation hypothesis he’s laid out in previous books. Virk recounts the tales with clarity and power, drawing out messages that don’t diminish their rich mysteries. The result is a feast for seekers, a book to explore and revisit.
Takeaway: Compelling contemporary lessons drawn from Swami Paramahansa Yogananda.
Comparable Titles: Swami Rama’s Living with the Himalayan Masters, Sadhguru’s Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
