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AtThyFeet Registered User (12/6/05 1:14 pm) Reply	History of “Autobiography of a Yogi” Dear reader, Here are a few historical words on Yogananda’s famous spiritual classic, the “Autobiography of a Yogi.” I hope you will enjoy them, AUM, AtThyFeet \\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/* Yogananda worked for 25 years on his “Autobiography of a Yogi,” which must certainly be counted as one of the most important projects of his life. It was an essential part of his mission in the West, given to him by his Gurus and Paramgurus. And indeed, it was his Master, Swami Sri Yukteswar ,who requested him to write the book. He knew that it had been prophesied long ago by Lahiri Mahasaya, and that Yogananda was the one to fulfill that prophecy. One reads in the “Autobiography of a Yogi:” "About fifty years after my passing," he (Lahiri Mahasaya) said, "my life will be written because of a deep interest in yoga which the West will manifest. The yogic message will encircle the globe, and aid in establishing that brotherhood of man, which results from direct perception of the One Father." "My son Yogananda," Sri Yukteswar went on, "you must do your part in spreading that message, and in writing that sacred life." Fifty years after Lahiri Mahasaya's passing in 1895 culminated in 1945, the year of completion of this present book." In a later chapter, Yogananda continues: "My object in seeking out Keshabananda was connected with this book. I had never forgotten Sri Yukteswar's request that I write the life of Lahiri Mahasaya. During my stay in India I was taking every opportunity of contacting direct disciples and relatives of the Yogavatar. Recording their conversations in voluminous notes, I verified facts and dates, and collected photographs, old letters, and documents. My Lahiri Mahasaya portfolio began to swell; I realized with dismay that ahead of me lay arduous labors in authorship." Durga Ma writes that much of his authorship happened in Encinitas. Here is a picture of Yogananda, as he is working on his opus in those tranquil surroundings: www.guruji.it/galleria/yogananda/pyn.jpg Most of the time, as Durga Ma relates, Yogananda wrote longhand. At other times he dictated to Daya Mata’s shorthand. Or Daya Mata and Mataji (Daya’s sister, Ananda Mata) would alternate in taking dictation on the typewriter. Yogananda liked it when they read the text back to him. The typed text, as Daya Mata recalls, was then given, piece after piece, to Tara Mata for editing. While writing, Yogananda would often pause, look up, and enter samadhi. In this way the “Autobiography of a Yogi” became a book charged with his superconscious vibrations. It was, Yogananda stated, "my principle work in life," and will be “my messenger!" The book was completed in 1945. Yogananda obviously expected it to be published in early 1946: in “East-West”(Jan.-March 1946), in a 1946 New Year’s message, he urged the readers of the magazine to “spread the message” by sharing with others their copy of the “Autobiography of a Yogi,” or by presenting copies to their friends. He even announced how he would use the proceeds of his book: to build the “Golden World City”(World Brotherhood Colony) in Encinitas. But it took almost one more year before his masterpiece could reach his readers. The “Autobiography of a Yogi” was finally published in December 1946. The problem was to find a publishing house for it: innovative and challenging thoughts never tread a smooth path (especially all those stunning miracles!). So Tara Mata had to search for a long time. The publishing house which finally accepted the job was the “Philosophical Library” in New York. It was definitively a challenging year for Tara: trying to get the book printed, she lived away from her ashram and her guru, alone, in an unheated cold-water flat in New York, hitting a worldly environment. "She almost died," Yogananda is reported to have said. No wonder that later he gratefully exclaimed: "Without her, the book would have never gone through." He expressed his gratitude to Tara, who was also the book's editor, on the dedication page of his “Autobiography of a Yogi,” saying that he is "deeply indebted" to her "for her long editorial labors over the manuscript of this book." Life is endlessly intricate. Just look at the amazing dual role which Tara played for the “Autobiography of a Yogi!” First her glorious, heroic help, and later, after Yogananda’s passing, her radical editing job, changing concepts, vibrations, and content of the book. The “AY,” after a thousand strokes of her red pen, was not the same anymore (later more about that). Similarly, on a personal level Tara seems to have been quite a two-edged sword: On one side she was a totally devoted disciple, highly advanced, loyal to the bone, highly energetic; on the other side she could be cold, merciless, and even devastating toward those who didn’t follow her line of thinking and acting. At any rate, once it was printed, the “Autobiography of a Yogi” started to "rouse the world" (using Yogananda's words), and Yogananda received, as he wrote, "thousands of letters." One of them was printed in his 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 other wonderful feedback began streaming in: On the flap of the dust jacket comments from several famous persons were printed. Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann wrote 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” soon began to conquer the globe, country after country, culture after culture. With it, a new era started for Yogananda’s mission: From now on, his was a world audience. As he wrote in his book: "Many spiritually thirsty men and women eventually found their way to the cool waters of Kriya Yoga. Just as in the Hindu legend, where Mother Ganges offers her divine draught to the parched devotee Bhagirath, so the celestial flood of Kriya rolled from the secret fastnesses of the Himalayas into the dusty haunts of men." Through the “Autobiography of a Yogi” the mission of Kriya Yoga made indeed a major leap in all directions, everywhere, “into the dusty aunts of men.” Yogananda was happy. There is a beautiful picture of him, holding his literary jewel: www.guruji.it/galleria/yo...s_1949.jpg Already during Yogananda's lifetime the impact of “Autobiography of a Yogi” was stronger than his lecture tours, as he himself stated in 1948: his Autobiography was doing “what I meagerly did while traveling and lecturing to thousands." Even today, the “Autobiography of a Yogi” remains Yogananda’s most important instrument to reach people everywhere. It has truly become his “messenger!” Amazingly, still today, almost 60 years after its first appearance, the “Autobiography of a Yogi” is sometimes listed amongst the bestsellers in the spiritual field. It has been elected as one of the 100 most important spiritual books of the century. And it is a book that will probably make even more history, if Yogananda's statement will prove to be true: "The blessed role of Kriya Yoga in East and West has hardly more than just begun." Just think about it! Even today, • without it, how many people would know about Kriya Yoga ? • without it, how many disciples of Yogananda would be around today? • without it, would other Kriya teachers enjoy the response they get from seekers? Shibindu Lahiri (the great grandson of Lahiri Mahasaya) for example gratefully says that his whole success rests on the fame of the “Autobiography of a Yogi.” Many different editions of the “Autobiography of a Yogi” have been printed from 1946 on. The book went through a lively development, especially after Yogananda’s passing. Tara was not lazy. The most complete discussion of the book’s development and its various editions, with all the changes throughout the years, has been published by Ananda in India. anandaindia.org/books/aut...index.html Sister Gyananmata wrote how deeply she cherished and savored Yogananda’s divine vibrations in the “Autobiography of a Yogi.” For the first few months she was actually content just to possess it, to have it close to her. Later she read it only on her very best days. “I am absorbed in you through the book,” she wrote Yogananda in a letter. Of course Gyanamata read one of the original editions, since she passed away in 1951. And one wouldn’t be surprisd to find out that many direct disciples keep reading their original Autobiography- the one they already cherished when Yogananda was alive. In India, actually, both SRF and Ananda have published that original 1946 edition. In the West it is posted on a growing number of sites, since now it is in the public domain, for all to use freely, including the pictures. In this way it seems that the “Autobiography of a Yogi” has lately developed new wings, because of its newfound freedom. The “Autobiography of a Yogi” was, interestingly, Yogananda’s first and only book which he published through an outside publisher, selling the copyrights. Why did he do that? A good question! Anyway, about giving publishing rights away, here is an interesting historical sidelight: In 1929 Yogananda publicly announced that he has "turned over all the business part of the Yogoda work to Mr. Sieber and his associates." Mr. Sieber, a student and a former bank president, set up the "YOGODA PUBLISHING COMPANY" in Philadelphia, whose business it was to "acquire by purchase from Swami Yogananda all his writings, East-West Magazine, Correspondence Course, etc., and to publish, advertise, market same. The control of the voting stock is to be held by Swami Yogananda." Yogananda in this way wanted to free himself from business responsibilities in order to serve all his beloved students and friends "unhampered." But this announced project was never carried through. The reason might be that in1929 instable times began, due to the economic crash in America. For Yogananda, it also was a year of personal upheaval, because of Dhirananda’s betrayal. Everything changed as a result. It broke Yogananda's heart, by the way, that he couldn't name his beloved disciple Rajarsi specifically in his “Autobiography of a Yogi,” because of business reasons. Later, after Rajarsi’s passing, he could finally be mentioned with his name. Here is a question: What did Yogananda’s mostly 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.” “He wanted to make his mission known.” Certainly true. But his universal and expansive mind, it seems, was even aiming at a further, a global goal: world-peace! Here are some of his quotes from the “Autobiography of a Yogi:” “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.” For his German readers, Yogananda wrote the following 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?” Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi” is full of fascinating stories. One story, however, which he originally intended to include, didn’t make it into the book. The point of the story, which one of Yogananda’s friends had personally witnessed, was to show that bodies can be changed "like car models!" Here it is: There was a young man in India who had died, and his body was lying ready for cremation. The family was about to set fire to the funeral pyre. At this moment an old yogi came running out of a nearby forest, shouting: "Stop it, stop it! I need that young body, cremate this one!" The family was utterly stunned. He fell to the ground, dead. A moment later the young man leapt up off the pyre; before anybody was able catch him, he ran off into the forest. The family could only cremate the old man's body. That was a yogi who changed his "model." His body had become too old- and so he got himself into a new "model." Yogananda relates that he couldn't find his saintly friend who had witnessed this incredible scene- that's why he chose not to publish it in his book. The “Autobiography of a Yogi” contains his vibrations, Yogananda said- maybe especially his vibrations of love. Beautifully, therefore, all editions end with these words from his heart: "Lord, Thou hast given this monk a large family." Here is a question: what did he mean by “large family?” “SRF members?” “All my disciples?” “All kriyabans of any line (who are “ scattered like shining jewels over the earth?”) Or “even larger.…?” Oh Lord, help us to understand Yogananda’s Divine Love! \\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/\\|/*
dontknownothinbouthistory Registered User (12/6/05 7:37 pm) Reply	complete miss That professional writers and editors wrote the AY from a handful of notes on Lahiri that PY came back from Inidia with is missed in the above incomplete second/third/or fourth hand account......one point That what was to be a book on Lahiri became PY'd autobio......another point That he was coached by W Y Evans-Wentz to reach America/the world with what...a heartfelt [science fiction]adventure story....[i.e how to market kriya]....another point
dontknownothinbouthistory Registered User (12/6/05 8:00 pm) Reply	a book / a handful of writers from: p208.ezboard.com/fcultbus...ID=9.topic Autobiography of a Yogi, Bhagavad Gita -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kriya, Finding the True Path, by Swami Satyeswarananda, pages178-185." AUTOBIOGRAPH OF A YOGI “I had never forgotten Sri Yukteswar’s request that I write the life of Lahiri Mahasaya.” Page 466 “ “Autobiography of a Yogi", page 466. Paperback edition 1979.” Thus Yogananda collected materials in 1935-36 to write the life of Lahiri Mahasaya. But what was produced after ten years in 1946 from this data, was his own autobiography… So he proved to have his way again ignoring Sriyukteswar’s request. However, he did include a chapter on Lahiri Mahasay… Now, it seems that many additions, alterations, and changes were made in the process of writing the book. Ideas were interjected to look as if some divine hands were working behind the scenes. Mystifications were well thought out during the ten long year period of editing the 49 chapters from the materials Yogananda had collected. It was written with mystic vibrations which would be attractive to Christians. It was told to the author (Satyeswarananda) by someone that four American professional writers were in charge of editing the 49 chapters of “Auto”. Their job was to narrate the stories in a mystifying way as though divine hands were working… “He (Yogananda) wrote clearly. ‘Listen! You know I am good at publicity and people come in my way, but I cannot manage things properly and I cannot write systematically...” It would be appropriate to mention here as an example of mystification the way the Auto relates how Yogananda first me Sriyuktewar… Chapter 10. I Met My Master Sri Yukteswar. “Torn by spiritual anguish, I entered the attic one dawn, resolved to pray until answer was vouchsafed. ‘Merciful Mother of the Universe, teach me Thyself through visions, or through a guru sent by Thee’ The passing hours found my sobbing pleas without response. Suddenly I felt lifted as though bodily to a sphere uncircumscribed. ‘Thy Master cometh today!’ A divine womanly voice came from everywhere and nowhere…page 105. 'Do not grieve for your amulet. It was served its purpose.’ Like a divine mirror, my guru apparently had caught a reflection of my whole life.” Page 106. The very introduction of this statement here by Sriyukteswar about the amulet is to project as if the amulet were the mystic vehicle of the meeting. On the contrary, we have a different report: the meeting was fully arranged through letter correspondence. “’You should go back to Calcutta. Why exclude relatives from your love of humanity?’ His suggestion dismayed me. My family was predicting my return, though I had been unresponsive to many pleas by letter.”…Sir, I am not returning home. But I will follow you anywhere. Please give me your address and your name.” Auto. Page 108-9. Yogananda had admitted that his family had written him several letters. Now we will see what his best friend, Satyananda, knew and wrote of this matter…This quote is from Yogananda Sanga by Swami Satyananda Giri. “Here in Calcutta the father of Mukunda and his relatives became upset. At that time Mukunda’s uncle and the father of Pravas Chandra Ghose (Vice-President of Yogoda), Mr. Sarada Prasad Ghosh (disciple of Lahiri Mahasay), an attorney of Serampore, suggested to Mukunda’s father: “Our Priya Babu (family name of Sriyukteswar) of Serampore is a disciple of our Gurudev, Lahiri Mahasay. He has become sanyasin (Swami) and recently is visiting Benares. He is a very rational man. We can write to him to convince Mukunda (to return to his studies) and to bring him back home. So, in accordance with this proposal, a letter was written to him (Sriyukteswar in Benares) and also to Mukunda: ‘You will meet a yogi…' “Accordingly, Swami Sriyukteswar Giri Maharaj (Priya Babu) sent a message to Mukunda at Bharat Dharma Maha Mandal in Benares, Mukunda, too, felt attraction in his mind and set out to meet Swamiji. "…the editors want to promote the devotional and mystical aspect so that a large number of Christian seekers would be drawn to God through devotional Yogananda. In this respect, the editors created a work which uplifted the Christian world. Unfortunately, at the same time, due to these mystifications added by the copy editors, Yogananda’s book generated almost the character of a spiritual fiction from the standpoint of conservative, serious, seekers of truth of Vedic culture. For example, one day, a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna Mission, a personal friend of the author said, “I opened the title, Yogikathamrit (the Bengali version of the Autobiography of a Yogi, translated by Indra Narayan Seth, a Kriyaban, lawyer and writer) and I could not continue to read it even a few pages. “The book appeared to me as if it was a book of demonstration or application of asta sidhai (eightfold power of Yoga). As I understand, the utilization and exhibition of asta sidhai are hindrances to realizing the Lord. At least, that is what I understand reading our sacred book Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrit by Sri Mahendra Nath Gupta (Master Mahasay), disciple of Paramhansa Sri Ramakrishna.” THE BHAGAVAD GITA Sriyukteswar had published only nine chapters out of the eighteen of his Gita interpretations of the first edition. In the early 30’s when Satyananda approached Sriyukteswar to permit him to reproduce his Gita interpretations, he gladly gave his permission to Satyananda. Sriyukeswar told Satyananda, “Somehow, in those days in my interpreting the Bhagavad Gita some ambiguities remained; those needed to be straightened before reprint.” In this regard, a little work had been started but was stopped. Then, Satyananda found the drafts of the remaining nine chapters, and published them in the second edition in 1948. Once Satyananda told the author, “Yoganadna wanted to have the copyright of Sriyukteswar’s Gita. I wanted to give it to him, but the people around me stopped me from doing so.” When Yogananda could not get the copyright he made a special effort to complete his own Gita interpretations. Yogananda started his Gita interpretations in 1932. Gradually he published them in his magazine, East-West from June 1932. He was able to publish up to chapter 5, verse 13, when he left his body March 7, 1952. The rest were published by his organization gradually in their Self-Realization Magazine. It was completed by the fall issue of 1975. It is interesting to note that Sriyukteswar referred to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali when he was interpreting the Bhagavad Gita, especially in those verses of the first chapter where the historical names of the generals of the war are mentioned. Yogananda then copied the main points of Sriyukteswar’s presentation including Sriyukteswar’s references to the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali. What was added was the aspect of devotion. Unfortunately, Yogananda somehow forgot to mention Sriyukeswar’s name even though much of his writing is but a verbatim translation of Sriyuktesward’s original. Strictly speaking, it could be said that Yogananda had just made a plagiarism of Sriyukteswar’s work. Sriyuktewar had elaborate explanations for the first nine chapters which he published…In the last nine chapters, Sriyukteswar bypassed all the features of the previous format and simply rendered in brief the spiritual comments in Bengali…It is found that Yogananda, too, has elaborate explanations in the beginning chapters, and, then brief writing for the rest. Perhaps, he had no materials to consult or he had no time since he was involved in the organizations.”
True Enuf Registered User (12/6/05 9:02 pm) Reply	Re: a book / a handful of writers Satyeswarananda is suspect, his hostility towards PY well known. Yogananda's finished Gita was at the printer. In the 1951 3rd edition, on pg 6 footnoted, it was offered for sale: "The Bhagavad-Gita is the Hindu Bible. My translation with a detailed commentary is written from the vedic viewpoint. ("God Talks with Arjuna" Self Realization Fellowship, 3880 San Rafael Ave, Los Angeles 65, California 1951 $3.50) "The Song Celestial", Sir Edwin Arnold's poetical translation is available for $1.25 from the same address" So his facts are wrong. Did you know the original title of the AY was to be "My Experiences with Yogi-Christs of India and Other Saints"?
AtThyFeet Registered User (12/7/05 12:59 pm) Reply	A Christmas idea Dear All, I have a Christmas idea- let’s see what you think: Why don’t we all (those who visit Walrus frequently) try to intuit who seems the least happy amongst those posting their viewpoints here, and pray for him/her? Of course not in a “poor you” way, but in a sincere brotherly way! To make it practical: maybe we offer that pereson three prayers? Or maybe we could pray for someone who, with his/her posts really gets on our nerves? I think that could be real fun for all of us! If anyone feels inspired, let’s just do it! It would be a beautiful Christmas gift for each other, and maybe for Walrus in general! Christmas Joy, AtThyFeet
redpurusha Registered User (12/8/05 10:21 pm) Reply	Re: History of “Autobiography of a Yogi” AtThyFeet, Thank you for all the objective historical information related to the Master. You ask: "The “Autobiography of a Yogi” contains his vibrations, Yogananda said- maybe especially his vibrations of love. Beautifully, therefore, all editions end with these words from his heart: "Lord, Thou hast given this monk a large family. Here is a question: what did he mean by “large family?” The answer, I believe, can be found in Jesus Christ's beautiful message for the ages: "Who are my mother and my brothers?" "Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." -Mark 3:34-35
AtThyFeet Registered User (12/9/05 12:54 pm) Reply	Re: History of “Autobiography of a Yogi” Beautiful!!! Joy to you!

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