A Biography - Paramhansa Yogananda

“This new biography of Paramhansa Yogananda will pave the path to perfection in the spiritual journey of each individual. I like this book. It is a masterpiece that serves as a guide in daily life. Through the stories of his life and the unfolding of his destiny, Yogananda’s life story will inspire the reader and flower a spiritual awakening in every heart.”

—Vasant Lad, BAM&S, MASc, Ayurvedic Physician, author of Ayurveda: Science of Self-Healing, Textbook of Ayurveda series, and more

“Where did we come from, why are we here, and where does this life lead to? Swami Kriyananda is the most experienced philosopher that could help us understand how his guru answers these questions. Through this biography of Paramhansa Yogananda, people will discover their divine nature and potential.”

—Bikram Choudhury, Founder of Bikram’s Yoga College of India, author of Bikram Yoga

“A deeply insightful look into the life of one of the greatest spiritual figures of our time, by one of his most accomplished, yet last-remaining living disciples. Like the life it depicts, this book is a gem!”

—Walter Cruttenden, author of Lost Star of Myth and Time

“As two individuals who include the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda in their nightly devotions, we were thrilled to read Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography with Personal Reflections and Reminiscences by his disciple Swami Kriyananda. Although Yogananda’s own Autobiography of a Yogi is one of the most popular metaphysical books in the world, readers learn more about the lives of Yogananda’s guru Sri Yukteswar and other saints than they do about the master himself. In this wonderful new work, we are treated to an intimate portrait of Yogananda’s quick wit and profound wisdom, his challenges and his triumphs. We see his indomitable spirit dealing with shattering betrayals and his perseverance in his goal of establishing a spiritual mission that has enriched the world. All seekers of enlightenment owe a great debt to Swami Kriyananda for giving them the biography of Yogananda that could only have been written by one who studied under the master and served him faithfully and who continues his work in the Ananda communities.”

—Sherry and Brad Steiger, authors of Real Miracles, Divine Intervention, and Feats of Incredible Survival

“Swami Kriyananda’s book, Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography is a unique look at one of the greatest spiritual masters ever to live in America. The book is filled with hundreds of new stories and alive with luminous insights. It is not just a biography, but a window onto the nature of reality, the spiritual quest, and the life and teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.”

—Jyotish Novak, Spiritual Director of Ananda Worldwide, author of How to Meditate

“This delightful book recounts the story of Paramahamsa Yogananda from a fresh perspective. It includes details and adventures not found in the Autobiography. The reader gains a deeper sense of the robust greatness of this spiritual pioneer. Packed with history, anecdote, and wisdom, this honest examination of Paramahamsa Yogananda's accomplishments and legacy helps further our understanding of yoga in America.”

—Christopher Key Chapple, Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology, Loyola Marymount University

“Swami Kriyananda’s biography is a welcome addition to the growing literature on Paramhansa Yogananda. I especially like the author's chapter on Yogananda's legacy where he quotes Yogananda on his concept of ‘world brotherhood colonies.’ I am astounded to find that a consciousness-based theory of evolution predicts the evolutionary necessity of such colonies. Yogananda was a true seer and indeed, his words ‘shall not die.’”

—Amit Goswami, PhD, quantum physicist and author of The Self-Aware Universe, Creative Evolution, and How Quantum Activism can Save Civilization

“If you were one of millions whose life was transformed by Autobiography of a Yogi, you will definitely want to read Paramhansa Yogananda: with Personal Reflections & Reminiscences. Swami Kriyananda masterfully presents and illumines Yogananda’s life and teachings. Hundreds of new stories about Yogananda will enthrall you. The chapter on Kriya Yoga is thrilling and adds a new dimension to our understanding of this liberating science.”

—Joseph Cornell, author of the Sharing Nature book series, and Founder of Sharing Nature Worldwide

“Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography presents the most intimate account of Yogananda's life, illuminating the multifaceted nature of his life and mission. Swami Kriyananda's work enriches our understanding of Yogananda with revealing narratives told here for the first time. Here is a loving biography of a spiritual teacher, written by a disciple attentive to historical accuracy.”

—Anantanand Rambachan, Professor and Chair, Religion Department, Saint Olaf College

“An extraordinary biography of an extraordinary life. A perfect complement to Autobiography of a Yogi. Kriyananda gives us stories and insights into the life of Yogananda that only a close disciple could have experienced. It provides deeply moving glimpses of what it would have been like to live with a spiritual master.”

—Joseph Selbie, co-author of The Yugas

“On the face of the earth, there exists no one else more qualified to write the biography of Paramhansa Yogananda other than Swami Kriyananda. It is fitting, then, that he has done so, and done so with a level of love and revelation befitting the revered subject. A student of Yogananda since 1963 and of Kriyananda since 1966, I consider Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography with Personal Reflections and Reminiscences to be the second volume of Autobiography of a Yogi.”

—Manuel Freedman, Filmmaker, Founder, Max Freedman Media

“Through this book one really gets a sense of what the great master’s life was like. Swami Kriyananda helps us to appreciate Yogananda anew—and with great clarity and depth grasp this spiritual teacher’s thoughts, intentions, and world-changing mission. I think it is clear that, of all Yogananda’s disciples who lived long after his passing, Kriyananda comprehends him best and portrays him as he really was. I believe that this book will move as many as Yogananda’s own Autobiography of a Yogi, and that millions will find inspiration in its pages.”

—Richard Salva, author of Walking with William of Normandy: A Paramhansa Yogananda Pilgrimage Guide

“Intimate in reflection and perspective, Kriyananda's biography of Yogananda is notably more revealing of its towering subject than any merely factual account could be. Yogananda comes to life in this book in luminous, full view: generous, joyful, and unswerving in his mission to bring souls to God. That's because the author lets the stories of his guru speak for themselves, unembellished by superlatives or personal praise. Each of them is a pure delight, forming in total a body of teachings and truths that are offered in such an easy, unlabored style, readers will absorb them deeply, as if in conversation with the master himself.”

—James Surendra Conti, Co-Manager of East West Bookstore

“What a blessing to be gifted with a whole new insight into the magical world of Paramhansa Yogananda! Thank you, Swami Kriyananda, for your efforts!”

—Deva Premal and Miten, musicians, composers of The Essence, Soul in Wonder, and other works

“Swami Kriyananda is surely one of Paramhansa Yogananda’s most serious and dedicated disciples. Here he has given us the missing link to that great master’s life, the link which that ego-free being could not himself provide: a book about himself. Swami Kriyananda has brought his guru once again to life! Congratulations for a courageous, honest, and inspiring work!”

—Dr. Jurgen Klein, biochemist, naturopath, Founder of Jurlique Company, and author of Unearthing Nature’s Secrets

“His holiness Paramhansa Yoganandaji continues and will ever continue to lead us on our spiritual path. His Autobiography of a Yogi is already a sourcebook of inspiration for all of us. This new biography of his holiness by an eminent disciple like Swami Kriyanandaji will add to the inspirational treasure of Yogananda’s life.
“Long live Paramhansa Yogananda and his immortal and universal message!”

—Dr. Ram Karan Sharma, author of Researches in Indian and Buddhist Philosophy

“This is a monumental classic. In this enthralling dedication to his guru, Kriyananda has once again grasped our Zeitgeist and given us the incredible story behind the man, the great avatar, Paramhansa Yogananda.”

—Selima Gurtler, Founder, East Meets West Peace Foundation

“I devoured Swami Kriyananda's anticipated biography of Paramhansa Yogananda like a hungry devotee in order to come closer to the great master of Kriya Yoga. I highly recommend this book to all spiritual seekers, and with heartfelt gratitude to Swami Kriyananada for sharing the life of such a Great Soul with poetic candor and factual imagery. I love the way this book is written like a historical novel, in which one who was so near and dear to our beloved Yogananda has shared with intimate detail, remembering every word of the great master's dialogues so that those conversations came alive for me. Sri Sri Anandamayi Ma devotees around the world, as myself, will be thrilled with this intimate portrait of Paramhansa Yogananda, who we so greatly love and regard.”

—Dr. Swami Ramananda Maharaj, President of the Nevada Institute of Asian Study, author of Bliss Now and From India with Love

“Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography expresses Swami Kriyananda’s sincere devotion to one whom he calls ‘master’ and ‘avatar’ and in whom he sees the image and likeness of God. But Yoganandaji was also a human being, and Kriyananda reveals this humanity in a way that speaks directly to every reader, whether a devotee or just a seeker. I thank the author for not retelling episodes already narrated in Yogananda’s own Autobiography of a Yogi. What a reader does not find in one book, he or she may find in the other. The voices of disciple and master sing in counterpoint, in which dissonant passages are resolved in harmonious cadences. Other voices need to be heard, since Yogananda’s contribution to humankind cannot be confined between the covers of two or three books. Peter Heehs, author of The Lives of Sri Aurobindo, has offered us a model of historical research, both scholarly and reverent, into a great Indian master, who was a distant cousin of Yogananda. When the archives currently kept under lock and key are finally opened, the scholarly study of them will surely enhance our understanding of Paramhansa Yogananda’s life and teaching. In the meantime, Swami Kriyananda’s biography is, and will remain, a primary source for knowing him who was the twentieth century’s greatest yogi.”

—Thomas Matus, Camaldolese-Benedictine monk and kriyaban, author of Yoga and the Jesus Prayer Tradition

“Paramhansa Yogananda is one of the stalwarts who brought yoga to the West in its original form. While Autobiography of a Yogi is a book on Paramhansa Yogananda very difficult to be outdone, personal interactive information presented in Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography with Personal Reflections and Reminiscences brings out information on Paramhansa from a vantage point most of his followers would cherish. Many early age events in Yogananda’s life are helpful to see how those elements already in his life manifested later into his stature. This book will help many who are inclined spiritually to connect events in their lives to their higher pursuits.”

—Bal Ram Singh, PhD, Director, Center for Indic Studies, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

“This biography of Paramhansa Yogananda by Swami Kriyananda captures the flavor of his age and it provides a complementary perspective on Yogananda’s life that is already well known by the great yogi’s autobiography. Yogananda stressed non-sectarian and universal aspects of yoga and he was able to establish connections with people from diverse backgrounds. This book has many interesting personal anecdotes. I enjoyed reading it.”

—Subhash Kak, Regents Professor and Head, Department of Computer Science, Oklahoma State University, author of The Gods Within: Mind, Consciousness and the Vedic Tradition

“Millions of people have started their spiritual journey by reading Autobiography of a Yogi written by Paramhansa Yogananda. Although that book contains a lot of personal information and stories about this great master from India, it also leaves out a lot. It was published in 1946 and he lived until 1952. This new biography fills in some of the gaps and gives a much more complete picture of the life and teachings of Yogananda.
 
Swami Kriyananda is one of only a few living disciples who had personal, daily contact with Yogananda and this book gives insight into some of the personality, teachings, miracles, and mystery that surrounded him. Not only are many enlightening stories shared but there are a lot of principles and ideals that can be applied to the reader’s life. Like Autobiography of a Yogi, this book can be enjoyed as simply a book of wonderful stories. Or it can be experienced at the deeper level of being a spiritual handbook that can guide one on their spiritual journey.
 
Either way, this biography is destined to be a spiritual classic treasured by many people for years to come.” 

—Krysta Gibson, New Spirit Journal