Life of Yogananda: The Story of the Yogi Who Became the First Modern Guru — Occult Philosophy

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Life of Yogananda: The Story of the Yogi Who Became the First Modern Guru

Name: Life of Yogananda: The Story of the Yogi Who Became the First Modern Guru
Price: 20.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Goldberg, Philip
ISBN: 9781401952204

✍️ Goldberg, Philip

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4.5

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Philip Goldberg's "Life of Yogananda" offers the definitive biographical account of Paramahansa Yogananda, the pivotal figure who brought Kriya Yoga and Eastern spirituality to a global audience. This meticulously researched work goes beyond Yogananda's own iconic memoir, filling in crucial gaps and exploring the three decades he spent living, teaching, and shaping the spiritual landscape of America. It reveals the challenges, controversies, and personal triumphs that forged the man behind the legend, providing an unparalleled understanding of his enduring influence.

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Occult Philosophy

🏛 Hay House LLC 📅 2020 📖 360 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781401952204

Fun Fact

Goldberg offers a meticulously researched, humanizing portrait of Paramahansa Yogananda, moving beyond hagiography to reveal the complexities of a pioneering spiritual leader. It excels at filling historical gaps and contextualizing his enduring legacy, particularly his impactful decades in America. While those seeking only an idealized narrative might find it too grounded in earthly challenges, it's essential reading for serious students of Eastern spirituality's Western journey, providing a richer, more complete understanding of a truly transformative figure.

📝 Description: Life of Yogananda: The Story of the Yogi Who Became the First Modern Guru

"A brilliant account of what history will recognize as one of the most significant lives of the 20th century" (Ken Wilber, author of The Religion of Tomorrow). Paramahansa Yogananda was called "the 20th century's first superstar guru" (Los Angeles Times), and today, nearly a century after he arrived in the United States, he's still the best known and most beloved of all the Indian spiritual teachers who have come to the West. In this captivating book, newly available in paperback, Yogananda's story finally has the authoritative telling it deserves. Considered by many to be the father of modern yoga, Yogananda has had an unsurpassed global impact thanks to the durability of his teachings, the institutions he created or inspired, and especially his iconic memoir, Autobiography of a Yogi. Since its publication in 1946, that book has sold millions of copies and changed millions of lives. But it doesn't tell the whole story. Much of Yogananda's seminal text is devoted to tales about other people, and it largely overlooks the three vital decades he spent living, working, and teaching in America. Huge chunks of his life--challenges, controversies, and crises; triumphs, relationships, and formative experiences--remain unknown to even his most ardent devotees. Scholar and teacher Philip Goldberg fills the gaps, charting a journey that spanned six decades, two hemispheres, two world wars, and unprecedented social changes. The result is an objective, thoroughly researched account of Yogananda's remarkable life in all its detail, nuance, and complex humanity. But this is more than a compelling life story. "Yogananda would, I believe, want any book about him to not only inform but transform," Goldberg writes. "It is my hope that readers will be enriched, expanded, and deepened by this humble offering." That is sure to be the case for both Yogananda enthusiasts and those who discover him for the first time in these illuminating pages.

💎 Expert review

“

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Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Goldberg delivers a definitive biographical account that rigorously explores three decades of Yogananda’s life in America. While it excellently reveals the challenges and controversies forging the man behind the legend, it may not suit readers seeking only hagiography or purely devotional texts. Those expecting a simplified, uncritical narrative might find the exploration of gaps and complexities unsettling. However, for those willing to engage with a candid look at the personal triumphs that shaped his global impact, this work stands as an indispensable resource. It bridges the gap between legend and reality, offering a nuanced view of the pioneer who introduced Kriya Yoga to the modern West without shying away from the gritty details of his journey.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a grounded, authentic portrait of the man behind the spiritual icon will find immense value here. If you are fascinated by how Eastern wisdom took root in the West, this meticulously researched account fills crucial gaps left by Yogananda’s own memoirs. It is essential for those interested in the personal triumphs and controversies that shaped his legacy. This book offers an unparalleled understanding of his enduring influence on global spirituality. You gain insight into the real challenges he faced while teaching and living in America. It provides a deeper appreciation for the pivotal figure who brought Kriya Yoga to a worldwide audience, making it a vital addition to any serious collection of occult and philosophical works.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you've been touched by Yogananda's *Autobiography* or are simply curious about the figures who first bridged Eastern mysticism with Western thought, this biography offers an unparalleled, nuanced portrait of a spiritual giant. It's essential reading for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of…

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Goldberg delivers a definitive biographical account that rigorously explores three decades of Yogananda’s life in America. While it excellently reveals the challenges and controversies forging the man behind the legend, it may not suit readers seeking only hagiography or purely devotional texts. Those expecting a simplified, uncritical narrative might find the exploration of gaps and complexities unsettling. However, for those willing to engage with a candid look at the personal triumphs that shaped his global impact, this work stands as an indispensable resource. It bridges the gap between legend and reality, offering a nuanced view of the pioneer who introduced Kriya Yoga to the modern West without shying away from the gritty details of his journey.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it significantly expands upon it. Goldberg delves into decades of Yogananda's life—particularly his time in America—and explores challenges and relationships that his famous memoir barely touched upon, offering a much more comprehensive narrative.

He's widely recognized as the "first superstar guru" to successfully bring yoga and Kriya Yoga meditation to a global audience. His charisma and teachings profoundly shaped modern spiritual landscapes and laid the foundation for many subsequent Eastern teachers in the West.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Pioneering Spiritual Journey

This biography meticulously traces Yogananda's path from his early life in India through his foundational work in establishing yoga and meditation in the West. It examines his personal spiritual evolution and the profound experiences that prepared him to become a global spiritual ambassador, highlighting the courage required to bridge ancient traditions with modern sensibilities.

Western Spiritual Awakening

The book intricately details Yogananda's unparalleled impact on Western spiritual thought, positioning him as a "first modern guru." It illustrates how his teachings and the institutions he founded or inspired catalyzed a widespread interest in yoga, meditation, and Eastern philosophies, fundamentally altering the spiritual consciousness of millions across continents.

Beyond the Hagiography

Goldberg's narrative ventures past the idealized portrayal found in Yogananda's autobiography, revealing the human complexities of a spiritual leader. It uncovers the trials, personal relationships, and organizational difficulties that were integral to his mission, offering a more complete and authentic portrait of a man navigating immense cultural and spiritual change.

📜 Historical context

Yogananda arrived in the West during the early 20th century, a period ripe for new spiritual ideas. He built upon the groundwork laid by earlier figures like Swami Vivekananda but uniquely popularized yoga and the guru tradition, making them accessible to a broad American audience. This book places his life within the broader narrative of Eastern spiritual traditions taking root in Western culture.

📚 Glossary

Guru
Yoga
Kriya Yoga

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a spiritual figure or text that profoundly influenced your own journey. How did their life story, as you understand it, shape your perspective?
Consider the inherent difficulties in transplanting profound spiritual traditions from one culture to another. What might be gained or lost in such a process, personally and culturally?
How do you think a person's public image compares to their private reality, especially for those in leadership or spiritual roles? What responsibility does a biographer have in portraying both?