Book Review - Autobiography of a Yogi

By:  Paramhansa Yogonanda

1946 First Edition

Review by Patty Fish

Autobiography of a Yogi is a book that John and Gloria had recommended we read as part of the October Intensive, 2007.  I bought the book prior to attending the Intensive, but didn't begin reading it until afterwards.  At first glance, I thought it would be another read like the Seth books - I can only read a small number of pages when reading the Seth material because they are so intense!  But to the contrary, I could hardly put the book down.  It is the autobiography of Paramhansa Yogananda, a great Indian master of yoga who successfully accepted his dharma  revealed to him by his master, Sri Yukteshwar.  That dharma was to bring the teachings of Lahiri Mahasaya from the East to the West (America) through teaching Kriya Yoga.  He founded the Yoga Institute of Encinitas, California and lived and taught in the United States from 1920 until his passing in 1952.  He is also the founder of the Self-Realization Church of All Religions.

The book helped me to put a name and a history to the faces of many of the pictures that are brought to the Intensives, and their significance.  Lahiri Mahasaya was the disciple of Babaji, and guru of Sri Yukteswar.  Paramhansa Yogananda's parents became disciples of the great master Lahiri Mahasaya, and thus was one of the first saintly influences in his life. Paramhansa  Yogananda's great guru was Sri Yukteswar, disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya.  John has channeled both Lahiri and Yukteswar in my readings with him.  Mataji is mentioned in one account in the book as Babaji's sister.  We all know that John channels Mataji.  In the book, Sri Yukteswar gives a fascinating description of life after death, and delves into several of the seven higher planes of consciousness that is a part of John's teachings.

The book is filled with the stories of miracles and Paramhansa Yogananda's first hand eye witness of the miracles of the some great Hindu saints.  Per the book's inside flap, "The subtle but definite laws by which yogis perform miracles and attain complete self-mastery are explained with a scientific clarity."  There are many wonderful pictures depicted of the gurus and saints, and of Paramhansa Yogananda's family, ashrams visited and his travels.  Parts of this book brought me to tears.  It has whet my appetite to learn more about the Hindu religion and for possible travels to the great spiritually rich land of India.

Bean mix:

2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed

¼ tsp cumin

¼ tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp onion powder

¼ tsp paprika

½ tsp garlic, minced (I use the bottled variety)

¼ tsp chili powder

Sweet potato mix

4 cups sweet potatoes, peeled, diced and cooked until tender

½ teaspoon garam masala (look for it in the specialty spices but McCormick also

  has it)

2 tsp sugar

½ tsp salt

Pinch of cayenne or to taste

½ -1 tsp lime juice (I sometimes use lemon if that's what I have on hand)

2 tbsp water (more if the mix is too stiff)

3 cups onions, sliced, and sautéed until golden brown with about 2 tbsp oil.

Salsa

1/3 - ½ cup bottled salsa

15 oz can diced tomatoes (petit diced are nice)

For enchiladas:

2 packages flour tortillas 10" size (can use whole wheat if you'd like)

12 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1. Place beans and spices in food processor with spices and process until almost smooth (I like to leave a few pieces in it for texture).  Remove to a bowl and set aside.  Scrape out bean mixture with spatula but no need to wash the processor bowl.
2. Mix together sweet potatoes, cooked and cooled onions, spices, water, lime juice in food processor.  Carefully add more water or lime juice if mixture feels too stiff or won't easily process.
3. Mix salsa and tomatoes and set aside.
4. To make enchiladas: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease or spray with oil the bottom of shallow 9x13 baking pan.  Take a tortilla, spread about 1-2 tbsp of bean mix then top with 2-3 tbsp sweet potato mix.  Roll and place into the pan.  Continue with about 9 more tortillas (about 10 will fit into a 9x13 pan).  Spread salsa mix over the tortillas and then sprinkle with cheese. Bake until heated through about 30-35 minutes if ingredients are warm, 45-50 if cold.  This can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator.  To make sure it is heated through, use a thermometer to check that internal temp reaches at least 165 degrees.

Below is a wonderful poem Audrey Hepburn wrote when asked to share her "beauty tips". 

It was read at her funeral years later. . .

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more that things, have to be restored,

Renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;

Never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,

You will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;

one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

If you share this with another woman,

Something good will happen.

You will boost another woman's self esteem,

And she will know that you care about her.

Ann Arbor Special News

Longer Level I-II Practices in Ann Arbor:   There have been requests in Ann Arbor for a longer Level 1-2 practice, possibly held on weekends.  After a discussion with John, I have set up three dates in the next three months.  These practice sessions will be lead by me and will be 4 hours long on Sunday afternoons for a cost of $15.  They will be held from 1-5pm at Gretchen's House, 2625 Traver Road in the smaller building to the left at the top of the hill. The cost for this 4-hour session will be $15.  We will have a major clearing meditation, several exercises, some discussion, and Q&A with breaks throughout. At each session I will bring in exercises that John has recently used.  If you are interested, please let me know by RSVP to my email address:  violetaviviano@ameritech.net.   This new schedule for the rest of the year is as follows:

• Sunday, December 2, 1-5pm

Level I Class - December 1 and 2:   The next Level I that I will offer in Ann Arbor will be held on the weekend of December 1 and 2.  I am hoping to dovetail this Level I class with the Sunday afternoon Level I practice.  By doing this I am hoping to accomplish several things.  First, Level I students will have an opportunity to meet other students in John's system.  Secondly, the students will have an opportunity to participate in a practice session.  By this juncture in the class, students are ready to engage in a full clearing meditation which is where the practice session will start. The only thing that I plan to change is the length of the class on Saturday.  The schedule for this class will be as follows:

Saturday, December 1, from 9-5pm - Class with an hour or so for lunch

                                            12-1pm - Lunch

                                            1-5pm - Level I-II practice session with breaks

Note: If you have attended an Intensive, and want to be on the reminder list for these teleconferences, click Update Email/Profile at the bottom of this newsletter and select the appropriate check box.

Southeast Michigan Schedule

Meditation Practice (Level I & II) is held the second Tuesday of every month. Reading Practice (Level III) and Channelling Practice (Level IV) alternate months, and are held the fourth Wednesday of every month at Genesis of Ann Arbor (2309 Packard, Ann Arbor, MI 48104) in room 9/10 in the second lower level of the main building. The room is listed in the daily events posting by the elevator on the main floor. Please refrain from wearing perfume, aftershave, or oils.

Foundations in Psychic Development II: