Swami Yogananda’s famous “Autobiography of a Yogi” has passed its 60th year in print.

Originally published in 1945 and then revised in 1951, the famous narrative of a guru’s life and times includes this great Indian teacher’s descriptions of his first trip to the U.S. in 1920, where he was embraced by affluent intellectuals curious about the practices of yoga and meditation. It also includes descriptions of meeting Ghandi some time later. If you’ve never read the book, now is a good time to do so. I find the photographs especially wonderful. And Yogananda’s writing style is always charming.

“Gross man seldom or never realizes that his body is a kingdom, governed by Emperor Soul on the throne of the cranium, with subsidiary regents in the six spinal centers or spheres of consciousness.” –page 243.

“Utopia must spring in the private bosom before it can flower in civic virtue, inner reforms leading naturally to outer ones. A man who has reformed himself will reform thousands.” –page 469.

The Swami’s Self-Realization Fellowship continues to promote peace and meditative practice throughout the world.