Autobiography of a Yogi – Why I love it

Written by the renowned Indian guru Paramhansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi is a book that is known to have touched many lives. The late tech mogul Steve Jobs was said to have been a huge fan of the book and supposedly read it once every year. It was apparently the only book he had on his iPad. Jobs had even arranged for it to be given to all of his friends and family attending his funeral. Closer home, cricketing superstar Virat Kohli swears by the book and has even recommended it to his followers on Twitter. For me personally, the book has had a life-changing effect and has transformed me in ways I find difficult to explain. It surely has touched the core of my being and has left an indelible mark on my psyche.

The author, Yogananda, writes about the various experiences of his life – his encounters with sages and saints, his bond with his guru Sri Yukteswar Giri, his undying love and devotion for God and his quest for self-realisation. The book also offers a glimpse into Yogananda’s life in the U.S. where he spent a little over thirty years disseminating ancient Indian wisdom.

Autobiography of a Yogi abounds with stories of Yogananda’s encounters with men and women with extraordinary abilities. From a saint with two bodies to women who have forsaken food for good, the book tells stories of various such “miracles” which make one ponder over the infinite potential that lies untapped in us humans. From what I understand, the book tries to get the reader to look within himself and explore all the possibilities that come with being human. We tend to believe that as humans, we are bound by various limitations – the most obvious being the physical body. However, by setting out on an inward journey, with the help of Yoga and meditation, we can not only set ourselves free from these limitations and reach our full potential but also realise the true nature of the self.

Another message that the book tries to put across is that the quest for enlightenment or spiritual attainments need not remove you from your worldly life. You don’t need to don saffron robes and head to the Himalayas in order to walk the spiritual path. Like Lahiri Mahasaya (the guru of Yogananda’s guru), even a householder can pursue his spiritual goals while at the same time tending to his worldly duties and responsibilities. You can be in the world, deeply involved in what you do, yet not be of it. Inner renunciation is what matters.

Autobiography of a Yogi is unusual and unique and makes for an interesting read. In my opinion, everybody should get their hands on this book and read it from cover to cover at least once. Even those of you who do not consider yourselves spiritually inclined should give it a shot. If you have an open mind and are willing to look at life from a different perspective, you will find that reading this book will become an experience of a lifetime.

"After Enlightenment, the Laundry"

When I first chanced upon this Zen proverb, it puzzled me. I began to think what laundry could possibly have to do with enlightenment. But as I reflected upon it further, the meaning started becoming clear.  The message that this proverb tries to convey is that we shouldn’t put off those things for later, which bring a deep sense of joy and contentment in us. We must do them at the first opportunity available to us.

We often tend to go on postponing things indefinitely and before we know it, we find that our entire life has already gone by. How many times have you found yourself worrying about something superficial that would hold little or no importance in the larger picture? Don’t we find ourselves obsessing about appearances when, in fact, we should be looking deeper? We get so engaged in the embellishments of a story that we miss its essence completely. Peter F Ducker, an American educator and writer, once said, “There is nothing so useless as efficiently doing that which should not be done at all.” But the irony is that we spend most of our time perfecting the periphery. We get so deeply involved in the trivial matters of life that we end up ignoring the deeper concerns, things which would make us truly happy and give meaning to our lives. It needn’t be something other worldly or spiritual; it could be anything that gives us a sense of fulfillment.

Whatever it is that you may be seeking, be it enlightenment or a material possession, it is imperative to realize that now is the time to follow your dreams.  You can always do the laundry later; the trivial things can wait. It is up to you to identify your purpose in life and give it all that you’ve got before it’s too late. Things will not line up in the fashion you’ve imagined. Don’t wait for the appropriate time or for your mind to be in the right place. Act now. There is never going to be a more opportune moment.

If you aspire to live a life of totality, then don’t get lost in the small things. Keep a steady focus on your goal instead of getting distracted by the unnecessary details. Don’t waste your time in doing things that wouldn’t matter in the long run. They might give you temporary relief but won’t quench your thirst for good.

Thus, the proverb points to us that time is fleeting and stresses on the power of being fully present in this moment. Identify your calling and devote yourself completely to it. As the great Buddha once said, “Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart, give yourself to it”