Autobiography of a Yogi: with bonus CD

This book gives optional ways to find peace within. In this NOW world that we live in it helps to find ways to relax and be able to find the peace within.

I have read this book 3 times and continue to derive joy from repeated readings. Swami Yoganada's unshakable faith in God during his young age is breath-taking, his devotion to his master is inspiring and his dedication in spreading yoga in the West is examplary. :) Swami Yogananda encompass the true spirit of Yoga and is a shining beacon in the history of mankind.

This book was a great read, all the way through, and a great introduction to Hindu philosophy. Some things that struck me about it though, are:
1) The almost homoerotic devotion to the guru: As a Westerner, I suppose I am finding the idea of having a guru as a prerequisite for enlightment off-putting. I don't like the idea that I can't do it myself.
2) The author extolls the benefits of Kriya Yoga all through the book as a speedy path to enlightment, but he doesn't tell how to DO it. In order to find out, you have to PAY for the lessons. That's another thing that discourages me about about Eastern philosophy, the idea that you have to be "initiated" into "secret" knowledge. And before you can get that knowledge, someone has to deem you worthy. You have to be "approved".
3) The culture is misogynistic. Paramahansa Yogananda, who travels with a male secretary, interacts with and discusses few women. And when he does discuss a few female "saints" toward the end of the book, particularly in his depiction of Ananda Moyi Ma, I thought that his tone was condescending.
4) The goal of the book was to describe living "saints" who perform miracles just like the ones that were attributed to Jesus in the New Testament, and then point out the similarities between Christianity and Eastern philosophy. It was at that point that I really began to lose interest, because considering the way that Christianity has been used as a political tool by the Bush administration, I did not think that making comparisons to Christianity was enhancing my view of Hinduism.

This is the first spiritual book I read, and too this day I read it about once every 2 years. I always find this book an inspiration.

When people ask me to recommend one book - this is the one I recommend.

I read this books about 3 years ago but since that point it has changed my life. The teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda are some of the most excellent teachings in the world . . Bar none. Eventhough, I am not his disciple. Paramahansa's teachings are priceless and is something that we should all study and implement in our lives.