This is the first time that an authentic hindu yogi has written his life story for a western audience. Describing in vivid detail his many years of spiritual training under a christlike master-sri yukteswar of serampore, bengal-yogananda has here revealed a fascinating and little-known phase of modern india. The subtle but definite laws by which yogis perform miracles and attain complete self-mastery are explained with a scientific clarity. There are colorful chapters on the author's visits to mahatma gandhi, sri jagadis chandra bose, and rabindranath tagore. The section dealing with yogananda's western experiences includes a chapter on his great friend, luther burbank, and an account of the author's pilgrimage to bavaria in 1935 to meet therese neumann, the amazing catholic stigmatist. After establishing a high school with yoga training at ranchi, india, yogananda came to america in 1920 as the indian delegate to the international congress of religious liberals. He has lectured extensively in the united states and abroad, and is the founder of a yoga institute of encinitas, california. Yogananda is a graduate of calcutta university; he writes not only with unforgettable sincerity but with an incisive wit.