True happiness is not an "impossible dream." You can begin today to experience happiness flowing in all aspects of your life. Yogananda shares the truths that make this possible.

Paramhansa Yogananda (1893-1952), one of the most renowned and beloved yoga masters of the 20th century, is the author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. One of the first teachers to bring yoga to the West, Yogananda emphasized direct inner experience of the Divine, which he called "Self-realization." His teachings are universal and offer a practical approach to inner awakening.

In his early years in America, Yogananda wrote several sets of lessons and many articles that are no longer widely in print. The writings in The Wisdom of Yogananda series are drawn from these sources.

Born in India in 1893, Paramhansa Yogananda was trained from his early years to bring India's ancient science of Self-realization to the West. In 1920 he moved to the United States to begin what was to develop into a worldwide work touching millions of lives. Americans were hungry for India's spiritual teachings, and for the liberating techniques of yoga.

In 1946 he published what has become a spiritual classic and one of the best-loved books of the 20th century, Autobiography of a Yogi. In addition, Yogananda established headquarters for a worldwide work, wrote a number of books and study courses, gave lectures to thousands in most major cities across the United States, wrote music and poetry, and trained disciples. He was invited to the White House by Calvin Coolidge, and he initiated Mahatma Gandhi into Kriya Yoga, his most advanced technique of meditation. Yogananda's message to the West highlighted the unity of all religions, and the importance of spiritual devotion combined with scientific techniques of meditation.

This book offers you simple yet profound secrets for bringing happiness into your life in all circumstances. The thoughts are engaging, practical, and deeply inspiring. The author, Paramhansa Yogananda, came to the United States from India in 1920, bringing Americans the teachings and techniques of yoga, the ancient science of soul-awakening. He was the first master of yoga to make his home in the West, and his Autobiography of a Yogi quickly became a worldwide bestseller, fueling the awakening fascination with Eastern teachings in the West.

Yoga is the ancient science of redirecting one's energies toward spiritual awakening. In addition to bringing Americans the most practical and effective techniques for meditation, Yogananda applied these principles to all areas of life. He showed people how to approach life from a center of inner peace and happiness. He was a prolific writer, lecturer, and composer during the 32 years he lived in America.

The quotations included in this book are taken from many of the lessons he wrote in the 1930s, from Inner Culture and East West magazines published before 1943, as well as from his original interpretation of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, edited by Swami Kriyananda, and from notes taken by Swami Kriyananda during his years living with Yogananda as a close disciple.

Our goal in this book is to let the Master's spirit come clearly through, with minimal editing. Sometimes sentences have been deleted because of redundancy, sometimes words or punctuation have been changed to clarify the meaning Most of what is included here is not available elsewhere.

We sincerely hope that Yogananda' s words will fill your life with greater peace, fulfillment, and true happiness.