In a wave of support for Yogananda among various groups in the last couple of years, there have been enough reasons to contemplate upon his status as a yogi. As a staunch Sai follower two years back, it was odd to suddenly feel a strong connection to a swami that I had only seen on the cover of a popular spiritual book numerous times. I had never had the urge to read the book until the beginning of 2004 when I picked it up specifically to read the chapters on a mystic yogi or avatar called Babaji. Yogananda's autobiography still held no genuine appeal aside from these chapters. A few months later, after the book constantly cropped up into my field of vision I finally decided to read it and sincerely enjoyed it, still holding the interest on the chapters of Babaji. Bizarrely there seemed to be a flow of attention towards Yogananda and his autobiography from diverse quarters such as Sai friends and colleagues from work. Along with this was the suspicious rise of the somewhat infamous young upstart "swami" calling himself Vishwananda claiming his pedestal to fame as the reincarnation of Yogananda. At the time I did not question this sudden connection to Yogananda but assumed it was some natural part of spiritual growth to be encouraged towards sages, saints and mystics.
In retrospect I have to wonder whether this odd inclination towards Yogananda, not only on my part, but many others as well, was a result of things outside of normal awareness! Whatever it was, I have to say that I have thankfully returned to my original opinion of Yogananda as just another of the innumerable Indian swamis of his time whose real claim to fame was his association with the West. The reality is, would he have been anywhere near as well-known had he just remained in his home country? Undeniably making a name for oneself in the West during 1930's and 40's would have been more than enough to be placed on that pedestal that many mystics seem to be seeking in the West at the moment. Without intending to offend any group, the West (especially USA) would have been ignorant of Hindu philosophy, beliefs, tradition and culture at the time. Someone like Yogananda, who seemed to thrive on charisma, confidence and scientific approach, would have had the right kind of appeal for the emergence of Western spiritual values. However does this make Yogananda a true yogi - not necessarily, as who would be the well informed judge of his path?
Having been committed to the notion of only Sathya Sai Baba being some divinely inspired guru from childhood and being inherently sceptical of all other swamis, it was odd to feel drawn towards Yogananda whose principles seemed to differ in many ways to those put forward by Sathya Sai, other than perhaps the promotion of 'love'. Yogananda was a Kriya yoga practioner which I assumed was an in-depth form of Kundalini yoga based on meditation and technical practices - this was until I encountered a book by Babaji from an alternate group on Kriya yoga which concentrated mainly on dharmic values and character development very similar to those proposed by Sai Baba. There was barely a mention of Kundalini or techical Kriya practices. Ironically this book was deeply reflective of my natural spiritual journey and personal tendencies, hence had to wonder whether Yogananda really was an expert on Kriya yoga or whether he was merely a Kundalini initiator of some kind. Furthermore from the little I read of spiritual teachings by Yogananda, other than his autobiography, there seemed to be a focus on development of power and meditation practices with less attention to character development - notably his discipline seemed to be devoid of the notions of non-attachment, purity of heart and removal of the ego which in contrast has always been stressed by Sathya Sai Baba (as well as by Babaji in the alternative book on Kriya yoga) as fundamental to reaching God. My personl feelings and experience is that it is impossible to move onto the path of Self-realisation without the intensive work of purifying the heart and attaining a good measure of non-attachment to relationships and the material world. These elements have been missing in whatever I've read of Yogananda.
As someone who was staunchly committed to Sai Baba as a guru, I used to constantly look for some sign of affirmation by him in my journey. As far as contemporary saints and sages go, Ramama Maharshi and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa are the two names he has referred to periodically - both of whom I have felt as a strong divine presence. He has also mentioned Swami Vivekananda and has referred to a few of the prominent Indian leaders in particular Gandhi. Conspicuously he has not made any reference to Yogananda in his discourses or teachings. Infact, Sai Baba has also told devotees questioning Kriya yoga that those interested in seeking Kriya yoga are motivated by ego - clearly a sign that he is putting people off from Yogananda and co's path. Ultimately it is still up to the individual to seek for themselves if the urge is strong and as I mentioned in the 'Sai Baba as a guru' blog, Sathya Sai's essence can be very provacative (sometimes mercilessly) along one's spiritual journey depending on karmic patterns, past life goals, natural tendencies etc etc. On a more personal note, as someone who grew up in a socio-politically conscious environment that included friends and family, I was surprised to note Yogananda's lack of political consciousness as he lived in a definitive period of India's history - many eminent yogis and saints appeared during that time and proved to be a great source of strength for all those connected to them. For Sai followers, Shirdi Baba incarnated and projected an image fostering Hindu-Muslim unity; Sri Aurobindo was imprisoned in his earlier days; Gandhi would often direct his ashram inmates to visit Ramana Maharshi; Sathya Sai Baba was emerging into his avatar status during that time and is recorded to have displayed unusual behaviour at the time of Gandhi's death and mentioned his passing shortly after. My point is that although Yogananda undoubtedly possessed a great deal of spiritual knowledge, there remains many questions of his true status as the genuine enlightened beings of the east remained deeply connected to their home country as sources of stability and strength during a time of inconceivable change.
So is Yogananda a yogi? My personal opinion is that he was a very powerful man who did some good works, but was not a saint or a yogi. I do sense that he exuded some measure of self-righteousness bordering on over-confidence which has reared a kind of arrogance through his followers periodically, many of whom fail to accept the existence of other avatars other than Babaji. I do feel that he had his vices as reports and rumours continue to surround him, affirmed by Babaji's discourses through an alternative group that Yogananda had left his body prematurely and had not completed his mission. Furthermore Babaji also happened to mention that deciples of Yogananda were practicing tantra (usually associated with sexual practices) which were going against the accepted discipline of Kriya yoga. According to Babaji, Yogananda and his group were no longer equipped to put forward his teachings and hence the alternate group who strictly adhered to his principles was formed. Within this group, Babaji is known as Babaji Nagaraj.
Unfortunately Yogananda has left a huge mark on the West and just from observation (including my own experience in 2004), he has continued to have a pulling power perhaps because of the countless people he is likely to have encountered in India, America and parts of Europe. For me it was a simple decision - I wanted to be free from this hold that he seemed to have and also did not relate to him as anyone other than a likely acquaintance. For others it may not be so simple, especially if they feel a strong past life connection or perhaps even relate to him as a former guru. Past life relationships are complicated especially if it marked a spiritual journey - karmic connections may run very deep for those who were deciples, followers or supporters of Yogananda during that life. Yogananda himself seemed very attached to his followers and supporters - people may not necessarily see this as a bad thing but this goes back to what should be the qualities of a true guru (which I referred to in the Sathya Sai blog). The real guru acts as a watchful parent and guide who gives you the freedom to find your own way should you wish to do so without attachment or judgement; he or she will also be happy to let you move on when you are ready to do so.
Yogananda's major achievement was introducing the West to eastern spiritual development in a time when it was almost unknown - while he can be credited for this, we must be careful in how much we credit him or similar beings as they themselves may still not have completed their own spiritual journeys. The most reassuring thing that Yogananda's possible grip on Western spiritual development was loosening came from an unlikely source - a former work colleague who had kept coming into contact with 'autobiography of a yogi' assuming it was a sign to read the book, finally did read the book only to be left feeling that it did not provide any spiritual answers that were relevant to personal growth. Yogananda failed to have any appeal to this person any longer so maybe for all of us looking for signs, this could see the opening for the true spiritual masters to come forth.
Those who found this post interesting may also find these blogs relevant:
.
.
.
Manuscript was accepted by Sathya Sai Baba in Aug 2010
