Connecting the Dots: Life Lessons from Yogananda

“Reform yourself and you will have reformed thousands.”

“Human will is the dynamo of existence”

“Willpower is what changes thought into energy”

Paramahansa Yogananda

Yogananda (1893–1952) was a spiritual teacher and yogi, known for bringing teachings of Kriya Yoga and meditation to the West and for his book Autobiography of a Yogi, which has inspired millions globally.

In 2019, a year after my divorce, I had begun exploring Buddhism, my mind brimming with questions that felt almost impossible to answer. Then one day, a dear friend recommended a book her mother—a calming, wise doctor—held in high regard. Curious and seeking guidance, I downloaded the book on my Kindle.

Yogis like Yogananda teach us to live in the present, to find beauty in each moment, and to cultivate a sense of balance, inner peace, and unity with the world around us. Over the years, this book has changed not only how I see my personal life but my professional life as well.

Here are a few of Yogananda’s teachings and the documentary Awake: The Life of Yogananda provides a beautiful overview of his life and teachings.

• Self-Discipline: Staying focused on meaningful goals.
• Purpose-Driven Work: Crafting missions that genuinely engage both employees and customers.
• Servant Leadership: Yogananda’s humility reminds me of The Servant, a book my father gave me at 17. His teachings reflect that true leadership is about supporting others and prioritizing shared goals.
• Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence: Yogananda’s insights on self-awareness and empathy help leaders manage stress and communicate with clarity and compassion.
• Adaptability: his openness to different cultures encourages us to be flexible, embracing new ideas and perspectives.
• Holistic Success: true success goes beyond profit, encouraging leaders to consider well-being, community impact, and ethical practices. This wisdom inspires leaders to pursue not only financial success but also a meaningful impact on society.

This book had a special place in the lives of so many people…

• George Harrison was inspired by Yogananda’s teachings and his spiritual journey and wrote his song “My Sweet Lord” – an international #1 hit by the end of 1970.
• Steve Jobs kept Autobiography of a Yogi—apparently the only book on his iPad—and reread it yearly, asking for it to be shared at his memorial.

  He drew on Yogananda’s wisdom to fuse ancient teachings with modern technology, aiming to unlock human potential.

  “You can’t connect the dots looking forward, only looking backward.”

  Jobs – Stanford speech

Thank you, Maria Alice, for opening my eyes to a brighter and wiser world through this masterpiece—a book that will remain a source of guidance, comfort, and self-love for years to come.

Beijos

Babi

letter-b.com

https://barbaracraveiro.substack.com/p/maria-alice-george-steve-yogananda