The Yogi
March 7, 1952 - One of the most revered spritual leaders in modern times died on this day. His name was Paramahansa Yogananda.
He was born and raised in India but migrated to America in 1920. Through his teachings and writings, Yogananda is credited with bringing yoga to the west.
Yogananda taught that "The true basis of religion is not belief, but intuitive experience. Intuition is the soul's power of knowing God. To know what religion is really all about, one must know God."
Through yoga and meditation, Yogananda inspired his students to see beyond the current moment and to understand the deeper calling inside each living being. This quest for self-realization became a hallmark of his teachings.
He died from a heart attack as he concluded a speech at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. His last words were about his native India:
Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, and men dream God — I am hallowed; my body touched that sod.
His bestselling classic, The Autobiography of a Yogi, has been translated in 25 languages and sold over a million copies worldwide.
