Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda was first published in 1946. The author was a spiritual leader and self-help guru who introduced millions of Westerners to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through this book. Yogananda’s teachings focused on the spiritual path of Kriya Yoga, which he described as ‘the scientific technique of God-realization’. He believed that Kriya Yoga was the most direct and efficient means of achieving spiritual enlightenment, and that it could be practiced by anyone regardless of their religious background. His autobiography introduces the reader to his life and his encounters with spiritual figures of both the East and West. The book begins with his childhood family life, to finding his guru, to becoming a monk and establishing his teachings of Kriya Yoga meditation. The book continues in 1920 when Yogananda accepted an invitation to speak in a religious congress in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He then travelled across America lecturing and establishing his teachings in Los Angeles, California. In 1935 he returned to India for a yearlong visit. When he returned to America, he continued to establish his teachings, including writing this book.