The Path : Autobiography of a Western
Yogi
by J. Donald Walters (Kriyananda)
Published by Crystal Clarity Pub
Publication date: September 1977
ISBN: 0916124118
Reviews:
E.B. 1/13/2000 Best biography of Yogananda
This book, The Path, is the best biography on Yogananda that's ever been written. The author lived with Yogananda, was the first vice-president of Self-Realization Fellowship, and appears to be the only close disciple of Yogananda that has fulfilled Yogananda's original vision outside of the context of the SRF organization. Exciting stories about Mr. Walters life with Yogananda will deepen one's understanding of this great master of yoga. I found that this book was both honest and unpretentious, a far cry from most other books I've read about Yogananda's life. I would recommend readers also read "A Paramhansa Yogananda Trilogy of Divine Love" by Sri Durga Mata, and "Treasures Against Time", by the Lewises. These are deeply meaningful books as well, and all carry true stories of close disciples experiences with Yogananda.
Lee W, 1/8/99 A Beautiful Glimpse of Paramhansa Yogananda
This is both a beautifully written book and a beautiful glimpse into the life of the great Master Paramhansa Yogananda. Kriyananda offers the unique view of a disciple to a Guru. His love and respect for Yogananda is inspiring. I would highly recommend his other books and Ananda's website (http://www.ananda.org). I quote a small passage here: "Master told us of a time when his nonattachment had been tested. "I was standing alone one evening on a dark street corner in New York, when three hold-up men came up behind me, one of them pointing a gun.
'Give us your money,' they demanded.
'Here it is,' I said, not at all disturbed. 'But I want you to know that I am not giving it to you out of fear. I have such wealth in my heart that, by comparison, money means nothing to me.'
They were so astonished! I then gazed at them with God's power. They burst into tears. Returning my money, they cried, 'We can't live this way any more!' Then, overwhelmed by the experience, they ran away."
Federico, 5/20/98, SEARCHING FOR A PATH
Neither the title nor the contents have much originality. Although the work does contain some unique glimpses of PARAMAHANSA Yogananda, It lacks conviction and depth and originality, a regrettable hallmark of Mr. Walter's others activities as well. When the author left the SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP, he could have spent his life growing spiritually by supporting his Masters work in many other ways. Yogananda made it clear that SRF would be his one and only true successor and spiritual channel. Unfortunately, once the master leaves, too many others lose their long feigned loyalty, ego rises again and they compete with the master's work. Rationalizations of " I know a better way"(not said when the master is still around), portrays a serious lack of awareness of how the master-disciple relationship really works. It all takes away from and weakens the Gurus purposes. It is human nature for so many to run after those who claim to be Yogis, unfortunately they are distracted from the deeper relationship at the truly spiritual level. Everyone wants to be a teacher--enthusiasm is not enough! The truth is few are ready or qualified. This book sounds interesting as to how one meets ones Guru, but the authors mimicking title gives him away. How many of Yogananda's books have been plagiarized by Ananda via loopholes in US copyright law??? One wonders how the author would write this story up to the present day??? It has an unfortunate ending of one who lost faith and still pretended to play the part.
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul."
Garry, 2/9/98, "Yogi? - yes!"
The individual who so openly reviewed The Path has shown a very "self" centered view of the book...his "self"!
This book is amazing. No, Kriyananda is no Yogananda, but then he does not say so or even indicate said assumption. Is he a yogi? Yes. A yogi is anyone who is practicing some form of yoga to reach the Infinite.
The whole book is a wonderful study in the search we all go through. Anyone who is in the midst of an honest search for God will see their own life reflected in it.
The sections about Yogananda are in themselves pricless. We get an intimate portrate of what He was like while still with us on this plane. Kriyananda give us the chance to almost be with the Master.
This book is must for anyone on the Path, and is almost a sequal to Yogananda's literary masterpiece, Autobiography of a Yogi.
I would not hesitate to recommend this or any other books by this author. In light of the current allegations swirling around, to read his books are to "know them by thier fruits".
A reader, 11/30/97, Autobiography of a fallen would-be yogi
This book gives us ravishing glimpses of a modern saint in the west. The quotations of Yogananda seem human and real, yet powerful as we would expect. I especially like the fragmentary accounts of James Lynn (St. Lynn).
Walters is no Yogananda. This is evident not only in the resonance of his writing, but also in his abandoned monastic vows and recent "sexual harassment" troubles. It would not be necessary to point this out were it not for the unfortunate title which seems to jostle for hegemony with Yogananda's peerless "autobiography." Americans need to learn the difference between a yogi, a Master, a pundit, and a devotee. Walters is surely a devotee. He is probably even a bit of a yogi. And he is most assuredly a pundit, and we need more of those. But a Master? I like everything about this book but the title.
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