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Mejda: The Family and the Early Life of Paramahansa Yogananda

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I found this book to be very Enlightening, due to the fact that I have always been taught that Yoga and "Eastern Philosophy" are Negative in nature, in the Spiritual sense. However, I have always Admired great men like Gandhi and Deepak Chopra.

I have felt, for a long while, a strong desire to understand the Philosophy of Gandhi & Deepak Chopra. Recently, the opportunity arose for me to begin practicing Yoga & work my way up to Kriya. So, as with all things, I wanted to read back-ground information. The wonderful Kriya gentleman I met sent me this book and I devoured it in two days--despite all the foreign words and names, which I wanted to ingest fully and not skim-over. This gentleman also strongly recommended "Autobiography of a Yogi," by Paramahansa Yogananda--which I have ordered from Amazon.com.

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of "Autobiography....." because this story Captivated me! I felt very in-tune with the young "Mejda" who evolved into a great Yogi, who spread the Light of Yoga teachings to the West.

I know, from studying occult works, that Yoga & Eastern Philosophy was not always well-accepted in America. However, "Mejda" did a wonderful job of Educating Americans and set-up 70 Yoga centers in the world. He must have been an Amazing man.

I am very-much looking forward to my journey in Yoga & I strongly recommend these books to anyone involved with Yoga & Eastern thought. I am beginning to understand Hinduism.

This book is very well-written and you will find yourself glued to it. My eyes were riveted to the pages, until I finished reading the last page.

I am ever-indebted to the gentleman who sent me this book, for opening my eyes to the Wisdom of Yoga. I recently discovered that the West's early antagonism against Yoga came strictly from personal animosity against people like Mdme. Blavatsky, by other organizations. I have concluded that the Negative attitudes toward Yoga and Eastern thought, by Westeners is due to Ignorance of the truth--not any valid argument against the system of thought.

Make sure you buy the Autobiography, because this story is one you will not want to end !

"MEJDA" is a most fascinating study of the early life and experiences of one of the world's great modern prophets. We are so often at a loss to know the many intimate and amazing details about these sacred lives. This unique biography not only gives us inspirational insights on Yogananda's formative years, but also serves as a major study of how this great yogi so intently, lovingly, and single-mindedly sought Self-Realization as a youth. It clearly demonstrates the subtle influence of the divine in our lives. Leaving little doubt as to the authenticity and timeliness of His divine mission, which is being substantiated by it's great success and influence in the spirirtual lives of so many persons.

The author, a sibling of Yogananda, stands as one of many witnessess to the many miraculous happenings through the Masters outstanding life's work. This testimony should be read by anyone who may find the amazing encounters and stories in the classic "AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI" difficult to believe. Paramahansa Yogananda established the Self-Realization Fellowship to be the Authorized publisher of His writings and the teacher of Babaji's sacred Kriya Yoga.

Contents: Father's Humble Beginnings......Mejda's Birth and Boyhood in Gorakpur......Mejda at Lahore.......Our Mother.......Family Life after Mothers Death......Our Days in Bareilly......Early Years in Calcutta......Mejda Explores the Realms of Mind and Spirit.......Mejda's Guru and College Years......Sannyas and a Worldwide Mission......Return to India........The Last Years and an Ongoing Mission.......Biographical Notes....

Also Recommended: In The Sanctary of the Soul.......Only Love...........Finding the Joy Within You......The Divine Romance.......Man's Eternal Quest.....The Scienc of religion....Journey to Self-Realization..etc.

This is a biography of Yogananda by one of his youngest brothers. Don't expect Yogananda to be like he was in his autobiography. I would advise you to please read the autobiography first. Mukunda (Yogananda) could be trying, to say the least. All this energy would culminate in his Worldwide Mission to bring yoga to the entire world. But let us face facts. He did have a temper in the early days. He would spend time in graveyards practicing tantric yoga! This brought a lot of dismay to his father who had to take a firm but gentle hand with him. He would frequently hypnotize the author until his father finally put a stop to it. Yes, he was a tiger. But a benevolent one. He was determined to find God as described in his classic autobiography. But I don't think he was ever secure until he found his Guru, Sri Yukteswar. This work also corresponds with the biography. In that work, a chapter is written on how Yogananda simply insisted on going to the Himalayas despite his

Guru's admonitions. So this biography simply highlights this man's life from an outsider's view. It is a very wonderful book about a simply wonderful man. But read the autobiography first in order not to get any false notions.

Although this is not the book with which to *begin* your exposure to Yogananda's life and teachings (that would be Autobiography of a Yogi, ISBN 0876120834 ), it is one of the very few places where you can appreciate the yoga master's life from youth. The author, younger brother Sananda, vividly relates the powerful effect on the entire family of having a child saint in its midst. Stories demonstrating young Yogananda's rare combination of devotion, will, and divine atunement will remind you of how the child Jesus impressed adult relatives. And yet he certainly was a boy during those early years - playing pranks, gradually learning lessons, and steadily expanding the spiritual burden he was to shoulder as an adult teacher in Europe and the Americas.

If you have ready his Autobiography and crave further connection with Yogananda's spirit, pick up "Mejda" - you'll not be disappointed. Sananda brings alive many astounding experiences he and his saintly brother shared - stories not available anywhere else in print.

Don't neglect the appended Q&A and Discourses sections. Even if you've been taking Yogananda's Self-Realization Lessons in meditation, you'll find some unique points pertaining to the Bhagavad Gita, how reincarnation happens, the role of life force in yoga, etc. in these appendices.

I received this in the mail and was immediately engrossed in the reading, feeling like I was reading about a beloved friend. I felt like I'd known Yogananda thru all his other books (Autobiography, Self-Realization Volumes, and Scientific Healing Affirmations), so "Mejda" proved to offer valuable insight to his background and life.

What I learned in this book:

Yogananda has always had deep love and affection for all animals since a young child.

He had difficulty containing his anger and would express his feelings passionately and vocally. In his other books he talked about eliminating his anger as he got older.

He was a yogi since he was conscious as a baby, but then, he was always conscious inbetween incarnations.

He had a powerful relationship with God in that God would manifest to him even when he was a young child.

He was so curious that he started dabbling in various supernatural practices. (I can relate to this!)

He yearned for God terribly and felt very ostracized (was bullied) as he was so different from other boys.

He was a sensitive and passionate young boy, yet he began his guru-ship early as other boys interested in the same thing would follow him.

Thank you, Sananda, brother of Yogananda, for giving us your precious insight into a beloved Yogi.

For anyone who has ever read, loved, and been profoundly impacted by a reading of Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi - Mejda is an indispensable companion to this classic work.

Mejda is a term of endearment given to the second eldest brother in a Hindu family. This book presents a very intimate portrait of Yogananda by Sananda Lal Ghosh - who was not only Yogananda's brother, but also his companion, friend, and ultimately devotee. The book fills in many gaps about Yogananda's childhood and documents amazing events about his life that are both supernatural, heart-warming and inspirational. I came away with a greater sense of respect and awe and a deeper appreciation for Yogananda - whose life, work, and priceless gift of Kriya Yoga to lay men and women in the West are simply beyond measure.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the life and work of this great Master!

This is such a beautiful book about Paramahansa Yoganandaji written by his brother. Read "Autobiography of a Yogi" before.

I've known of Yogananda for almost twelve years. My introduction to him was his autobiography. Since then I've read much of his literature, and the writings of some of his disciples. Of them all, this book has been the most inspiring and informative. I feel any open hearted seeker will find some good in it, and any lover of Yogananda would deeply enjoy and cherish it.