Swami Paramahansa Yogananda's Super Advanced Course ... (ISBN 1843560275)

A Look at Yogananda's Early Lessons:
All you SRF students can relax. Although from scanning this book, the Energizing Exercises, Hong Sau and Om were apparently sent out with these very first lessons, those techniques are not in this book. Long ago I completed the SRF lessons up through the highest Kriyas, so I ordered this book to see what all the fuss was about. At least at one time these lessons were authorized by Yogoda Satsanga Society which preceded the Self-Realization Fellowship name. These lessons are probably the old lessons sent out to devotees by Amrita. Each lesson is preceded by this statement: "This sacred lesson is meant only for the devoted Yogoda student who would untiringly and unceasingly, seek God until he finds Him." So indeed these lessons were meant to carry a very special spiritual vibration. This edition is not the first time the lessons have been made public. Kessinger Publishing printed these lessons in August 2003. The book is sold through Amazon. The lessons are apparently a scan or photocopy since the font is of an older type, lacking the perfection of newer computerized fonts. And SRFers--Don't you think that Yogananda could have prevented the publication of these lessons if he'd wanted to? Let's have some reality testing. Perhaps the publication of these older lessons is meant for an introduction to the superior SRF lessons of today. The lessons are fun to read, but less polished than the lessons SRF now sends to students. The very first lesson in the Super Advanced Book is a lesson that doesn't appear in the regular lessons until the advanced Kriyas are sent out. The first lesson is on the spinal passageway and St. John's revelation. I have no idea why this lesson has been moved far ahead to the advanced Kriya lessons by SRF. Like many decisions of SRF, we don't know if they are Yogananda's thoughts or the well meaning decisions of those who are in charge of the organization. When Yogananda first wrote these lessons, he didn't waste any time getting to the point. Of course now knowledge of the Kundalini and related topics are in the popular domain. Nevertheless there are many false ideas of what is meant by Kundalini. Yogananda clears up these misunderstandings. The current SRF lessons are better organized and have better editing. If anyone wants to learn Yogananda's Kriya technique I'd advise subscribing to the regular lessons. A shorter path to Kriya is offered by Ananda in Nevada City, CA. The vibration is somewhat different there. Each student has to choose the path which feels more comfortable to him or her.

A Dated Part of a Year Long Course:
Years ago I read Autobiography of a Yogi, a classic in the field, and was disappointed to find that the central teaching, a technique called Kriya Yoga, was never explained. It was a veiled method that Yogananda touted as having extraordinary benefits. But it had to be learned in person from someone authorized or spiritually empowered to teach it. So I subscribed to the Yogananda courses, since Kriya was offered only after a full year of reading the preparatory courses, the first twelve of which are now bound and for sale here. If you want to learn Kriya, which is a wonderful meditation technique, either find a teacher or check out www.kriyayogainfo.net Ennio Nimis has finally disclosed the method in several downloadable ebooks. And they're FREE! The Yogananda community is likely outraged, but Ennio feels that knowledge, if it's valuable and beneficial, should be openly available. That said, keep in mind there are various versions of the technique, with Ennio's being an excellent and thorough presentation. For another take on it, look at Mantak Chia's books on the Microcosmic Orbit meditation, which is really Taoism's version of Kriya Yoga. Yogananda's twelve lessons were probably earth-shaking when they were first distributed here sixty or seventy years ago. Now they're kind of in the spiritual mainstream. Advice: read Autobiography of a Yogi, then check out Ennio's site or find a teacher affiliated with Swami Hariharananda's organization and learn kriya.

I Say Buy It----What The Heck!:
I have not read this book nor do I plan to read it. I think that most likely it's just a rehash of some of yoganada's works, but if you think you might need it, get it. It might be good for your spiritual evolution--who knows. Yogananda was a super, spiritual superman---almost a god-like being. Anything from him can't be bad.

Not Your Guru:
Readers of these items remember: These are not lessons written by Sri Yogananda. Paramahansaji's exact writings and lessons are published only by Self Realization Fellowship of Los Angeles. Although some benefits may result, the intended results are only realized by the efforts of the devotee, the grace of the Guru and the grace of God, and one needs the connection with the Guru for these graces. I suggest contacting SRF for the true lessons available to anyone on request.

redundant:
I was very disappointed in this book. It felt very redundant and didn't seem to progress much.