My Guru

Paramahansa Yogananda was , by all accounts, an intelligent, charismatic and charming man. He came to America as a sort of hindu missionary in the 1920's. He taught what he had been taught in his family home and his Guru's ashram. He was something of a Hindi Jimmy Swaggart. Going forth and spreading the word. Developing a following, writing books and a small empire.

There is nothing really wrong with this. Ministers of many religions do this sort of thing all of the time. What makes this story different is that he came to call himself a "Christ". Sent by God to spread Gods "True" message to America. He considered himself to be a peer of Jesus. An Avatar.

Now I don't know if he really believed this stuff or if the whole thing had just gone to his head or if he was a con man, but I think it was a bit of all of the above.

Figuring that American Christians didn't understand their own religion, he commenced interpreting their Bible for them. Never mind that he couldn't understand it himself, he had a league of fresh young Mormon girls to help him with that task (more on that later).

He was a bit of a celebrity personality in America in the 1920's and 30's. Living in a mansion in LA. Groups of young people serving his every need. A number of rich benefactors. Rubbing elbows with the hollywood elite. It was a good gig.

So for me this is where the story begins. I believed he was a Christ. I pledged my allegiance to him. I am a Kriyaban.

KD