The gesture was both humble and grand, a final offering of wisdom and inspiration from one of the greatest visionary minds of our time. The small brown box, like a treasure chest, held within it a book full of insights to understand one's innermost self.
At his memorial service in 2011, Steve Jobs gave attendees the book ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by Paramahansa Yogananda as a parting gift.
It supposedly was the only book he had saved on his iPad. Why this book?
Because “quite apart from the charm of the new and the fascination of the half-understood, there is good cause for yoga to have many adherents,” German psychiatrist Carl Jung explained. “It offers the possibility of controllable experience and thus satisfies the scientific need for ‘facts’; and, besides this, by reason of its breadth and depth, its venerable age, its doctrine and method, which include every phase of life, it promises undreamed-of possibilities.”
Because the Yogi teachings can be adapted to suit people of all ages, colors, genders, nationalities, and physical abilities.
Because everyone is on a journey of self-discovery and growth, and the Yogi science sheds light on the path.
Because its meditation and breathing practices are powerful tools for controlling the mind and regulating emotions.
Because it teaches one how to care for the physical body, the temple of the spirit.
Because it enables one to cultivate a greater sense of presence and awareness in daily life.
Because its teachings are not limited to any particular religious or spiritual tradition. It can be practiced by people of all faiths or no faith at all.
Because it teaches to be kind to everyone, even to the people you dislike. Even to the people you disagree with.
Because it teaches to do the best you know how. To find joy in whatever you happen to be doing at this very moment.
And because it reminds you that everything that’s happening, it’s happening for the ultimate good of your soul. That your experiences are exactly what you need to grow, develop, unfold and improve.
