How Tara Mata jee Disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda Found ~Autobiography of a Yogi ~
Tara Mata (Laurie Pratt)(She then served as his editor)
One day, while working on his autobiography, the Guru told us: “When I have left this world, this book will change the lives of millions. It will be my messenger when I am gone.”When the manuscript was finished, Tara Mata went to New York to find a publisher for it. Paramahansaji had great respect for her knowledge and for her editorial abilities, and often praised her publicly. He said: “What [she] has done for this book I cannot begin to describe. Before she was to go to New York she fell violently ill. She left for New York just the same. But for her, the book would never have gone through.”Gurudeva’s reaction to the completion of the book was joy that no words can express. He inscribed my copy, as he did for many of the other devotees who were here in the ashrams. When I received it, I knew, having helped to type the manuscript, that this was an immortal book — one that for the first time revealed hidden truths which had never before been presented in such a clear and inspirational way. No other author has approached Guruji’s explanation of miracles, reincarnation, karma, the afterlife, and the other wonderful spiritual truths contained in its pages.What would be his reaction to the book’s renown today? He would be humbly touched that Autobiography of a Yogi has reached into all corners of the earth to people of every culture, race, religion, and age, and that it has been received with tremendous acclaim and enthusiasm throughout these fifty years. Though Guruji never dwelt on his own importance, he certainly did believe in the great value of what he wrote —because he knew he was writing Truth.
(ParamahansaYogananda's
jee's letter to Tara Mata jee)
~
Book inscribed for Tara Mata (Laurie Pratt). In a tribute that appears in the Autobiography of a Yogi’s Author’s Acknowledgments, Paramahansaji conveys his appreciation to Tara Mata for her part in editing his manuscript. The inscription in her copy of the book gives insight into the deep regard he had for the service of this valued disciple.
To our Laurie Pratt
“God and the Gurus ever bless you for your valiant & loving part in bringing this book out. P.Y.”
“At last the sacred fragrance of God, of my gurus and the masters have come out through the secret doors of my soul — after unending hazards and ceaseless efforts of Laurie Pratt and other disciples. All faggots of difficulties are burning in the everlasting flame of joy.”
~Tara Mata jee ~
Sister Parvati jee on the divine book.....
I vividly recall when Autobiography of a Yogi was first released. Some time later I asked Paramahansaji if he would write a little thought in my copy. He wrote, “Find the Infinite hidden on the altar of these pages.” Sometimes when I’ve had a specific need, I have opened the Autobiography to some passage and thought, “I don’t remember ever seeing that before!” But it exactly addresses what I had to deal with at the moment. Though I would not have known where to go in the book to find it, it leaps off the page when I need to see it. I have found that the Master’s counsel is really true — you can find the Infinite hidden on the altar of those pages.This book will be my messenger....” Thus did Paramahansa Yogananda prophesy the role of his Autobiography of a Yogi in drawing souls from around the world to the sacred path of Kriya Yoga he had been ordained to spread worldwide. Following are accounts from three of the countless souls for whom the book has indeed served as the Guru’s messenger — during his lifetime as well as after his passing.
