Paramhansa Yogananda (1893ñ1952) was a renowned Indian yogi and spiritual teacher, best known for introducing the practice of Kriya Yoga to the West. His influential book Autobiography of a Yogi has inspired millions worldwide. Yogananda emphasized the unity of all religions and the importance of direct personal experience of God. Through his teachings, he focused on meditation, self-realization, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, establishing the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) to disseminate his teachings globally.