- Your name: Alya Martín Pariente.
- Title of the book: "Autobiography of a Yogi".
- Author : Paramahansa Yogananda.
- Date of publication: 1946.
When I started reading Autobiography of a Yogi, I understood that you have to keep an open mind to be able to grasp all the learning it teaches. Although it is classified as a book of spirituality, its wisdom is universal. I realised that it is a bedside book, one of those that you have to keep on your bookshelf and reread from time to time to see different points that you overlooked at the time. It is a book that conveys the message that, if you want to, you can change and evolve through introspection, reflection and knowledge. It is a book that inspires you, that transforms you, that changes the way you see and look at certain things. How we often don't give importance to certain things, which are the most important and are forgotten in our daily lives. The importance of trusting in what we know we like, what fulfils us, the importance of having a purpose in life that guides and inspires you, the appreciation of beauty in every moment, the awareness of the present as the only time that exists.
What I liked most about the book is the spiritual/oriental vision that the writer has, so different from the western vision. The Eastern vision does believe in the power of meditation, in the purpose of life, in the importance of physical exercise (yoga), good nutrition, introspection... things that in the West we have forgotten. They are in connection with learning from the past, but they focus on the present, which is where the human being can act and shape and they do not get frustrated thinking about the future, that is why we get frustrated because we cannot do anything in the future, what we can take care of is the present time.
The book has many learnings connected to the world of coaching:
- Having a vision of life, a purpose that guides you.
- Believing in your intuition, in listening to you and trusting you and the process.
- Working in the present, not getting stuck in the past, not being constantly worried, looking to the future.
- Persistence to achieve that goal you have set for yourself. Your daily habits are what MAKE the things you set out to do happen.
It is a book that as you read it you have to make stops because it provokes "eureka" moments. I had many moments of insight during the book, for example with these sentences:
"Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty that lies before you. The future will take care of itself". Sometimes we are so preoccupied with the future that we forget to take care of the present. And it is the present that allows us to modify, change, re-establish our future. Everything you do today will be useful for tomorrow. It reminded me of how preoccupied I have always been with the future. I lived more there than in the present. This sentence made me reflect on the importance of being aware of what you are doing now, in your present, as this is the only "time" in which human beings can intervene and change their future.
"Persistence ensures that results are inevitable. This sentence made me think a lot about persistence in achieving the goals we set ourselves. It made me change my view of "persistence" which I saw with negative connotations.
"As only you are aware of your thoughts, only you can change them. I realised that controlling the thoughts that "appear" in your mind is extremely beneficial to change attitudes and to achieve the objectives and goals you set in your life. Also to have the daily well-being that is so necessary in life.
The tools that can be used in a coaching process are multiple, from the connection with the tranquillity that meditation gives before each session, to the confidence that every human being can change and achieve the goal they set for themselves, if they acquire the necessary commitment, to the importance of the "daily tasks" as a vehicle for the achievement of the goal.
One of the ones I implement the most after reading it is to take time before each session to breathe, to connect with yourself, to clear your mind of ideas, tasks and to dive into the session with a relaxed and calm mind, receptive and ready to listen. This step is more important than we think. Another tool learned is yoga, as a physical exercise that opens the door to meditation. Physical exercise, taking care of the body allows us to maintain a healthy and balanced mind, and to boost the hormones "of happiness and well-being".
I would recommend it at the beginning of learning coaching, to connect with yourself, with your inner confidence, with confidence in the process and in what you are learning (and are going to learn), to make you aware of the importance of working in the present, knowing that it is the only time you can intervene to change your future. And above all, to have faith, to believe that what you propose is possible and that you can achieve it with your COMMITMENT.
