Although the author's life took place within a "Hindu" milieu, this work is not about "Hinduism." Neither is it a technical manual of darsana or yoga. There is none of the hairsplitting semantics of the pedants, as such becomes irrelevant when the seeker climbs to the level of mysticism. It is about spirituality as encountered by the author in his life. This is one of the great spiritual masterpieces in human history. The life and inspiration of Paramhansa Swami Yogānanda Giri are best read in the first edition, 1946, because later editions have been altered by people of lesser understanding (who think they are better than the author).