Bodhi Tree LIVE Celebrates 70th Anniversary of "Autobiography of a Yogi"

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bodhi Tree, the iconic Hollywood bookseller recently expanded as an online retailer, and Ananda Worldwide, a non-profit focused on the teachings of Yogananda, will host a free global celebration of Paramahansa Yogananda to mark the 70^th anniversary of the publication of Yogananda's best-selling Autobiography of a Yogi. Webcast from the Bodhi Tree LIVE studio in Los Angeles, the December 1^st event will take place from 7-9pm PST. Yogananda is credited with bringing yoga to the West, igniting a spiritual revolution that would set the stage for yoga's global dominance both as a practice and business.

Spiritual thought leaders Joan Borysenko, Yogi Cameron, Philip Goldberg, Lisa Garr, Nayaswamis Jyotish & Devi Novak, Elisabeth Rohm and Michael Bernard Beckwith will share how Autobiography inspired their spiritual work during the live webcast. Viewers will also see the world premiere of The Spark, a documentary short film about Yogananda.

"Bodhi Tree has always been a place to ask the questions, to find sanctuary with like minds and to uncover meaning in both the day to day as much as the bigger events that define our lives," Bodhi Tree CEO Stephen Powers said. "Autobiography is a defining book for anyone who has sought an awakened path. We are thrilled to partner with Ananda to share this celebration with the world."

Autobiography of a Yogihas influenced millions of people around the world, from Mahatma Gandhi,Luther Burbank,Steve Jobs and George Harrison to Joseph Campbell, Andrew Weil and Joseph Cornell. The passing of Steve Jobs in 2011 inspired renewed interest in Autobiography of a Yogi. Jobs discovered the book in 1970 and re-read it every year; it was the only book loaded on his iPad. Copies were given to all attendees of his memorial service.

First published in 1946, Autobiography of a Yogi has sold over 20 million copies, in 34 languages, and is among USA Today's top 100 most important spiritual books of the 20^th century. Yogananda arrived in the U.S. from India in 1920 and founded the Self Realization Fellowship with a mission to help people realize joy in their daily lives. In that decade, he was one of the most sought-after speakers in the country. He met United States President Calvin Coolidge in the White House. The Los Angeles Times wrote, "Thousands being turned away from the 3,000-seat Philharmonic Auditorium…Swami Yogananda is the attraction.

Bodhi Tree began as a beloved Hollywood bookstore and destination for the spiritually curious in 1970. Today, Bodhi Tree has expanded to become an online destination for new and antiquarian books, handcrafted home and ceremonial goods, consciously selected to support a thoughtful path, and creator of the Bodhi Tree Journal, original content published weekly. Bodhi Tree LIVE hosts event gatherings in Los Angeles with recording and live streaming capabilities for viewers throughout the world.

Ananda is a worldwide spiritual movement based on the teachings of Yogananda founded by his disciple Swami Kriyananda. Ananda is offering Autobiography as a free audiobook or e-book on December 1^st to all who sign up for the webcast.

To view the webcast and for on-demand access, register at bodhitree.com/yogananda and follow instructions for viewing. The celebration will remain available online as part of the ongoing media offerings on Bodhitree.com.

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SOURCE Bodhi Tree