Awake: The Life of Yogananda

Name: Awake: The Life of Yogananda
Genre: Documentary
Released: October 10, 2014
Duration: 87 min
Rating: 54

2014

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Mixed or average reviews based on 5 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Ratings

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Ratings

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Awake: The Life Of Yogananda

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Movie Details & Credits

| Release Date: October 10, 2014 | Not Rated

Summary: Awake: The Life of Yogananda is an unconventional biography about the Hindu Swami who brought yoga and meditation to the West in the 1920s. Paramahansa Yogananda authored the spiritual classic “Autobiography of a Yogi,” which has sold millions of copies worldwide and is a go-to book for seekers, philosophers and yoga enthusiasts today. ByAwake: The Life of Yogananda is an unconventional biography about the Hindu Swami who brought yoga and meditation to the West in the 1920s. Paramahansa Yogananda authored the spiritual classic “Autobiography of a Yogi,” which has sold millions of copies worldwide and is a go-to book for seekers, philosophers and yoga enthusiasts today. By personalizing his own quest for enlightenment and sharing his struggles along the path, Yogananda made ancient Vedic teachings accessible to a modern audience, attracting many followers and inspiring the millions who practice yoga today.… Expand

Director: Lisa Leeman and Paola di Florio

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 87 min

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Critic Reviews

Anita Gates

Oct 9, 2014

The film’s storytelling is straightforward, almost standard-issue, but the story itself is compelling, as is the testimony of devotees. Read full review

Stephanie Merry

Oct 30, 2014

[A] dreamy, entrancing and occasionally overstuffed documentary. Read full review

David Lewis

Oct 16, 2014

This is a film that works both for followers and for those interested in knowing what yoga is truly about. Hint: It’s not about six-pack abs. Read full review

Peter Keough

Nov 6, 2014

Those looking for further enlightenment might want to pass on the feel-good cinematic hagiography known as Awake: The Life of Yogananda. Read full review

Kerry Lengel

Nov 5, 2014

Unfortunately, while the swami taught his disciples to explore the depths of their very souls, the film barely scratches the surface of his life and teachings. Read full review

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User Reviews

Dfrankjazz

Oct 12, 2014

This movie is SPECTACULAR, riveting, profound, and GREAT!! A fantastic tribute to the Father of Yoga in the West , travel with the GREAT GREAT Yogananda through his life and travels as he spreads the liberating truths of REAL religion to us all. Utterly uplifting and inspiring, don't miss this!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

hkdelhi

Nov 12, 2015

Amazing, best movie/ documentary I have seen, Thanks God I have read Autobiography of a Yogi beforehand, the little boy with spot in between eyebrows, instructions to lay members, the growth of Self Realization Fellowship after the Great Guru's physical life are specially wonderful. TheAmazing, best movie/ documentary I have seen, Thanks God I have read Autobiography of a Yogi beforehand, the little boy with spot in between eyebrows, instructions to lay members, the growth of Self Realization Fellowship after the Great Guru's physical life are specially wonderful. The movie rightly conveys that although Great Guru has left the body but his consciousness is surly living and inspiring the followers / seekers of God from within, inspiring to seek bliss within, focus the mind at the point between the eyebrows.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RalphCurt

Dec 11, 2014

I really liked this movie. It is more of a documentary than a movie but I liked that - more fact than fiction is good in a movie like this. The movie does a wonderful job of showing us eastern cultural norms (India) and contrasts them against the western (USA) norm of the 1920's. I alsoI really liked this movie. It is more of a documentary than a movie but I liked that - more fact than fiction is good in a movie like this. The movie does a wonderful job of showing us eastern cultural norms (India) and contrasts them against the western (USA) norm of the 1920's. I also loved the way it showed us how the initial success of the Swami Yogananda was based on the "exotic" nature of his approach, was then trashed once it became old hat and then, most importantly, how he ascended to his true spiritual essence simply by relaying on faith and truth. “Where is God?” one person asks? "He is looking out of your eyes."
This movie humbled me and showed me what has ultimate value.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Dvte

Mar 10, 2016

I have been a devotee of Yogananda for most of my life & looked forward to the release of this film. It was disappointing to say the least. The voice over in an artificial Indian accent was embarrassing & irritating & the portrayals of great yogis by actors fell flat & some of the scenesI have been a devotee of Yogananda for most of my life & looked forward to the release of this film. It was disappointing to say the least. The voice over in an artificial Indian accent was embarrassing & irritating & the portrayals of great yogis by actors fell flat & some of the scenes gave a clear misinterpretation of certain events in the life of the Master. The makers of this film seemed to lack insight into the real meaning of the life of this great soul & have missed a golden opportunity. The film feels rushed & incomplete & I suspect was pushed through to preempt other portrayals which were pending. Other long time devotees of this path have expressed the same reaction. Having said that the wonderful footage of the actual Yogis & other real characters involved certainly makes the film worth seeing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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