Paramhansa Yogananda, born Mukunda Lal Ghosh, (also known as Swami Yogananda) showed signs of spiritual awareness even as a young child. His quest to find a great guru to guide him in his spiritual path led him to Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, who molded the young man who was to become a great spiritual force. After his college graduation in 1915, he took formal vows and was from that time on called Swami Yogananda Giri. Then in 1935, when he returned to India to visit his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri bestowed upon him the title of "Paramhansa." The "supreme swan," of which this title is named after, is a mythological bird that can separate water from milk and drink the milk. Referring to a spiritual leader as Paramhansa is to refer to his/her ability to intake pure and positive vibrations and energy among all energies present, thereby experiencing spiritualism in its fullest form.

Shortly after graduation, in July 1914, Sri Yukteswarji initiated Mukunda into the ancient Swami order at which time the young man assumed the monastic name Swami Yogananda (or, more properly, Yogananda of the Giri branch of the Swami order). It was as Swami Yogananda that he arrived in America in 1920 and proceeded to travel throughout the United States on his “spiritual campaigns” for the next four years. During this time, hundreds of thousands filled the largest halls in major American cities to see the yoga master from India.

The teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda centered on creating spiritual awareness in people. His lectures highlighted the importance of meditation, which leads the mind to liberation. He taught Kriya yoga, an ancient yoga system, to his followers, which Yogananda called the 'Jet-Airplane' route to God. Kriya yoga is an advanced pranayama technique, which revitalizes the life force in the brain and spine. Practicing Kriya yoga elevates the state of mind to achieve spiritual goals and feel oneness with Universe. One of the aims of the Self-Realization Fellowship is to make Kriya yoga teachings available to the whole world.

Paramhansa Yogananda believed that all religions shared the same values. His lectures and writings made elaborate presentations on the unity of all religions. As such, one of the other aims of the Self-Realization Fellowship is to create awareness and a sense of oneness among all people, crossing all barriers that exist in the name of race, religion and country. The true basis of religion is not belief, but intuitive experience. Intuition is the soul’s power of knowing God. To know what religion is really all about, one must know God.