How It All Began: Origins of the Healing Tao System
2013

2014
Director
Paola di Florio, Lisa Leeman
Runtime
87 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
An unconventional biography by Oscar nominee Paola di Florio and Sundance winner Lisa Leeman about Hindu mystic Paramahansa Yogananda who brought yoga and meditation to the West in 1920 and authored the spiritual classic "Autobiography of a Yogi," which became the go-to book for seekers from George Harrison to Steve Jobs.
Overall Score
Fair
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film focuses entirely on the spiritual trajectory of Paramahansa Yogananda. There are no discernible LGBTQ+ characters or narratives present in the archival or interview content.
Gender Representation
The narrative centers on Yogananda's individual journey, concentrating agency in a central male figure. However, the inclusion of female disciples provides a nuanced view of spiritual agency.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The documentary excels in depicting cross-cultural exchange by centering an Indian mystic. It effectively disrupts Eurocentric biographical models by highlighting the agency of a non-Western figure.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The film presents Eastern spirituality as a sophisticated complement to Western life. It emphasizes a synthesis of cultures that subtly critiques Western cultural exceptionalism.
Disability Representation
Disability is not a central theme in this documentary. There is no evidence of characters with disabilities being utilized as plot devices.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
The film succeeds as a significant piece of cross-cultural storytelling. Its primary strength lies in disrupting traditional Western-centric biographical tropes by centering an Eastern spiritual tradition and its profound impact on the West. While the documentary achieves high marks for racial and ethnic agency, it lacks engagement with LGBTQ+ or disability narratives. The focus remains strictly on monastic discipline and the transmission of Kriya Yoga. Ultimately, the film provides a respectful exploration of post-colonial cultural exchange, balancing the central male figure's journey with a broader view of global spiritual integration.
2013

1986

2006

2017

2012

1992

1988

2010

2017

1994
2016

1989
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.