In his final days, Steve Jobs left friends and colleagues with a profound parting gift: a copy of Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Mark Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, shared that the book reflected Jobs’ belief in self-realization and the power of intuition. “That was his message—actualize yourself,” Benioff said.
Jobs first read the book as a teenager and revisited it annually, shaping his spiritual outlook. At his memorial service, he carefully planned every detail, including performers like Bono and Yo-Yo Ma, ensuring his final message focused on inner reflection.
Benioff encouraged Apple to embrace this philosophy amid challenges, advising them to respect the past while staying true to their identity.
Apple CEO Tim Cook also highlighted Jobs’ unique leadership style, noting his focus on small teams and innovation.
Jobs passed away on October 5, 2011, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, intuition, and self-discovery.