The Vashon Film Society will present “Awake,” a documentary about the swami who brought yoga to the West, at 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Vashon Theatre.

The award-winning feature delves into the life, times and teachings of the influential yoga, meditation and spiritual master Paramahansa Yogananda. Born in 1861 to a devout family in India, Yogananda spent his early years seeking out various Hindu saints and sages, finally meeting his guru Swami Yukteswar Giri in 1910. Yogananda traveled to America in 1920 to give lectures about ancient Indian teachings, some of which had surprising parallels to the era’s growing understanding of quantum physics.

Despite being recognized by many as a spiritual genius, Yogananda endured harsh criticism and even racism in the deep South. He traveled widely across the U.S. and attracted huge crowds eager to absorb his philosophical teachings about enlightenment.

In a press release, film director Paola di Florio said, “When Yogananda arrived in America … newfound Quantum Physics was telling us that matter was elusive — something akin to the notion of ‘Maya’ from the Vedic teachings of India. It seemed that modern science was finally catching up with the ancient yogis of the Indus Valley.”

In 1925, the swami established an international center called the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles, which became the spiritual and administrative center for his ongoing work.

In 1946, Yogananda published “Autobiography of a Yogi,”  which described his own quest for enlightenment. Through sharing his struggles along the path, Yogananda made ancient teachings accessible to millions of spiritual seekers, including famous personalities from George Harrison to Steve Jobs and Russell Simmons.

“Awake” kicks off the film society’s new year of First Friday art film offerings at the Vashon Theatre.

Admission to the First Friday screening of “Awake” is $7. Donations support the film society’s programming and scholarship fund.