Apple co-founder Steve Jobs left a meaningful message in his final gift to friends and colleagues: a copy of ‘Autobiography of a Yogi‘ by Hindu Guru Paramahansa Yogananda, handed out in a simple brown box. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt conference, few years after his death, Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff shared that the book focused on self-realization and reflected Jobs’ deep belief in intuition and looking inward.
“That was his message,” Benioff explained. “Actualize yourself. He had this incredible realization that his intuition was his greatest gift, and he needed to view the world from the inside out.”
Steve Jobs passed away on October 5, 2011, at the age of 56. He died at his home in Palo Alto, California, surrounded by his family. Jobs had been battling a rare form of pancreatic cancer called neuroendocrine tumor, which was first diagnosed in 2004.
Steve Jobs planned his memorial service: Salesforce CEO
Benioff, a close friend of Steve Jobs and an early collaborator on the Macintosh project, also shed light on a lesser-known side of Jobs—his deep spirituality.
In his final days, Steve Jobs showcased his trademark attention to detail by planning every aspect of his memorial. He personally selected the speakers, the guest list, and even the performers—Bono and Yo-Yo Ma played as he had envisioned. As guests left, each was given a copy of the book, carrying Jobs’ parting message about the value of reflection and self-discovery.
“I knew this was a decision he made deliberately,” Benioff said. “This gift was the last thing he wanted us to think about.”
What made Guru Paramahansa Yogananda’s book so special for Steve Jobs
The book ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ meant a lot to Steve. As indicated in his biography by Walter Isaacson, he first read the book as a teenager, a few years later while in India, and then again once a year.
Benioff advice to Apple
Benioff also spoke about how Jobs’ message could guide Apple today, as the company faces tough competition. With Samsung and Google’s Android devices outselling Apple’s iPhone and iPad, and its shares dropping 30% over the past year, Benioff encouraged Apple to rediscover its true identity.
“For Apple, they need to find themselves and be who they are,” he said. “In many ways, they’re still trying to be him. But they just need to be true to themselves. Respect the past, and as Steve would say, ‘Project the future.’”