kriya yoga

Kriya Yoga

Kriya Yoga is described by its practitioners as the ancient Yoga system.
11. A Simple NonSectarian Technique
Kriya Yoga is nonsectarian. Its simple technique causes no hardship, requires no austerities, and suits aspiring householders as well as monks. From the principles of Karma Yoga, Kriya Yoga teaches that all action, kri, is done by the indwelling soul, ya. Continuous awareness of the power of the indwelling soul can transform all activity into worship. Awareness that the soul must inhale every breath leads to mind control and liberation.
The Kriya technique emphasizes the relationship between breath and mind. The breath influences the mind and viceversa. This reciprocal relationship reveals the secret of controlling the mind Breath control is selfcontrol. Breath mastery is selfmastery. Breathlessness is deathlessness. The breathless state of samadhi is the realization of the Absolute.
12. Direct Transmission From Teacher to Student
Kriya Yoga is a golden opportunity to reach higher states of consciousness and change your life, by developing the body, mind, intellect, and awareness of the soul. It is a quick and easy path. Kriya Yoga techniques are passed down from master to disciple, master to aspirant, teacher to student.

No written document records when the ancient tradition of Kriya Yoga began. This spiritual technique has been practiced by saints, seers, and sages from time immemorial. The rishis (seers) of the Upanishads, Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, Maharshi Patanjali in his Yoga Sutra, and many other masters of yoga practiced and taught this scientific method through the ages. Kriya Yoga is a powerful tool to be used by seekers of all religions in order to hasten spiritual development. Adi Shankara in the Viveka Chudamani described three things that are very rare in this world to have a human birth, to have desire for liberation, and to have the company of a great soul and realized master.

13. Technique Origins
n modern times, in 1861, an elusive and mysterious master, Mahavatar Babaji, reintroduced the ancient Kriya technique to the general public through his able disciple, Shri Shyamacharan Lahiri, a pious householder. Lahiri Mahasaya, as he was popularly known, had many realized disciples. Foremost among them were Swami Shriyukteshwar Giri, who was well versed in the scriptures of both the East and West, and who attained the highest state of realization, and Shrimat Bhupendranath Sanyal Mahasaya, a householder yogi most noted for his metaphorical interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita in the light of Kriya Yoga. Among the many disciples of Swami Shriyukteshwar were Paramahamsa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, and Swami Satyananda Giri, who was the president of Karar Ashram until 1971, which had been founded by Swami Shriyukteshwar in 1903. Paramahamsa Hariharananda, who was president of Karar Ashram from 1971 as well as the president of the Kriya Yoga international organizations he founded, was also a direct disciple of Swami Shriyukteshwar. Both Paramahamsa Yogananda and Paramahamsa Hariharananda were Selfrealized and instrumental in spreading the teachings of Kriya Yoga around the world.

Until the time of his mortal transition into spirit, December 3, 2002, at the age of 95 (19072002), Paramahamsa Hariharananda oversaw each students spiritual development. Lovingly called Baba by thousands of disciples and students around the world, his divine love and compassion remain unparalleled.Today, Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, the realized disciple and successor of Paramahamsa Hariharananda, travels the world as a powerful spiritual master, loving teacher, prolific author, and speaker. Under his loving direction, the Kriya Yoga international organizations, supported by its monks, yogacharyas, and devotees, continue to thrive.

14. How To Get Started
At Kriya Yoga ashrams and centers throughout the world, guided meditations are open to those initiated by authorized teachers. Introductory programs and initiations are offered regularly.We are happy for the opportunity to help you in any way we can with your Kriya practice. To learn more about Kriya Yoga, please see the listing of the ashram or center nearest you and call the contact person directly.
15. Preparing the Field
People who wish to receive initation are encouraged to prepare their field by becoming familiar with the teachings of Paramahamsa Hariharananda and Paramahamsa Prajnanananda. A good place to start is to read past issues of the Soul Culture magazine (currently free on the www.kriya.org website), or purchase one of the books written by Paramahamsa Hariharananda or Paramahamsa Prajnanananda.
16. Attending a Kriya Yoga Program
Yogacharyas regularly tour the United States, Europe, and India to deliver lectures, initiate students, conduct guided meditation classes, and provide spiritual counseling. Please consult our calendar section for their touring schedules, or contact your regional center or ashram for information about dates and locations of programs.A Kriya Yoga program consists of an introductory lecture, followed by initiation into the authentic Kriya Yoga by an approved yogacharya, and a minimum of three followup group guided meditations under the supervision of the yogacharya. Afterwards, individuals practice regularly on their own and attend group meditations in their area, depending on their availability (usually weekly).In addition, some of the yogacharyas may reside in your area who may be available on a perappointment basis to instruct and guide seekers in the ancient science of Kriya Yoga.
17. The Tradition of Kriya Yoga
The ancient tradition for learning the royal science of Kriya Yoga meditation begins with purification. Students participate in a holy ceremony to purify the spine and the body. Each seeker is initiated on an individual basis through the direct contact of a teacher of this lineage. The teacher directly infuses the triple divine qualities of sound, vibration, and light into the initiate. Through this process, the seeker learns to perceive the inner light of the soul, hear divine sound, and feel the divine movement sensation all over the body. Sacred mantras are chanted throughout the ceremony with adequate explanations in English.In the beginning of the ceremony, basic techniques for quieting the mind are taught, preparing the seeker for the infusion of divine energy. Initiation into the Holy Stream of Divine Consciousness is attained by overcoming the internal chatter of the mind. As the thought processes are calmed, it is possible to merge into the Divine in the form of sound, vibration, and light.
18. Health is Wealth
The human body is the principal thing and the foundation for a happy and spiritual life. It is why there is a proverb in Sanskritarram dyam khaludharma sdhanam Take care of the body; through good health one can practice and progress in spiritual life.The body can be compared with a car or a machine. Kept in perfect condition it gives immense utility. If the bodyvehicle is not in good condition, then it is difficult to reach the destination of life, that is Godrealization.The greatest wonder in the universe is the human life, i.e. the soul living in a house the bodysensesmindintellect complex. The human body is the most delicate system with many automatic and powerful organs. Heart and lungs are nonstop pumping sets, the eyes are the automatic cameracumprojector which constantly takes accurate and perfect pictures immediately. The nervous system with sensory and motor nerves, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves is the fastest communication system. The ear, nose, tongue, skin, genitals are delicate organs in their own fields. The stomach constantly digests varieties of food and the small intestine assimilates the essence of the food. The anus, urinary organ, skin, nose, etc. constitute the drainage system of the body. There are many glands with ducts and without ducts like pancreas, spleen, liver, thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary, etc. which regulate the human system.Above all, the human brain, a small part of the human body, has tremendous power; it controls, regulates and systematizes all functions of the body and the mind. It is also called the divine kingdom, because the seat of the soul, the source of all spiritual energy, dwells in it.

If any human limb is in disorder, the whole body suffers and life becomes miserable. The human body is the vehicle for peace and happiness, but it may often becomes a storehouse of diseases. Diseases destroy the blessings of living. The bodily ailment brings physical suffering, mental upset, monetary strain and above all loss of precious human energy and time.By the practice of the scientific technique of Kriya Yoga, the entire human system is magnetized and energized in a very short time. All the internal organs like liver, pancreas, spleen, thyroid, pituitary, pineal organs are activated. They secrete necessary hormones and enzymes to keep the body fit. There will be sufficient blood circulation in the brain and spine for balanced supply of oxygen to every remote part of the body. The digestive system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, excretory system, nervous system, genital system, etc. become active and efficient.The ancient yogis, speaking high of Kriya Yoga, wroteKriya Yoga cures and prevents many unknown and fatal diseases, increases the digestive and assimilating power which confers a beautiful, lustrous and slim body until death. It prevents premature old age and death, giving a long and healthy life.By the practice of this scientific technique, the body and mind remain diseasefree, enabling one to live a complete life span of hundred years, as declared in the Isha Upanishad, mantra 2 jijivishet shatam samah. Through a life of moderation and regular practice of Kriya Yoga one can enjoy the beauty of human life, perceiving peace, bliss and joy.

19. Mind Control
Mind is the greatest blessing as well as a terrible human predicament. A regulated, controlled and channeled mind can give and fulfill all the expectation of human life, but if uncontrolled, it brings hell, miseries and sufferings. Although man is endowed with tremendous mental power, it is unused, misused and even abused. The mind is most powerful and moves faster than any thing else.The Kriya technique highlights the relationship between breath and mind. Breath influences mind and viceversa. Their mutual relationship revealed the mystery of how to control the mind.

Breath control is selfcontrol. Breath mastery is self mastery. Breathlessness stage is deathlessness stage that bring the state of samadhi, the realization of the Absolute.Kriya Yoga is based on a scientific breathing that pacifies the mind, slows the breathing process, and makes the breath flow inside the nostrils instead of outside.By the practice of Kriya Yoga the mind becomes in a short time calm, quiet and thoughtless. The blood absorbs a better quantity of oxygen and becomes quiclky decarbonized, which increases the general wellbeing. Man may become free from the stress and strain of life. A number of psychosomatic diseases can be avoided.

20. Intellectual Development
Mans memory, intelligence, brain power bring success in the material and worldly life. Kriya Yoga will make one simple, pure, perfect, humble and constantly alert. By the practice of the scientific technique of Kriya Yoga, one gets promptness, ready wit, fitness to cope with any situation or circumstance, and positive thinking.Through more circulation in the head, thereby energizing the brain cells, the working capacity of the brain is enhanced. One will not get easily tired, and the memory and retentive quality of the brain will increase.