kriya yoga

What is Kriya Yoga ?

Yoga means Union. Yoga also means to add, joining, yoking, Oneness by association and assimilation. It is also an ideal concentration of the mind in the total absence of any other distracting thought.

In mathematics, 1+1 =2. In Spirituality and Yoga, 1+1 = 1,
as individual consciousness merges into the Supreme Consciousness.

Yoga

The Masters of Rig Veda, India’s ancient spiritual and religious knowledge, have used the technique of Yoga in acquiring their knowledge. And also solve the mysteries of the Creation and The Creator. They also used it to reduce human suffering and to enhance the material and spiritual quality and quantity of life. When we concentrate the mind on any topic without any trace of any other thought, internally we are transformed into that subject of concentration. This is Yoga. One transcends the limitations of the Mind, Intellect, and Ego. One obtains the power of intuition and by regular practicing, it becomes evolutionally perfect. The ancient Masters of The Vedas of India realized that unending continuous happiness is the goal of The Creation and The Created Beings. To enjoy Absolute Happiness, we have to realize our Oneness with The Creator, the source of Absolute Bliss (called God, Prama Brahman, Supreme Spirit, Purushottama, Supreme Self, Universal Self, and by many other names).

Spirituality is the very core of the heart of all religions and religious systems,. And which is revealed by the Unknown and Unknowable God to The Creation through His manifested direct power known as Divine Incarnations. The ancient Masters of the Vedas called it The Sanatana Dharma or The Eternal Religion. Spirituality is the cream of The Creation. Yoga in general and Kriya yoga, in particular, is an art and science of spirituality. With the help of many methods of physical, mental, and intellectual exercises we go beyond the limitations of the mind, intellect, and ego. By the practice of meditation, we realize Oneness with the Universal Supreme Self.

The Kriya Yoga Tradition

In the 14th century B.C., the Great Master Patanjali organized Yoga in a system known by the name Raja Yoga. In his Sutras, Patanjali used the name of Kriya Yoga which denotes 3 groups of the Yogic practice known as,

  • Tapa –  a moderate and disciplined lifestyle
  • Swadhyaya – the study of authorized Holy Scriptures and one’s own Self
  • Ishvara Pranidhana – God Realization.

Mahavatar Babaji, the great incarnation of Lord Krishna, made Kriya Yoga into a more specific and systematic practice. In the 19th century, it was given through his disciple Yogiraj Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya, to the whole of Humanity. Kriya Yoga was made available for all groups of people of all religions and sincere seekers of spirituality, monks and householders alike.

Kriya Yoga and Its Benefits

Kriya Yoga is a balanced and practical combination of

  • Hatha Yoga
  • Karma Yoga
  • Raja Yoga
  • Bhakti Yoga
  • Jnana Yoga and God Realization

It is based on scientific breathing techniques which give calmness and peace to the mind, power of concentration, helping in genuine meditation. It involves the simultaneous harnessing of the breathing-energy and thought-energy, to go beyond the limitations of thought and breathing to the state and experience of Pure Consciousness and Self Realization. In addition to peace and joy, Kriya Yoga gives strong and vigorous health, efficiency in work, power of decision making, a sense of Universal Love and harmony with fellow human beings and the Whole Creation. It involves easy scientific physical exercises, breathing, and meditation techniques, giving simultaneous benefit to the body, mind, intellect, and Soul. The name Kriya Yoga comes from the Sanskrit grammar root words Kri and Ya.

  • Kri – means the process and mechanics of the performance of actions. 
  • Ya – means the remembrance of the Inner Invisible Self or Soul, The Real Performer of Actions.

This helps the Kriya Yoga practitioner to go beyond the limitations and complications of the biological ego, the source of all tension, stress, suffering, restlessness, and irritability. To overcome it we need patience and calmness. to calm the mind we need to practice and apply the philosophy and technique of Kriya Yoga in our everyday busy life. For a happy and complete life, we need love, harmony, health, a sense of fulfillment, understanding, and wealth. All these are within our reach. If we search for them outside, we will not get it. Therefore, search within and find your Divine Birthright and Inheritance.

We are all children of God. He is within and around us. The pure and original Kriya Yoga of Mahavatar Babaji and Yogiraj Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya, when practiced daily, correctly and lovingly, can help one in obtaining the noble goals of life.

May all practice Kriya Yoga and enjoy peace, joy, harmony, and love for God and His Creation and for oneself.

With Love and Best Wishes,
Paramahansa Atmananda Ji