|
Each of us has potential which is beyond even our wildest dreams. Yet, strangely or perhaps sadly, we don’t know it and so it remains untapped. We have the capacity to experience different planes of existence, to realise the nature of Consciousness and indeed, the roots of our Being.
Most people are unhappy for various reasons - material, physical, mental or emotional. Even those who are reaping the promise of modern science and technology and are surrounded by comfort and facilities which surpass even those of kings and queens of yore are discontented. Even if we have ‘everything’, something is missing. We have lost contact with our Existential Roots. We have been hypnotised by the materialistic vision and have neglected the most fundamental aspect of life – the Spiritual Reality that underlies our life and indeed all things.
Yet if we could realise our deeper Nature then our unhappiness would fade away like mist before the rising sun.
Definition. The Sanskrit word ‘kriya’ means ‘to move’. In Kriya Yoga one moves mental attention along prescribed energy pathways within the body, thereby inducing deep concentration. The word ‘kriya’ also means ‘practice’. Therefore, Kriya Yoga is less concerned with theory or philosophy, and more with the practical means of bringing direct and transformative experience and insight. Regular practice awakens energy, whittles away blockages and thereby brings about heightened awareness and perception. It automatically induces Meditation and a refinement of perception.
Kriya Yoga – part of Tantra Yoga. Of the paths of Tantra Yoga, Kriya Yoga is one of the most systematic means of opening our eyes to the Transcendental Sphere of our Being. Though it has been practised in secret for thousands of years, its exact origin is not known. It was developed by Yogis and Tantrics who had tremendous insight into human nature and who, in Spiritual understanding and in knowledge of the different levels of the mind, were far more advanced than we are today. One of their greatest achievements was the discovery of Kriya Yoga.
Kriya and Hatha Yoga. It is often said that Kriya Yoga is derived from Hatha Yoga, but this seems unlikely. Though they have some practices in common and draw on a common source of wisdom, it is not necessarily so that one developed from the other. Hatha Yoga was, in fact, developed and systematised between the 11th and 15th centuries to meet the changing human needs of the time whereas Kriya Yoga is much older.
From Teacher to Disciple. Kriya Yoga has always been passed from teacher to disciple: by word of mouth and by direct instruction. This tradition still holds. In this way, the teacher can ensure that the disciple is ready. Before undertaking the practice of Kriya Yoga, any physical and psychic blockage in the student can be identified and, if necessary, cleared by other appropriate Yogic practices.
Tradition and Texts. There are passing references to some of the practices of Kriya Yoga in a few traditional Yogic texts such as the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" (Light on Hatha Yoga) and the “Gherand Samhita” (The Teachings of Hatha Yoga According to Yogi Gherand)1. A Chinese form of it is also mentioned in the "Tai Chin Hua Tzang Chih” (The Secret of the Golden Flower2), a Taoist text, which explains ‘shoshuten’ (known in English as ‘Circulation of Light’). In this century, Swami Yogananda refers to Kriya Yoga in his book "Autobiography of a Yogi". He learnt it from his Guru, Yukteshwara Giri, who received it from his Guru, Lahiri Mahasaya, who, in turn, had been initiated into Kriya Yoga by the famous Yogi, Babaji. Among others, Swami Yogananda initiated Mahatma Gandhi into Kriya Yoga.
This century, Swami Shivananda of Rishikesh was initiated into Kriya Yoga; we don’t know by whom or when. Subsequently, he passed it on to his disciple, Swami Satyananda, who in turn has taught it to Yoga practitioners world-wide, including myself.
The practices of Kriya Yoga were never put in writing in their entirety until some twenty years ago, when the Bihar School of Yoga published an encyclopaedic textbook on the subject, entitled "A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya". Written by myself under the guidance of Swami Satyananda Saraswati, it gives full details on the background, philosophy and techniques of Kriya Yoga3. The main reason for this breach with tradition was that Swami Satyananda felt that Spiritual seekers world-wide could benefit from Kriya Yoga, if only they were made aware of it and suitably trained.
The Chakras. In each human being, energy manifests in and through the chakras (energy centres) as neuro-endocrinal processes, mental states, emotions, feelings and psychic phenomena. These chakras are: Mooladhara (lit., ‘root’; Root Centre), Swadhishthana (‘one’s own abode’; Pelvic Centre), Manipura (‘city of jewels’; Navel Centre), Anahata (‘unstruck vibration’; Heart Centre), Vishuddhi (‘purification’; Throat Centre) and Agya (‘command’; Third Eye or Eye of Insight). When energy in the chakras has been raised and refined to a certain level, one is given the key to Consciousness - one realises the Spiritual State.
Kriya Yoga works directly on the chakras, thereby enabling us to tread the path back to the Source of our Being.
Working on Energy. Kriya Yoga is a very sophisticated method of harmonising and synchronising the natural energies of our being. It channels our energy so that it flows in a creative direction without suppression and opens up the chakras. Our physical, pranic, mental, emotional and psychic energies are brought into line so that they flow together in a powerful stream making us very sensitive to the deeper levels of our inner Nature. One starts to vibrate and resonate like a tuning fork, leading to a subtle perception, previously unknown. Kriya Yoga is a method of alchemy - transmuting base metal into gold: the gross, unrefined state of the individual into its pure and radiant state.
Concentration versus Awareness. Concentration of mind, when done in the context of introspective Yoga practice, allows us to start to explore the subconscious and unconscious mind. It gives us access to the deeper levels of our Being. However, it is difficult to concentrate the mind since it tends to move incessantly from one thought to another. It doesn’t remain static but flows in a constant stream of thoughts and mental phenomena. If we try to concentrate the mind it can rebel and create tension, and this itself prevents the onset of Meditation. Concentration is easy only for those few people who already have attained mental clarity, who have few unresolved traumas, a deep and abiding relaxed attitude towards life and who have attained a high level of fulfilment in their lives. For these people concentration comes spontaneously and they make rapid progress on the path of Yoga.
One of the characteristic features of Kriya Yoga is that, unlike most Yoga practices, it doesn’t demand forced concentration of mind as a prelude to going deeper. Kriya Yoga accepts the dispersive nature of the mind. The Yogis who discovered its secrets, realised that, no matter how serious the Yogic practitioner may be, it is generally unrealistic to ask them to concentrate the mind. Instead, Kriya Yoga accepts the mind as it is.
In Kriya Yoga awareness is emphasised rather than concentration. This means that one allows the mind to go where it wishes. One continues to do the practices of Kriya Yoga, allowing the mind to wander here and there, whilst trying however to observe these thoughts. One makes friends with the mind instead of trying to force it into a mould which it will not fit. Eventually, the mind loses its tendency to scatter and, without excessive effort, the wild bull of the mind becomes meek and mild, but retaining its energy and alertness. The mind is weaned away from its distracted state and automatically one starts to flow with the dynamics of the practices. With practice, awareness will bring about spontaneous concentration and, in turn, the onset of Meditation.
Awareness means that the practitioner does not try to suppress the ever-arising stream of thoughts; he merely lets the thoughts arise and subside, remaining a witness to them. This is fundamental to Kriya Yoga.
The Structure of the Practice. By tradition, there are more than seventy different ‘kriyas’ or practices. In the streamlined form of Kriya Yoga there are twenty, each done one after the other. There is a specific interrelation between the dynamics of the kriyas, each laying the ground for the following in such a way that the mind is slowly harmonised and harnessed. The practices are done in a particular order; if this order is not respected then Kriya Yoga will not bring its full benefits. Each kriya is separate and yet part of a jigsaw which, when each part is in place, lays the perfect inner environment for Meditation and Spiritual Realisation.
The Path of No Belief. Kriya Yoga does not demand that you subscribe to any stereotyped belief. It works on transforming energy and awakening That which is already within in seed form. Kriya Yoga clears away obstacles, so That which is pre-existent can shine forth. If you want to open up the hidden dimensions of your Being, then Kriya Yoga offers you a sure and time-tested system.
Initiation. Many serious Spiritual seekers are ready to be initiated into Kriya Yoga. It is the ongoing intention of Mandala Yoga Ashram to make the system of Kriya Yoga available to those who are ready to reap its benefits. For this reason, two or four week Kriya Yoga courses are regularly conducted in the Ashram for those who have sufficient Yoga background.
Have Trust. Through all the ups and downs of life, may your heart blossom with love and compassion. May wisdom awaken in you. Above all, may you have trust in the Intelligence that is behind all things and all beings.
Notes:
1 Kriya Yoga is also mentioned in beginning of chapter 2 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra,s but this is a totally different system.
2 Translated into English by Richard Wilhelm with an introduction by Carl Jung.
3 The Ashram has copies of this book for sale.
|
Purpose and aims 
Formation of the ashram
Send this page to a friend 
Printer friendly