The Philosophy & Essence of Kriya Yoga
Many of you may have come across the term’ Kriya Yoga’, and many choose books related to the topic. A lot of people might pick it up because of certain reasons. But Kriyayoga is not your everyday chore.
Kriya Yoga is the science of Life Force. It is the most effective and scientific avenue of approach to Infinite. It is a method of purification that works on multiple levels – physical, mental and spiritual. It is designed to purify the body, the nervous system and the subtle energy bodies thus, facilitating a deeper journey into higher levels of individual consciousness and existence.
To practice Kriya Yoga properly careful preparations are necessary. You can’t begin practicing Kriya yoga without first being initiated by a Guru who is Enlightened (Atmagyani). The initiation is a very secret process. There are no introductory lessons or courses before starting Kriya yoga. It begins directly with initiation from the Guru.
Getting initiated isn’t easy; one must deeply desire salvation.
The practice of Kriya Yoga involves specific breathing techniques. This process leads to a certain purification of the blood which frees up the life force (Prana) to withdraw into the spine. Kriya yoga initiation involves taking an oath to oneself, which must be honored. It’s for serious seekers longing for liberation, not casual ones. The intense thirst for salvation leads seekers to search for a Guru. Since seekers don’t always know who the right Guru is, they study scripture and yogic explanations to judge.
Kriya Yoga is all about spiritual growth. It helps to create awareness and self-consciousness through meditation. Kriya Yoga can only help you find the true connection with your Divine Self. It is the discipline which will help you attain it. The techniques also help you to clean the toxins that have accumulated within. A sincere seeker who follows the practice of Kriya Yoga with love and devotion and a desire for spiritual growth can attain Self Realization or Enlightenment very much in this Lifetime.
When raised concerns about fulfilling official responsibilities, my response is clear: if you can’t commit to the practice, don’t continue. Kriya yoga demands lifelong dedication, and practitioners are expected to adhere to family and spousal responsibilities simultaneously.
Kriya Yoga is the science of Life Force. It is the most effective and scientific avenue of approach to Infinite. It is a method of purification that works on multiple levels – physical, mental and spiritual. It is designed to purify the body, the nervous system and the subtle energy bodies thus, facilitating a deeper journey into higher levels of individual consciousness and existence.
To practice Kriya Yoga properly careful preparations are necessary. You can’t begin practicing Kriya yoga without first being initiated by a Guru who is Enlightened (Atmagyani). The initiation is a very secret process. There are no introductory lessons or courses before starting Kriya yoga. It begins directly with initiation from the Guru.
Getting initiated isn’t easy; one must deeply desire salvation.
The practice of Kriya Yoga involves specific breathing techniques. This process leads to a certain purification of the blood which frees up the life force (Prana) to withdraw into the spine. Kriya yoga initiation involves taking an oath to oneself, which must be honored. It’s for serious seekers longing for liberation, not casual ones. The intense thirst for salvation leads seekers to search for a Guru. Since seekers don’t always know who the right Guru is, they study scripture and yogic explanations to judge.
Kriya Yoga is all about spiritual growth. It helps to create awareness and self-consciousness through meditation. Kriya Yoga can only help you find the true connection with your Divine Self. It is the discipline which will help you attain it. The techniques also help you to clean the toxins that have accumulated within. A sincere seeker who follows the practice of Kriya Yoga with love and devotion and a desire for spiritual growth can attain Self Realization or Enlightenment very much in this Lifetime.
When raised concerns about fulfilling official responsibilities, my response is clear: if you can’t commit to the practice, don’t continue. Kriya yoga demands lifelong dedication, and practitioners are expected to adhere to family and spousal responsibilities simultaneously.
Many people who read books on Kriyayoga attempt to practice it on their own. I knew someone who borrowed books from me. After six months, she called me and said that whenever she tried to practice Kriya after learning the techniques from books, she would experience medical issues within 10-15 minutes and had to rush to the doctor. I explained to her that Kriya yoga involves working with the internal pranas, and if not practiced correctly, it can have serious consequences. While learning under an Enlightened Guru, he continuously monitors and influences the practitioner’s regulation of these pranas.
One can develop discernment to distinguish between authentic and false teachers based on their understanding and alignment with the core teachings. A seeker I knew attended many Kriya organizations’ lectures after reading a few books and found them not matching with the essence he absorbed. This indicates his evolved understanding. Understanding based on the core subject is essential, as deviations can occur if genuine Kriya yoga is not being taught. With proper understanding, one can discern the truth even from a few lines, similar to pure mathematics. Sanatan Dharma, the eternal truth, is the science of macrocosm and microcosm, and the words of a Guru are also guided by this science.
The benefits of Kriya Yoga are manifold, and it’s important to understand them clearly before beginning the practice.
Correctly practicing Kriya Yoga can lead to states of intoxication, surpassing even the effects of substances like shrooms and DMT combined. This heightened state of intoxication is a profound experience that can motivate practitioners to start practicing pranayamas.
However, it’s a must to practice Kriya Yoga correctly, as this ensures the desired effects. When practiced correctly, Kriya Yoga helps steady the mind, leading to greater attention spans and mental
One can develop discernment to distinguish between authentic and false teachers based on their understanding and alignment with the core teachings. A seeker I knew attended many Kriya organizations’ lectures after reading a few books and found them not matching with the essence he absorbed. This indicates his evolved understanding. Understanding based on the core subject is essential, as deviations can occur if genuine Kriya yoga is not being taught. With proper understanding, one can discern the truth even from a few lines, similar to pure mathematics. Sanatan Dharma, the eternal truth, is the science of macrocosm and microcosm, and the words of a Guru are also guided by this science.
The benefits of Kriya Yoga are manifold, and it’s important to understand them clearly before beginning the practice.
Correctly practicing Kriya Yoga can lead to states of intoxication, surpassing even the effects of substances like shrooms and DMT combined. This heightened state of intoxication is a profound experience that can motivate practitioners to start practicing pranayamas.
However, it’s a must to practice Kriya Yoga correctly, as this ensures the desired effects. When practiced correctly, Kriya Yoga helps steady the mind, leading to greater attention spans and mental
The chanting of Om during Kriya Yoga fills practitioners with enormous energy, which can have a healing effect on others. Simply being in the presence of someone filled with Om energy can bring happiness and healing to those around them.
These benefits provide compelling reasons to begin practicing Kriya Yoga, but it’s essential to approach the practice with diligence and dedication to reap its total rewards.
I’ve been practicing Kundalini Kriya Yoga every day for the past many years. I keep a journal of what happens in my life, how I feel, and what I think about. It helps me see how things have changed over time. Now, let me tell you how it affected my life.
- The first thing I noticed at the physical level was a change in my posture. I used to slouch before, but now I sit straight most of the time. Even my friends have noticed and asked me how I manage to keep my back straight for so long. Sitting slouched is uncomfortable for me now. I can’t sit for long in couches or chairs where I can’t keep my back straight.
- Another change I’ve noticed is in the airflow through my nostrils.
- A big change with the practice of Kriya yoga is control over my emotions. Sometimes, I still feel angry or sad, but I’ve noticed a change in how I respond to these strong emotions. I’m better at catching myself when I’m feeling overwhelmed by them. Even though others might not notice, I can sense that I’m more aware of those thoughts and don’t feel as compelled to act on them. What used to be a series of actions triggered by those thoughts now just passes as thoughts—I acknowledge them, and they fade away.
- I’ve noticed that I can sit still for long periods of time. For example, I can sit without moving during a one-hour bus ride, simply being aware of my entire body. Sometimes I worry that other people might find it strange, so I glance around occasionally, but most of the time, I find peace in just focusing on my breath and spine.
- I’ve become more mindful of what I consume through my mind. For instance, I no longer feel the urge to binge-watch Netflix series or television serials. Whenever I started my practice, all the movies and series I watched before used to come to mind and bother me, so I’ve stopped watching or exposing myself to them. Even thrillers that I watched as a teenager still haunted me after ten years—they must have been buried in my subconscious mind. It is said that whatever we watch or do with desire stays with us.
- Following a disciplined life is much easier now. I wake up early, take cold showers in the morning, limit my YouTube usage to ten minutes a day, avoid junk food, and have reduced my sugar and salt intake. Before I started my Sadhana, I couldn’t have imagined myself doing these things. It’s challenging to explain to others how the changes happened automatically over a period, but they’ve become important to me.
