KRIYA YOGA

What is the Kriya Yoga meditation technique?

Kriya Yoga is a meditation technique and spiritual path that originated in ancient India and was popularized by the 19th-century yogi Paramahansa Yogananda through his book "Autobiography of a Yogi" and the organization he founded, the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF). Kriya Yoga is considered a highly advanced and transformative form of yoga and meditation, aimed at achieving self-realization and union with the divine.

The word "Kriya" means "action" or "deed" in Sanskrit, and Kriya Yoga is often described as the "yoga of action" or "yoga of meditation." It is based on the idea that individuals can attain spiritual realization and union with the Divine through specific meditation techniques and practices.

Key aspects of Kriya Yoga include:

1. Pranayama: Kriya Yoga emphasizes the practice of pranayama, which involves controlling the breath to influence the life force or prana within the body. Specific breath control techniques are taught to purify and energize the practitioner's physical and subtle bodies.
2. Visualization: Practitioners of Kriya Yoga use visualization techniques to focus the mind on specific energy centers (chakras) along the spine. These visualizations are believed to facilitate the flow of energy and consciousness, leading to higher states of awareness.
3. Mantra: A key element of Kriya Yoga is the use of a sacred mantra or sound. This mantra is given to the practitioner by their Kriya Yoga teacher and is considered a powerful tool for meditation and spiritual growth.
4. Meditation: Kriya Yoga involves systematic meditation practices designed to awaken the dormant spiritual potential within the practitioner. These practices include techniques for withdrawing the senses, stilling the mind, and experiencing inner peace and bliss.
5. Guru-Disciple Relationship: Traditionally, Kriya Yoga is transmitted from a qualified guru or teacher to a disciple through an initiation process. The guru imparts the knowledge and techniques to the disciple, and the disciple follows a disciplined path of practice.

Kriya Yoga is often seen as a practical and systematic approach to spiritual development, with the ultimate goal of achieving self-realization and union with the Divine. It is considered a path of inner transformation that can lead to profound spiritual experiences and a deep sense of inner peace and fulfillment. It is important to note that the practice of Kriya Yoga typically requires guidance from an experienced teacher and a commitment to regular practice.