Hour 89 Meditation – Kriya Yoga – Paramahamsa Yogananda

Introduction

Kriya Yoga, as promoted by Paramahamsa Yogananda, is among the most sacred and life-changing meditation techniques in the world. Reputed for its profound spiritual significance and far-reaching influence on the life of the practitioner, Kriya Yoga offers a step-by-step guide to self-realization and spiritual enlightenment. Here in this module, we will delve into the spirit of Kriya Yoga, its central philosophy, and how Paramahamsa Yogananda re-pioneered this ancient technique for the contemporary world through his writings and book, Autobiography of a Yogi.

Kriya Yoga is not a series of techniques, but an entire science of spiritual development that will harmonize the body, mind, and soul. Practicing Kriya Yoga can hasten one’s spiritual growth and allow one to experience profound states of peace, awareness, and inner joy.

What is Kriya Yoga?

Kriya is “action” or “practice,” and Yoga is “union.” Kriya Yoga, therefore, is “the yoga of action” or “the yoga of union through conscious action.” It is a method of meditation that involves the regulation of the breath and the guidance of life energy (prana) through particular practices to achieve a state of inner peace and spiritual awareness.

Kriya Yoga is founded on the belief that the breath is the connection between the physical body and the mind. By voluntarily regulating the breath, one can regulate the mind and emotions, resulting in increased awareness, inner harmony, and spiritual freedom. It is believed that through the practice of Kriya, the practitioner can directly realize their divine nature and experience their oneness with the universe.

Key Components of Kriya Yoga:

• Breath Control (Pranayama): At the center of Kriya Yoga is the technique of controlled breathing. Through the regulation of the breath, the practitioner is able to balance the movement of prana (life force) in the body, resulting in mental calm and clearness.
• Energy Awareness: Kriya Yoga focuses on attuning oneself to the energy flow in the body, especially along the spine and chakras. By energizing and balancing this energy, practitioners feel more connected to their higher consciousness.
• Meditation: Meditation is a crucial part of Kriya Yoga. Practitioners, through intense meditation, move beyond the ego and reach higher planes of consciousness. The aim is to attain inner peace and spiritual awakening.
• Self-Realization: Finally, Kriya Yoga results in the attainment of one’s true nature, which is divine and infinite. It enables one to overcome the limitations of the material world and become attuned to the universal consciousness.

The Life of Paramahamsa Yogananda

Paramahamsa Yogananda (1893-1952) was perhaps the most notable spiritual guru of the 20th century and is widely acclaimed for introducing Kriya Yoga to the Western world. He was born in India and became attracted to the spiritual way of life from childhood. His intense spiritual experiences drove him to seek the teachings of Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, a renowned yogi and master who introduced him to the art of Kriya Yoga.

In 1920, Yogananda came to America where he introduced Kriya Yoga to the Western world. His first book, Autobiography of a Yogi, published in 1946, proved to be a bestseller and an instant classic and remained very popular to this day among seekers of spiritual knowledge. The teachings of Yogananda were based on the unity of all religions and on the necessity of personal experience rather than dogma or blind faith.

Through the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), which he established in 1920, Yogananda devoted his life to disseminating the teachings of Kriya Yoga and assisting individuals of all cultures and backgrounds to attain spiritual freedom.

The Core Teachings of Kriya Yoga

At its essence, Kriya Yoga is the understanding that our true nature lies beyond the body and mind. Through the practice of Kriya Yoga, we become aware of this higher truth and draw nearer to the experience of divine consciousness. The practice of Kriya Yoga is profoundly spiritual, but it is also extremely practical, providing techniques that can be applied to improve mental health, emotional stability, and physical energy.

1. The Power of the Breath: The breath has been regarded as the link between body and mind. With the practice of Kriya Yoga, one gets to control the breath consciously, thus quietening the mind and dissipating tensions. Controlled breathing is a potent activator for the parasympathetic nervous system that causes relaxation as well as intensified awareness.

2. Pranayama Methods: Pranayama refers to the method of controlling the breath to regulate the mind and energy. In Kriya Yoga, special breathing methods are employed to channel the flow of prana (life energy) along the spine and into the brain. Channeling this energy, the practitioner feels a profound sense of inner calm and expanded consciousness.

Some of the usual pranayama methods in Kriya Yoga are:

• Kriya Pranayama: A particular type of breath control in which one breathes in and out in a rhythm that serves to direct prana to the brain and spine.
• Ujjayi Breath: A soft, calming breath that serves to calm the mind and enhance concentration.
• Kapalbhati: A quick, forceful exhalation method that serves to cleanse the respiratory system and energize the mind.

3. The Function of Meditation: The final objective of Kriya Yoga is self-realization, and this is only possible through intense meditation. Through the practice of observing the breath, members develop the ability to overcome ego and realize their higher, divine selves. Meditation has the effect of calming the restless mind and opening the practitioner to higher realms of consciousness.

Some of the meditation techniques practiced in Kriya Yoga are:

• Self-Inquiry: A meditation technique that entails posing questions such as, “Who am I?” to provoke greater self-awareness.
• Visualization: The technique of mentally concentrating on certain spiritual symbols or mantras to channel energy and attention inward.

4. Chakras and Energy Centers: Kriya Yoga focuses on the activation of the chakras, or energy centers, in the body. These centers control physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Through the flow of prana through these chakras, practitioners can unlock blockages and attain increased vitality and spiritual development.

5. The Significance of Seva (Selfless Service): Kriya Yoga emphasizes that spiritual development is not just about individual growth. Selfless service to others, or seva, is an integral aspect of the journey. Through selfless service, practitioners become aligned with the divine and develop a sense of humility and compassion.

Advantages of Kriya Yoga

Following Kriya Yoga yields numerous advantages, such as:

• Mental Clarity: The meditation and breathing practices remove mental fogginess and bring clarity, which enables improved decision-making and enhanced concentration.
• Emotional Balance: Kriya Yoga assists in balancing the emotional energy in the body, which makes it simpler to deal with stress, anxiety, and negative moods.
• Physical Health: Daily practice of Kriya Yoga is able to enhance circulation, lower stress, and boost total vitality. The practices stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to relaxation and healing.
• Spiritual Growth: The final gift of Kriya Yoga is self-realization. By profound meditation, practitioners receive a sense of oneness with their higher self and the cosmos, which translates into increased peace, love, and understanding.
• Higher States of Consciousness: By Kriya Yoga, human beings can gain higher levels of awareness, which most often culminate in moments of transcendence and enlightenment.

Reflective Questions

• How do you think Kriya Yoga’s focus on breath control influences the practitioner’s state of mind and consciousness?
• Reflecting on your personal experiences with meditation, how might Kriya Yoga differ from other meditation techniques you’ve practiced?
• How could the practice of Kriya Yoga help you navigate challenges in your everyday life?
• Kriya Yoga emphasizes self-realization through meditation. How might this practice influence your spiritual journey?