Spiritual Portal

i hope others contribute their knowledge of meditation techniques in there own specific sadhana (practice). Kriya yoga withdraws the life force from the senses and brings it inside to awaken the spiritual side of us. i have found this technique to be extremely useful in going inward from the distracting noise of the senses that continue to pull us outward into this illusory world that we have become so attached to and this body that we identify with. The technique is generally explained in the chapter 'Kriya Yoga' in the Autobiography of a Yogi. It is explained in detail in the Self Realization Fellowship Lessons.

Paramahansa Yogananda has said that 'your most important engagement is with God'. We cannot keep any of our other engagements without the borrowed power of God. If he draws away we will not be able to keep any of our other engagements with our family,service and our friends. No duty is as important as our duty to God because without the power and energy of that source of life we could perform no other duties.

Steve Hydonus

Paramahansa Yogananda proclaimed that the saints have found out that if it were possible to live one million years of healthy disease free and without accumlating new karma for oneself you could perfect the brain so that it can express cosmic consciousness. These same saints have learned that it is possible to speed up this evolutionary process.  This can be done by practicing a technique such as Kriya Yoga even to the extent of attaining cosmic consciousness in one lifetime.

Steve, just wondering, is this Kriya yoga similar to, or something completely different from Kundalini awakening ? Two different names for the same thing or not ?  



Cosmic consciousness, I suppose the definition to that is in the lessons too ? ( or can you tell me a little bit about what this is ? )

Into Blue  

For your reference, I am pasting here the definition of Kriya Yoga from Autobiography of Yogi:

Kriya Yoga is a simple, psychophysiological method by which the human blood is decarbonized
and recharged with oxygen. The atoms of this extra oxygen are transmuted into life current to rejuvenate the brain and spinal centers. By stopping the accumulation of venous blood, the yogi is able to lessen or prevent the decay of tissues; the advanced yogi transmutes his cells into pure energy.

Kundalini is the energy responsible for evolutionary development and heightened states of consciousness and awareness, and is present in all living forms of life. All forms of life are growing towards increasing levels of self-awareness. Though there are certain techniques / practices existing for raising the Kundalini, it depends more on the individual's spiritual evolution.

Thanks HariKrishna

Kriya is a evolutionary quickening technique. Kriya (or similar techniques) brings the life energy, or pranayama, back to the spine and starts awakening the Kundalini. This further awakens the chakras and raises the energy back up the spine to awaken the higher centers. Eventually this process brings higher states of consciousness, spiritual awakeing and experiences until ultimatly the soul merges again into the vast ocean of God's consciousness: merging back into the infinite.

i think what is interesting about this technique is to actually see it working to see the energy withdrawing from the senses and the body being as if dead and the spirit coming to life. As saint Paul said: "I protest by my rejoicing in Jesus Christ. I die daily." and in Revelation: "Be still and know that I am God" and in the Old Testament: Moses lifted up the serpent (Kundalini) in the wilderness (being alone).

Steve Hydonus

Kriya Yoga

"The technique, which as you see is simple, embodies the art of quickening man's spiritual evolution. Hindu scriptures teach that the incarnationg ego requires a million years to obtain liberation from maya. This natural pereiond is greatly shortened through Kriya Yoga. Just as Jagadis Chandra Bose has demonstrated that plant growth can be accelerated far beyons its normal rate, so man's psychological development can be accelerated far beyond its normal rate, so man's psychological development can be also speeded by an inner science. Be faithful in your practice; you will approach the Guru of all gurus." Paramahansa Yogananda

interesting .......
I have been in  a purging releasing mode again as my snake has been coiling and rolling  again as well

visibly as if a boa was inside rolling and crawling as it coiled upward around my neck

and had  a master visit yesterday to make me look at something I did not wish to face myself....

SHAKTI

Once shakti is awakened
She viisits at her will
I can call forth my chakras
And feel them spin

I can start down low
and raise the energy within
up and down
I can make it spin

But when that snake
decides to coil
She has a mind of her own
as she takes  control

The pressure I feel
at the  base of my spine
as she wraps around
taking over my body and mind

She travels upward and around my neck
as she energizes herself
she coils and wiggles as she finds her way
back down through  my spine

It is all within
It is not of my doing
But the energy within
And she is renewing

L.Lanham
8/09
work in progress

Swamiji Nityanand explians, that in the fast-paced world of today, Kriya Yoga is highly scientific and true like mathematics. “Householders can practice Kriya yoga meditation easily and get rid of all types of stresses, mental worries and ailments while at the same time realize God,” he said.

Swamiji explained that Kriya Yoga was a simple physiological method which created a chain reaction in the body. “It charges our body with abundant amount of oxygen needed for the brain and trillions of cells and tissues constituting our body. During its practice, lungs get filled with extra pure oxygen thereby decarbonising the blood more quickly and efficiently. It reduces the fatigue on the heart, which needs reduced labour to be done to pump the blood through the lungs because of the reduced amount of impurities in the blood,” he said.

I'm not gonna dismiss the benefits of Yoga, as they can be great ways to get in touch with your body, and improve your body in numerous ways. I will say that, IMO, the only thing anyone needs to realize God is the intent to do so. Since we have freewill it is up to us to realize God on our own. We don't need to do anything special as we've been told by certain religious paths. All we need is intent.

Intent is very important.  it is a crucial part of finding God again.  yet...is it all that one needs ? 

Intent...according to dictionary:  firmly directed or fixed; earnest; intense 2) having the mind or attention firmly directed or fixed.

do not we need Understanding of what it is were are Intent on ?

some...still see god / creator as some sort of 'bearded fella in the sky...ready to send us to hell for our sins'.

so..should we set our Intent on that God ? a god of dogma....or the real thing. ??

we need to Understand God for the Real God...not the dogmatic God.

many 'religions' still preach about a god of dogma....

so...i believe...there are more ingredients to recipe than just intent...

one must use other ingredients to come up with final recipe, for finding God again.

other ingredients that come to mind....Devotion, Sincerity, Understanding, Patience....Direction

if anyone has other ingredients...please add to list  ;)

(((Hugs))) <3 <3 <3

yes...this is my opinion also... :D  Direction,,,soul needs. Direction from Teacher(s). 

_/\_

Hi Blue Nova,

I do hope you are well on this day. That is the tricky part with intent in that if you are intent on a certain thing to happen a certain way you may miss what you were really looking for. When it comes to matters of spirit if you are intent on looking for a certain God, say that man with a beard you may not find it, or you may. It's hard to say if our mind will create things in the way that we are most comfortable with. I have heard that Angels and Guides use such a tactic to not scare anyone. After all if a giant crocodile was your guide it may scare you at first. If mine was a spider I'd be scared.

Now as Steve has pointed out we are lost in darkness these days. Mainly because we have been guided wrong. We have been told what something is, and isn't. We've been told about going to hell. We've been told about the only way to God is through Jesus, or Krishna. Etc. So in that essence a guru may be beneficial to help steer a person. If you think about it. Just reading online is sort of like a guru. Yea, you can find answers when you meditate. But if no one told you to meditate you wouldn't know.

Those other aspects can be beneficial to a persons growth.. But, IMO, they stem from intent. If you were not intent on going anywhere in your growth you would not have any reason for devotion, or dedication.

TECHNIQUES AND MEDITATION

The science of yoga is the gradual dimming of the senses; then the energy comes in.

Evaluate how much time you are spending with the world and how much time you are spending with God.

Long steadfast practice of Hong-Sau helps the mind to stop and helps pranayama to develop.

Through Kriya Yoga gradually one is immune to astrological forces.

The entire feeling of peace and power at the end of meditation must be consciously transferred to the entire brain in order to change our brains.

If your techniques are not working, look at your attitude toward your Guru, toward life, etc.

The goal of relaxation is to gradually disassociate the mind from the body.

The moment you are calm in meditation, the top of your head opens and millions of light energy units come down to harmonize the body.

Nomaste2all and prabhatsinha are also kriyabans. We are fortunate to have them with us. You can find their posts throughout the forum. Nomaste works on computers all day so often becomes weary with them but I often send pm's to him to let him know when I have written something on the site he might be interested in. He will be back again.  Check out pilgrimages. It was his idea to have this section:  http://musicmeditate.smfforfree.com/index.php/board,108.0.html We spent a lot of time on pilgrimages and going to spiritual activities.

I've been a kriyaban most of my life. i liked the idea of burning off karma that kriya is renowned for. I mean we are supposed to store all the seeds of our karma in our astral spine. That is an awesome idea. But how do you get rid of that karma; kriya. It wasn't till kriya that I really noticed progress in meditation. The iam technique has helped me also and some Buddhist techniques.

There are some very kind people here. They come and go and come back. Some of them i miss very much and truly love. Each soul is a unique spark of God. Each one has it's own beauty and purpose. Perhaps that is why i feel for them and still pray for them.

We are like magnets we can draw more to us. You are helping us with your practice and serving here. Thank you. Jesus said where two or more are gathered there i shall be also and for those who have much will be given and to those who have not even that which they have will be taken away. Let us be magnets of spirituality and start here in the now where we find ourselves!

When I was in my late teens and early twenties I felt very lonely spiritually speaking. But I see now that it was meant that way so I would spend time searching within instead of being with so many people and not doing my spiritual practice. I prayed for friends that would understand me and my search. They have come from out of the wood work over the years. Now we have a larger purpose. It is expanding. Perhaps you also have meditation groups in your area. It is a good way to help your own path. Don't miss chances to see saints when they are in your area or go distances to see them. You will have many more chances for spiritual friends and seekers to get aquainted to.

Yes i do get a chance to discuss with others and I am doing it right this moment because we can seize the blessings when they come or let them slide...... That would be most unfortunate.

Jai Guru Spiritimage I find your  interest heart warming and feel God's presence lurking close by.

Then you are leaps and bounds ahead of where I am. Have you reached Samadhi ever?

The mind is a very unstable character. It is the greatest traveler yet cannot be controlled easily. Finding something to harness the minds restless activity brings the mind to places it has never entertained on its own. This is because the mind can only explore what it can come up with. Yet behind the mind are vistas yet to tell. So in kriya we continously bring the thoughts back to the breath and the movement up and down the spine. In this process, at some point the mind will release it's hold on us and we will experience what is beyond mind. It is difficult to describe something that is beyond mind with the mind. So we can only practice to become aware of what I am describing.

According to my crude and non-educated calculations, in order to perform 1728 Kriyas non-stop, I'm guessing about 30 seconds each, is 14+ hours.

I certainly wouldn't want to get halfway thru then be distracted or interrupted somehow  :(

Recently I have taken more of a look at kriya practice and the IAM practice. I have been giving more awareness to the thought of bringing light up and down the spine and being patient with myself when I rotate that energy along the spine. We have a tendency to rush things in general and it is often the way of the world and other people sometimes rush us which seems contrary to the practice of Kriya.

IAM seems to work better for me when I am limited by time constraints. Bringing the gurus into our practice helps us interiorize.

Jitendra

"Kriya Secrets Revealed" was brought up at another forum.

So was this link (which I've read a few times before)

http://www.sanskritclassics.com/index.htm (http://www.sanskritclassics.com/index.htm)

Basically it sounds like the book has some Kriya techniques apparently different than SRF.

The link bashes PY pretty hard, and also seems to lean toward Kriya techniques apparently different than SRF.

I'm not feeling the truth about all this yet. Yes I know it doesn't matter, for an endless number of reasons.

Just fishing for some logical insights, thoughts, etc., NOT looking for the old "don't worry about it and you should focus on fill in blank here"  :)

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/2497788

I don't know if this will help or not. Maybe you could email Roy Eugene Davis and ask him about this subject. He seems to have a pretty sober outlook on things. I am familiar with the link you posted and it confused me too when I was trying to decide whether I should follow the Kriya yoga path. It's not hard to fall down the rabbit hole and get pretty confused, as that's what happened to me.

Yes it is confusing, sometimes the information power of the internet can be like a curse.

Are these alternate and opposing views part of the reason why you have decided not to receive the Kriya yoga path yet?

Yes.

As you know there are many ways to get to the top of the mountain. Some people will spend most of their lives discussing the maps and roadways and paths there along with the possible hazards they may encounter along the way. Yet at some point we have to take the journey and find the best route for us. If we are doing this God will make changes in our means of transportation or our route when needed.

Jitendra

Steve I agree with you.

However, Yogananda states very specifically that meditation, and more specifically Kriya Yoga, is the only way to obtain the wisdom needed to get to the top of the mountain. Once that wisdom is obtained, then you don't need Kriya.

But then there's the PY bashers, and of course not only other Gurus from India, but other nations as well with their own top of the mountain methods.

Maybe they all do indeed lead to the same end. Maybe they do not. Maybe God is making changes to guide us that is very individual to where we are at on the path.

All I know is that I cannot have the slightest doubt, even 1% may be a hindrance.

God is the Doer, He has brought forth this information for us to consider and scrutinize.....

Yogananda states what? Where? Never read anything like it. Never!

I think what SpiritImage means is that Yogananda endorses meditation, and specifically Kriya Yoga, as the quickest, most effective and "scientific" way up the mountain to his disciples.

Of course, he never says it's the only way.

I am not sure who to respond to right now Brock since we already have three different views of what Paramahansa Yogananda said. Perhaps that should tell us something as well.

I'll reread the first 3 chapters of the Gita, as that's where I believe it was. This will take some time. Chap III verse 3 talks about it, but I swear it was in other verses as well.

Until then, is there another way? What is it?

And BTW, you both sure are quick on the draw. Sheesh.

Well I did a lot of thumbing thru trying to find it and I cannot. I'm sure I read it,

So I placed words in PY's mouth. I'm sure I will pay for that, as Steve seems a little unfriendly, maybe I already did.

Carry on.

Unfriendly? I have been reading Yogananda's writings for about 40 years. Never read anything like that. I wouldn't read anything more into this comment. We are fortunate to have you with us Spiritimage. Friends do not agree about everything. Think what a boring world it would be if everyone were like me.

Jitendra

We started this forum without it being called some variation of the name Yogananda. Why? Because we recognize as Yogananda did; that there are many ways. It is not for me to tell you your path. We are exploring paths together and learning from one another. Sure I have found my path and way... but I still can learn from others and their unique path and way.

Jitendra

No problem if and when you find what your read we can have a chance to discuss it.  :)

Is that a good or bad thing? Try to respond to your posts SpiritImage. Some of them take some thought others I have more of an
immediate answer to because I have had more experience in the subject matter and have formulated my own ideas about the answers.

I believe that many Gurus ask us to try it ourselves. So unless we give something a try and work on it for a while how will we ever know what results are forthcoming. If I had said to myself early in my life "I do not know if I will ever be able to play an instrument and sing." Would I have ever been able to do it? People have bashed me along the way also. When you are in the public eye you will always be subject to slander as well as praise. If you are sincere God will lead you to the people and path that is for you. If you give up how can he help? What in this life comes without some effort? Very little is handed to us on a silver platter and that which is we do not very often appreciate anyhow. Use you your 99% per cent to go for it and your 1% to be somewhat skeptical if you must. If your skepticism leads you somewhere else than follow it.

I have been exposed to many paths, they are good for others and not for myself. I found what was most comfortable for me and I went for it to see if I would get results and I did.


Jitendra

(http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120405223150/mayberry/images/thumb/e/ec/Barney_Fife_and_the_Preamble_to_the_Constitution/350px-Barney_Fife_and_the_Preamble_to_the_Constitution.jpg)

 ;D   :P   ;D

After all these years i still find kriya yoga the most effective meditation tool. Although i must admit i have not given the iam technique practice enough time to evaluate. I  still find iam very good also. Haven't been exposed to any other powerful tools like these. I often find states of silent bliss between breaths in kriya. However long years of practice have certainly contributed. It is such a helpful tool in quieting the minds incessant activity. Kriya gives the mind something to do and then in the process it helps silence the mind so spiritual experience can manifest.

Hello Scott. I especially liked this entry and the part: "here is something to consider.".... to avoid 'whirl-pooling, knotting, polarizing, hypnotizing' etc. getting back to the flow..... Always practicing; the divine science and when the energies withdraw back into the spine the body is not felt. It fades away from our consciousness and spirit is able to manifest!

Mccoy...Just wonder how far you went with the SRF techniques and if you started out with some other spiritual tradition. Also if you exclusively use Yogananda's routines?

Steve, I use exclusively Yogananda's routines, I stopped at the 1st Kriya, since I see no point in taking further kriyas when I'm not even able to do properly the 1st one.

I practice hong so and kriya mainly, the AUM technque I'm not very keen on, the energization exercises I was a fan of, but after a gym injury they tend to give me pains, although lately maybe something changed in the setup of the damaged muscular tissues so I may start again with them.

If you ever get a to see Amma her iam technique has some exercises that are much more easier than the energization exercises. I still practice Kriya daily. Nomaste2all (see posts above) comes here from time to time he is also a kriyaban and I believe 'prabhatsina' is also. Thought you may be interested. Not sure about the spiritual routines of other members... although I would be interested.
Everyone appears to have spiritual interests.

yes... it is not such an easy tthing - controlling the mind- i believe most of us are always working on doing kriya properly.  Every one  has their preferences. The Om technique is more absorbing to me because Hong Sau  requires one to constantly think of the words. When the breath is more noticeable it seems the practice is easier but when the breath slows it often seems difficult to maintain awareness. Most people I have met consider the 2,3 and 4th kriyas for a higher age but I try them if I have some time from my work schedule... not regularly though.

Steve, sad fact is that techniques do not work as they have been reported to work. More precisely, Yogananda and SRF make it sound simple, whereas I've spent hours meditating and trying to still the breath with Hong Sau to no avail. Sure that's my fault, but if after 35 years of practice there is such a lack of achievements, I wonder. Everyone would wonder, although the flaw is sure in myself. But I've really been working hard sometimes, with huge willpower.

Of course, every spiritual routine cannot but help one's mental state of health, but I would have expected that by now I would be able to still the breath if not the heart.
Kryia, ditto, you can feel the currents when you practice good, but higher states of consciousness???T hey seem to be more a random occurrance than a consequence of techniques. And I never experienced something similar to the state of samhadi described by Yogananda.
Not complaining, actually, just ruminating.

mccoy you have made several interesting points in the last post. I want to first respond to the first one. Please see the thread 'Hong Sau' under SRF techniques.

i know you have heard that God is very shy. What amazes me is he/she never quite fits our description of  God. We get these ideas in our head of what our description of spirituality should resemble. Yet in the most peculiar way God does manifest in our lives. Maybe not the way we expect or desire God to manifest but nevertheless it has the imprint of his/her presence.

We think well it seems like I should be able to stop my heart from beating by now. But we may look at our lives and find that instead we had some important person enter our life that we always dreamed about or we are able to manifest a dream we have had or be in a situation where we can work on that dream. Have you ever considered how we get ourselves into all kinds of messes and in some mysterious way God was there to help us when we were in trouble....or just about the time we were going to get involved in something that was not good for us God threw a monkey wrench in our plans to save us from impending doom? i remember having problems with nodding off and sleep in meditation and sometimes i would feel a tap at my shoulder or a voice to help get back at meditation. God knows the desires of our heart and often he goes beyond our preconcieved ideas and manifests very differently than we would think. He may be working overtime just to save us from ourselves.

Yet behind our spiritual practice God is manifesting and the more spiritual practice we do the more we see tangible manifestations of God's presence in our lives. This Kriya practice and having Gurus in my life have given me tangible situations that have shown me God was manifesting in my life. Sometimes what others would term miracles. These are not 'natural' but rather supernatural events and situations. Yet sometimes just to look at the way I saw myself and the world at one time and how it appears now! There has been  a lot of mental constructs that I held as sacred cows that had to be torn a way so that a fresher view could be taken.

I can relate to that, in lieu of a successful pranayama or pratayara we should be happy with the way God & Gurus took out of trouble. Definitely so.

Kriya is such a good technique to occupy the mind. If we are without a good technique like IAM or kriya it is easy to just daydream without ever really experiencing what meditation is about.

Although it is important to practice the other meditation techniques I have found often that practicing kriya before any other spiritual techniques and upon awakenig is helpful. This is because the cosciousness is still interiorized  and it is easier to go into the spiritual spine and direct the consciousness up and down the shashuma. The consciousness generally becomes more scattered during the day and it is often more difficult to direct attention to the thin thread, the silver chord that brings a soothing peace and awakening bliss when the thoughts are stilled and attention is drawn to inner realms.

Kryia sort of becomes an habit which is hard to renounce.

I just recently corrected a problem, I was moving the energy up to the top of my head, highest chakra, I guess it's supposed to be third eye chakra instead. I was having some issues with too much energy staying at the highest chakra and not being able to move it back down. I know how that sounds. I'm sure there's so many little things that could be slightly off still.

i believe we always go thru corrections in this practice That is why it is good to have someone check our practice if we come across them or seek them out. Also good to talk with others who practice Kriya. Surprisingly, Amma's iam technique does include moving the energy to the highest chakra at the top of the head however excludes the medulla. But meditation techniques should not be combined. Best to practice kriya with no 'creative' variations.  ;D


What is Kriya?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5023/kriya-yoga

hi SI, i tried quoting you and hit the modify button on accident(incase you were wondering why it says i was the last person to touch your post) i apologize as i try to stay out of that stuff.

just wanted to say it sounds like you were the best judge for correcting your problems... very interesting

Hello

His accent is very thick if u understand what he said please tell me ... thanks.

Upon awakening the body itself is more still having been more withdrawn into an interior realm of dreams and perhaps even dreamless sleep. As the day progresses we are more drawn into worldly activities and the senses adapt themselves to rising concerns that require their involvement. Due to the restlessness of the mind and relentless desires—that keep us trapped in these physical bodies—we are often if not usually drawn into activities,that distract us from the peace and interiorization that sleeping gives us. Having the awareness that these activities usually rob us of the moments of peace we can experience upon awakening; we begin to develop some discipline upon awakening, often realizing that the distractions that draw us away from immediately meditating upon awakening were not so important as our spiritual connection. This spiritual connection has a more productive influence on our consciousness then constant restless action and bombardment of the senses. Theses actions lead us into continued restless activities to support endless new desires which only bind us stronger to the earth plain.

Does this mean Kriya Yoga can free us from the repetitive and hardened pathway of enslavement? Activities that only bring about our suffering?

I am starting to believe something as simple as making ones bed in the morning is a great way to get into shape.  :)

Namaste

It's extremely fascinating how breathing up and down through the spine can quicken our spiritual evolution.  :)

Yogananda said kriya is the airplane route to god. 1 million correct kriyas over the years can bring liberation.

The Masters explain that the seeds of karma are in the astral spine and the right environmental conditions release them. We are fortunate to have a technique that burns out the seeds of karma so they are unable to germinate.

Yes I have found that the practice of kriya was my first real step in getting out of restlessness and into meditation. Having experienced some higher stages of consciousness-from this step onwards I have found something more enticing then enslavement to the senses. This does not mean, however that I am free from suffering and dips back into sense enslavement. Rather; it means that there is no turning back now. I know what my purpose is here now and even if I take a fall I know what I must do to pick myself back up.

I am not sure what results you are looking for from making up your bed but I do know some of the results of practicing Kriya yoga.

When the time is right I may be initiated into Kriya. I believe sincerity is to be developed, overall, before that moment. By making the bed a routine I just meant practicing discipline- something I believe is needed to free ones self from unwanted behavior or, when trying to bring about a lifestyle change.

Yes the routine of doing kriya has become quite routine to me. No inspiration is necessary. I just do it like eating exercise or sleeping.  It is now part of my every day life. It came with a little light that went off in my brain and I finally recognized after some time of meditating on my own that it just wasn’t getting me anywhere and I needed help to settle my mind. At the time I remember thinking to myself; this kriya yoga is the only technique I have ever had that actually gave me a break from thinking and some blissful moments in meditation. For that I will never forget and whatever I do or however I feel or however I fall I will come back to the practice of kriya.

I know I have messed my own life up at times and to some extent the lives of others but I also have had the realization that if I come back to kriya I will be returning to where I need to be. Sometimes while witnessing life go by me the only hope for an anchor and reality check is to return to the guidance of the gurus and the methods they have given to stay in tune; in my case that is kriya yoga. I suppose the reason for that is that it showed me it is possible to be happy even though the pain of this world and the people I have met in it is ever a reminder that happiness in this reality just never lasts and is met by many disappointments.