Secrets of Kriya yoga

Kriya Yoga is one of the ancient systems of meditation which is famous in India and it has spread in many parts of the world by the effort of Indian masters.

Kriya yoga is considered to be the fastest way of realizing the truth or the fastest way to realize our own identity. For a long time, the techniques of Kriya yoga were kept secret and guarded in the Himalayan ranges, by the practitioners. It was spreading from a Guru directly to his disciples.

The masters of the Kriya yoga lineage starts from Mahavatar Babaji, as generally known. Though there were many other masters before Babaji, it was Babaji who made it available to the mankind out of grace and compassion.


What makes Kriya yoga special?

There are different systems of meditation. Some give emphasis on observing the breath, some give importance on observing the thoughts, some give stress on observing different sensations on the body and some stress on concentrating on the chakras. It is all the different paths to reach the same destination. We need to select the shortest route to reach the destination at the earliest possibility. That is where Kriya yoga gains its significance, providing the shortest route, as claimed by the great masters.

What is the techinique?

In the lineage of Kriya yoga, it is always emphasized that the technique be kept secret. There are a few important reasons for this. It helps in keeping the technique pure as one would be forced to learn from the authentic source. In the past, the great masters gave techniques with slight variation according to the individual. If discussed regarding this variation, it might bring unnecessary confusion and a practitioner may not be able to practice properly.

Without going into the exact details, this article will shed some light on the way Kriya yoga is practiced. Kriya yoga consists of a set of techniques of which Kriya pranayama is the most important one. In Kriya pranayama(kriya means a technique) the prana shakti (life force) is rotated in a specific manner inside the sushumna channel (a subtler channel in the spine). Each such rotation is considered equal to the evolution of 1 year in this plane (earth). This is why the evolution of a Kriya yogi (practitioner of Kriyas) is considered superior.

Kriya yoga taken to west

The great yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda played an important role in taking the teachings of Kriya yoga to the west. It was through this book, Autobiography of a Yogi, kriya yoga was popularized in many countries of the world. The words of Paramahansa Yogananda would have special influence on you if you are already in the process of search and it is worth having this great asset.

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How to sit for meditation

Body and our mind are very closely related. When the body is still, the mind becomes still. So, for a proper meditation to happen, it is necessary to select a comfortable and a steady position. It is always good to maintain the same pose for meditation, at least during the initial phases. This will properly train the body for long sittings.

Cross legged position is considered the best for meditation as it keeps the trunk perfectly straight which would help the energy flow to happen in the Sushumna channel naturally. But still, it may result in pain, if one is not used to this pose. In that case, it is better to sit in half-lotus position. In this position, you bend the left leg and keep the right leg folded above the left leg.

Sitting in the lotus or half-lotus position for long hours could be helped with a small cushion to sit on. This will raise your body and maintain a proper circulation to your legs. By this, you could avoid pain and feel more comfortable.

Always remember to spread a four-folded woolen or a cotton blanket over the floor before you sit. This would insulate the energy, flow down and allow the energy to move up.

If you are not at all able to sit on the floor, folding your legs, then it is better to sit on a flat chair. But, make sure that your trunk is straight and your legs are properly grounded on the floor. Do not lean on the chair.

Once you make yourself comfortable with an appropriate pose you choose, the rest of the process becomes easier. If you are planning to sit for a long sitting, it is better to sit on a cushion to promote a proper blood flow and to maintain the spine erect.

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