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What is Kriya Yoga?


Kriya Yoga is a meditation technique that quickly accelerates one’s spiritual growth.

It was first made widely known by Paramhansa Yogananda in his Autobiography of a Yogi. According to Yogananda, Kriya is the most effective technique available to mankind today for reaching the goal of Yoga: union with the Divine.

Kriya is a technique of energy control, or pranayama. It is also a comprehensive spiritual path, which includes additional meditation practices, right living, and a link to the enlightened Masters mentioned in Autobiography of a Yogi.

Kriya is taught at Ananda Sangha Gurgaon just as Paramhansa Yogananda taught it — as a comprehensive spiritual path. Its effectiveness has been experienced by thousands of dedicated Ananda Kriya Yogis, from all walks of life, religion, and nationality.

Those interested in learning Kriya Yoga can join us for the entire course that prepares the aspirant to receive initiation into kriya yoga. Kriya yoga is an ancient and sacred yoga technique that has been practiced by saints and sages for thousands of years. In the modern age, this technique has been introduced by Mahavatar Babaji through his disciple, Lahiri Mahasaya, to be taught and shared with true and sincere aspirants seeking spiritual evolution. This technique has been mentioned by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita and by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras.

The path of Kriya Yoga :

Level 1 : Learn to meditate

Paramhansa Yogananda wrote, “Meditation is the highest form of activity a person can perform.” It is one of the most natural and rewarding of all human activities. It gives direct, intuitive experience of higher consciousness, and is the cornerstone of deep spirituality. It also brings balance, rest and a growing inner peace. This course is open to anyone who wishes to learn to meditate, regardless of religious or spiritual background.

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Level 2 (The Art and Science of Raja Yoga)

Based on the book of the same title by Swami Kriyananda, this 6- class series is an in-depth study of the Yogic Path and lifestyle. The key component of this series is the learning of 39 Energization Exercises that were developed by Paramhansa Yogananda. These exercises will give us the ability to recharge our body at will by drawing in cosmic energy from the universe. The class duration is 3 hours. Throughout the 4 weeks we will continue to deepen our meditation practices and learn 10 Energization Exercises each class. During the series we will cover the following topics:

  • Principles of Energy, Will & Magnetism
  • Overview of Yoga – Bhakti, Gyana, Karma and Raja
  • Ashtanga Yoga & Yamas and Niyamas
  • Overcoming Habits
  • Affirmations
  • Applying Yoga Principles in Daily Life
  • Mapping your Spiritual Progress

Level 3 (Aum Technique and Discipleship)

At this point the spiritual aspirant shifts from being a student to becoming a disciple. Discipleship doesn’t mean a change in your outward life, or the renunciation of a worldly life. It only means a deeper inner relationship with the Divine through the channel of the Guru. Several new techniques are taught during this class series. All of them essential to the practice of Kriya Yoga, helping to perceive the subtle spinal currents and the sounds of the chakras. This series consists of 6 classes of 3 hours each. The following aspects are covered throughout this level of classes:

  • Understanding the need and role of the Guru
  • Recognizing a true Guru & Attunement with the Guru
  • Pre-requisites and right attitudes of a true disciple
  • The lineage of our Masters, Mission of Yogananda, Swami Kriyananda & Ananda’s mission
  • Discipleship Ceremony
  • The techniques of Mahamudra, Aum Technique and Navi kriya

Level 4 (Preperation for Kriya Yoga)

During this final level we study many of the deeper teachings of the Yogic path, all the while continuing to practice all the meditation techniques that we have learnt in the previous levels. We begin to really lengthen our meditations, allowing for longer, deeper sadhanas. This 6-class series of 3 hours duration each covers the following areas:

  • Introduction to Kriya Yoga and The Anatomy of the Astral body
  • The Yugas, with emphasis on Dwapara Yuga (the age of energy)
  • Yogananda’s interpretation of the Gita and Kriya Yoga in the Gita
  • Long meditations & kriya related Q&A

After completion of this series of classes, there will be the Kriya Initiation Ceremony where qualified students will receive the sacred diksha in Kriya Yoga by a Kriyacharya.

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