Kriya Yoga: Yogananda's Technique

BY NICOLE LAU

Kriya Yoga is the crown jewel of Paramahansa Yogananda's teachings—an ancient meditation technique that works directly on the spine and brain to accelerate spiritual evolution. Yogananda called it "the airplane route to God" compared to the "bullock cart" of ordinary spiritual practices. Revived by the immortal yogi Mahavatar Babaji and transmitted through a lineage of realized masters, Kriya Yoga offers the fastest scientific method for achieving God-realization. While the complete technique is given only through formal initiation, understanding its principles and preparing for practice can transform your spiritual journey.

The Ancient Science Revived

Kriya Yoga's history spans millennia, though it was lost and rediscovered:

The Original Kriya:

Ancient origins: Kriya Yoga is mentioned in ancient texts including Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. Krishna teaches it to Arjuna, calling it the supreme yoga for God-realization.

The lost technique: Over centuries, the precise technique was lost as yoga became ritualized and the inner science was forgotten. Only fragments remained in various yoga traditions.

The preservation: According to Yogananda, a lineage of Himalayan masters preserved the complete technique in secret, waiting for the right time to reveal it publicly.

Babaji's Revival (1861):

The immortal master: Mahavatar Babaji, described as an immortal yogi who has maintained the same physical body for centuries, decided the time had come to reveal Kriya Yoga to the modern world.

Lahiri Mahasaya's initiation: In 1861, Babaji initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into Kriya Yoga in a cave in the Himalayas, instructing him to teach it widely to sincere seekers regardless of caste, religion, or background.

The mission: Babaji told Lahiri Mahasaya that Kriya Yoga would spread throughout the world, helping humanity evolve spiritually during the challenging modern age.

The Lineage to the West:

Lahiri Mahasaya (1828-1895): The householder yogi who made Kriya available to thousands in India, demonstrating that God-realization is possible while living an ordinary life.

Sri Yukteswar (1855-1936): Lahiri Mahasaya's disciple who trained Yogananda specifically for the mission of bringing Kriya to the West.

Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952): Brought Kriya Yoga to America in 1920, establishing Self-Realization Fellowship to preserve and transmit the technique authentically.

What is Kriya Yoga?

Kriya is a precise scientific technique, not a philosophy or belief system:

The Basic Principle:

Energy and consciousness: Kriya works with prana (life energy) and consciousness, directing them through the spine and brain to awaken spiritual centers and accelerate evolution.

The spinal pathway: The technique involves specific breathing patterns coordinated with mental concentration on the spine, where the main energy channels (ida, pingala, sushumna) and chakras are located.

Magnetization: Regular practice magnetizes the spine, drawing energy and consciousness upward toward the spiritual eye (the point between the eyebrows) and the crown chakra.

The Scientific Basis:

Breath and metabolism: Kriya slows the breath and heart rate, reducing the body's metabolic processes. This conserves life force and allows consciousness to withdraw from body identification.

Brain chemistry: The practice affects the brain and nervous system, stimulating the production of beneficial neurochemicals and activating dormant areas of the brain associated with higher consciousness.

Cellular rejuvenation: By reducing metabolic wear and tear, Kriya helps preserve the body and extend life, giving more time for spiritual development.

The Acceleration Effect:

Yogananda's claim: "A Kriya Yogi mentally directs his life energy to revolve, upward and downward, around the six spinal centers... One half-minute of revolution of energy around the sensitive spinal cord of man effects subtle progress in his evolution; that half-minute of Kriya equals one year of natural spiritual unfoldment."

The mathematics: If practiced correctly, 30 seconds of Kriya equals one year of natural evolution. One hour of practice equals 120 years of evolution. This explains how advanced yogis achieve in one lifetime what might take many incarnations.

The mechanism: Kriya accelerates evolution by consciously directing life force through the same pathways that nature uses unconsciously over long periods. It's like using a rocket instead of walking.

The Preparation and Initiation

Kriya Yoga is not taught casually but through a formal initiation process:

Why Initiation is Required:

Sacred transmission: Kriya is transmitted from guru to disciple in an unbroken lineage. The initiation carries spiritual power (shakti) that awakens the technique's full potential.

Proper foundation: Students must first develop concentration, devotion, and understanding through preparatory practices. Kriya is advanced meditation, not for beginners.

Commitment: The technique requires daily practice and spiritual discipline. Initiation ensures students understand the commitment they're making.

The SRF Path to Initiation:

Step 1: Lessons in Meditation: Study Self-Realization Fellowship's comprehensive correspondence course covering meditation techniques, yoga philosophy, and spiritual living. This typically takes 6-12 months of regular study.

Step 2: Preparatory techniques: Practice the foundational meditation techniques taught in the lessons—Hong-Sau (concentration), Om meditation (expanding consciousness), and Energization Exercises. Develop regularity and depth in practice.

Step 3: Application for initiation: After completing the lessons and establishing regular practice, students may apply for Kriya initiation. This demonstrates readiness and sincere commitment.

Step 4: The initiation: Kriya is given through a sacred ceremony, either in person at an SRF temple or through a special initiation service. The technique is taught in detail with specific instructions for practice.

The Commitment:

Daily practice: Kriya initiates commit to practicing the technique daily, ideally twice daily (morning and evening).

Secrecy: The specific technique is kept confidential, shared only with those properly initiated. This preserves its sanctity and ensures proper transmission.

Guru-disciple relationship: Initiation establishes a spiritual relationship with the SRF gurus (Yogananda, Sri Yukteswar, Lahiri Mahasaya, Babaji). They guide the student's spiritual unfoldment.

The Practice and Effects

While the complete technique is confidential, general principles can be shared:

The Practice Session:

Preparation: Begin with Energization Exercises to awaken body and mind, then practice Hong-Sau to develop concentration. This prepares for Kriya proper.

The technique: Kriya involves specific breathing patterns coordinated with mental focus on the spine and chakras. The practice is done in a specific posture with eyes focused at the spiritual eye.

Duration: Beginners start with a small number of Kriyas (one cycle of the technique), gradually increasing as capacity develops. Advanced practitioners may do hundreds of Kriyas in one sitting.

Completion: The session ends with meditation on the results—deep peace, expanded awareness, and communion with God.

The Progressive Effects:

Initial effects: Increased peace, mental clarity, and energy. Better sleep, reduced stress, and improved health. A sense of inner joy independent of circumstances.

Intermediate effects: Deepening meditation, spontaneous insights, and heightened intuition. Perception of inner light and sound. Growing detachment from material desires and ego identification.

Advanced effects: Direct perception of the soul, experiences of cosmic consciousness, and communion with God. Mastery over body and mind. Preparation for final liberation.

Ultimate goal: Complete God-realization—permanent awareness of one's identity with infinite consciousness. This is the state of samadhi or nirvikalpa samadhi (absorption in God without return to ordinary consciousness).

The Constant Unification Perspective

Kriya Yoga demonstrates universal constants through yogic science:

• Kriya = Contemplative prayer: Different techniques for the same goal—communion with the divine through focused practice
• Chakras = Sephiroth: Different maps of the same energy centers and levels of consciousness
• Samadhi = Mystical union: The same state described by Christian mystics, Sufis, and Buddhist masters—direct experience of God
• Accelerated evolution = Grace: Kriya's acceleration effect is the yogic equivalent of divine grace—rapid spiritual progress through higher power

Practical Guidance for Aspirants

Preparing for Kriya:

Establish daily meditation: Begin meditating regularly now, even if just 15-20 minutes daily. Consistency is more important than duration.

Study the teachings: Read Yogananda's books, especially Autobiography of a Yogi. Enroll in SRF's lessons to begin systematic study.

Cultivate devotion: Kriya is most effective when practiced with love for God. Develop your heart connection through prayer and devotional practices.

Live the principles: Practice truthfulness, non-violence, self-control, and service. Spiritual progress requires ethical living alongside meditation.

While Waiting for Initiation:

Hong-Sau technique: This concentration practice is taught in SRF's lessons and prepares the mind for Kriya. Watch the breath, mentally saying "Hong" on the inhale, "Sau" on the exhale.

Om meditation: Listen for the inner sound of Om (the cosmic vibration). This develops subtle perception needed for advanced practice.

Energization Exercises: Yogananda's system for consciously directing life energy. These prepare the body and demonstrate the power of will over energy.

After Initiation:

Practice faithfully: Make Kriya your daily priority. Even when busy, maintain at least a short practice. Regularity is essential.

Be patient: Spiritual development takes time. Don't expect instant enlightenment. Trust the process and practice with devotion.

Deepen gradually: As your practice deepens, you'll naturally want to practice longer and more intensely. Let this unfold organically.

Stay connected: Attend SRF services and meditations when possible. The group energy supports individual practice.

Common Questions

Can I learn Kriya from a book or video?

No: The complete technique is given only through proper initiation. Books and videos may describe general principles but cannot transmit the actual practice or the spiritual power that comes through initiation.

How long until I experience results?

Varies: Some experience immediate peace and clarity. Deeper effects develop over months and years of regular practice. Patience and persistence are essential.

Do I have to be Hindu to practice Kriya?

No: Kriya is a universal technique applicable to people of all religions or no religion. Many Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist practitioners use Kriya to deepen their own faith traditions.

Is Kriya dangerous?

Safe when properly learned: Kriya is safe when learned through proper channels with adequate preparation. The SRF initiation process ensures students are ready. Attempting to practice from incomplete descriptions could be ineffective or problematic.

Conclusion

Kriya Yoga is the most powerful meditation technique available to modern seekers—a scientific method for accelerating spiritual evolution and achieving God-realization. Brought to the West by Paramahansa Yogananda and transmitted through Self-Realization Fellowship, it offers the fastest path to the goal all spiritual practices seek: direct, permanent awareness of one's divine nature.

While the complete technique requires formal initiation and dedicated practice, the path is open to all sincere seekers. By studying Yogananda's teachings, establishing regular meditation, and preparing through the SRF lessons, anyone can qualify for this sacred practice.

For those ready to commit to serious spiritual practice, Kriya Yoga offers what Yogananda promised: the airplane route to God—a direct, scientific method for achieving in one lifetime what might otherwise take many incarnations.

In our next article, we explore Alan Watts, the philosopher who made Zen Buddhism accessible to Western audiences and became one of the most influential interpreters of Eastern wisdom for the modern world.

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This article is part of our Western Esotericism Masters series, exploring the key figures who shaped modern mystical practice.