Kriya yoga

Kriya yoga is a system of Indian yoga that was first popularized in the West by Paramahansa Yogananda. The system consists of a number of yogic techniques that purportedly hasten the practitioner's spiritual evolution and help to bring about a profound state of tranquility and god-communion within one's own self.

History

According to Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi, kriya yoga was well-known in ancient India, but was eventually lost. In 1861however, the book continues, the immortal yogi Mahavatar Babajiinitiated Lahiri Mahasayainto Kriya Yoga. Lahiri Mahasaya then revived the practice, and it soon spread throughout India. Paramhansa Yogananda, a disciple of SwamiSri Yukteswar Giriwho was himself a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, then brought Kriya Yoga to the United Statesand Europeduring the 20th century. Since that time it has spread throughout the world through various lineages, most of which claim descent from Lahiri Mahasaya.

Other lineages

There are several organizations that teach kriya yoga as taught by Yogananda. A few are: Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by Yogananda; Kriya Yoga Institute, founded by Paramahamsa Hariharananda (a direct disciple of Swami Sri YukteswarGiri); Ananda, founded by Swami Kriyananda(a direct disciple of Yogananda); Center for Spiritual Awareness, founded by Roy Eugene Davis (also a direct disciple of Yogananda); and the Song of the Morning Retreat Centerfounded by one of Yogananda's chief disciples, Yogacharya Oliver Black. The lineage of Lahiri Mahasaya also continues in the person of Shibendu Lahiri, the great-grandson of Lahiri Mahasaya. He is based in Benares but travels around the world, initiatiing people into the yogic science of Kriya.

All Kriya Yogalineages however have the same root within the guruparam-para; i.e. Mahavatar Babaji, who gave the technique to Lahiri Mahasayathrough personal initiation and instruction to teach Kriya Yoga to other "worthy" humans. Lahiri Mahasaya's most famous disciples were Swami Sri YukteswarGiri, Swami Pranabananda, Swami Kebalananda, Swami Keshabananda, and Bhupendranath Sanyal (Sanyal Mahasaya).

External link

• The Most Dynamic Kriya Yoga WebsiteKriya Yoga Q&A's and other inspirational articles from FilipinoKriya Yoga master Noel Daryl Pahimna

• The Science of Kriya Yoga from the First Edition of Autobiography of a Yogi written by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1946

• Learn Kriya Yoga Includes information about learning Kriya from Ananda, and testimonials from Kriya Yogis

• The Kriya Yoga Institute Body of teachings from brother disciple of Yoganandaji, Paramamsa Hariharandani Giri. On his passing, writing and teaching are led by Paramahamsa Prajnanananda Giri

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriya+yoga Wikipedia article Kriya yoga.