Yoga Mad

The appearance of Kriya yoga is tributary to a combination of yoga styles such as Bhakti, Jnana and Raja. The word kriya describes effort or transformation. Although introduced to the modern world in the 19th century by master Lahiri Mahasaya, Kryia yoga seems to be much older. It is said to appear in the Bhagavad-Gita which is considered to be more than 3000 years old. Devotion to God, self-discipline of the body and mind as well as a strict daily program represent the main principles for Kryia yoga practice. In order for a student to learn the specificity of this yoga technique, the presence of a guru is a must-meet condition.

Kriya yoga can influence the lives of people looking for a deeper, more spiritual relationship with their essence. This style of yoga is kundalini oriented and, it is a meditation technique theorized by a series of esoteric principles. Moreover, the stress falls onto the power within oneself and the necessity to be guided by an initiate on the journey inside. There are several aims in Kriya yoga, among which the breaking of the separation line between mind and body.
An analysis of the three styles that meet in Kriya yoga is necessary for an understanding of the history and underlying principles of the practice. Thus, Karma yoga focuses on the movement of the soul between inside and outside of the mind; Jnana yoga aims at conquering wisdom, liberating mind through knowledge, while Bhakti yoga focuses on love, and how it can bring peace to one’s world. The combination of these three principles aims at purifying the mind and the soul. Consequently, Kriya yoga practitioners are certain that they can achieve self-fulfillment through Kriya routine rather than by other disciplines.

There are some stages to go through before practicing Kriya yoga. First of all, the body needs to be ready, and Hatha yoga exercises remain relevant in the practice for this very purpose. Then, the mind needs preparation too. Mantras are uttered in Kriya yoga techniques so as to deepen the meditative experience. It is said in Bhagavad-Gita that the goal of one who practices Kriya yoga is to accomplish the Supreme Goal (Samahdi), by leaving the external world with its fears, angers and desires out and by controlling the intellect and the sensory mind.

Ping This Post

Tags: 19th Century, Bhagavad Gita, Bhakti Yoga, Devotion, Esoteric Principles, Hatha Yoga Exercises, Initiate, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Kriya Yoga Techniques, Meditation Technique, Mind And Body, Self Discipline, Self Fulfillment, Separation Line, Specificity, Spiritual Relationship, Yoga Practice, Yoga Practitioners, Yoga Styles

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 at 12:05 am and is filed under Branches of Yoga, Main Content. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.