Is It Essential To Use These Sounds During The Meditation Or Can Other Sounds Be Used As A Substitute
From an Eastern perspective, it is believed that the placement of the tongue on the roof of the mouth while making these sounds stimulates 84 acupuncture points on the upper palate. This causes a beneficial bio-chemical transformation in the brain. In addition, Western research has revealed that utilizing the fingertip position in conjunction with the sounds enhances blood flow to particular areas in the motor-sensory part of the brain.
Clinical research has shown that practicing Kirtan Kriya for just 12 minutes a day can improve cognition and activate parts of the brain that are central to memory. Replacing the Kirtan Kriya sounds with other sounds, or replacing the meditation as a whole with other relaxing tasks, has not been shown to be effective.
The Alzheimers Research and Prevention Foundation believes that the various parts of Kirtan Kriya are each vital to the whole, and recommends practicing it in the traditional way to fully reap the benefits of the exercise. That said, other methods of reducing stress, like deep breathing, listening to music and other types of meditation may be beneficial to your health.
History Of Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga is an ancient meditation technique of pranayama, also known as breathing control practice, Kriya Yoga was unknown to humankind for several centuries before it was taught in 1861 by the highly revered yogi, Mahavatar Babaji, to his beloved disciple Lahiri Mahasaya.;
It is mentioned in the records which document Babajis conversation with Lahiri. He states that the use of Kriya enabled Jesus, Kabir, and other prophets to materialize and dematerialize their body as they pleased.;
He further added that the gift of Kriya is to be passed on to the world in the 19th century. It is only a revival of the same science that Krishna bestowed Arjuna with. Later, it came to be known by sages like Patanjali, St John, St Paul, and even Christ.;
In fact, Kriya yoga has been mentioned in Bhagavad Gita twice by Lord Krishna, the greatest prophet of India. Lord Krishna mentions that it is only by securing an additional supply of life force, a yogi can control the decay of his body.;
Withdrawing from external factors via meditation and by neutralizing the life energy and flow within his nostrils and lungs has several benefits. In this way, a sage can not only control his mind and intellect but also reject fear, anger, and desire.;
It was only then that Lahiri preached the discipline to Sri Yukteswar. After years of practice and dedication, Sri Yukteshwar passed on the learnings to many of his disciples. These disciples also included the imminent Paramhansa Yogananda.;
The Guiding Techniques Of Kriya Yoga
That being said, it is important to note that the spiritual path of kriya yoga can only be appropriately ventured upon under the careful guidance of a seasoned Kriyabhan or a spiritual master.;
Whether you take an online course or visit a master for a yoga class, it is important that you trust in the guru-disciple relationship with all your heart. This is because there are certain things during this path that cannot be explained until they become clear to you eventually. And, you must devote yourself and your faith in your master.
Let us now talk about the six important techniques of kriya yoga, also known as the six kriyas;
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Are There Any Practises Techniques Or Certification Levels To Pass Before I Can Get To Kriya Yoga
In some cases, Sri M may give a certain practise to follow before adopting another. This is very individual and cannot be generalised and is personally communicated to the aspirant.
Please note that Kriya Yoga is taught so that the aspirant can free the mind, and not be caught up in worrying about a course or an exam which must be judged, qualified for, graded or certified en-masse.
On this, Sri M often quotes the weaver saint Kabir Das and says Jaise Paat Gire Paruvar Se ie. just like the leaf falls from the branch, these processes are meant to be both practical and natural. They are required to be learnt through insight from a genuine teacher and are usually not set in stone.
Philosophy Of Kriya Yoga
Kriya is believed to originate in divinity, not in human creation. The two syllables in the word Kriya each help to indicate its meaning. Kri means karma dhatu , while ya means soul. Thus, the word kriya literally translates to action of the soul.
Kriya yoga seeks to bring its practitioners to a higher state of consciousness and bring about awareness of the mind, body, and soul. It brings about bliss and calms the mind. There is a huge emphasis on preserving its lineage, and Kriya yoga highly regards the relationship between master and student and how the material is passed through generation to generation.
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Kriya Yoga: Benefits And Advantages
Just like other types of yoga such as hatha yoga or surya namaskar yoga, kriya yoga also boasts of offering multiple benefits. Some of these benefits are as follows:;
- Transforming Negative Emotions Into Positive Ones: This is one of the most coveted kriya yoga benefits. This is done through various pranayama techniques under kriya yoga. You learn to concentrate on the patterns of negative emotions, understand them and finally accept them. You create an environment where thoughts can come and go freely without bothering you. This brings positivity.;
- Improving Concentration: Since you need to focus on a particular spot or thought for a long time during kriya yoga. This tremendously improves your concentration power and you can become better at tasks.;
- Attain Spiritual Peace: Many people practice kriya yoga for its spiritual benefits. The kriya process helps in evolving the spiritual mind by creating a tranquil and aware state. It also teaches you to be one with the soul. It also makes us more compassionate and kind towards not just others but our own self.;
- Cleanse Chakras: You can also cleanse and unblock your chakras to enjoy both physical and mental health benefits. This takes away the tiredness and fatigue of your body that may be due to any energy block in the body. You can awaken the Kundalini energy at the base of your spine. Some other benefits of cleansing chakras include increased focus, improved energy levels, and better blood flow throughout the body.
Final Words
What Does Kirtan Kriya Do
According to yogis who regularly practice it , Kirtan Kriya is a yoga meditation that stimulates all the senses and the areas of the brain that control them. For example, when you utter a mantra, the movement of your tongue can stimulate the 84 acupuncture meridian points 1 located in the roof of your youth, sending signals to the hypothalamusthe part of the brain that controls vital bodily functions including hunger, regulation of body temperature, sleep, hormone secretion from the pituitary gland, etc. Similarly, the lip and finger movements you make can activate the sensory and motor areas of the brain, thanks to the dense nerve endings in the fingertips and lips.
In other words, mastering Kirtan kriya can reprogram your subconscious mind and mold your consciousness.
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Learn Kriya Yoga At An Ananda Teaching Centre
Ananda Sangha teaching centres are located throughout India. This is the ideal way to learn Yoganandajis meditation practices, and to get them established in your daily life. You will have the personal support of an Ananda acharya, along with the satsang and friendship of fellow students.
What Are The Benefits Of Kirtan Kriya Meditation
Lets take a look at how this powerful meditation brings about remarkable changes in your life by helping you tap into your full potential.
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What Happens After I Take Initiation
We hope that during the time of preparation before Kriya initiation, you become involved in the many aspects of Ananda Portland and come to feel that you are a part of a supportive spiritual family. Discipleship and service to a line of Self-realized masters will change your life, but your life is a unique expression and wont look exactly like anyone elses. Kriya is a deep blessingif it is used. We are here to support your ongoing spiritual journey.
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The Science Of Kriya Yoga
from Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda
Kriya Yoga is an instrument through which human evolution can be quickened. The ancient yogis discovered that the secret of cosmic consciousness is intimately linked with breath mastery. The life force, which is ordinarily absorbed in maintaining the heart-pump, must be freed for higher activities by a method of calming and stilling the ceaseless demands of the breath.
One thousand Kriyas practiced in eight hours gives the yogi, in one day, the equivalent of one thousand years of natural evolution: 365,000 years of evolution in one year.Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramhansa Yogananda
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How Is Kriya Yoga Different
Kriya Yoga is a spiritual science that the sages of India discovered in the long forgotten history. Patanjali, the revered sage speaks of it in Yoga sutras and Parmahansa Yogananda claims that even Christ knew about it. However, Kriya Yoga was long forgotten and buried and lost in the dark times. It was Parmahansa Yogananda who was chosen to make Kriya Yoga available to seekers around the world. Since Kriya Yoga slows down the activity of the lungs and heart naturally it results in our consciousness being drawn to higher levels of perception and bringing us an inner awakening. We should also learn about kriya yoga poses to understand how and why it’s different.
Journey To God With Kriya Yoga
With Kriya Yoga, you may begin to see your limitless realm in your private restricted physique with the sunshine that may shine in you. Of course, this journey may be simple, or it will drive you in shocking moments. Because eradicating the boundaries of our restricted life implies that each one truths or values ââthat I take into account are turned the improper method up.
No matter how free we predict were, it could be troublesome at first to experience the lightness of learning one factor previous our restricted dwelling on account of Kriya Yoga means scraping the entire stones positioned on the ideas totally from there.
Changing concepts and altering habits is a wonderful revolution that could be achieved in mind-body. Revealing self-will with out isolating itself from one thing is to overcome all obstacles in entrance of a divine journey.
With Kriya Yoga, will in all probability be doable to overcome the priority created by the ideas. A relaxed quit and good peace will substitute this. This change that may begin inside moreover, you may be mirrored in your life, allowing you to understand that each half is a manifestation expressing the integrity of God.
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The Kriya Yoga Science Of Pranayama
No devotee of any religion should be satisfied with untested beliefs and dogmas, but should engage himself in practical efforts to attain Godrealization. Union with Spirit is possible only when the devotee, casting aside the superficial method of ceremonial worship or of the ineffective going into the silence, begins to practice a scientific technique of Godrealization.
One cannot reach this goal just by mental meditation. Only deep concentration that disconnects the mind from breath, life force, and senses, and that unites the ego to the soul, is successful in producing the Godwisdom of Selfrealization.
The life force is the link between matter and Spirit. Flowing outward it reveals the spuriously alluring world of the senses; reversed inward it pulls the consciousness to the eternally satisfying bliss of God.
Two men were meditating in different rooms, each of which contained a telephone. The telephone rang in each room. One man said to himself, in a mood of intellectual bullheadedness: I will concentrate so deeply that I will not be able to hear the rings of the telephone! It is true that, in spite of external noise, he may succeed in concentrating within; but he has needlessly complicated his task. This man may be compared to a jnana yogi who tries to meditate on God, ignoring the unceasing telephonic messages of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, as well as the outward pulls of the life force.
Ashram And Center Code Of Conduct
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The Different Mudras Performed In Kriya Yoga Are As Follows
Guru Pranam: It helps to take energy from the 1st center to the 7th center. Kechari Mudra: It helps to establish silence. It also helps activate nectar from 7th kriya. Hang-Sau technique: This concentration technique that helps still the mind by calming the breath. Maha Mudra: It helps open the Ida, Pingala and Sushumna nadis, and Kundali Shakti in higher kriyas. Brahmari: It helps to establish Pranava – the Aum sound. Nabhi Kriya or Navi Kriya: This kriya helps to break the third knot or Brahma Granthi Omkara Kriya or Thokar Kriya: As one moves to higher kriyas, there are different Omkara kriyas present. It helps open chakras and break knots. Shambhavi Mudra: This kriya helps to take one to Samadhi, the balanced state in higher kriyas.
Kriya Yoga path of meditation deals with different techniques and one needs this technique under proper supervision and guidance. The techniques are not difficult but it has to be done the right way.
Follow The Kriya Yoga Course At Home
Do you live far from any of our centres? Or have a schedule that would make it difficult for you to come?
You can learn the techniques and practices leading up to initiation into Kriya through the Kriya Yoga Home Study Course. The Course includes
- Digital videos of Swami Kriyananda and course instructors for each Step along the way
- Assessment at each stage to monitor and support your progress
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The Technique Of Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga is so effective because it works directly with the source of growth the spiritual energy deep in our spines. The Kriya technique is much more direct. It helps the practitioner to control the life force by mentally drawing it up and down the spine, with awareness and will. According to Yogananda, one Kriya, which takes about a half-minute, is equivalent to one year of natural spiritual growth.
The technique itself is taught through initiation. As Yogananda said in his autobiography, Because of certain ancient yogic injunctions, I cannot give a full explanation of Kriya Yoga in the pages of a book intended for the general public. The actual technique must be learned from a Kriyaban or Kriya Yogi; here a broad reference must suffice.
You can learn more about the technique by reading The Science of Kriya Yoga in Autobiography of a Yogi.
Practice Kriya night and day. It is the greatest key to salvation. Other people go by books and lesser practices, but it will take them incarnations to reach God. Paramhansa Yogananda
Special Dispensation For The Current World Age
During the descent of man from a Spiritual Age to a Material Age, the knowledge of the science of yoga declines and is forgotten.In this oncemore ascending Atomic Age, the indestructible science of Raja Yoga is being revived as Kriya Yoga through the grace of Mahavatar Babaji, Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, and their disciples.
As a matter of special divine dispensation, through Krishna, Christ, Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, and Swami Sri Yukteswar I was selected to spread the Kriya Yoga science worldwide through the united original yoga of Krishna and original Christianity of Christ as represented in the teachings of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India.
It is through the instance and blessings of Mahavatar Babaji and of Christ and my Guru and Paramguru that I was sent to the West and undertook the task of founding Yogoda Satsanga Society of India to serve as the instrumentality for the preservation and dissemination worldwide of the Kriya Yoga science.
Krishna is the divine exemplar of yoga in the East; Christ was chosen by God as the exemplar of Godunion for the West. That Jesus knew and taught to his disciples the Raja Yoga technique of uniting soul with Spirit is evidenced in the deeply symbolic Biblical chapter The Revelation of Jesus Christ to Saint John.*
Babaji is ever in communion with Christ; together they send out vibrations of redemption and have planned the spiritual technique of salvation for this age.
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