Kriya Yoga

        Yoga means ‘Union’. The union of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul. It may imply that the individual and Cosmic Consciousnesses are separate entities. But such an idea of separation is only an illusion. We are not only one with the Cosmic Consciousness; we actually are the Cosmic Consciousness. Therefore yoga is to be understood not so much as achieving the union with a separate entity but as realizing the inherent union that already exists. In practice, yoga means all that we do to become aware of our inherent identity with the Supreme Self.

        Uncontrolled breathing is the cause of all sufferings in our life. Vibrant breathing is the cause of dynamic mind. With the practice of yoga sadhana, when vibrant breathing becomes motionless; mind, thoughts etc. also ceased to exist. This tranquil state stands for the Absolute. In this state, when the mind and prana are placed between the eyebrows completely, the Supreme Being can be realized and the Supreme State attained.

        Yoga can be broadly classified into four components viz. Hathayoga, Rajayoga, Mantrayoga and Layayoga. These four major components of yoga serve different purposes for attaining the Supreme State. The Rajayoga enables the dynamic mind to become still. The Mantrayoga enables the mind to get immersed in repeated and proper utterance of holy words like Pranava (OM) etc. The Layayoga enables union of individual soul with the Supreme Consciousness and causes self realization. And Hathayoga is necessary to develop a good physique which can withstand the supreme energy developed during self realized state as well as to eliminate exhaustion arising from the practice of Rajayoga, Mantrayoga and Layayoga sitting prolonged in the same asana.

        During Satya Yuga, the people had good physic, enough wealth and time; and they used to practice Hathayoga, Rajayoga, Mantrayoga and Layayoga separately. For such sadhana, a considerable of time and patience were required. In those days, the minds, physique of the people were such that they were able to perform such long hours of sadhana.

        With the advent of Yugas (time), the path of sadhana which our sages had showed thousands of years ago almost becomes obsolescent. Few techniques of sadhana have been retained in the form of mystic syllables, but due to onslaught of time, techniques of sadhana became extinct and only the mystic syllables remained.

        In Kali Yuga, human minds are completely immersed into worldly pleasures. Their body and mind are not suitable for performing all the components of yoga separately. It is at this juncture, Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya had imparted Kriyayoga, especially for the common man absorbed in family life. Lahiri Mahasay’s Gurudev revered Babaji Maharaj took Him to the foot hills of Ranikhet and initiated Him into Kriyayoga. Kriyayoga is a perfect blending of Hathayoga, Rajayoga, MantraYoga and Layayoga. This scientifically oriented technique of sadhana which was on the verge of extinction was restored to the world by Lahiri Mahasaya after deriving it from His divine Guru

        Yogiraj understood that it would be extremely difficult for men of the present age to practice the ancient austere yoga sadhana as introduced by sages as it demands for complete devotion. There would be a dearth of such devoted person in the modern, faithless society ridden with problems. Therefore he did not endorse of the rigorousness of ancient yoga. He advocated the convenience of a sadhana oriented yogi who could practice sadhana secretly in his own house. Therefore, by eliminating ancient complexities he transformed yoga sadhana into a direct result oriented and simple one for the common man.

        Yogiraj used to say - "There is no impediment to practice the yoga sadhana for man belonging to any religion or for those adhering to any doctrine. This sadhana is termed as Atma Sadhana. As the same soul prevails in all living beings, people belonging to any religions and casts desirous of salvation and the quest for truth are eligible to practice Atma Sadhana and can take the path of Kriya Yoga."

        Yogiraj also said - "Practicing Kriya Yoga, a man’s life becomes beautiful and sublime. One becomes aware of soul excellence and it is then he becomes true gentleman".