original kriya yoga volume i: step-by-step guide to salvation
TRANSCRIPT
Diksha(initiation)istheseedofKriyaYoga.Withoutinitiation,Kriyawillnotbearfruit…
Copyright©2017byRanginMukherjee.Allrightsreserved.Thisbookoranyportionthereofmaynotbereproducedorusedinanymannerwhatsoeverwithouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisherwiththeexceptionofshortquotationsusedinconjunctionwithabookreview.
Firstedition
Firstedition
RanginMukherjee
KolkataINDIA
Seewww.originalkriya.comformoreinformationabouttheauthorandthebook.
OriginalKriyaYogaStep-by-StepGuidetoSalvationVol.I-EssentialPractices
Acknowledgements
Thefollowingpeopleprovidedinvaluableaidandadviceonthecompilationandpublicationofthisbook,includingtranslation,correction,editing,promotionandfinalpublication:
Mr.ChrisTar,Dr.JamesGlenDening,Dr.(Mrs.)ChristineDening,Mr.EnnioNimis,Mr.JimRoberts,Mr.BablooMohanty,Mr.SharathJakob,Mr.DGopalSuri,Mr.SamirBrijwasi,Mr.SharathJakob,Mr.KevinHoshang,Mr.AndreVas
ReveredBabajiMaharaj(KhitishwarMaharaj)
ReveredYogirajLahiriMahasaya
MyParamGurudevReveredParamahansaPranabananda
DedicationTomyGuruji’slotusfeet
TableofContents
Notefromtheauthor
Introduction
WondersofOriginalKriya
WhyDoesManWantSalvation?
WhyPracticeKriyaYoga?
SomePointstoRemember
YogicPowers(YogaSiddhis)
ImportanceofKriyaInitiation
DifferenceBetweenTeacherandGuru
DutyofGuru-DutyofDisciple
KriyaYogaSadhana(Practice)
MysteryofKriyaYoga
Ashtanga(8-fold)Yoga
Yama
Niyama(Discipline)
Asana
Pranayam
Meditation(Dharana,Dyana,Samadhi)
StagesofKriyaYoga
KriyaofSahasrasarChakra
VolumeII
GlossaryofTerms
NotefromtheauthorDearreader,
IhavetriedtowritedetailsaboutKriyaYoga,whichissomehowverydifficulttoexplaininotherlanguages.But,IhavetriedtoexplainasmuchaspossibletoatleastgiveyouanideaaboutKriyaYoga,whichisuntilnownotcorrectlyrevealed.Iwouldappreciateitverymuchifthereaderswouldsendmetheirfeedback.Iwishyoualltoenjoythisbook,andmakeprogressinKriyaYogaandgetsalvationinthefuture,aftergettinginitiationfromarealizedGuru.InVolumeIIofthisbook,IwillprovideacontactemailforthosewhoarelookingforaKriyaYogaGuruforinitiation.Ifyouhavefeedbackonthisbook,[email protected]
GodBlessyouall,
RanginMukherjee(SriMukherjee)
Introduction
Attherequestofmanypeople,Ihavewrittenthisbookonthe“OriginalKriyaYogaTechniquesofLahiriMahasaya”.Iamnotentirelysurewhethersuchanact,oftryingtoexpresssuchadifficultsubjectinwriting,iscorrectonmypartornot.However,aftertalkingtomanyKriyabans(Kriyapractitioners),IcametounderstandthatwhatisgiventotheminthenameoftheoriginalKriyaYogaofLahiriMahasyaisnotatallKriyaYoga.ManyKriyabanshaveadoptedtheseprocessesandtechniquesandpracticedthemformanyyearswithoutachievinganyresults.Insomecases,evenfaithfulpracticeforover40yearshasnotyieldedanyresult.
TheKriyatechniquesaboutwhichIamgoingtowritearewhatIhavereceivedfrommyGuruShriShriGyanendranathMukhopadhyay.MyGurureceiveditfromHisGuruSwamiPranabanandaji.SwamiPranabanandajireceivedthisfromthereveredLahiriMahasaya.IhaveheardthatSwamiPranabanadaGiriwasthemaindiscipleofLahiriBabaandIknowmyGurujiShriShriGyanendranathMukhopadhyaywasthemaindiscipleofSwamiPranabanandaji.ThislineageisnotaffiliatedwithanyorganizationwhichiswhythisKriyaYogaispreservedinitsoriginalandunalteredformtothisday.Itisverydifficulttosaywhatwillhappeninthefutureifitfallsinthehandsofunauthorized,business-mindedpeople.ManypeoplehaveunnecessarilymodifiedandcomplicatedthesimpletechniquesofthisKriyaYoga.MyonlyaiminwritingthisbookistopresenttheoriginalessenceofKriyaYogatoyouall.Butbecareful.ItisdangeroustopracticethisbymerereadingofabookwithoutgettingproperguidancefromaGuru.Thisiswhyitiscalled“GurumukhiVidya”or“alessonthathastobeobtaineddirectlyfromthemouthoftheGuru”.Firstofall,oneshouldgetinitiationfromaSatGuruandonlythenstartpracticingthisKriyaYoga.Otherwise,itwillnotbefruitful.
KriyaYoga.Otherwise,itwillnotbefruitful.
Kriyapractitionerswhoarepracticingtheinitialstages,andhavenotyetenteredSushumnamayfindsomeportionsofthisbookdifficulttounderstand.Asitisnotpossibletounderstandhighermathematicsforaprimaryschoolstudent,advancedKriyatechniqueswillsimplynotmakesenseuntilyou’vemasteredearlierstages.ThisbookiswrittenbothforbeginnersaswellasadvancedKriyapractitioners.ItwillhelptheKriyapractitioneratallstages,anditcanbeusedasareferencealso.Iwilltrytoelaboratefurtherinasecondedition,duetobepublishedsometimein2017.Someportionsofthisbookaretakenfrommyshortonlinebook,butitisgreatlyexpandedtoincludemoredetailandexplanations.Somewritingsyoumayfindrepeatedinthisbooktoexplainthetechniquemoreclearly.
WondersofOriginalKriya
Wehumanbeingsaresoignorantthatwespendmostofthetimeofourlivessearchingformaterialisticthingswhichwecannottakewithusandwespendverylittletimeonthethingswhichwewillcarrywithusafterdeath.Wearerunningaftermanytemporarythingsandspendingsomuchenergyforabsolutelynothing.IfwewouldhavegivensomuchlabourforKriyaorGod,wecouldhavegottensalvationinonelifetime.Thishumantendencycomesfromegoorbinding(Moha).ThisisthegameofGod.So,whatevertimewehavealreadywasted,letusnotrepentforthat,butstartKriyaimmediatelywithoutwastinganymoretime.Evenifwedonotgetsuccessinthislifetime,wewillagaingetthisKriyainournextlife(ifitisOriginalKriyaandnotthefakeone)andtheKriyaofthislifewillbecarriedovertothenextlife.Theeffortspentdoesnotgetlost.ThatiswhysomeachieveSamadhiinafewmonths,someyogisgetSamadhiinfewyearsandsomegetitimmediatelyduringinitiation.Thisallhappensduetoworkdoneinthepreviouslife.
Apoorfarmerdreamtthathehadbecomeking,hadalargekingdomwithlotsofministers,abigarmyandacastlefullofservantsetc.Inhisdreamhewasseatedinathronemadeoutofgoldandpreciousstones,withroyaldancersperforminginfrontofhim.Hewasveryhappyandhadsevensons.Suddenly,hiskingdomcollapsed,hisroyalpalacewasdrowned,andhissevenprinceseachdiedonebyone.Atthatverymoment,thewifeofthepoorfarmercalledtowakehimfromhisdeepsleepandrelayednewsaboutthedeathoftheironlyson,whowasbittenbyasnake.Butthefarmerisn’tdisturbedbythenews.Hiswifethinkshemuststillbehalfasleep.Hiswifecriedloudlyandgavethesadnewsagain.Hesays“Yes,Iheardyou,onlyIdon’tknowforwhich
tragedyIshouldcry...ShallIcryformybigkingdomcollapsedandmysevenprincesdead,orshallIcryforthedeathofmyonlyson!?”
Bothsituationsaredreamsandwearesobusywiththisdreamandsoinvolvedwiththislifethatweforgettothinkaboutthetrulyvaluablethingsinthisworld…
WhyDoesManWantSalvation?
Wedonotknowhowmanytimeswehavetakenbirthandsufferedfrompain,disease,sufferingfromoldageandfinallythepainofdeath.Theeternalcycleofthebirthanddeathoftheindividualsoultravelsthroughdifferentlevelsofexistenceandconsciousnessstartingfromthesmallestvirus/bacteriauptoanimalsandthenfinallytakingbirthintheformofahumanbeing.WeforgetthememoriesofourpastlifeduetoeffectoftheVeilasdesiredbyGod.Yogiscanremembertheexperiencesofpastlives.
Theworldweliveinismortalbecauseonewhotakesbirthherewillsurelydieoneday.Thedaywetakebirth,ourdeathsentenceissigned.TheVeilcoversallthis.Justasthecriminalondeathrowworriesmoreandmoreeachday,andvowsnevertocommitthecrimeagain,soourdeathsentenceissignedbecauseweforgetGodandgetentangledinthismaterialisticworldthroughtheeffectoftheVeilandthroughattachment.
BytheeffectoftheVeilandattachment,weconsiderthingstobeourownwhichareactuallynotours,whilekeepingawayfromustheonethingthatactuallyisours.ItmeansweforgetGodanddonothavethegoalofbeingmergedwithHim.It’sonlywhenwefaceaprobleminourlifethatwerememberHim,andwhentheproblemfades,weforgetHimagain.
Weareconstantlyexposedtothismaterialisticworld,startingfrombirth.Wefacetensionsineveryphaseofourlife,startingwithchildhoodwhenwegotoschoolandtheninourprofessionallives,nottomentionallthecomplicationsofmaritallife.Forsmall,momentarymaterialisticpleasureswedosomanythingsandchaseafterthem.Wedon’tspendtimetryingtofindeternalblissandjoy.Wefallpreytolifelongwronghabitsandworktogetjoyforonlyshortperiodsoftime.
Whenthereisstrengthinourbodyduringyouth,wefeelourselvestobeveryhappy,andmaterialisticlifelooksliketherecipeforcorrectliving.Atthattime,wethinkthattherestofourlifealsowillpassinthesamefashion,butthisisnotthecase.Thismaterialisticlifeisonlytemporary.Nothingispermanentinthisworld.Whenthebabycries,themothergivessometoysothatthebabycanplaywithitanditforgetsthemotherforsometime.However,ifthebabycontinuestocry,thenthemothertakeshim/herinherlap.Thesamethinghappenswithuswhenwebecomesatisfiedwiththematerialisticworld.Livinglifethisway,wewillnevergettheblessingsofGodandreceivepermanentjoyandhappiness.
Whenweage,ourbodyslowlydegeneratesanddifferenttypesofdiseasesandsufferingsattackourbody.Canwegetthesameenjoymentofyouthwhilelyinginahospitalbedwithtubespassingthroughourmouthornoseandtakingonlysalineasfood?Atlast,whenthetimeofdeathcomesnearerandnearer,itisimpossibleforustoleavetheattractiontowardsmaterialisticthingslikefamily,friends,money,houseetc.And,thisisonlythementalsideofthepain.Besidesthis,mangetsbewilderedatthattimewithbodilypain,breathingtroubleetc.Manlosestheabilitytohear,see,touchandspeak.Doctors,familymembersandfriendswatchhelplessly.Manliessenselessly.
Atthetimeofdeath,theresultsofallouraccumulateddeeds(whethergoodorbad)comeasavisionandsurroundone.Theconditionofthenextbirthisdecidedbasedonwhateverthoughtisfixedinthemindduringthelastbreath.Thatiswhythelastbreathissoimportant.KriyaYoga(whichisalsocalledRajaYogaorBramhaVidya)istheonlywaytobefreefromthesesufferingsofbirth&death,againandagainwhichweinvitebyoptingformomentaryjoy.ThosewhoarestillinthedarkandarestillsatisfiedwiththematerialisticjoycantakethehelpoftheirconsciousnessandstartpracticingKriyaYoga.Withachangeoftheirhabits,onedaytheywillsurelybefreefromthiscycleoflifeanddeath.So,itisnottoolate.Startfromtoday.Kriyapracticeisneverwasted.EvenifthetotalKriyaisnotcompletedinthisbirth,itwillbesurelycompletedinthenextbirth.
EvencommonmancanattainthestateofagreatSadhaka(Yogi)asaresultofSadhana(Kriya)carriedoutinseveralbirths.Eternalbliss(Bramhananda)canbeattainedbyus.Henceweshouldfollowthepathofsuchgreatpeopleandpracticeasadvisedbythem.ButbecarefulaboutonethingwhenyouadvanceonthepathofKriyaYoga.Whateverspiritualvisionorfeelingyouget,bymistakealso,youshouldneverdisclosetoanybodyotherthanyourGuru.Ifyousharethiswithothers,itcanonlyincreaseyourego,whichisadirectobstacletothegoalofsalvation.Manyoccultpowers(Vibhuti)willcometoyou,butyoushouldnotacceptthose.Ifyouacceptthesepowersthenyouwillbedivertedfromthespiritualpathandyourfurtherprogresswillstop.AllyourspiritualSadhanawillhavebeeninvain.AllthesepowersaregivenbyGodonly.GodteststheSadhakawiththesetoseewhetherSadhakareallyseeksGodoroccultpowers.Ifyouwanttheseoccultpowers,youwillearnnameandfameinsociety;youwillearnlotsofmoneytoo.But,itwillalsoleadtoanincreaseinprideandarroganceandwillultimatelyleadyoutothepathofruin.So,becareful.Otherwiseyouwillspoilyourstatebeforeandafterdeath.DoyourSadhanabehindcloseddoors.Nobodyshouldbeabletoknowwhatyouaredoing.
WhyPracticeKriyaYoga?
Everythingyouseeinthisworldisperishable!Nothingstaysforlong,includingyourbody,youth,moneyandlifeitself.Whenapersonisyoungandfullofhealth,hethinksthatlifeisexcellentandenjoyable,butsoonthisdreamends…Healthdeteriorates,agingoccurs,andhealthissuesattackthebody.Suddenlyoneseesthemostdangerousmomentinfrontofhim/her-“themomentofDeath”,whichisinevitable.
OncethekingofUdaipur,RajasthaninIndiaaskedSwamijitogivehimsomeadvice.SwamiPranabanandajitoldtheking,“Theonethingyoushouldremember,thegreatesttruthofall,isthatyouhavetodieoneday.ThisisthebestadviceIcangiveyou:Thetimeofdeathistheworsttimeofanyone’slife.Ononesideonesuffersfrompainandinabilitytobreath,andontheotherhandtheemotionalpainofleavingbehindfriends,relativesandalltypesofrelationships.Onegoesintoadarkworld,whereonesuffersphysicallyandmentally.
Mypurposehereisnottoscareyoubuttoshowyouthepathtogetfreedomfromallthesesufferingswhicharehappeningwitheverybirthyoutake!Youyourselfdon’tknowhowmanytimesyoucametothisworld,beitasparasite,differentformofanimal,bird,etc.Itcouldbeasmanyas8millionbirths!LordSriKrishnasaidtoArjuna,“youyourselfdon’tknowhowmanybirthsyouhavetaken,butIknow…”SomeoneaskedtheBuddhaabouthispreviousbirthsandhesaidherememberedhislast500births,oneofwhichwasasarabbitand
anotherasadeer.
Wemustrememberthatwecomeintothisworldwithemptyhandsandwewillleavethisworldwithemptyhands.Nobodywillsharethesufferingofourdeath!Onlyourkarma(ourdeeds)willgowithusassamskaras(mindimpressions)toournextlife.So,wemustbecarefultonotfallintothetrapofMaya(binding),andtrytodomoregooddeedsinourlife.Evenifwedonatesomethingoutofcharity,wemustbecarefulthatwearenotdonatingtothewrongperson.
Ifyougivemoneytoanalcoholicandwithyourmoneyhedrinksandinastateofintoxicationcommitsacrime,youwillhavetosharethesinthatwasdone,becausethedonor’smoneywasinvolvedinit.Ifyoudonatetotherightperson,thatmoneywillcomebacktoyoumanyfold,andifnotimmediately,thensurelyinthenextlife.Thisisthereasonwhysomearebornintorichfamiliesandsomeintopoor.TogetridofsufferingthegreatyogisdiscoveredKriyayoga.BythecorrectpracticeofKriyawegetMukti(Salvation),wegobeyondsuffering,andultimatelydissolvewiththeAlmighty,becomingfreefromthecycleofbirthanddeath.KriyaYogaisthesimplest,fastestandeasiestwaytoliberateyourself.Ifyoupracticeaccordingtotheinstructions,youareboundtogetSalvationinthisorthenextlife.
Unfortunately,somepeoplehaveturnedthisintosomethingcompletelydifferentduetoimproperguidanceandmiscommunicationbetweenGuruanddisciple.DiscussinganythingfurtheraboutalteredKriyaiswasteofprecioustime.
SomePointstoRemember
AKriyaPractitionershouldpracticeatleast2timesadayi.e.morningsandevenings2hourseachtimeinthebeginningand3hoursaftersomeadvancement.KriyashouldbepractisedverycomfortablywithoutrushingtocompletetheKriya.AKriyapractitionershouldnoteatanything4to6hourspriortopractisingKriya.DuringKriyapracticeoneshouldsitonapurewoollenblanketwithpuresilkonit.Noportionofthebodyshouldtouchthefloor.Sittingpostureshouldbeperfect,withoutanymovementofanypartsofthebody.MentaleyesshouldbefixedinthecentreoftheeyebrowsorAgnachakrawithoutstrainingthephysicaleyes.Chant’’OM’’6timesduringinhalationand6timesduringexhalation;simultaneouslymindshouldbefixedinAgnachakra.SiddhasanisthebestasanaforKriyapractice.Onlysatvikfoodsshouldbetaken.FoodisveryimportantfactorforKriyapractitioners.Noeggs,meatsetc.Fish,vegetables,fruitsareallowed.ToomuchortoolittleofanythingisnogoodforaKriyapractitioner:eating,working,walking,sleeping,drinkingtoohotortoocold,toospicyetc.SixorSixandhalfhoursofsleepisenough.ToomuchT.Vwatching,chatting,readingdifferentbooks,gossipingisforbidden.Ladycompanionsarenotacceptable.Afteralittleadvancement,celibacyhastobemaintained.AlwayspracticeKriyainsideadarkroom.Nevertalkaboutanyvisions,powersoranyotherexperienceyouget.
Keepthistechniqueatotalsecret,otherwiseaKriyapractitionerwilllosethegraceofGodandwillbeplacedinthedarkworldagain.Withoutinitiation,aKriyapractitionerwillneversucceed.First,aKriyapractitionershouldtakeKriyainitiationfromarealisedGuruandthenshouldpracticeKriyaYoga.GettinginitiationfromafakeGuruisthesameaswastingtime.Apersoncanbejudgedbyliftingtheirhands.Ifthehandsofapersonarefoundtobeheavywhenliftingtheirhands,thenitmeanshe/sheisnotfitforpracticingKriyayoga.Apractitioner’shandsshouldbelightinweightandiftheyarefoundtobelightweighttheyarefittoKriyapractice.Theflowofurineofamaterialisticpersongoestotheleftsideandtheflowofurineofayogapractitionergoestotherightside.AKriyaPractitionershouldlivelikeablind,deaf&dumbpersoni.e.notseeingtoomuchthings,nothearingtoomuchgossipandnottalkingunnecessarily.ThebesttimetopracticeKriyaforadvancedstudentisfrom9:30eveningto4:30morning.Atthattime,manyrealisedYogistravelwiththeirastralbodyandiftheyfindsomeonepractisingKriyaatthattime,theyblessthem.UntilwepierceAgnachakra,PranayamistheonlyKriya(Sadhana)weneedtopractice.ThespeedofourdevelopmentinKriyayogadependsonperfectPranayama.Whetherwedogooddeedsorbaddeedsduringourlives,wehavetotakebirthtogettheresultsofallthedeedswhichwehavedone.Doinganydeedwhethergoodorbadcomesfromtherestlessnessofthemind.TheonlywaytogetridofallthedeedsandtheirresultsisthecalmnessofmindorSamadhiwherenodeedsexist.DoingperfectKriyawithsubtlebreathchangestheentirecharacterofaperson.ManyKriyapractitionersmaywonderhowitispossibletoenterBrahmanadi.Weenterwiththeastralbodyonly.DuringKriya,wehavetogetridofallegosanddonottrytocontrolyourbreathing.Alwayspracticekriyabybreathingnormallyinthebeginning,withoutusinganyforceonbreath.KeepyourmindalwaysfixedonAgnachakrawithoutsquintingorstrainingyoureyesthroughoutyourpractice.BeforestartingKriya,taketimetogetridofallkindofthoughts-the
mindshouldbeclearandfreeofthoughtsandnotfilledwithcommitments&distractions.WeshouldconstantlyremindourselvesthatnothingbelongstousandweourselvesbelongonlytoourselvesWeshouldpracticeKriyaveryseriouslyandhonestlywithdevotiontowardsGod.DonotforgetthatGodiswatchingus24*7,hiseyesarealwaysopenandneverblink.HeisinsideKutastha.Onecannothideanythingfromhim.Ifyourhousebelongstoyou,yourpropertybelongstoyou,yourwifeorhusbandorchildrenandeverythingbelongtoyou,thenatthetimeofdeath,whycan’tyoutakethemwithyou?Youcametothisworldemptyhandedandyouwillleavethisworldemptyhanded.Nothingbelongstoyouandyoubelongtonobody,soforgetutteringthesewords.Eventhisbodydoesn’tbelongtoyou.ThisisnothingbutegowhichisgiventousbyGodinordertopreservehiscreation.
YogicPowers(YogaSiddhis)
InKriyayoga,themiraclepowerstartscomingafterenteringSushumna.Everychakrarightfrom‘’Muladhar’’isruledbyaparticularGod&Goddess.Whenakriyapractitionerentersthesechakras,therullingGodofthatparticularchakraappears&theyofferdifferenttypesofpowers(siddhis)tojudgetheKriyapractitioner’sgreedtowardshavingthesepowers.IfaKriyapractitionerfallsintothesetraps,hewilldefinitelygetthosepowerswhichwillhelphimtoearnname,fame&money.Butultimatelyhewilllosethegraceofgodandwillfailtoreachhistargetofsalvation.Thereforestrictlyheshouldavoidthoseattractivepowersandrequesttherullinggodtoopenthedoorandallowhimtomovefurthertowardsthenextchakra.Thiswaytherulinggodwillbepleased,blesstheKriyapractitioner,openthedoor,andguidehimtothenextchakra.AstheKriyaPractitionerpiercesonebyoneeachofthechakras,hewillgetvariousattractivepowers.Butheshouldrejectallthesepowerstoreachhistarget.Oneshouldkeepinmindthesepowersaretemporary.TheywillleavetheKriyapractitioneratthetimeofdeathandhewillhavetoleavethisworldemptyhandedwithlotofbaddeedsalso.
Thatiswhymystrongadviceisnottoacceptanypower,nomatterhowmuchitcouldbeattractive.ThenaKriyapractitionerwillgetsalvation.Likethis,GodwantstoseewhetheraKriyapractitionerisseekinghimorseekingthosepowers.Ifyouseekpowersyouwillnotgethimandifyouseekhimonlyyoumustavoidacceptingthosepowers.
AKriyapractitioneraftergettingsalvationcanuseanytypeofpowers.Atthat
AKriyapractitioneraftergettingsalvationcanuseanytypeofpowers.Atthattimenothingcanharmhim,butnotbeforegettingsalvation.
Ifyouhaveathirstforgettingthosepowersthendon’tpracticeKriyaYoga.Youwillspoilyourlife.ApersonwithacrookedmindcanneversucceedinKriyaYoga.GodissimplemindedandonlyasimplemindedpersoncanonlysucceedinKriyaYoga.
GurutavSiddhi:
Thepersonwhoisfullofknowledgeandwisdomandhasthecapacitytotransmititisknownasguruandbhagawansrikrishnaisknownasjagatguru,theguruofthisentireuniverse.
PurnapurushatvaSiddhi:
Thismeanssomeonewhoisvigorousandfullofvirtues.SriKrishnahadallvirtuesfromhisbirthduetowhichhekilledallthedemonsandreestablisheddharma.
IcchamrityuSiddhi:
Acquiringthissiddhi,theyogibecomesthewinneroftime.Timelosesitseffectonthem.Theycanleavetheirbodyandgetanewoneattheirwill.
onthem.Theycanleavetheirbodyandgetanewoneattheirwill.
AnurmiSiddhi:
Thewordanurmimeanstheonewhoisbeyondhunger,thirst,heat,cold,goodandbad.Thus,acquiringthis,onebecomesfreeofeverythingabove.
VaakSiddhi:
Thissiddhigivestheyogithecompletepoweroverhiswords.Attainmentofthissiddhiensuresthatnowordofyogiiswasted,whattheysayorspeakwillbedone,beitablessingoracurse.
DivyaDrishtiSiddhi:
Thesiddhiofclairvoyanceorforesight,thisenablestheyogitoseethepast,presentandfutureofanyoneattheirwill.
DuraSravanasiddhi:
Thissiddhigivesyogisthepowertohearonceagainanyconversationsofthepastattheirwillinthepresentmoment.
JalagamanSiddhi:
Attainingthissiddhitheyogiisabletowalkonwaterjustlikewalkingonearth.
VayugamanSiddhi:
Thissiddhigivestheabilitytotransformthebodyintoverysubtleformandtravelfromonedimensiontoothersinnotime.
AdrishyakaranSiddhi:
HelpsintransformingthephysicalbodytotheAstralbodyforbeinginvisibleandtheycanthenbeinvisibleaslongasonewishes.
VishokaSiddhi:
Thisisthepowertotransformoneintoanyform,tochoosewhatyouwanttolooklikeatwill.
DevkriyanudarshanaSiddhi:
Withacompleteunderstandingofthissiddhioneisabletogaintheconfidenceofdevasandaskthemforhelpinanyevent.
KayakalpSiddhi:
Tochangethisbodyandkeepitforeveryoungandfullofenergyiskayakalp.Attainingthisayogineverages.(forexample,ShreeBabajiMaharaj)
SammohanSiddhi:
Sammohanmeanstomakeanyonedoyourwill!Havingthissiddhi,ayogicancontrolnotonlyhumanmindsbutbirds,animalsandnature.
ImportanceofKriyaInitiation
InKriyaYoga,massinitiationisstrictlyforbidden.KriyaYogainitiationshouldbedonefacetofacebetweentheGuruandthedisciple,inadarkroom,behindcloseddoors.Nooneelseshouldbepresent.Duringinitiation,thedutyoftheguruistoopenthethirdeyeordivineeye,transferthepowerofthelineage,andexplaintothedisciplethecorrectpracticeofKriyaYoga.
Massinitiationisnotatallinitiation.Itisonlyajoke.Withmassinitiation,adisciplecanneverprogressorachieveanything,evenwithalifetimeofpractice.Withoutopeningthethirdeye,onecanneverexperienceanythinginthedivineworld.Withoutthetwophysicaleyes,wewouldnotbeabletoseeinthematerialisticworld.Similarly,withoutourdivineeyeorthirdeyebeingopened,wecannotseeanythingintheinnerworldordivineworld.Weareasablindpersoninthedivineworld.ThatiswhythereisasanskritslokashowingrespecttotheGuru,aswrittenhereunder:
AkhandamandalākāramvyāptamyenacharācharamTatpadamdarshitamyenatasmaishriguravenamah.
IbowtothatGuru,whoshowsthestateofthatperfectlyroundKutasthapervadingtheindivisibleformoftheuniverse,penetratingeverything,beitmobileorimmobile.
AgnānatimirāndhasyagnānānjanashalākakayāChakshurnmilitamyenatasmaishriguravenamah
IbowtothatGuruwhowiththehelpofthecollyriumofknowledgedispelstheblindfoldingdarknessofignorance,andopensmyinnereyes.
DifferenceBetweenTeacherandGuru
TeachersgiveusthematerialisticknowledgebutfromSatGuruwegetspiritualwisdomwhichliberatesus.Materialisticknowledgegoesawayafterdeathwhereasspiritualknowledgestayswithusuntilweareliberatedfromthecycleoflifeanddeath.Therefore,inHinduism,theSatguruiscomparedwithGodbecausethroughGuru,thedisciplegetstheblessingofGod.Inthecaseofafakeguru,whatwegetisfrustration,lossofinterest,depressionandawasteoftime!
Therearethreetypesofdoctorsyoucangotosee-onewilltakeaquicklook,giveyouaprescription,andsendyouonyourway.Thenexttypewillspendlotsoftimewithyoutomakesuretheyreallyunderstandtheconditionbeforeprescribingmedicineoracourseofaction.Thethirdandbesttypewillnotonlyspendthetimetomakesuretheyhavetherightdiagnosis,buttheywillfollowupregularlytomakesureyouaretakingtheiradvice,andthatyourconditionisimproving.Soitiswithgurus.Thebestguruswillnotonlytakethetimetogettoknowyouandgiveyouwhatyoubestneed,theywillasktoseeyourmethods,andconstantlymakesurethatyou’renotwastingyourtimedoingthewrongthing.
DutyofGuru-DutyofDisciple
ThedutyofGuruistoplanttheseedandthedutyofthediscipleistotakecareoftheseedsothattreegrowsproperlyandintheendyieldfruit.ItmeanstheGuruwillinitiatethedisciple,andexplaintothemhowtonavigatethepath.ThedutyofthediscipleistoobeytheGuru`sinstructionssincerely,andultimatelygetSalvation.
Diksha(initiation)isthemostimportantaspectofSadhana.ItislikethesecondbirthofSadhakinthespiritualworld.WithoutDikshaorinitiationfromaSatGuru,theKriyasdiscussedheresimplyholdnopower.
DikshaislikeaseedanddailySadhanaoftheseKriyasisthewater.BothDikshaandSadhanaworktogetherforspiritualgrowthofthepractitioner.InitiationisnotjustrevealingthetechniquesofKriya.Thereismoretoitthanthat.Itisthetransferofasparkoflightfromonesoultoanother,andconnectsthedisciplewiththelineageofSriLahiriBaba,SwamiPranabanandaGiri,andSriGyanendraNathBaba.Thistransferactivatesthesleepingdivineenergyinsidethepractitionerandpusheshis/herconsciousnesstowardsamorepositiveandsattvicstate.Diksha/InitiationisaverysecretaffairbetweenGuruanddisciple.ItestablishesanunbreakablebondbetweenGuruanddisciple.Withoutdikshasadhanaisuseless..
Yourbiologicalfatherisresponsibleforhelpingtobringyouintothematerialworld,buttheSatGurubecomesyourspiritualfather,birthingyouintothespiritualworld.
IhaveseenthataftertakingKriyainitiationmanypeoplestartpractisingKriyaforafewmonthswithfullzealandenthusiasm.Butwheninitiallytheydonotgetanyspiritualfeelingorvision,
theyloseinterest,leaveKriyapractice,andstartlivingintheusualworldlyway.Buttheyshouldrememberthatforgettingsuccessinanywork,perseveranceandpatiencearerequired.Onecannotattainspiritualenlightenmentbymeremagic.
ThatiswhyLordSriKrishnainstructedin“SrimadBhagavadGita”todoworkwithoutanyattachmenttoitsresult(NishkamKarma).Whatisthis“NishkamKarma”?ItmeanstopracticeKriyacorrectlyaspertheadviceofGuruwithoutworryingfortheresult.Resultwillsurelycomebutatfirstperseverance,patienceandfaitharerequired.Bypracticinginthisway,KriyainthesixChakraswillend(bypiercingtheAgnachakra)andKriyaofdevotion(Bhakti)andknowledge(Gyana)willstartintheSahasrasar.
KriyaYogaSadhana(Practice)
ThereareeightstepsinYogaSadhana:Controllingofthesenses(Yama),strictdiscipline(Niyama),correctposture(Asana),controlofLife-forces(Pranayam),withdrawingfromtheoutersenses(Pratyahar),fixingmindtoaparticularobjectorthought(Dharana),anddivingdeepinsidetoalmostmergeintoEternalTruth(Dhyana).ThentheSadhakamergeswiththeEternalTruthandbecomestheone(Samadhi).ThoughthesestepsarecommoninbothKriyaYogaandRajaYoga,therearesomedifferencestoo.TherearesomemudrasandspecialtechniquesincludedinKriyaYogaforthebenefitofKriyapractice.FromthePatrabali(GarlandofLetters)ofLahiriMahasaya,wefindthathehaswrittentooneofhisdisciplesthat“EverythingisachievablewithFirstKriya.Parabastha(Samadhi)andDivineintoxication,everythingisthereinFirstKriya”.MyGurujialsosaidthatonecanattainSamadhiwithFirstKriyaonly.
NowadayssomepeoplehavestarteddoingbusinessinIndiaandWestinthenameofKriyaYoga(andinthenameofOriginalKriyaYogatoo)andtoshowtheirsuperiorityoverothers,theyhaveaddedmanyunnecessaryanddifficulttechniquestothissimpleKriyaYoga.So,Irequestthereadersnottofallintosuchbusinesstraps.FirstKriyaincludes:
● Asana(Sittingincorrectposture)
● Pranayam(KriyaforcontrolofLife-force)
● Yonimudra
● Mahamudra
● Parabastha(Pratyahar-withdrawalofmindfromoutersenses).
ParabasthaeventuallydeepensintothestagesofDharana,DhyanaandSamadhi.Everythingcomesautomatically.TheonlyrequirementislovetowardsGod,devotionandpracticingKriyacorrectly.ThisistheoriginalKriyagivenbyYogirajShymacharanLahiriMahasaya.
KhechariMudra
Pleasenotethatifakriyapractitionercannotperformkhecharimudra,thereisnothingtoworryabout.Khecharimudracandefinitelyhelptoconcentrateinthekutasthabutitisnotabsolutelynecessary.DuringKriya,justtouchyourtongueattheupperpalate(justbeyondtheteeth)ofyourmouth,sothatsalivaduringadvancedkriyawillnotcomeout,justlikethepositionofthetongueduringsleeping.TherearelotsofrealisedyogisinIndia,whohaven’tpracticedkhecharimudra,northeyhaveheardaboutkhechariimudra.ForexampleSwamiVivekanandadidn’tknowaboutkhecharimudra.MyGurujialsotoldmethatkhecharimudraisnotnecessary.
MysteryofKriyaYoga
ThemysteryofKriyaYogaliesonthebasisofcrossingtheboundaryofmindandintellectbywatchingtheLife-force(Prana)andtheprocessofmergingtheindividualspirit(Jivatma)intotheEternalSpirit(Paramatma).So,firstonehastopracticeKriyausingthefiveenergycentresinthespine(fiveChakras).ThenonepiercesthechakrasonebyoneandatlastpiercestheAgnachakra.PiercingAgnachakraendsKriyapracticeinthesixenergycentres.Afterthat,Kriyastartsinthefieldofintellect(BuddhiKshetra)andinthefieldofEternity(ParamaKshetra).
ItisimportanttoclearlyunderstandtherelationbetweentheLife-force(Prana),mind(Mana),intellect(Buddhi),individualspirit(Jivatma)andtheeternalspirit(Parmatma).Ifbreathingbecomesfrequentanduncontrolled,mindbecomesrestlessandontheother-hand,ifmindbecomesrestless,breathingbecomesfrequentanduncontrolled.Bothmindandbreathingareinter-dependent.Asbreathingisgrossinnature(SthulainSanskrit)andmindissubtle(SukshmainSanskrit),weworktocontrolthebreathfirstbecausecontrollingthegrossiseasierthancontrollingthesubtle.ThatiswhyitisrequiredtocontrolbreathingfirstwiththehelpofPranayam,andslowlyitwillbecomesubtle.
Moreover,theconceptoftherelationanddifferencebetweenbreathing,Life-force(Prana)andmindshouldbeclear.BreathingiscontrolledbyLife-force;howeveritcannotbetermeddirectlyasLife-force.Theforceortheenergywhichhelpsbringairinsidethebodyduringtheinbreathandtheoutflowofair
fromthebodyduringtheoutbreathisnothingbuttheLife-forceorPrana.ThisLife-forceisdistributedalloverthebodyandalltheinternalorgansarecontrolledbythisLife-force.ThatiswhytheinternalorgansstopworkingintheabsenceofLife-forceandthenitisdeclaredasadeadbody.Lifeforcecanbecomparedwithelectricitybywhichallourbodyorgansfunction.
Insimplelanguage,itcanbeexplainedinthisway:atfirstbycontrollingthebreath,breathshouldbeconvertedfromsubtletoextremelysubtle.ThestateofthisextremelysubtlebreathingisthesameastheLife-force.AndthestateofsubtleLife-forceismind.Stateofsubtlemindisintellect.Thestateofsubtleintellectisindividualspirit(Jivatma)andthestateofextremelysubtleindividualspiritisuniversalspirit(Parmatma).
AstheLife-forcebecomesmore&moresubtle,thePranaVayu(breathing)becomesextremelysubtle;itwillnotflowthroughthenoseanylonger,andwillinsteadmoveinsidethebodythroughSushumna.InthisconditionofKumbhakwherethebreathnolongerflowsthroughthenose,thePranaorLife-forcemovesinSushumnaandmindwillslowlymergeintoLife-forceandwillstartmovingtogether.WiththisLife-forceandmind,itisrequiredtopiercethesixchakras.AfterpiercingAgnaChakra,itisseenthatthereisnorelationbetweenmindandLife-force.ThenmindbecomesevenmoresubtleandmergeswithintellectandKriyastartsinthespaceofintellect.AftercompletionofKriyainthespaceofintellect,itbecomesevenmoresubtleandmergesintoindividualspirit(Jivatma).Atthattimeitisrequiredtotaketheindividualspiritintothespaceofuniversaleternalspirit(Paramatma)andmergetheJivatmainParamatma.AttheenditisrequiredtopiercetheMulachakraandsubmergeinformlessBrahma(NirgunaBrahma).ThisiscalledthestageofBrahmalinorSalvation.
Ashtanga(8-fold)Yoga
Asdescribedearlier,thereareeightstepscommontoKriyaYogaandRajaYoga.Theyarethecontrollingofsenses(Yama),strictdiscipline(Niyama),correctposture(Asana),controlofLife-force(Pranayam),withdrawingfromoutersenses(Pratyahar),fixingmindtoaparticularobjectorthought(Dharana),divingdeepinsidetoalmostmergeintoEternalTruth(Dhyana)andthenSadhakaandtheEternalTruthbecomeone(Samadhi).Thefirstfivestepsi.eYama,Niyama,Asana,Pranayam&PratyaharareincludedinKarmaYoga(Yogaofaction).Dharana,Dhyana,andSamadhiareKriyasdoneinthefieldofintellect(Buddhi)anddivinity(Paramakhetra).So,theyaretheKriyasofdevotionandknowledgeorKriyasdoneinSahasrasar.
Yama
Thefirstimportantthingisfood.IfthefoodeatenbySadhakaisnotSattvicinnature,thenthereisnochanceofspiritualimprovement,becauseifthebodybecomesrestless,mindwillalsobecomerestless.Ifweeatsugar,weexperiencethesensationofsweetness.Ontheotherhand,whenweeattamarind,weexperiencethesensationofsourness.So,itisclearthatdifferenttypesoffoodactivatedifferenttastesensationsinourbody.Likewise,differentkindsoffoodhavedifferentqualitiesandnutritionalvalue.OnetypeoffoodisrichinVitamin-BandanothertypemayberichinVitaminC,etc.Similarly,differenttypesoffoodaffectourminddifferently.
FollowingareexamplesofSattvicfood(forthebenefitofEnglishreaders,itisworthmentioningherethatEnglishtranslationsofsomeofthevegetablesarenotavailable):Pointedgourd(ParwalinHindiorPatalinBengali),saak(leafyvegetables),Chanadal,greengramdal(moongdal),splitredgram(Tuvardal/Arhardal),carbohydrates(Sarkara),milk,densemilk(Kheer),ghee,fruitsetc.Fruits&VegetablesareconsideredtobeSattvic.Thosewhoareusedtotakingnon-vegetarianfoodcaneatsmallfish.FollowingareexamplesofRajashikfoods,whicharetobeavoided:egg,chicken/mutton,onion,garlic,mustard,asafoetida(Hing)etc.Thesefoodscreaterestlessnessinbodyandmindanddestroythecalmness,sotheseshouldbeavoided.Ifthesefoodsareconsumed,itwilldropacurtainoverthespiritualeye(AbaranorVeil)orincreasediversion/deflection(Bikshep).ExamplesofTamasikfoods(whichcreatesTamoguninthebody)are:storedfoodspreparedearlier,foodthat’stoosour,toohotortoocold.ThesefoodscreateTamoguninthebody.Itcreateslaziness,sleepinessandlackofenthusiasminthebodyandevilthoughts.
Supposeasadhakexperiencesthathe/sheisrapidlyprogressingintheKriyapathandsuddenlyeatstwoeggs.He/shewillfeelthathis/hermindisdisturbed,aveilwillcovertheSpiritualeyeandthewholeKriyawillbedisturbedfor7-10days.So,oneshouldbecarefulaboutfoodduringKriyaPractice.
Besidesthese,readingspiritualbooks,companyofspiritualpeople,spiritualdiscussion,andhonestbehaviouralsoshouldbepracticed.OneshouldreadTheGitaeveryday.Participatingindiscussionaboutothers&criticisingothersistobestrictlyavoided.Toomuchgossipisalsoadistractionforthemind.Oneshouldnotbetoodependentonothers.Gossipingorinvolvingoneselfindebateisnotdesired.Oneshouldnotdoexcessivehardwork(tothepointofexhaustion).Watchingtelevisionormoviesistobeavoided.Onthewholeoneshouldbeblind,deaf&dumb.Itmeansoneshouldnotseeanythingwrong,shouldnotspeakanythingwrongorhearanythingwrong.Itmaybedifficult,butit’spossible.Besidesthesecelibacy(Brahmacharya)isalsoimportant.Otherwise,onewillnotbeabletoperceivethesubtlespiritualfeelingsoftheinnerworld.
OnecannotprogressmuchinthepathofYogawithoutbecomingcelibate.Butsomepeopleinitiallyfeeldepressedatthebeginningwhileobservingcelibacy.Forthatreason,sexualpracticesshouldbegraduallydecreased.ItshouldbetotallystoppedafterenteringSushumna.
Oneshouldnoteatuntilthestomachisfullwithfood.Itmeansoneshouldeatuptothepointwhenthereisstillsomeemptyspaceleftinthestomach.(One
uptothepointwhenthereisstillsomeemptyspaceleftinthestomach.(Oneshouldstopeatingfoodwhilesomehungerstillremains).Pranayamwillnotmanifesttothepersonswhoeatexcessfood.OneshouldnotpracticeKriyawithin5-6hoursoftakingameal.Ifonefollowsthesedisciplines,hecanrapidlyprogressonthespiritualpath.Atthebeginningonemayfeeldepressed(thisstateofSadhakaisdescribedinthefirstchapterofSriBhagawataGita:VishadaYoga,butwhenonestartsfeelingthespiritualbliss,theworldlyjoywillbecomeinsignificant.Materialisticenjoymentisonly1/16ththatofDivineJoy.
Generallyitisseenthatthingswhicharefavouritesformaterialisticenjoymentaredetrimentalforthespiritualpath.YourspiritualstrivingwillbetestedbyGodinthismanner-allmaterialisticenjoyablethingswillbeplacedbeforeyoureyesbutifyoutrytoplaywiththose,youhavetopayheavilyonthepathofspirituality.Forthisreason,self-controlisamust.Allthelustformaterialisticenjoymentgetsgeneratedoutofbodilyattachment.Alltheseareaplayoftheveil.
Inthisworld,alltherelationsarebasedonagiveandtakepolicy,andit’sthesamewithGod.EverythingbelongstoGod,sowhatwillyougivehim?Goddemandsrespect,devotionandseparationofourmindfromworldlymatters.InreturnhegivesusDivineknowledgeandSalvation.
Niyama(Discipline)
EverydayKriyashouldbepracticedatthesametimeandforthesameduration.Ifoneday,IgetsomejoyindoingKriya,andthatdayIdomoreKriya,andthenanotherdayIamnotgettinganyjoyoutofKriyasoIdolessKriya-thisinconsistentwayofpracticingwillbeofnohelp.EverydayKriyashouldbepracticedfollowingstrictdiscipline.Astimepasses,thedurationofKriyapracticewillincreaseautomatically.ThebesttimetopracticeKriyaisbetween9.30PMand4.30AM,whilesleepingfor3hoursintheafternoon,aftertakinglunch.OnewhopracticesKriyaduringthistimeexperiencesmanyblessingsbecauseatthattimelotofrealisedYogistravelwiththeastralbodyandiftheyfindsomeonepracticingKriya,theyblessthem.Whenyourpracticedurationnaturallylengthens,practicingcontinuouslyatthistimeisequivalenttopracticingKriyafor24hours.BeginnersshouldpracticeKriyaduringearlymorningandintheevening,2-3hoursbeforesunrise,and2-3hoursaftersunset.
TheNumberofPranayamsshouldbefixedeverydayduringKriyapractice.Forexample,ifyoufix108timesofPranayam,thesamenumberofPranayamsshouldbepracticedeveryday.IftodayyouarefeelingspirituallymotivatedandpracticeKriyaforalongtime,andanotherdayyoufeeldepressedandpracticeKriyaforashortertime,thisisnotthewayKriyashouldbepracticed.Itisgenerallyobservedthatforthosewhopractice108Pranayamseverydayatthesametime,uponreaching70to80Pranayams,themindbecomescalm.ThisistheeffectofpracticingPranayamatafixedtimewithafixednumberofPranayams.
Kriyashouldbepracticedwithoutanyworryinthemind.ItwillhelpwithrapidprogressintheKriyapath.Forthefastestdevelopment,Kriyashouldbepracticedatleasttwiceadayinthebeginning.Ifit’snotpossible,onceeverydayisabsolutelynecessary.IfonepracticesKriyainthesametimeeveryday,hewillnoticethatduringthattimeofthedaymindwillbecomecalmautomatically.AtadvancestagesonecanpracticeKriyawheneverhelikesandforanyduration
AtadvancestagesonecanpracticeKriyawheneverhelikesandforanydurationbecauseatthisstagethemindandPranaareundercontrolofSadhaka.ThebiggestenemyofKriyapracticeisnoise.OneshouldpracticeKriyainacalm&quietatmosphereinadarkroom.
Note:YAMAandNIYAMAarethefoundationofaYogi.WithoutmaintainingYAMAandNIYAMAonecannotsucceedinYoga.
Asana
Nowletusdiscussaboutasana(PostureforsittinginSadhana).Therearemanyvarieties.ButforKriyapracticeSiddhasanorSwastikasanisthebestandeasy.
Aftersittinginasana,oneshouldfirstinhalefullytoexpandthechest,andthenmaintainthispostureofanexpandedchestwhiledoingpranayama.Thearmsandwristsshouldbestraightout,withthewristsrestingontheknees.Postureorasanashouldbeinthestateof“SamakayaSiragriba”:samameansinthesamestraightline,kayameansbody,sirameansheadandgribameansshoulders.Itmeansthespineandtheheadshouldbeplacedinthesamestraightline.Thechinshouldcomeslightlydowntowardsthroatbytiltingtheheaddown.Nowitshouldbepracticedtomakethebodytotallystillbecauseunlessthebodybecomestotallystill,itisnotpossibletopracticethePranayamfollowingtheactualprocedure.Thesittingcushionshouldbelikethis:firstcushionshouldbemadeoutofKushagrass,abovethatawoolblanketshouldbeplacedandonthetopsilkclothtobeplaced.[NowadaysgettingKushasanmaybedifficult.Alternatively,onecanmakethesittingcushionwithapurewhiteorplaincolouredwoollenblanketandagoodqualitysilkclothplacedabovethat].
DuringKriyapracticeoneshouldbecarefulthatnopartofthebodyshouldtouchtheground.OtherwisegroundwillabsorbthespiritualenergygeneratedoutofKriyapractice.Thisincludeskeepingthesilkonthewoolblanket,andnottouchingthegroundorfloor.DuringKriyapracticeoneshouldbecarefulthatthemastakgranthi(itisphysicallylocatedinmedullaoblongata)andAgnachakraformalinethatisparalleltoground.IfduringKriyapracticeitisnoticedthatmedullaoblongatahascomedownandAgnachakrahasgoneup,itindicatesthatmindisnotthereinAgnachakrabutroaminginworldlythoughts.
indicatesthatmindisnotthereinAgnachakrabutroaminginworldlythoughts.SoduringKriyapracticeoneshouldbecarefulthatmedullaoblongataandthecentreofAgnachakrashouldformastraightlineparalleltotheground.
Pranayam
NowletusdiscussabouttheprinciplepartofSadhanathatisPranayam.TherearetwomainhindrancesinSadhana.OneisAbaran(acurtainorveilonthespiritualeye)andtheotherisdiversionordeflection(bikshep).AbarancoversGodinthesimilarfashionofdarkcloudscoveringthesun.Thesunisalwaystherebutwhendarkcloudscoverthesun,itlookslikethereisnosun.Similarly,GodisalwaysthereinKutasthabutduetotheeffectofAbaran,wearenotabletoperceivehimalways.BikshepiswhereonetriestokeepmindontheplacewhereGodis,butitgetsdeflectedfromthere.BypracticingPranayamandfollowingstrictdisciplineofYama&Niyama,thisAbaran(veilonspiritualeye)slowlyvanishesandBikshepgetsremoved.
BecauseofthisAbaran,whenwecloseoureyes,weseetotaldarkness.TheinnerskywillglowwithmoreandmorelightastheveilofAbaranvanishesandwereachclosertoGod.TodefeatthisAbaran&BikshepisthemostimportantstageofSadhana.
ThoughtherearemanyvarietiesofPranayam,thenaturalPranayamwhichonegetsfrombirth(SahajaPranayam)isthebestPranayam.ThisPranayamwasgivenbyLordSriKrishnatohisdearestdiscipleArjuna.InthisPranayam,inthebeginning,Pranabmeanstorememberateverychakrathemantra(OM)andshouldbedonewithnaturalinhalationandexhalation.ThismeansmentallychantingOmsixtimesonthe(natural)inbreath,andmentallychantingOmsixtimesagainonthe(natural)outbreath.MindandinnervisionshouldbefixedatKutasthawhichmeansatthecentrepointofAgnachakra.Agnachakraislocatedatthepointbetweentheeyebrows.Inthebeginning,itisverydifficultto
locatethecentrepointofAgnaChakraorKutastha,whichiswhyfocusshouldbekeptatthecentreoftheeyebrowsandattentionshouldbekeptatthecentreofanyfiguresorshapesthatappearthere,intheinnervision(thisisallwiththeeyesclosed).ThecentreofAgnaChakraisaligned/connectedwiththecentreofalltheotherfivechakras.That’showwenavigateallsixchakraswhilefocusingonlyonthecentreofAgnachakra.Thisshouldbepracticedwithoutstrainingtheeyes,andeventuallyvisionwillbeautomaticallyfixedatthecentrepoint.Mindshouldnotgetdivertedfromthispoint.Thetendencyofmindwillbetogetdivertedbutagain&againitshouldbepulledbackandfixedatthepointbetweeneyebrows.Withthis,mindandPranawillmovetogetheratthepointbetweentheeyebrows.ThisisdescribedbymyReveredGurujiaskeepingthemindwithPranaorLife-force.ThisistheKriyaofsixchakras.Inthebeginning,noforceshouldbeappliedonbreathing.Inthebeginning,thenadis/veinsinthebodyremainblockedwithbile,mucus&air.Ifforceisappliedinthiscondition,itmaycreatemanydiseases.Itwillalsohamperthespiritualadvancement.Inthebeginning,asthenadisarecleaned,theysimultaneouslybecomefilledwithPrana.Whentheyarefullycleaned,thebodywillbecomefilledwithPrana.Inthisway,theinternallightwillincrease,andyouwillbeabletoseepast/present/future.
Likethis,Pranayamshouldbepracticeddayafterday,monthaftermonth,yearafteryear.Oneshouldnotlosepatience.ThatiswhyThakurRamakrishnasaid(ThakurliterallymeansGod–aGodlyperson)“theonewhokeepspatiencesurvivesbuttheonewholosespatiencegetsdestroyed”.AfterpracticingPranayamforalongtimelikethis,Pranayameventuallybecomessubtleandthenextremelysubtle.Onedaymindwillsurelybecomefixedatthepointbetweentheeyebrowswithoiutdeflection,butuntilthattimeoneshouldgoonpracticingKriyainthisway.Whenthemindbecomesstableatthepointbetweentheeyebrows,thebreathingwillbecomeextremelysubtle.ThisiswhenforceshouldbeappliedonthebreathingduringKriyaPranayam.Atthattime,anoverwhelmingjoywillfillthemindandthefeelingwillcomethatIhaveneverexperiencedsuchjoyearlier.Kriyashouldbepracticedinthiswayuntilthe
experiencedsuchjoyearlier.KriyashouldbepracticedinthiswayuntilthelowerpartofKutasthaiscrossed.OncethemindgoesaboveAgnachakra,theKriyaofsixchakrasends.ThenmindandLife-forcebecomestable,andbyanunknownforce(forceorgraceofGod),theKutasthaispiercedandthemindandtheLife-forcerisestoSahasrasar.ThesameisbeinghintedatintheBiblebyJesusChrist:“Askanditwillbegiventoyou;seekandyouwillfind;knockandthedoorwillbeopenedtoyou.”[Matthew7.7].HereJesusisnottalkingaboutawoodendoor.ThisisthedoorofKutastha.WithKriyaPranayam,theSadhakaeverydayknocksatthecenterdoorsofthesixchakrasandopensthemonebyoneandreachesthecenterofAgnaChakra.ThecenterofAgnaChakraorKutasthacanbeopenedwiththeKripa(blessings)ofGodonly.HeseesthattheSadhakahasreachedneartohim,soHeopensthedoorofAgnaChakraandbringstheSadhakatoSahasrasar.BeforepiercingKutastha,theSadhakakeepshisfocusontheeastsideofthebodyandafterpiercingKutastha,hekeepshisfocusonthewestsideofthebody.(TheFrontofthebodyiseast,backiswest.)
AfterpracticingKriyaPranayamsandmudras(Jyotimudraandmahamudra),oneshouldnotimmediatelygetup.OneshouldsitforsometimesfocusingattheKutasthaandfixingthemindthere.Thisiscalledparabastha,ortheKriyaofPratyaharorKriyaforwithdrawingfromtheoutersenses.Thisismeditation.Duringanypartofkriyapracticewhenonefeelsthedivineintoxicationorecstasy,noKriyashouldbepracticed.WhenmindbecomesfixedatKutastha,onewillbefilledwithDivineintoxication.Oneforgetshimselfinthisconditionandfeelsthathe/shewasinastateoftotalblissbutunabletorememberthatstateexactly.He/Shewillnotfeelanydesiretoopentheeyes,feelsdifficultyintalkinganddoesn’twanttohearanything.He/Shedoesnotfeelhungryorthirsty.WhilewalkingtoostepswillnotbeproperduetothisstateofDivineintoxication.AfterthisstageDharana,DhyanaandSamadhiKriyacanbeperceivedautomaticallyatSahasrasar.
ControllingthemovementofPrana(Lifeforce)
ImaginethePrana(lifeforce)isariverflowingwithgreatspeed.Ifwedigcanalsbythesideofthemainstreamoftheriver,thensomeofthewaterwillstartflowingthroughcanalsandthespeedofthemainriverforcewillstartslowingdown.Inthisway,wecandivertourPranatomovethroughdifferentchannels(Nadis)ofthebody.ThentheflowofPranacanbecontrolled.Thistechniqueistobeappliedin2ndKriyaonly,andjustlikethisin2ndkriyawehavetoforcePrana(lifeforce)totravelthroughdifferentchannelsofourbody.Thiswaywecangetmanydifferentpowers,whichhelpustopiercedifferentchakrasandthenfullygaincontroloverPrana.WithoutcontrollingPrana,wewillbenotabletopracticehigherKriyas.ThemainobjectofPranayamistogetcontroloverPrana.ThisisoneofthemostimportantaspectofKriyaYoga.
Meditation(Dharana,Dyana,Samadhi)
Pratyahar(FirststageofMeditation/orParabastha)AfterPranayam,practiceYoniMudraandMahamudra.Then,asdiscussedabove,sitsilently,withtheeyesclosed,watchingthecentreofeyebrows(Agnachakra)withoutchanting‘OM’,andsitinthiswayfor15-20minutesinthebeginning.Gradually,thedurationtositlikethiswillincreaseautomatically.OneshouldonlywatchthecentreofAgnachakra.Mindwillgetdivertedagainandagain.OneshouldrepeatedlybringthemindbacktothecentreofAgnachakra.Inthisway,youwillfindthatthemindisgraduallygettingsettledandfixedatthecentreofAgnaChakra.YouronlytaskistowatchwhatishappeninginAgnachakra.Eventually,withmoreandmorepractice,bodyawarenesswillceaseandintoxicationwillcome.AfterpiercingAgnaChakra,youwilldoDharana,asbelow:
A.Dharana(2ndstageofMeditation):ThisstagecomestotheSadhakafterpiercingAgnaChakratothelowerpartofSahasrasarchakra.Inthisstage,youwillbeabletoconcentratedeeperandgethigherconsciousnessandholdyourmindorconcentrateonaparticularobject.
B.Dhyana(3rdstageofMeditation):ThisstagehappensinthecentreofSahasrasarchakra.ItisextremelydeepMeditationandonestartsgettingextremeknowledge.
C.Samadhi:Hereoneforgetshisidentityandgetsimmersedintotalbliss.Atthisstage,mindandintellectarelostandtheindividualsoulbecomesmergedintotheuniversalsoul.
Thetimeofdeathistheworsttimeofourlife.AllthatwehavesacrificedandachievedinKriyaYogaisforthismoment.Theresultsofallthepreviouslyaccumulateddeeds(goodorbad)appearasavisionatthetimeofdeath.Duringthelastbreath,onewhohaspracticedKriyayogaseriouslyandperfectlythroughouthislifeshouldonlyconcentrateinKutasthaandmentallychantPranab(Om).Inthisway,bypiercingKutasthawiththegraceofGodanddestroyingalltheveils,onegoestoSahasrasarChakraandgetsSalvationbywhichyouavoidthepainofdeath.Atthatverymoment,neitherthepainofdeathnorbindingstotheworldcantouchyou.
TheSecretof“OM”
OmisthedivinelanguageofGod.Whenrepeatedinaspecificway,itcreatesvibrationsthatcalmthemindandthoughtsandbringoneclosertotheAlmighty.ChantingOMduringPranayamahasthepowertoactivatealltheChakras.BeforetheUniverseexisted,onlythissoundwasthere.Thatiswhy“OM”iscalledthelanguageofGodorGodhimself.WhiledoingKriya,thejapaofOminthecentreofeachchakraisveryimportant.Thejapaactivatesthechakras.PracticingPranayamwithoutchanting“OM”islikeabreathingexerciseonly.Itwillnotresultinanyspiritualdevelopment.Withoutjapa,theKriyabecomesTamasikandKriyaYogabecomesfruitless.
IamnotsayingthesethingsinordertocriticizeothermethodsofKriya,buttoshowyouthesimplest,bestandfastestwaytoreachandtravelthroughSushumna.Inwhateverwayyoudoyoga(unionwithGod)alwaysrememberthatwehavetotravelthroughSushumnatoreachAlmightytogetsalvation,becauseSushumnaisthefinalroutetoGod.WithoutenteringSushumnayoucannotgetSalvation.SowhyshouldweunnecessarilychooseadifficultpathtoreachSushumna,whenthereissuchaneasyprocesstoenter?Godisverysimple,sohecreatedasimpleprocesstoreachhim.Whenthereisastraighthighwaytoreachhimquickly,whyshouldwegothroughsmalllanesandroads
highwaytoreachhimquickly,whyshouldwegothroughsmalllanesandroadstoreachhim?
KriyaYoga,RajaYogaorBrahmaVidyaareallthesame.ThisisthegreatestofallYogasincethisistheonlyYogawhichcandissolveourindividualsoul(Jivatma)withtheUniversalSoul(Paramatma)andcangivesalvation.BeforedissolvingwiththeAlmighty,oursoulshouldbecomesopure,justliketheUniversalSoul.Otherwiseitcannotgetmixedtogether,asoilandwatercannotbemixedtogether.Onlyoilmixeswithoilandwatermixeswithwater.WemustbecomejustaspureastheAlmightyinordertomergewithHim.
StagesofKriyaYoga
TheSadhanaofaKriyaYogimovesthroughdifferentstages,outofwhichthreestagesaremostimportant:
FirstStage:ThisstagestartsafterKriyaDiksha(initiation)andcontinuesuntilthesubtlelifeforcereachestheentrance/doorofSushumna.Thisisaveryrestlessstage.Inthisstage,theSadhakshouldhaveblindfaithintheGuruandpracticeKriya,alwayskeepingthemindfocusedatKutasthaasperHisguidanceandinstruction.
SecondStage:MindbecomescalmwiththepracticeofKriya.Inthiscondition,theSadhaktriestoenterSushumnawithacalmmind.Atthattime,whateverhappensinthephysicalbodyaswellasthefeelingsthatcomestothemindgetreflectedinKutastha.WritteninstructionstothepractitionerareshownwithlightraysthatgetflashedintheKutastha.Itisfeltthatsomebodyistellingyousomethingwithinasplitsecondandthisissopowerfulthatitleavesapermanentimpressiononthemind.TheKriyabanwillgetareplytoallhisqueriesanddifferenttypesofsoundsareheardwhichmakestheSadhaktotallyastonished.
Afterthis,thethirdstageofKriyastarts.Inthesecondstage,withKriyapractice,lifeforcemovesupwardalongthespineintheSushumna.Inthis
condition,awarenessofthebodyislost,andatypeofSamadhiisexperienced.Butinthebeginning,thislastsonlyforashortdurationandtheoldsamskaras(mindimpressions)attacktheSadhakandbringhimbackdowntotheoutwardmaterialisticsenses.Inthisstage,theSadhakshouldcontrolhismindandgoonpracticingKriya.Heshouldavoidhavingamindbusyinmaterialisticthoughts.
WhentheSadhakareachestheentranceofSushumna,heseestheundisturbedandstableDivinelightofKutasthaandthishasamagneticeffectwhichattractsthemind.Thegazebecomesfullyfixedthere,andinthisconditiontheeyesdonotblinkormove.Thebodybecomesfixedwithoutanysensation.
Thoughthegazebecomesfixed,themindoftheSadhakastillgetsdistractedbecausehisthirstformaterialisticpleasurestillexists.Inthiscondition,boththestateoffixingthegazeatKutasthaandcomingbacktomaterialisticpleasurecontinues.
SamadhiorYogaNidra:DuringKriyapractice,atsomepoint,astatesimilartosleepisexperienced.Itisoneoftwotypes.Oneisthesleepofignorancewhichcomesbecausethemindgetstiredfromcontinuouslyhavingmaterialisticthoughts.ButthestateofsleepwhichcomesoutofDivineknowledgeisastateoffulllightedawareness,andthemindstaysundisturbedinthisstate.Thisstateofundisturbedmind,wherematerialisticthoughthastotallyvanished,isastateofcompleterestforthemind.ThisisthestateofSamadhi.Inthiscondition,thepowercomestocontrolthefiveoutwardsenseorgans.Afterdoingpranayama,andyousitformeditation,sometimesitisverydeep.Youwillfeelsleepy,butnotlikearegularsleepwhereyouloseawareness.ThisisatypeofSamadhi.Nidrameanssleep.Yoganidraissleeping,butalsogettingallknowledge,becauseyouareenteringthesushumnaandgoingup.Itisnotanormalmaterialisticsleep,andyouretainconsciousness,despitefeelinglikeyouare
goingtosleep.
Inthebeginning,itiscommonfortheKriyaban(practitioner)togetfrustratedanddepressedbecausehehastosacrificeallthematerialisticpleasuresoflife.HethinksthatbydoingKriya,heisabletoadvanceinthespiritualpathbutontheotherhand,heissacrificingthematerialisticpleasuresoflifewhicharedearertothemind.HefeelsitisbettertogetinvolvedinmaterialisticliferatherthandoingKriya.Hefeelsthatotherpeopleareenjoyingandheisunnecessarilysacrificingmaterialisticpleasures.Hefeelsthatitisbettertodiethantosufferandachievesalvation.Itisasufferingtobothbodyandmind.SuchafeelingmaycomeatthebeginningstageofSadhana.Thestageiscomparablewithasmallsnakeswallowingabigfrog.Neitherthesnakeisabletoswallowthefrognorisitabletothrowitout.Atthistime,theminddwellsbetweengoodthoughtsandbadthoughts.MindwantstoenjoybothYoga&materialisticpleasure.Thisisnotpossible.Onecannotcrossariverkeepinghisfeetseparatelyintwoboats.Itwillnotleadtosuccess.Ifwewanttogetoutofthecycleofbirthanddeath,wehavetopracticeYoga.Atthebeginning,onehastostrugglemuchbutafterthat,thestateachievedisthestateofcontinuousbliss.
KriyaofSahasrasarChakra
AftercompletingKriyainthesixchakras,theKriyaofSahasrasarChakrabegins;thatis,Dharana,DhyanandSamadhi.
UntilandunlessyougetSiddhi(success)inPratyahar,wearenoteligibletodoDharana,DhyanandSamadhi.WhathappenstousafterwegetsuccessinPratyaharisverydifficulttoexpress.Eventhoughitcannotbeeasilyexpressed,aKriyaPractitionerexperiencesthestepswithinhimself.
AftersuccessinPratyahar,theKriyaofDharanabegins.Thiscanbeconsideredthesecondstageofmeditation.InDharana,aKriyaPractitionergetsthepowertoconcentrateonasinglepoint.AfterpiercingAgnaChakra,youreachKutastha,whichisinsideAgna.So,afterpiercingAgnayouwillfindKutasthathere.FromKutastha,youwillseethisplaceforDharana-atriangle,asinthediagrambelow.Atthispoint,youneedtoconcentrateoneachpointofthetriangle.Thenyougetthefullknowledge-divineknowledge.Then,wehavetoconcentrateonSreeBinduwhichisinthecenterofthetriangle.YouhavetogothroughSreeBindutoreachMulachakra.NirvikalpasamadhicomesafterpiercingSreeBindu.
So,ifwewatchuntiltheendofSahasrasarChakra,thisplacewhichcomesinourvisionaretheplacesofDharanaseeninthistriangle.Ifweconcentrateonthosevisibleplaces,wegetdifferenttypesofknowledgeandpowers.(again,afterreachingkutastha,yougetthisvision-whichisafterpiercingagna).
ThefirstplaceforDharanaistheKutasthaBindu(star).ThesecondplaceforDharanaistheBamaBindu,asshowninthediagram,whichisontheleftsideofthetriangleinSahasrasarChakra.Thatistheareaofintellect.Herewegettheknowledgeorabilitytojudgewhatisgoodandwhatisbad.Herewegettheknowledgeofpureintellectsothatnoevilthingcandistortourmind.Tounderstandthis,wemustknowaboutdesire.Therearethreethingswhichcreatedesireinthemind:thesenses,themind,andintellect.Therefore,untilwecrosstheareaofintellect,thelaststageofdesirepersists,thatis,attractiontowardsthebody.ThethirdstageofDharanaistheothercornerofthetriangle:"Roudri".Thisistheareaofego.So,hereallegosgetdiminished(ended)andthewishtomeetGodincreasesandreachesthe"Jestha"bindu.
ThisisthefourthstageofDharana:Jestha,ortheuppercornerofthetriangle.It
ThisisthefourthstageofDharana:Jestha,ortheuppercornerofthetriangle.ItisalsotheChitta,orthestoreofallthoughts.Thisistheplacewherematerialisticdesirecan'treach-onlydivinedesireexists.Afterwecompletelyovercomethenegativedesiresofmaterialisticdesire,wecomeveryclosetoGod,andGodappearsasawellwisherandafriend,andwelcomesusandtakesusinhislap.
ThelaststageofDharanaisSreeBindu;thatis,thecenterofSahasrasarChakra.Fromthere,wemovetowards"Mula"ChakrawiththepowerofDhyan.ThisisthefinalstageofmeditationandafterpiercingMulaChakrawegettotalsalvation.Regardlessofhowyouthinkofthisorsayit,thismeansbecomingabsorbedinGodortheAlmighty.
ThisistheKriyaofSahasrasar,whichcan'tbeunderstoodbymerereading.Ifwewanttorealizethis,wehavetoreachthatstageandexperiencethisdirectly,byourselves.
VolumeII
Inthenextvolumeofthisseries,moredetailsonadvancedpracticesaregiven,aswellasSecond,Third,andFourthKriya.DetailedexplanationsofthedifferenttypesofSamadhiaregiven,asareadetailedaccountofthe18egoswemustgetridofinordertoachievesalvation.Also,somestoriesaboutthelineageandmyselfaregivenattheendofVolumeII.VolumeIIisconsiderablylongerthanthisvolume,whichwaslimitedtotheessentialpracticesandexplanations.Remember-reveredLahiriMahasayasaideverythingispossiblewithFirstKriya.
VolumeIIwillbepublishedandmadeavailableatthesametimeasVolumeI,butIamalsoplanningtowriteandpublishmoreadvancedinformationlaterthisyear,2017,inanotherbook.Lastly,acontactemailtoreachsomedisciplesIhavepermittedtogiveinitiationwillbeprovidedinVolumeII.AsthislineageofKriyaisnotaffiliatedwithanyformalorganization,theonlywaytoensureitscontinuationisperson-to-personthroughempowereddisciples.
GlossaryofTerms
BhramariGuha-ItisthedivinetunnelinsidewhichGodexists
Bindu-Brightstar
Bramharandhra-IsbehindSreeBindu,wherebothendsofSushumnameet
Brahmananda-InternalBliss
Celibacy-ItgivespowerfordeepmeditationandforpiercingthechakrastogetknowledgeinSahasrasarviaextremelysubtlevision
Demons-Animalitywhicharestoredinourchitta-likesex,greedandanger,restlessness,etc
Dharana-2ndstageofmeditation.Focusingofattentiononaparticularobject
Dhyan-3rdstageofmeditation.Thedeepeststageofmeditation
Ganges-TheholyriverinIndia
IdaNadi-Channelthroughwhichwebreath
Japa-Chant
Kriyaban-KriyaPractitioner
Moksha-Typeofsalvation,butwheredualitystillexists
Naad-Sounds
Nadi-Channels
PingalaNadi-Channelthroughwhichwebreath
Prana-Lifeforce
Pratyahar-1ststageofmeditation-hereselfrealizationoccurs
Sadhak-Yogi
Sadhana-ToperformKriya
Sahasrasar-Thousandpetaledlotusinthetopofthebrain
Sanyas-AyogiwhohascompletedallstagesinKriya(mainly,Kriyaoftheactionarea)
SatGuru-realizedguru
Satya,Rajo,Tamo-Threekindsofeffectsonthemind
Siddha-Realized
Siddhi-SpiritualPowers
Sushumna-ThemainchannelthroughwhichwehavetotraveltoreachSahasrasartogetsalvation.OnlywithextremelysubtlePranacanweenterthischannel
channel
Vibhuti-Accordpowers
Yogaruhra-Samadhi