Kriya Yoga
Swami Satyananda
Tantra and Kriya Yoga has always been a secret technique. Teachers like Yogananda or Harihananda have developed a simpler but nevertheless effective Kriya Yoga sytem which was brought to the west in the beginning of the 20th century.
Swami Satyananda (Yoga School of Bihar) unveiled the complete technique of kriya - which includes 76 kriyas - only in the 1960´ies - and only to a handful of students.
In my lessons I teach a "fairy tale free" kriya yoga as well as many pranic exercises to interested students. Kriya Yoga and Tantra are techniques which work for everybody. Kriya Yoga is not a believe system or religion, In fact even if you have a materialistic attitude, kriya yoga will work for you. I am convinced that is the best, safest and most advanced technique available today to develope self realistation, far away from sects, groups, fake gurus or any kind of believe systems.
What is the purpose of Kriya Yoga?
Kriya Yoga is a very strong Sadhana to develope Pratyahara, Dharana and Dhyana. It takes about 2 - 2 1/2 hours to complete the basic 20 kriyas. (it is possible to practise a shorter version - about 1 hour) Kriya Yoga is a practise which needs proper guidance through a teacher, as well as an advanced student who exercises on a daily basis and is already experienced in asanas, pranayama, the shat kriyas and meditation. Kriya Yoga should NOT been practised if the student doesnt have enough time or not enough knowledge in the basics of yoga. Every single kriya has a seperate effect and it is very important to practise the kriyas correct.
You will always stay independent, and you will be able to practise alone. A good teacher will always teach you that - after a certain point - he / she is not neccessary and more. It is highly recommended NOT to join believe systems or groups - as they tend to have their own interests and make you a "brick" in their "wall" - instead of a self realised and independent being.
Kriya Yoga and Tantra teaches equality of male and female aspect. Women have a natural ability to understand and develope altruism, intuition and strength - as well as kundalini. Students who dont free themself of prejudices, or the believe that they themself are superior / inferior because of their gender - cant proceed on the path.
What is the aim of Tantra and Kriya Yoga?
The practise of the 76 Kriyas might be the best and most advanced system available today to practise pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) dharana (concentration) and dhyana (meditation). Kirya Yoga will automatically lead into sakshi bav (withness state) and first stages of samadhi. It systematically develops and activates: first the nadis, then chakras and finally kundalini. It is important NOT to activate kundalini as long as nadis and chakras are not purified.
Basic Training: asanas, pranayama, proper diet, hat kriyas and basic mantra meditation
Preparation: Initiation into kriya yoga; 9 basic kriyas; front nadi, spinal nadi, ida and pingala nadi, 3 granthis
Kriya Yoga: 20 Kriyas to develope pratyahara, dharana and dhyana
Tantra, Advaita and Vedanta: Higher Kriyas, tantric techniques and advaita vedanta philosophy
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Is there other ways to develope Kundalini?
Yes. Through tantric techniques and advanced pranayama - kundalini will be activated rapidly - sometimes within weeks or even days. However this path is only recommended for very few advanced students - under the guidance of a qualified teacher and protected surroundings. Tantric masters always knew methods to transfer "vibration" and instantly activate kundalini in the student. However only very few students are ready for this path.
Kundalini Yoga:
Kundalini literally means "coiled". In Indian yoga, a "corporeal energy"- an unconscious, instinctive or libidinal force or Shakti, envisioned either as a goddess or else as a sleeping serpent coiled at the base of the spine, hence a number of English renderings of the term such as 'serpent power'.
Body and spirit must be prepared by yogic austerities such as pranayama, or breath control, physical exercises, visualization, and chanting. Kundalini rises from muladhara chakra up a subtle channel at the base of the spine (called Sushumna), and from there to top of the head merging with the sahasrara, or crown chakra. In reality often kundalini takes another pathways such as lakshmi nadi or saraswati nadi which sometimes causes problems with health or current life situation.
The awakening is not a physical occurrence. It consists exclusively of development in consciousness. With awakening of the Kundalini our consciousness expands and we become more aware of the truth. When Kundalini Shakti is conceived as a goddess, then, when it rises to the head, it unites itself with the Supreme Being (Lord Shiva). Then aspirant becomes engrossed in deep meditation and infinite bliss. The arousing of kundalini is said to be the one and only way of attaining Divine Wisdom. Self-Realization is said to be equivalent to Divine Wisdom or Gnosis or what amounts to the same thing: Self-Knowledge. The awakening of the Kundalini shows itself as "awakening of inner knowledge" and brings with itself pure joy, pure knowledge and pure love.
However, like every form of energy one must also learn to understand spiritual energy. In order to be able to integrate this spiritual energy, careful purification and strengthening of the body and nervous system are required beforehand. By trying to force results, considerable psychic disturbances and at times even permanent mental damage can occur. A spiritual master who walked this path before is required to guide the aspirant. Often will be found that negative experiences occurred only when acting without appropriate guidance or ignoring advice.
The most famous of the Yoga Upanishads, the Yogatattva Upanishad, mentions four kinds of yoga, one of which, laya-yoga, involves Kundalini.
Sri Ramana Maharshi, maintained that the Kundalini energy is nothing but the natural energy of the Self, where Self is the universal consciousness (Paramatma) present in every being, and that the individual mind of thoughts cloaks this natural energy from unadulterated expression. Advaita teaches that Self-realization, enlightenment, God-consciousness, nirvana and Kundalini awakening are all the same thing, and self-inquiry meditation is considered a very natural and simple means of reaching this goal.