Kriya Yoga: The Ultimate Guide
Posted by Onassis Krown on
The Ultimate Guide on Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga is not just another method of meditation or a fleeting spiritual trend. It is a timeless, sacred path that traces back thousands of years—an esoteric science of the soul that offers not only inner peace but also spiritual liberation. Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned spiritual seeker, understanding Kriya Yoga can be a transformative milestone in your journey.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore what Kriya Yoga is, where it comes from, how it works, and why so many regard it as a life-changing path. Prepare to dive deep into one of the most profound practices ever revealed to humankind.
What Is Kriya Yoga?
At its core, Kriya Yoga is a spiritual technique that accelerates spiritual growth by working directly with the life force (prana) in the body. The Sanskrit word "kriya" means action, and "yoga" means union—thus, Kriya Yoga can be understood as “union through action.”
More specifically, it refers to a set of advanced spiritual techniques designed to rapidly quicken one’s evolution by using breath control (pranayama), concentration, and meditation to guide the flow of life energy through the spine and brain. By doing so, practitioners purify their consciousness, quiet the mind, and awaken the soul to its true, divine nature.
Kriya Yoga is not a religion, though it is deeply spiritual. It does not require one to follow a particular dogma but instead invites sincere seekers of all faiths to deepen their connection with the Divine.
The Origins of Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga has its roots in ancient India and was preserved through a lineage of enlightened masters. It is said to have been first written about in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali—where “Kriya Yoga” is defined as a path consisting of tapas (discipline), svadhyaya (self-study or study of scriptures), and Ishvara pranidhana (devotion to God).
However, the practical methods of Kriya as we know them today were largely kept secret, passed from master to disciple in oral tradition. That changed when the great yogi Mahavatar Babaji, a mysterious immortal sage, reintroduced Kriya Yoga to the modern world through Lahiri Mahasaya in the 19th century.
From Lahiri Mahasaya, the teachings were passed to Sri Yukteswar, then to his disciple Paramahansa Yogananda, who brought Kriya Yoga to the West. Yogananda’s seminal book Autobiography of a Yogi introduced millions to Kriya Yoga and remains a spiritual classic to this day.
The Science Behind Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga is not based on blind belief; it is rooted in a scientific understanding of how the human body and consciousness operate.
1. The Spinal Highway
According to yogic science, the spine is not just a column of bones—it is the main channel of spiritual energy. Running through the spine is a subtle energy channel called the sushumna, flanked by ida and pingala, two other key energy currents. The chakras, or energy centers, are aligned along this pathway.
Kriya techniques circulate energy (prana) up and down this central spinal channel, purifying the chakras and quieting the restless mind. This inner movement of energy brings spiritual awakening and direct perception of one’s higher self.
2. Breath and Mind Connection
The breath is more than a physical function—it is intimately tied to our thoughts and emotions. In Kriya Yoga, breath control is used to still the fluctuations of the mind. As the breath becomes calm, so too does the mind, creating the ideal state for deep meditation and divine communion.
3. Karma Dissolution
Every action (kriya) we perform generates karma—a force that binds us to the cycle of birth and death. Kriya Yoga offers a powerful method of burning karma by tapping into the inner power of the breath and consciousness. Each breath taken with awareness during Kriya practice is said to dissolve years of latent karma, accelerating spiritual liberation.
The Main Techniques of Kriya Yoga
While the specifics of Kriya techniques are traditionally given only through direct initiation by a qualified teacher, a general overview can be shared to give a sense of the system’s depth and beauty.
1. Preparation Practices
Before one begins the actual Kriya Yoga technique, they are often trained in foundational practices, including:
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Energization Exercises – Developed by Yogananda, these are 39 exercises that use willpower and breath to awaken and control life energy.
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Hong-Sau Technique – A concentration technique that teaches awareness of the breath and stills the mind.
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AUM Technique – A meditation method for interiorizing the mind and tuning into the sacred vibration of AUM (OM), the cosmic sound.
These practices prepare the body, mind, and nervous system for the higher energy involved in the core Kriya technique.
2. The Kriya Pranayama
This is the heart of the Kriya practice—a powerful pranayama (breathing technique) where life energy is consciously drawn up and down the spine with each breath.
The practitioner mentally guides the prana from the base of the spine (the Muladhara chakra) to the spiritual eye (between the eyebrows), then back down. This is done in harmony with the breath, using specific interior locks and visualizations. This action:
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Awakens the chakras
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Purifies the nervous system
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Withdraws the senses
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Deepens meditation
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Brings the yogi into superconsciousness
Advanced kriyabans may practice dozens or even hundreds of kriya breaths in a single session.
The Benefits of Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga offers an array of benefits—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Here’s what devoted practitioners often experience:
1. Inner Peace and Clarity
Kriya calms the mind’s chatter and reduces the storm of thoughts. It gives practitioners a profound sense of inner stillness that continues throughout the day.
2. Spiritual Growth
The primary purpose of Kriya is spiritual evolution. It heightens awareness, deepens intuition, and connects the practitioner with the Divine. Many experience glimpses of the soul’s eternal nature through consistent practice.
3. Emotional Stability
By circulating prana, Kriya Yoga helps dissolve emotional blocks and promotes balance. Practitioners often report feeling less reactive, more compassionate, and more centered.
4. Improved Health and Vitality
Since Kriya works with life force energy, it revitalizes the body and improves health. The practice balances the autonomic nervous system, reduces stress, and strengthens the immune system.
5. Freedom from Karma
Kriya Yoga is considered a fast track to liberation. By neutralizing stored karmic impressions, it frees the soul from bondage, enabling it to rise into higher states of awareness.
How to Learn Kriya Yoga
Because of its spiritual power and complexity, Kriya Yoga is traditionally only taught through initiation by an authorized teacher or spiritual lineage. This preserves the sanctity and safety of the practice.
1. Find a Recognized Lineage
If you’re interested in learning Kriya Yoga, consider studying through one of the main lineages that have preserved and taught the technique with integrity. Notable organizations include:
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Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) – Founded by Paramahansa Yogananda
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Ananda Sangha – Founded by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda
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Kriya Yoga Institute – Taught by Paramahamsa Prajnanananda in the lineage of Lahiri Mahasaya
These groups offer step-by-step training, lessons by mail or online, and eventual initiation ceremonies.
2. Commit to Daily Practice
Kriya Yoga is not a casual activity; it’s a lifelong discipline. Most initiates commit to practicing at least once or twice daily, typically for 30 to 90 minutes. Consistency is key to unlocking its benefits.
3. Live a Yogic Lifestyle
Kriya Yoga is more than a technique—it’s a way of life. Practitioners are encouraged to live ethically (yamas and niyamas), follow a balanced diet, keep good company (satsang), and maintain devotional connection with the Divine.
Common Misconceptions About Kriya Yoga
Let’s clear up a few myths that sometimes cloud the understanding of Kriya Yoga.
1. “It’s Only for Hindus or Spiritual Elites”
False. Kriya Yoga is universal and inclusive. Yogananda emphasized that people of all faiths and backgrounds can benefit from it. You don’t need to convert or abandon your own beliefs.
2. “It’s a Quick Fix”
Not quite. While Kriya accelerates spiritual progress, it requires sincere effort, patience, and devotion. It’s not a magic pill, but rather a sacred path walked steadily.
3. “It’s Dangerous”
Practiced correctly under guidance, Kriya Yoga is safe. The dangers arise only when individuals attempt to learn from unverified sources or skip foundational training. This is why initiation from a qualified teacher is so crucial.
Living the Kriya Yoga Path
True Kriya Yogis don’t just meditate—they live their spirituality. They see the Divine in everyone, act with compassion, and use their lives as vehicles of service and transformation. As Yogananda said, “Kriya Yoga is an instrument through which human evolution can be quickened.”
Over time, the practitioner experiences a deepening joy and inner light that becomes unshakable, regardless of external circumstances. The outer world may remain chaotic, but the inner world becomes a haven of peace, wisdom, and bliss.
Final Thoughts: Is Kriya Yoga for You?
If you feel drawn to meditation, inner exploration, and living from the soul, Kriya Yoga may be your path. It does not promise an easy road, but it offers a rewarding one—a direct connection to the infinite within you.
Perhaps most importantly, Kriya Yoga offers hope. In a world filled with distractions, stress, and disconnection, it provides a path back to our true nature—a divine being of light, peace, and joy.
The ancient yogis knew this truth, and through the gift of Kriya Yoga, we can know it too—not just intellectually, but experientially.
“The Kriya Yoga path is not an escape; it’s an embrace of life in its highest form.” – Anonymous Yogi
If you’re inspired to begin, start where you are. Begin meditating daily, seek out a Kriya Yoga organization that resonates with you, and prepare your mind and heart for the great adventure within.
Kriya Yoga isn’t just a technique—it’s a sacred calling. Are you ready to answer it?
Lateef Warnick is the founder of Onassis Krown. He currently serves as a Senior Healthcare Consultant in the Jacksonville FL area and is a Certified Life Coach, Marriage Counselor, Keynote Speaker and Author of "Know Thyself," "The Golden Egg" and "Wear Your Krown." He is also a former Naval Officer, Licensed Financial Advisor, Insurance Agent, Realtor, Serial Entrepreneur and musical artist A.L.I.A.S.
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