The practice of meditation has existed for millennia; we must say that anything still around after so much time must be working! All aspects of life―work, relationships, or mental, physical and emotional health―will be improved by meditation.
Meditation gives direct, intuitive experience of higher realities, and is the cornerstone of deep spirituality. It also brings balance, rest, and a growing inner peace. While its highest and original purpose is to help us awaken our inner, spiritual nature, the benefits to body and mind are well documented by modern science.
Life today for most people is chaotic, stressful and hectic which can lead to problems. Meditation balances the relentless pressure of this lifestyle, and pulls us inward to our stable center and connects us to our own inner powers of intuition, peace and joy.
Meditation is for everyone, and there is a way to make it work in everyone’s life. Wherever you are, whatever you do you can incorporate meditation into your daily life and realize results that are life transforming.
A yogi who faithfully follows its technique (Kriya Yoga) is gradually freed from karma or the universal chain of causation.Paramhansa Yogananda
Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga is an ancient meditation technique of energy and breath control, or pranayama. It is the foundation of the comprehensive spiritual path we practice here at Ananda, and includes additional meditation practices along with methods and attitudes for how to live.
The Kriya technique was hidden in secrecy for many centuries. It was revived in 1861, when the great yogi Mahavatar Babaji taught the technique to his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya. Lahiri then taught the technique to his disciple Sri Yukteswar, who taught it to his disciples, including Paramhansa Yogananda.
Paramhansa Yogananda in time wrote his book Autobiography of a Yogi in which he talks about the path of Kriya Yoga. Through his book and his public teaching in the West Kriya became known to the world. Kriya has been taught in an unbroken link of spiritual succession to this day.
According to Yogananda, Kriya Yoga is the most effective technique available to mankind today for reaching the goal of Yoga: union with the Divine. Kriya Yoga is so effective because it works directly with the source of growth — the spiritual energy deep in our spines.
The technique of Kriya is given through initiation. Before initiation into Kriya Yoga however, there is a process of preparation which includes study of Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings and practice of other meditation techniques necessary to the practice of Kriya.
The technique itself is taught through initiation. In the introductory seminar you’ll learn more about the path of Kriya Yoga and how the technique works directly with the energies in the human spine. You will receive an overview of the various classes and opportunities offered at Ananda for those interested in learning and practicing the teachings of Kriya Yoga.
This process takes about a year, and can be done in a few different ways— either in-person, online, or through home book-study. After learning Kriya Yoga, Ananda continues to offer ongoing support and guidance in your spiritual practices.
What Is Kriya Yoga
Guidelines for receiving initiation into the sacred science of Self-Realization
Learn more about what Kriya Yoga is and the different steps towards initiation.