Kriya Yoga
Encyclopedia : K : KR : KRI : Kriya Yoga
| Kriya Yoga | |
|---|---|
| Religious origins: | Hinduism |
| Regional origins: | India |
| Founding Guru: | Claimed ancient origin - Lahiri Mahasaya initiated by Mahavatar Babaji |
| Mainstream popularity: | Paramahansa Yogananda popularised Kriya Yoga in the West |
| Practice emphases: | |
| Derivative forms: | |
| Related schools | |
| Other topics | |
History
Recent history
According to Paramahansa Yogananda, in his [Autobiography of a Yogi], Kriya Yoga was well-known in ancient India, but was eventually lost, due to "priestly secrecy and man’s indifference." In 1861 however, the immortal yogi Mahavatar Babaji initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into Kriya Yoga. Lahiri Mahasaya then revived the practice, and it soon spread throughout India. Yogananda, a disciple of Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri who was himself a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, then brought Kriya Yoga to the United States and Europe during the 20th century. Since that time it has spread throughout the world through various Guru lineages, most of which claim descent from Lahiri Mahasaya.Lahiri Mahasaya's most well-known disciples were Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, Panchanon Bhattacharya, Swami Pranabananda, Swami Kebalananda, Swami Keshabananda, and Bhupendranath Sanyal (Sanyal Mahasaya).
Early scripture references
Yogananda says that Krishna refers to Kriya Yoga twice in the Bhagavad Gita. First, when Krishna says, "Offering inhaling breath into the outgoing breath, and offering the outgoing breath into the inhaling breath, the yogi neutralizes both these breaths; he thus releases the life force from the heart and brings it under his control."Bhagavad Gita IV:29Also, when "Krishna … relates that it was he, in a former incarnation, who communicated the indestructible yoga to an ancient illuminato, Vivasvat, who gave it to Manu, the great legislator. He, in turn, instructed Ikshwaku, the father of India’s solar warrior dynasty." Paramahansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi, chapter 26, referring to Bhagavad Gita IV:1-2
Patanjali was referring to Kriya Yoga when he wrote "Kriya Yoga consists of body discipline, mental control, and meditating on Aum."Patanjali Aphorisms, II:1. Translation by Paramahansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi, chapter 26 And again when he says,"Liberation can be accomplished by that pranayama which is attained by disjoining the course of inspiration and expiration."Patanjali Aphorisms, II:49. Translation by Paramahansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi, chapter 26
Kriya Yoga lineages
There are numerous organizations and teachers that present themselves as teaching the Kriya Yoga of Mahavatar Babaji. Following are some of them, arranged by the Guru lineage from which they descended.That trace their source to Lahiri Mahasaya, through various branches
- Kriya Yoga Institute, founded by Paramahamsa Hariharananda, a direct disciple of Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri.
- Kriya Yoga Foundation (various practice groups in most European countries, Russia and India), founded by Swami Shankarananda Giri, a direct disciple of Swami Narayana Giri (Prabhujee) who in turn was one of the closest disciples of Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri.
- The filial lineage of Lahiri Mahasaya continues in the person of Shibendu Lahiri, the great-grandson of Lahiri Mahasaya.
- Yogacharya Dr.Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee is a disciple of Satya Charan Lahiri Mahasaya, grandson of Lahiri Mahasaya.
- Sri Shailendra Sharma is a disciple of Shree Satya Charan Lahiri Mahasaya, one of the grandsons of Lahiri Mahasaya.
- Swami Satyeswarananda Giri is a disciple of Mahamuni Babaji.
That trace their source to Lahiri Mahasaya through Paramahansa Yogananda
- Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by Yogananda.
- Ananda, founded by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda.
- Center for Spiritual Awareness, founded by Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Yogananda.
- Song of the Morning Retreat Center, founded by Yogacharya Oliver Black, a direct disciple of Yogananda.
Notes
External links
General
- [The Science of Kriya Yoga] from the First Edition of Autobiography of a Yogi written by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1946
- [Yoga Niketan] a free online library of Bengali Kriya Yoga and Kriya Yoga related manuscripts translated into English. Includes books by Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Pranabananda, and others.
- [The Sanskrit Classics] The Sanskrit Classics publishes writings on the essential classical scriptures of the Vedic culture, as interpreted in the light of Realization by various Masters of Yoga. The Sanskrit Classics has published English translations of Lahiri Mahasay's scriptural commentaries.
Kriya Yoga Teachers and Organizations
- [Self-Realization Fellowship] founded in 1920 by Paramahansa Yogananda.
- [Center for Spiritual Awareness] the organization led by Roy Eugene Davis, founded in 1964.
- [Kriya Yoga at Ananda] founded in 1968 by Swami Kriyananda.
- [Kriya Yoga Institute] founded by [Paramahamsa Hariharananda].
- [Kriya Yoga Foundation] founded by Swami Shankarananda Giri.
- [Shibendu Lahiri] the great-grandson of Lahiri Mahasaya.
- [Yogiraj Shyamacharan Sanatan Mission] founded by Yogacharya Dr.Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee.
- [Siddha Siddhanta] founded by Sri Shailendra Sharma.
| Yogas: | Agni Yoga - Anahata Yoga - Anusara Yoga - Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga - Bikram Yoga - Hatha yoga - Integral yoga - Iyengar Yoga - Kriya yoga - Kundalini yoga - Natya Yoga - Sahaj Marg - Sahaja Yoga - Six yogas of Naropa (Tummo) - Surat Shabd Yoga - Viniyoga - Yoga in Daily Life - Yoga Nidra |
| Texts: | Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Yoga Sutra - Gherand Samhita |
| Hinduism paths: | Bhakti yoga - Karma Yoga - Jnana Yoga - Raja Yoga |
| Raja Yoga limbs: | Yama - Niyama - Asana - Pranayama - Pratyahara - Dharana - Dhyana - Samadhi |
| Lists: | Yoga schools and their gurus - Hatha yoga postures |
| Related topics: | Ayurveda - Chakra - Mantra - Tantra - Vedanta - Yoga as exercise |
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