In traditional yog, the initial stages of yam, niyam, and asan purify the body and mind, removing toxins and harmful habits. Only after this purification process is one deemed ready for pranayam , the practice of controlled breathing, which channels the vital energy, pran and enhances spiritual growth . Attempting pranayam without first achieving this purification could have adverse effects. Therefore, in classical yog, it is important to progress step-by-step through these limbs to prepare for higher spiritual practices.
However, recognising the time constraints faced by modern-day practitioners, particularly householders, Mahavatar Babaji introduced a modified approach called kriya yog around 200 years ago. This form of yog was designed to accelerate spiritual progress by simplifying the traditional steps, making it more accessible to people with limited time.
Kriya yog allows practitioners to bypass the earlier stages of yam and niyam, starting directly with pranayam. In this method, the process of purifying the body and mind happens naturally through the practice of kriya, which addresses the same tendencies that yam and niyam traditionally manage. Over time, practitioners experience a gradual transformation as old habits are replaced by more spiritually aligned ones. Kriya yog thus enables householders to experience the benefits of spiritual purification and growth more rapidly.
The core of kriya yog focuses on balancing the body's internal energy channels, specifically the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna nadis. Ida and Pingala represent dual energies - masculine and feminine, or left and right - while the Sushumna represents the central energy channel facilitating spiritual awakening. The practice of kriya yog helps open the Sushumna nadi, allowing pran to flow upwards, which awakens kundalini energy .
One of the unique aspects of kriya yog is that it requires no external tools or objects, making it highly suitable for people living multifaceted, busy lives. It works entirely within the practitioner's body, focusing on three divine qualities: light, sound, and vibration. These correspond to the three layers of the human body - the physical, astral, and causal bodies. Practitioners of kriya yog gradually perceive these layers through sensations of vibration, sound, and light, allowing them to progress spiritually without relying on external aids.
As pran is converted to sattva, purity, practitioners gain control over their sense organs, and their external tendencies diminish. With this control comes the ability to concentrate, leading to dharana, a one-pointed focus. Over time, as concentration deepens, practitioners can experience dhyan and, ultimately, samadhi, where individual consciousness merges with the supreme cosmic law, fulfilling the essence of yog.
Kriya yog's ability to induce rapid spiritual progress has made it a powerful tool for Self-realisation. It can bring about a spiritual revolution within a single lifetime, leading to liberation, moksh if practised diligently. Paramhansa Yogananda , in his influential work Autobiography of a Yogi, highlighted the transformative potential of kriya yog, emphasising that consistent practice over time can purify one's entire being.
Yogananda introduced the practice to the West, where many now embrace it as a path to spiritual growth. The tradition remains intact through a guru-disciple lineage , ensuring the purity of the techniques is maintained.
Authored by: Praveen Bhatiya
However, recognising the time constraints faced by modern-day practitioners, particularly householders, Mahavatar Babaji introduced a modified approach called kriya yog around 200 years ago. This form of yog was designed to accelerate spiritual progress by simplifying the traditional steps, making it more accessible to people with limited time.
Kriya yog allows practitioners to bypass the earlier stages of yam and niyam, starting directly with pranayam. In this method, the process of purifying the body and mind happens naturally through the practice of kriya, which addresses the same tendencies that yam and niyam traditionally manage. Over time, practitioners experience a gradual transformation as old habits are replaced by more spiritually aligned ones. Kriya yog thus enables householders to experience the benefits of spiritual purification and growth more rapidly.
The core of kriya yog focuses on balancing the body's internal energy channels, specifically the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna nadis. Ida and Pingala represent dual energies - masculine and feminine, or left and right - while the Sushumna represents the central energy channel facilitating spiritual awakening. The practice of kriya yog helps open the Sushumna nadi, allowing pran to flow upwards, which awakens kundalini energy .
One of the unique aspects of kriya yog is that it requires no external tools or objects, making it highly suitable for people living multifaceted, busy lives. It works entirely within the practitioner's body, focusing on three divine qualities: light, sound, and vibration. These correspond to the three layers of the human body - the physical, astral, and causal bodies. Practitioners of kriya yog gradually perceive these layers through sensations of vibration, sound, and light, allowing them to progress spiritually without relying on external aids.
As pran is converted to sattva, purity, practitioners gain control over their sense organs, and their external tendencies diminish. With this control comes the ability to concentrate, leading to dharana, a one-pointed focus. Over time, as concentration deepens, practitioners can experience dhyan and, ultimately, samadhi, where individual consciousness merges with the supreme cosmic law, fulfilling the essence of yog.
Kriya yog's ability to induce rapid spiritual progress has made it a powerful tool for Self-realisation. It can bring about a spiritual revolution within a single lifetime, leading to liberation, moksh if practised diligently. Paramhansa Yogananda , in his influential work Autobiography of a Yogi, highlighted the transformative potential of kriya yog, emphasising that consistent practice over time can purify one's entire being.
Yogananda introduced the practice to the West, where many now embrace it as a path to spiritual growth. The tradition remains intact through a guru-disciple lineage , ensuring the purity of the techniques is maintained.
Authored by: Praveen Bhatiya
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