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A Sacred Technique and Path

Kriya Yoga is both a specific meditation technique and a comprehensive spiritual path.
Brought to the West by Paramhansa Yogananda in 1920, and made widely known through his spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, Kriya Yoga is now practiced around the world by countless sincere seekers.
In Chapter 26 of his Autobiography, Yogananda describes Kriya Yoga as:
“A simple, psychophysiological method by which the human blood is decarbonized and recharged with oxygen. The atoms of this extra oxygen are transmuted into life current to rejuvenate the brain and spinal centers. By stopping the accumulation of venous blood, the yogi is able to lessen or prevent the decay of tissues; the advanced yogi transmutes his cells into pure energy.”Â
He continues:
“Kriya Yoga is an instrument through which human evolution can be quickened,” Sri Yukteswar explained to his students.
“The ancient yogis discovered that the secret of cosmic consciousness is intimately linked with breath mastery. This is India’s unique and deathless contribution to the world’s treasury of knowledge.
The life force, which is ordinarily absorbed in maintaining the heart-pump, must be freed for higher activities by a method of calming and stilling the ceaseless demands of the breath.”
The Essence of the Technique
“The Kriya Yogi mentally directs life force to revolve up and down along the six spinal centers (chakras), which correspond to the twelve astral signs of the zodiac—the symbolic Cosmic Man.”
According to Yogananda, “one-half minute of Kriya practice—this conscious revolution of energy around the spine—equals one year of natural spiritual evolution.” (Autobiography of a Yogi, Ch. 26)
Kriya Yoga is an Ancient Science
Kriya Yoga is an ancient science, revitalized in modern times through the Self-Realization lineage of Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, and Paramhansa Yogananda.
The Kriya Yoga Masters (form the left): Lahiri Mahasaya, Mahavatar Babaji, Jesus Christ, Sri Yukteshwar, and Paramhansa Yogananda
The Importance of Preparation
The lifestyle of a Kriya practitioner, or kriyaban, includes a set of complementary meditation and yoga techniques that accelerate spiritual development for the sincere and committed disciple.
Yogananda emphasized that proper preparation is essential before receiving the Kriya Yoga initiation. Ananda’s founder, Swami Kriyananda, was personally trained and authorized by Yogananda in the late 1940s to initiate others into the Kriya path. In turn, Swami Kriyananda empowered specific Ananda ministers around the world to carry forward this sacred initiation.
If you feel called to this path, Ananda offers a Kriya Preparation program which includes a period of approximately 10 to 11 months of weekly practice and study to build a strong foundation. Anyone who is interested or who has questions is encouraged to contact us.
Kriya, controlling the mind directly through the life force, is the easiest, most effective, and most scientific avenue of approach to the Infinite.Paramhansa Yogananda