Diksha(initiation)istheseedofKriyaYoga.Withoutinitiation,Kriyawillnotbearfruit…

Copyright©2017byRanginMukherjee.Allrightsreserved.Thisbookoranyportionthereofmaynotbereproducedorusedinanymannerwhatsoeverwithouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisherwiththeexceptionofshortquotationsusedinconjunctionwithabookreview.

Firstedition

Firstedition

RanginMukherjee

KolkataINDIA

Seewww.originalkriya.comformoreinformationabouttheauthorandthebook.

OriginalKriyaYogaStep-by-StepGuidetoSalvationVol.I-EssentialPractices

Acknowledgements

Thefollowingpeopleprovidedinvaluableaidandadviceonthecompilationandpublicationofthisbook,includingtranslation,correction,editing,promotionandfinalpublication:

Mr.ChrisTar,Dr.JamesGlenDening,Dr.(Mrs.)ChristineDening,Mr.EnnioNimis,Mr.JimRoberts,Mr.BablooMohanty,Mr.SharathJakob,Mr.DGopalSuri,Mr.SamirBrijwasi,Mr.SharathJakob,Mr.KevinHoshang,Mr.AndreVas

ReveredBabajiMaharaj(KhitishwarMaharaj)

ReveredYogirajLahiriMahasaya

MyParamGurudevReveredParamahansaPranabananda

DedicationTomyGuruji’slotusfeet

TableofContents

Notefromtheauthor

Introduction

WondersofOriginalKriya

WhyDoesManWantSalvation?

WhyPracticeKriyaYoga?

SomePointstoRemember

YogicPowers(YogaSiddhis)

ImportanceofKriyaInitiation

DifferenceBetweenTeacherandGuru

DutyofGuru-DutyofDisciple

KriyaYogaSadhana(Practice)

MysteryofKriyaYoga

Ashtanga(8-fold)Yoga

Yama

Niyama(Discipline)

Asana

Pranayam

Meditation(Dharana,Dyana,Samadhi)

StagesofKriyaYoga

KriyaofSahasrasarChakra

VolumeII

GlossaryofTerms

NotefromtheauthorDearreader,

IhavetriedtowritedetailsaboutKriyaYoga,whichissomehowverydifficulttoexplaininotherlanguages.But,IhavetriedtoexplainasmuchaspossibletoatleastgiveyouanideaaboutKriyaYoga,whichisuntilnownotcorrectlyrevealed.Iwouldappreciateitverymuchifthereaderswouldsendmetheirfeedback.Iwishyoualltoenjoythisbook,andmakeprogressinKriyaYogaandgetsalvationinthefuture,aftergettinginitiationfromarealizedGuru.InVolumeIIofthisbook,IwillprovideacontactemailforthosewhoarelookingforaKriyaYogaGuruforinitiation.Ifyouhavefeedbackonthisbook,youcanreachmeatoriginalkriyayoga@gmail.com

GodBlessyouall,

RanginMukherjee(SriMukherjee)

Introduction

Attherequestofmanypeople,Ihavewrittenthisbookonthe“OriginalKriyaYogaTechniquesofLahiriMahasaya”.Iamnotentirelysurewhethersuchanact,oftryingtoexpresssuchadifficultsubjectinwriting,iscorrectonmypartornot.However,aftertalkingtomanyKriyabans(Kriyapractitioners),IcametounderstandthatwhatisgiventotheminthenameoftheoriginalKriyaYogaofLahiriMahasyaisnotatallKriyaYoga.ManyKriyabanshaveadoptedtheseprocessesandtechniquesandpracticedthemformanyyearswithoutachievinganyresults.Insomecases,evenfaithfulpracticeforover40yearshasnotyieldedanyresult.

TheKriyatechniquesaboutwhichIamgoingtowritearewhatIhavereceivedfrommyGuruShriShriGyanendranathMukhopadhyay.MyGurureceiveditfromHisGuruSwamiPranabanandaji.SwamiPranabanandajireceivedthisfromthereveredLahiriMahasaya.IhaveheardthatSwamiPranabanadaGiriwasthemaindiscipleofLahiriBabaandIknowmyGurujiShriShriGyanendranathMukhopadhyaywasthemaindiscipleofSwamiPranabanandaji.ThislineageisnotaffiliatedwithanyorganizationwhichiswhythisKriyaYogaispreservedinitsoriginalandunalteredformtothisday.Itisverydifficulttosaywhatwillhappeninthefutureifitfallsinthehandsofunauthorized,business-mindedpeople.ManypeoplehaveunnecessarilymodifiedandcomplicatedthesimpletechniquesofthisKriyaYoga.MyonlyaiminwritingthisbookistopresenttheoriginalessenceofKriyaYogatoyouall.Butbecareful.ItisdangeroustopracticethisbymerereadingofabookwithoutgettingproperguidancefromaGuru.Thisiswhyitiscalled“GurumukhiVidya”or“alessonthathastobeobtaineddirectlyfromthemouthoftheGuru”.Firstofall,oneshouldgetinitiationfromaSatGuruandonlythenstartpracticingthisKriyaYoga.Otherwise,itwillnotbefruitful.

KriyaYoga.Otherwise,itwillnotbefruitful.

Kriyapractitionerswhoarepracticingtheinitialstages,andhavenotyetenteredSushumnamayfindsomeportionsofthisbookdifficulttounderstand.Asitisnotpossibletounderstandhighermathematicsforaprimaryschoolstudent,advancedKriyatechniqueswillsimplynotmakesenseuntilyou’vemasteredearlierstages.ThisbookiswrittenbothforbeginnersaswellasadvancedKriyapractitioners.ItwillhelptheKriyapractitioneratallstages,anditcanbeusedasareferencealso.Iwilltrytoelaboratefurtherinasecondedition,duetobepublishedsometimein2017.Someportionsofthisbookaretakenfrommyshortonlinebook,butitisgreatlyexpandedtoincludemoredetailandexplanations.Somewritingsyoumayfindrepeatedinthisbooktoexplainthetechniquemoreclearly.

WondersofOriginalKriya

Wehumanbeingsaresoignorantthatwespendmostofthetimeofourlivessearchingformaterialisticthingswhichwecannottakewithusandwespendverylittletimeonthethingswhichwewillcarrywithusafterdeath.Wearerunningaftermanytemporarythingsandspendingsomuchenergyforabsolutelynothing.IfwewouldhavegivensomuchlabourforKriyaorGod,wecouldhavegottensalvationinonelifetime.Thishumantendencycomesfromegoorbinding(Moha).ThisisthegameofGod.So,whatevertimewehavealreadywasted,letusnotrepentforthat,butstartKriyaimmediatelywithoutwastinganymoretime.Evenifwedonotgetsuccessinthislifetime,wewillagaingetthisKriyainournextlife(ifitisOriginalKriyaandnotthefakeone)andtheKriyaofthislifewillbecarriedovertothenextlife.Theeffortspentdoesnotgetlost.ThatiswhysomeachieveSamadhiinafewmonths,someyogisgetSamadhiinfewyearsandsomegetitimmediatelyduringinitiation.Thisallhappensduetoworkdoneinthepreviouslife.

Apoorfarmerdreamtthathehadbecomeking,hadalargekingdomwithlotsofministers,abigarmyandacastlefullofservantsetc.Inhisdreamhewasseatedinathronemadeoutofgoldandpreciousstones,withroyaldancersperforminginfrontofhim.Hewasveryhappyandhadsevensons.Suddenly,hiskingdomcollapsed,hisroyalpalacewasdrowned,andhissevenprinceseachdiedonebyone.Atthatverymoment,thewifeofthepoorfarmercalledtowakehimfromhisdeepsleepandrelayednewsaboutthedeathoftheironlyson,whowasbittenbyasnake.Butthefarmerisn’tdisturbedbythenews.Hiswifethinkshemuststillbehalfasleep.Hiswifecriedloudlyandgavethesadnewsagain.Hesays“Yes,Iheardyou,onlyIdon’tknowforwhich

tragedyIshouldcry...ShallIcryformybigkingdomcollapsedandmysevenprincesdead,orshallIcryforthedeathofmyonlyson!?”

Bothsituationsaredreamsandwearesobusywiththisdreamandsoinvolvedwiththislifethatweforgettothinkaboutthetrulyvaluablethingsinthisworld…

WhyDoesManWantSalvation?

Wedonotknowhowmanytimeswehavetakenbirthandsufferedfrompain,disease,sufferingfromoldageandfinallythepainofdeath.Theeternalcycleofthebirthanddeathoftheindividualsoultravelsthroughdifferentlevelsofexistenceandconsciousnessstartingfromthesmallestvirus/bacteriauptoanimalsandthenfinallytakingbirthintheformofahumanbeing.WeforgetthememoriesofourpastlifeduetoeffectoftheVeilasdesiredbyGod.Yogiscanremembertheexperiencesofpastlives.

Theworldweliveinismortalbecauseonewhotakesbirthherewillsurelydieoneday.Thedaywetakebirth,ourdeathsentenceissigned.TheVeilcoversallthis.Justasthecriminalondeathrowworriesmoreandmoreeachday,andvowsnevertocommitthecrimeagain,soourdeathsentenceissignedbecauseweforgetGodandgetentangledinthismaterialisticworldthroughtheeffectoftheVeilandthroughattachment.

BytheeffectoftheVeilandattachment,weconsiderthingstobeourownwhichareactuallynotours,whilekeepingawayfromustheonethingthatactuallyisours.ItmeansweforgetGodanddonothavethegoalofbeingmergedwithHim.It’sonlywhenwefaceaprobleminourlifethatwerememberHim,andwhentheproblemfades,weforgetHimagain.

Weareconstantlyexposedtothismaterialisticworld,startingfrombirth.Wefacetensionsineveryphaseofourlife,startingwithchildhoodwhenwegotoschoolandtheninourprofessionallives,nottomentionallthecomplicationsofmaritallife.Forsmall,momentarymaterialisticpleasureswedosomanythingsandchaseafterthem.Wedon’tspendtimetryingtofindeternalblissandjoy.Wefallpreytolifelongwronghabitsandworktogetjoyforonlyshortperiodsoftime.

Whenthereisstrengthinourbodyduringyouth,wefeelourselvestobeveryhappy,andmaterialisticlifelooksliketherecipeforcorrectliving.Atthattime,wethinkthattherestofourlifealsowillpassinthesamefashion,butthisisnotthecase.Thismaterialisticlifeisonlytemporary.Nothingispermanentinthisworld.Whenthebabycries,themothergivessometoysothatthebabycanplaywithitanditforgetsthemotherforsometime.However,ifthebabycontinuestocry,thenthemothertakeshim/herinherlap.Thesamethinghappenswithuswhenwebecomesatisfiedwiththematerialisticworld.Livinglifethisway,wewillnevergettheblessingsofGodandreceivepermanentjoyandhappiness.

Whenweage,ourbodyslowlydegeneratesanddifferenttypesofdiseasesandsufferingsattackourbody.Canwegetthesameenjoymentofyouthwhilelyinginahospitalbedwithtubespassingthroughourmouthornoseandtakingonlysalineasfood?Atlast,whenthetimeofdeathcomesnearerandnearer,itisimpossibleforustoleavetheattractiontowardsmaterialisticthingslikefamily,friends,money,houseetc.And,thisisonlythementalsideofthepain.Besidesthis,mangetsbewilderedatthattimewithbodilypain,breathingtroubleetc.Manlosestheabilitytohear,see,touchandspeak.Doctors,familymembersandfriendswatchhelplessly.Manliessenselessly.

Atthetimeofdeath,theresultsofallouraccumulateddeeds(whethergoodorbad)comeasavisionandsurroundone.Theconditionofthenextbirthisdecidedbasedonwhateverthoughtisfixedinthemindduringthelastbreath.Thatiswhythelastbreathissoimportant.KriyaYoga(whichisalsocalledRajaYogaorBramhaVidya)istheonlywaytobefreefromthesesufferingsofbirth&death,againandagainwhichweinvitebyoptingformomentaryjoy.ThosewhoarestillinthedarkandarestillsatisfiedwiththematerialisticjoycantakethehelpoftheirconsciousnessandstartpracticingKriyaYoga.Withachangeoftheirhabits,onedaytheywillsurelybefreefromthiscycleoflifeanddeath.So,itisnottoolate.Startfromtoday.Kriyapracticeisneverwasted.EvenifthetotalKriyaisnotcompletedinthisbirth,itwillbesurelycompletedinthenextbirth.

EvencommonmancanattainthestateofagreatSadhaka(Yogi)asaresultofSadhana(Kriya)carriedoutinseveralbirths.Eternalbliss(Bramhananda)canbeattainedbyus.Henceweshouldfollowthepathofsuchgreatpeopleandpracticeasadvisedbythem.ButbecarefulaboutonethingwhenyouadvanceonthepathofKriyaYoga.Whateverspiritualvisionorfeelingyouget,bymistakealso,youshouldneverdisclosetoanybodyotherthanyourGuru.Ifyousharethiswithothers,itcanonlyincreaseyourego,whichisadirectobstacletothegoalofsalvation.Manyoccultpowers(Vibhuti)willcometoyou,butyoushouldnotacceptthose.Ifyouacceptthesepowersthenyouwillbedivertedfromthespiritualpathandyourfurtherprogresswillstop.AllyourspiritualSadhanawillhavebeeninvain.AllthesepowersaregivenbyGodonly.GodteststheSadhakawiththesetoseewhetherSadhakareallyseeksGodoroccultpowers.Ifyouwanttheseoccultpowers,youwillearnnameandfameinsociety;youwillearnlotsofmoneytoo.But,itwillalsoleadtoanincreaseinprideandarroganceandwillultimatelyleadyoutothepathofruin.So,becareful.Otherwiseyouwillspoilyourstatebeforeandafterdeath.DoyourSadhanabehindcloseddoors.Nobodyshouldbeabletoknowwhatyouaredoing.

WhyPracticeKriyaYoga?

Everythingyouseeinthisworldisperishable!Nothingstaysforlong,includingyourbody,youth,moneyandlifeitself.Whenapersonisyoungandfullofhealth,hethinksthatlifeisexcellentandenjoyable,butsoonthisdreamends…Healthdeteriorates,agingoccurs,andhealthissuesattackthebody.Suddenlyoneseesthemostdangerousmomentinfrontofhim/her-“themomentofDeath”,whichisinevitable.

OncethekingofUdaipur,RajasthaninIndiaaskedSwamijitogivehimsomeadvice.SwamiPranabanandajitoldtheking,“Theonethingyoushouldremember,thegreatesttruthofall,isthatyouhavetodieoneday.ThisisthebestadviceIcangiveyou:Thetimeofdeathistheworsttimeofanyone’slife.Ononesideonesuffersfrompainandinabilitytobreath,andontheotherhandtheemotionalpainofleavingbehindfriends,relativesandalltypesofrelationships.Onegoesintoadarkworld,whereonesuffersphysicallyandmentally.

Mypurposehereisnottoscareyoubuttoshowyouthepathtogetfreedomfromallthesesufferingswhicharehappeningwitheverybirthyoutake!Youyourselfdon’tknowhowmanytimesyoucametothisworld,beitasparasite,differentformofanimal,bird,etc.Itcouldbeasmanyas8millionbirths!LordSriKrishnasaidtoArjuna,“youyourselfdon’tknowhowmanybirthsyouhavetaken,butIknow…”SomeoneaskedtheBuddhaabouthispreviousbirthsandhesaidherememberedhislast500births,oneofwhichwasasarabbitand

anotherasadeer.

Wemustrememberthatwecomeintothisworldwithemptyhandsandwewillleavethisworldwithemptyhands.Nobodywillsharethesufferingofourdeath!Onlyourkarma(ourdeeds)willgowithusassamskaras(mindimpressions)toournextlife.So,wemustbecarefultonotfallintothetrapofMaya(binding),andtrytodomoregooddeedsinourlife.Evenifwedonatesomethingoutofcharity,wemustbecarefulthatwearenotdonatingtothewrongperson.

Ifyougivemoneytoanalcoholicandwithyourmoneyhedrinksandinastateofintoxicationcommitsacrime,youwillhavetosharethesinthatwasdone,becausethedonor’smoneywasinvolvedinit.Ifyoudonatetotherightperson,thatmoneywillcomebacktoyoumanyfold,andifnotimmediately,thensurelyinthenextlife.Thisisthereasonwhysomearebornintorichfamiliesandsomeintopoor.TogetridofsufferingthegreatyogisdiscoveredKriyayoga.BythecorrectpracticeofKriyawegetMukti(Salvation),wegobeyondsuffering,andultimatelydissolvewiththeAlmighty,becomingfreefromthecycleofbirthanddeath.KriyaYogaisthesimplest,fastestandeasiestwaytoliberateyourself.Ifyoupracticeaccordingtotheinstructions,youareboundtogetSalvationinthisorthenextlife.

Unfortunately,somepeoplehaveturnedthisintosomethingcompletelydifferentduetoimproperguidanceandmiscommunicationbetweenGuruanddisciple.DiscussinganythingfurtheraboutalteredKriyaiswasteofprecioustime.

SomePointstoRemember

AKriyaPractitionershouldpracticeatleast2timesadayi.e.morningsandevenings2hourseachtimeinthebeginningand3hoursaftersomeadvancement.KriyashouldbepractisedverycomfortablywithoutrushingtocompletetheKriya.AKriyapractitionershouldnoteatanything4to6hourspriortopractisingKriya.DuringKriyapracticeoneshouldsitonapurewoollenblanketwithpuresilkonit.Noportionofthebodyshouldtouchthefloor.Sittingpostureshouldbeperfect,withoutanymovementofanypartsofthebody.MentaleyesshouldbefixedinthecentreoftheeyebrowsorAgnachakrawithoutstrainingthephysicaleyes.Chant’’OM’’6timesduringinhalationand6timesduringexhalation;simultaneouslymindshouldbefixedinAgnachakra.SiddhasanisthebestasanaforKriyapractice.Onlysatvikfoodsshouldbetaken.FoodisveryimportantfactorforKriyapractitioners.Noeggs,meatsetc.Fish,vegetables,fruitsareallowed.ToomuchortoolittleofanythingisnogoodforaKriyapractitioner:eating,working,walking,sleeping,drinkingtoohotortoocold,toospicyetc.SixorSixandhalfhoursofsleepisenough.ToomuchT.Vwatching,chatting,readingdifferentbooks,gossipingisforbidden.Ladycompanionsarenotacceptable.Afteralittleadvancement,celibacyhastobemaintained.AlwayspracticeKriyainsideadarkroom.Nevertalkaboutanyvisions,powersoranyotherexperienceyouget.

Keepthistechniqueatotalsecret,otherwiseaKriyapractitionerwilllosethegraceofGodandwillbeplacedinthedarkworldagain.Withoutinitiation,aKriyapractitionerwillneversucceed.First,aKriyapractitionershouldtakeKriyainitiationfromarealisedGuruandthenshouldpracticeKriyaYoga.GettinginitiationfromafakeGuruisthesameaswastingtime.Apersoncanbejudgedbyliftingtheirhands.Ifthehandsofapersonarefoundtobeheavywhenliftingtheirhands,thenitmeanshe/sheisnotfitforpracticingKriyayoga.Apractitioner’shandsshouldbelightinweightandiftheyarefoundtobelightweighttheyarefittoKriyapractice.Theflowofurineofamaterialisticpersongoestotheleftsideandtheflowofurineofayogapractitionergoestotherightside.AKriyaPractitionershouldlivelikeablind,deaf&dumbpersoni.e.notseeingtoomuchthings,nothearingtoomuchgossipandnottalkingunnecessarily.ThebesttimetopracticeKriyaforadvancedstudentisfrom9:30eveningto4:30morning.Atthattime,manyrealisedYogistravelwiththeirastralbodyandiftheyfindsomeonepractisingKriyaatthattime,theyblessthem.UntilwepierceAgnachakra,PranayamistheonlyKriya(Sadhana)weneedtopractice.ThespeedofourdevelopmentinKriyayogadependsonperfectPranayama.Whetherwedogooddeedsorbaddeedsduringourlives,wehavetotakebirthtogettheresultsofallthedeedswhichwehavedone.Doinganydeedwhethergoodorbadcomesfromtherestlessnessofthemind.TheonlywaytogetridofallthedeedsandtheirresultsisthecalmnessofmindorSamadhiwherenodeedsexist.DoingperfectKriyawithsubtlebreathchangestheentirecharacterofaperson.ManyKriyapractitionersmaywonderhowitispossibletoenterBrahmanadi.Weenterwiththeastralbodyonly.DuringKriya,wehavetogetridofallegosanddonottrytocontrolyourbreathing.Alwayspracticekriyabybreathingnormallyinthebeginning,withoutusinganyforceonbreath.KeepyourmindalwaysfixedonAgnachakrawithoutsquintingorstrainingyoureyesthroughoutyourpractice.BeforestartingKriya,taketimetogetridofallkindofthoughts-the

mindshouldbeclearandfreeofthoughtsandnotfilledwithcommitments&distractions.WeshouldconstantlyremindourselvesthatnothingbelongstousandweourselvesbelongonlytoourselvesWeshouldpracticeKriyaveryseriouslyandhonestlywithdevotiontowardsGod.DonotforgetthatGodiswatchingus24*7,hiseyesarealwaysopenandneverblink.HeisinsideKutastha.Onecannothideanythingfromhim.Ifyourhousebelongstoyou,yourpropertybelongstoyou,yourwifeorhusbandorchildrenandeverythingbelongtoyou,thenatthetimeofdeath,whycan’tyoutakethemwithyou?Youcametothisworldemptyhandedandyouwillleavethisworldemptyhanded.Nothingbelongstoyouandyoubelongtonobody,soforgetutteringthesewords.Eventhisbodydoesn’tbelongtoyou.ThisisnothingbutegowhichisgiventousbyGodinordertopreservehiscreation.

YogicPowers(YogaSiddhis)

InKriyayoga,themiraclepowerstartscomingafterenteringSushumna.Everychakrarightfrom‘’Muladhar’’isruledbyaparticularGod&Goddess.Whenakriyapractitionerentersthesechakras,therullingGodofthatparticularchakraappears&theyofferdifferenttypesofpowers(siddhis)tojudgetheKriyapractitioner’sgreedtowardshavingthesepowers.IfaKriyapractitionerfallsintothesetraps,hewilldefinitelygetthosepowerswhichwillhelphimtoearnname,fame&money.Butultimatelyhewilllosethegraceofgodandwillfailtoreachhistargetofsalvation.Thereforestrictlyheshouldavoidthoseattractivepowersandrequesttherullinggodtoopenthedoorandallowhimtomovefurthertowardsthenextchakra.Thiswaytherulinggodwillbepleased,blesstheKriyapractitioner,openthedoor,andguidehimtothenextchakra.AstheKriyaPractitionerpiercesonebyoneeachofthechakras,hewillgetvariousattractivepowers.Butheshouldrejectallthesepowerstoreachhistarget.Oneshouldkeepinmindthesepowersaretemporary.TheywillleavetheKriyapractitioneratthetimeofdeathandhewillhavetoleavethisworldemptyhandedwithlotofbaddeedsalso.

Thatiswhymystrongadviceisnottoacceptanypower,nomatterhowmuchitcouldbeattractive.ThenaKriyapractitionerwillgetsalvation.Likethis,GodwantstoseewhetheraKriyapractitionerisseekinghimorseekingthosepowers.Ifyouseekpowersyouwillnotgethimandifyouseekhimonlyyoumustavoidacceptingthosepowers.

AKriyapractitioneraftergettingsalvationcanuseanytypeofpowers.Atthat

AKriyapractitioneraftergettingsalvationcanuseanytypeofpowers.Atthattimenothingcanharmhim,butnotbeforegettingsalvation.

Ifyouhaveathirstforgettingthosepowersthendon’tpracticeKriyaYoga.Youwillspoilyourlife.ApersonwithacrookedmindcanneversucceedinKriyaYoga.GodissimplemindedandonlyasimplemindedpersoncanonlysucceedinKriyaYoga.

GurutavSiddhi:

Thepersonwhoisfullofknowledgeandwisdomandhasthecapacitytotransmititisknownasguruandbhagawansrikrishnaisknownasjagatguru,theguruofthisentireuniverse.

PurnapurushatvaSiddhi:

Thismeanssomeonewhoisvigorousandfullofvirtues.SriKrishnahadallvirtuesfromhisbirthduetowhichhekilledallthedemonsandreestablisheddharma.

IcchamrityuSiddhi:

Acquiringthissiddhi,theyogibecomesthewinneroftime.Timelosesitseffectonthem.Theycanleavetheirbodyandgetanewoneattheirwill.

onthem.Theycanleavetheirbodyandgetanewoneattheirwill.

AnurmiSiddhi:

Thewordanurmimeanstheonewhoisbeyondhunger,thirst,heat,cold,goodandbad.Thus,acquiringthis,onebecomesfreeofeverythingabove.

VaakSiddhi:

Thissiddhigivestheyogithecompletepoweroverhiswords.Attainmentofthissiddhiensuresthatnowordofyogiiswasted,whattheysayorspeakwillbedone,beitablessingoracurse.

DivyaDrishtiSiddhi:

Thesiddhiofclairvoyanceorforesight,thisenablestheyogitoseethepast,presentandfutureofanyoneattheirwill.

DuraSravanasiddhi:

Thissiddhigivesyogisthepowertohearonceagainanyconversationsofthepastattheirwillinthepresentmoment.

JalagamanSiddhi:

Attainingthissiddhitheyogiisabletowalkonwaterjustlikewalkingonearth.

VayugamanSiddhi:

Thissiddhigivestheabilitytotransformthebodyintoverysubtleformandtravelfromonedimensiontoothersinnotime.

AdrishyakaranSiddhi:

HelpsintransformingthephysicalbodytotheAstralbodyforbeinginvisibleandtheycanthenbeinvisibleaslongasonewishes.

VishokaSiddhi:

Thisisthepowertotransformoneintoanyform,tochoosewhatyouwanttolooklikeatwill.

DevkriyanudarshanaSiddhi:

Withacompleteunderstandingofthissiddhioneisabletogaintheconfidenceofdevasandaskthemforhelpinanyevent.

KayakalpSiddhi:

Tochangethisbodyandkeepitforeveryoungandfullofenergyiskayakalp.Attainingthisayogineverages.(forexample,ShreeBabajiMaharaj)

SammohanSiddhi:

Sammohanmeanstomakeanyonedoyourwill!Havingthissiddhi,ayogicancontrolnotonlyhumanmindsbutbirds,animalsandnature.

ImportanceofKriyaInitiation

InKriyaYoga,massinitiationisstrictlyforbidden.KriyaYogainitiationshouldbedonefacetofacebetweentheGuruandthedisciple,inadarkroom,behindcloseddoors.Nooneelseshouldbepresent.Duringinitiation,thedutyoftheguruistoopenthethirdeyeordivineeye,transferthepowerofthelineage,andexplaintothedisciplethecorrectpracticeofKriyaYoga.

Massinitiationisnotatallinitiation.Itisonlyajoke.Withmassinitiation,adisciplecanneverprogressorachieveanything,evenwithalifetimeofpractice.Withoutopeningthethirdeye,onecanneverexperienceanythinginthedivineworld.Withoutthetwophysicaleyes,wewouldnotbeabletoseeinthematerialisticworld.Similarly,withoutourdivineeyeorthirdeyebeingopened,wecannotseeanythingintheinnerworldordivineworld.Weareasablindpersoninthedivineworld.ThatiswhythereisasanskritslokashowingrespecttotheGuru,aswrittenhereunder:

AkhandamandalākāramvyāptamyenacharācharamTatpadamdarshitamyenatasmaishriguravenamah.

IbowtothatGuru,whoshowsthestateofthatperfectlyroundKutasthapervadingtheindivisibleformoftheuniverse,penetratingeverything,beitmobileorimmobile.

AgnānatimirāndhasyagnānānjanashalākakayāChakshurnmilitamyenatasmaishriguravenamah

IbowtothatGuruwhowiththehelpofthecollyriumofknowledgedispelstheblindfoldingdarknessofignorance,andopensmyinnereyes.

DifferenceBetweenTeacherandGuru

TeachersgiveusthematerialisticknowledgebutfromSatGuruwegetspiritualwisdomwhichliberatesus.Materialisticknowledgegoesawayafterdeathwhereasspiritualknowledgestayswithusuntilweareliberatedfromthecycleoflifeanddeath.Therefore,inHinduism,theSatguruiscomparedwithGodbecausethroughGuru,thedisciplegetstheblessingofGod.Inthecaseofafakeguru,whatwegetisfrustration,lossofinterest,depressionandawasteoftime!

Therearethreetypesofdoctorsyoucangotosee-onewilltakeaquicklook,giveyouaprescription,andsendyouonyourway.Thenexttypewillspendlotsoftimewithyoutomakesuretheyreallyunderstandtheconditionbeforeprescribingmedicineoracourseofaction.Thethirdandbesttypewillnotonlyspendthetimetomakesuretheyhavetherightdiagnosis,buttheywillfollowupregularlytomakesureyouaretakingtheiradvice,andthatyourconditionisimproving.Soitiswithgurus.Thebestguruswillnotonlytakethetimetogettoknowyouandgiveyouwhatyoubestneed,theywillasktoseeyourmethods,andconstantlymakesurethatyou’renotwastingyourtimedoingthewrongthing.

DutyofGuru-DutyofDisciple

ThedutyofGuruistoplanttheseedandthedutyofthediscipleistotakecareoftheseedsothattreegrowsproperlyandintheendyieldfruit.ItmeanstheGuruwillinitiatethedisciple,andexplaintothemhowtonavigatethepath.ThedutyofthediscipleistoobeytheGuru`sinstructionssincerely,andultimatelygetSalvation.

Diksha(initiation)isthemostimportantaspectofSadhana.ItislikethesecondbirthofSadhakinthespiritualworld.WithoutDikshaorinitiationfromaSatGuru,theKriyasdiscussedheresimplyholdnopower.

DikshaislikeaseedanddailySadhanaoftheseKriyasisthewater.BothDikshaandSadhanaworktogetherforspiritualgrowthofthepractitioner.InitiationisnotjustrevealingthetechniquesofKriya.Thereismoretoitthanthat.Itisthetransferofasparkoflightfromonesoultoanother,andconnectsthedisciplewiththelineageofSriLahiriBaba,SwamiPranabanandaGiri,andSriGyanendraNathBaba.Thistransferactivatesthesleepingdivineenergyinsidethepractitionerandpusheshis/herconsciousnesstowardsamorepositiveandsattvicstate.Diksha/InitiationisaverysecretaffairbetweenGuruanddisciple.ItestablishesanunbreakablebondbetweenGuruanddisciple.Withoutdikshasadhanaisuseless..

Yourbiologicalfatherisresponsibleforhelpingtobringyouintothematerialworld,buttheSatGurubecomesyourspiritualfather,birthingyouintothespiritualworld.

IhaveseenthataftertakingKriyainitiationmanypeoplestartpractisingKriyaforafewmonthswithfullzealandenthusiasm.Butwheninitiallytheydonotgetanyspiritualfeelingorvision,

theyloseinterest,leaveKriyapractice,andstartlivingintheusualworldlyway.Buttheyshouldrememberthatforgettingsuccessinanywork,perseveranceandpatiencearerequired.Onecannotattainspiritualenlightenmentbymeremagic.

ThatiswhyLordSriKrishnainstructedin“SrimadBhagavadGita”todoworkwithoutanyattachmenttoitsresult(NishkamKarma).Whatisthis“NishkamKarma”?ItmeanstopracticeKriyacorrectlyaspertheadviceofGuruwithoutworryingfortheresult.Resultwillsurelycomebutatfirstperseverance,patienceandfaitharerequired.Bypracticinginthisway,KriyainthesixChakraswillend(bypiercingtheAgnachakra)andKriyaofdevotion(Bhakti)andknowledge(Gyana)willstartintheSahasrasar.

KriyaYogaSadhana(Practice)

ThereareeightstepsinYogaSadhana:Controllingofthesenses(Yama),strictdiscipline(Niyama),correctposture(Asana),controlofLife-forces(Pranayam),withdrawingfromtheoutersenses(Pratyahar),fixingmindtoaparticularobjectorthought(Dharana),anddivingdeepinsidetoalmostmergeintoEternalTruth(Dhyana).ThentheSadhakamergeswiththeEternalTruthandbecomestheone(Samadhi).ThoughthesestepsarecommoninbothKriyaYogaandRajaYoga,therearesomedifferencestoo.TherearesomemudrasandspecialtechniquesincludedinKriyaYogaforthebenefitofKriyapractice.FromthePatrabali(GarlandofLetters)ofLahiriMahasaya,wefindthathehaswrittentooneofhisdisciplesthat“EverythingisachievablewithFirstKriya.Parabastha(Samadhi)andDivineintoxication,everythingisthereinFirstKriya”.MyGurujialsosaidthatonecanattainSamadhiwithFirstKriyaonly.

NowadayssomepeoplehavestarteddoingbusinessinIndiaandWestinthenameofKriyaYoga(andinthenameofOriginalKriyaYogatoo)andtoshowtheirsuperiorityoverothers,theyhaveaddedmanyunnecessaryanddifficulttechniquestothissimpleKriyaYoga.So,Irequestthereadersnottofallintosuchbusinesstraps.FirstKriyaincludes:

● Asana(Sittingincorrectposture)

● Pranayam(KriyaforcontrolofLife-force)

● Yonimudra

● Mahamudra

● Parabastha(Pratyahar-withdrawalofmindfromoutersenses).

ParabasthaeventuallydeepensintothestagesofDharana,DhyanaandSamadhi.Everythingcomesautomatically.TheonlyrequirementislovetowardsGod,devotionandpracticingKriyacorrectly.ThisistheoriginalKriyagivenbyYogirajShymacharanLahiriMahasaya.

KhechariMudra

Pleasenotethatifakriyapractitionercannotperformkhecharimudra,thereisnothingtoworryabout.Khecharimudracandefinitelyhelptoconcentrateinthekutasthabutitisnotabsolutelynecessary.DuringKriya,justtouchyourtongueattheupperpalate(justbeyondtheteeth)ofyourmouth,sothatsalivaduringadvancedkriyawillnotcomeout,justlikethepositionofthetongueduringsleeping.TherearelotsofrealisedyogisinIndia,whohaven’tpracticedkhecharimudra,northeyhaveheardaboutkhechariimudra.ForexampleSwamiVivekanandadidn’tknowaboutkhecharimudra.MyGurujialsotoldmethatkhecharimudraisnotnecessary.

MysteryofKriyaYoga

ThemysteryofKriyaYogaliesonthebasisofcrossingtheboundaryofmindandintellectbywatchingtheLife-force(Prana)andtheprocessofmergingtheindividualspirit(Jivatma)intotheEternalSpirit(Paramatma).So,firstonehastopracticeKriyausingthefiveenergycentresinthespine(fiveChakras).ThenonepiercesthechakrasonebyoneandatlastpiercestheAgnachakra.PiercingAgnachakraendsKriyapracticeinthesixenergycentres.Afterthat,Kriyastartsinthefieldofintellect(BuddhiKshetra)andinthefieldofEternity(ParamaKshetra).

ItisimportanttoclearlyunderstandtherelationbetweentheLife-force(Prana),mind(Mana),intellect(Buddhi),individualspirit(Jivatma)andtheeternalspirit(Parmatma).Ifbreathingbecomesfrequentanduncontrolled,mindbecomesrestlessandontheother-hand,ifmindbecomesrestless,breathingbecomesfrequentanduncontrolled.Bothmindandbreathingareinter-dependent.Asbreathingisgrossinnature(SthulainSanskrit)andmindissubtle(SukshmainSanskrit),weworktocontrolthebreathfirstbecausecontrollingthegrossiseasierthancontrollingthesubtle.ThatiswhyitisrequiredtocontrolbreathingfirstwiththehelpofPranayam,andslowlyitwillbecomesubtle.

Moreover,theconceptoftherelationanddifferencebetweenbreathing,Life-force(Prana)andmindshouldbeclear.BreathingiscontrolledbyLife-force;howeveritcannotbetermeddirectlyasLife-force.Theforceortheenergywhichhelpsbringairinsidethebodyduringtheinbreathandtheoutflowofair

fromthebodyduringtheoutbreathisnothingbuttheLife-forceorPrana.ThisLife-forceisdistributedalloverthebodyandalltheinternalorgansarecontrolledbythisLife-force.ThatiswhytheinternalorgansstopworkingintheabsenceofLife-forceandthenitisdeclaredasadeadbody.Lifeforcecanbecomparedwithelectricitybywhichallourbodyorgansfunction.

Insimplelanguage,itcanbeexplainedinthisway:atfirstbycontrollingthebreath,breathshouldbeconvertedfromsubtletoextremelysubtle.ThestateofthisextremelysubtlebreathingisthesameastheLife-force.AndthestateofsubtleLife-forceismind.Stateofsubtlemindisintellect.Thestateofsubtleintellectisindividualspirit(Jivatma)andthestateofextremelysubtleindividualspiritisuniversalspirit(Parmatma).

AstheLife-forcebecomesmore&moresubtle,thePranaVayu(breathing)becomesextremelysubtle;itwillnotflowthroughthenoseanylonger,andwillinsteadmoveinsidethebodythroughSushumna.InthisconditionofKumbhakwherethebreathnolongerflowsthroughthenose,thePranaorLife-forcemovesinSushumnaandmindwillslowlymergeintoLife-forceandwillstartmovingtogether.WiththisLife-forceandmind,itisrequiredtopiercethesixchakras.AfterpiercingAgnaChakra,itisseenthatthereisnorelationbetweenmindandLife-force.ThenmindbecomesevenmoresubtleandmergeswithintellectandKriyastartsinthespaceofintellect.AftercompletionofKriyainthespaceofintellect,itbecomesevenmoresubtleandmergesintoindividualspirit(Jivatma).Atthattimeitisrequiredtotaketheindividualspiritintothespaceofuniversaleternalspirit(Paramatma)andmergetheJivatmainParamatma.AttheenditisrequiredtopiercetheMulachakraandsubmergeinformlessBrahma(NirgunaBrahma).ThisiscalledthestageofBrahmalinorSalvation.

Ashtanga(8-fold)Yoga

Asdescribedearlier,thereareeightstepscommontoKriyaYogaandRajaYoga.Theyarethecontrollingofsenses(Yama),strictdiscipline(Niyama),correctposture(Asana),controlofLife-force(Pranayam),withdrawingfromoutersenses(Pratyahar),fixingmindtoaparticularobjectorthought(Dharana),divingdeepinsidetoalmostmergeintoEternalTruth(Dhyana)andthenSadhakaandtheEternalTruthbecomeone(Samadhi).Thefirstfivestepsi.eYama,Niyama,Asana,Pranayam&PratyaharareincludedinKarmaYoga(Yogaofaction).Dharana,Dhyana,andSamadhiareKriyasdoneinthefieldofintellect(Buddhi)anddivinity(Paramakhetra).So,theyaretheKriyasofdevotionandknowledgeorKriyasdoneinSahasrasar.

Yama

Thefirstimportantthingisfood.IfthefoodeatenbySadhakaisnotSattvicinnature,thenthereisnochanceofspiritualimprovement,becauseifthebodybecomesrestless,mindwillalsobecomerestless.Ifweeatsugar,weexperiencethesensationofsweetness.Ontheotherhand,whenweeattamarind,weexperiencethesensationofsourness.So,itisclearthatdifferenttypesoffoodactivatedifferenttastesensationsinourbody.Likewise,differentkindsoffoodhavedifferentqualitiesandnutritionalvalue.OnetypeoffoodisrichinVitamin-BandanothertypemayberichinVitaminC,etc.Similarly,differenttypesoffoodaffectourminddifferently.

FollowingareexamplesofSattvicfood(forthebenefitofEnglishreaders,itisworthmentioningherethatEnglishtranslationsofsomeofthevegetablesarenotavailable):Pointedgourd(ParwalinHindiorPatalinBengali),saak(leafyvegetables),Chanadal,greengramdal(moongdal),splitredgram(Tuvardal/Arhardal),carbohydrates(Sarkara),milk,densemilk(Kheer),ghee,fruitsetc.Fruits&VegetablesareconsideredtobeSattvic.Thosewhoareusedtotakingnon-vegetarianfoodcaneatsmallfish.FollowingareexamplesofRajashikfoods,whicharetobeavoided:egg,chicken/mutton,onion,garlic,mustard,asafoetida(Hing)etc.Thesefoodscreaterestlessnessinbodyandmindanddestroythecalmness,sotheseshouldbeavoided.Ifthesefoodsareconsumed,itwilldropacurtainoverthespiritualeye(AbaranorVeil)orincreasediversion/deflection(Bikshep).ExamplesofTamasikfoods(whichcreatesTamoguninthebody)are:storedfoodspreparedearlier,foodthat’stoosour,toohotortoocold.ThesefoodscreateTamoguninthebody.Itcreateslaziness,sleepinessandlackofenthusiasminthebodyandevilthoughts.

Supposeasadhakexperiencesthathe/sheisrapidlyprogressingintheKriyapathandsuddenlyeatstwoeggs.He/shewillfeelthathis/hermindisdisturbed,aveilwillcovertheSpiritualeyeandthewholeKriyawillbedisturbedfor7-10days.So,oneshouldbecarefulaboutfoodduringKriyaPractice.

Besidesthese,readingspiritualbooks,companyofspiritualpeople,spiritualdiscussion,andhonestbehaviouralsoshouldbepracticed.OneshouldreadTheGitaeveryday.Participatingindiscussionaboutothers&criticisingothersistobestrictlyavoided.Toomuchgossipisalsoadistractionforthemind.Oneshouldnotbetoodependentonothers.Gossipingorinvolvingoneselfindebateisnotdesired.Oneshouldnotdoexcessivehardwork(tothepointofexhaustion).Watchingtelevisionormoviesistobeavoided.Onthewholeoneshouldbeblind,deaf&dumb.Itmeansoneshouldnotseeanythingwrong,shouldnotspeakanythingwrongorhearanythingwrong.Itmaybedifficult,butit’spossible.Besidesthesecelibacy(Brahmacharya)isalsoimportant.Otherwise,onewillnotbeabletoperceivethesubtlespiritualfeelingsoftheinnerworld.

OnecannotprogressmuchinthepathofYogawithoutbecomingcelibate.Butsomepeopleinitiallyfeeldepressedatthebeginningwhileobservingcelibacy.Forthatreason,sexualpracticesshouldbegraduallydecreased.ItshouldbetotallystoppedafterenteringSushumna.

Oneshouldnoteatuntilthestomachisfullwithfood.Itmeansoneshouldeatuptothepointwhenthereisstillsomeemptyspaceleftinthestomach.(One

uptothepointwhenthereisstillsomeemptyspaceleftinthestomach.(Oneshouldstopeatingfoodwhilesomehungerstillremains).Pranayamwillnotmanifesttothepersonswhoeatexcessfood.OneshouldnotpracticeKriyawithin5-6hoursoftakingameal.Ifonefollowsthesedisciplines,hecanrapidlyprogressonthespiritualpath.Atthebeginningonemayfeeldepressed(thisstateofSadhakaisdescribedinthefirstchapterofSriBhagawataGita:VishadaYoga,butwhenonestartsfeelingthespiritualbliss,theworldlyjoywillbecomeinsignificant.Materialisticenjoymentisonly1/16ththatofDivineJoy.

Generallyitisseenthatthingswhicharefavouritesformaterialisticenjoymentaredetrimentalforthespiritualpath.YourspiritualstrivingwillbetestedbyGodinthismanner-allmaterialisticenjoyablethingswillbeplacedbeforeyoureyesbutifyoutrytoplaywiththose,youhavetopayheavilyonthepathofspirituality.Forthisreason,self-controlisamust.Allthelustformaterialisticenjoymentgetsgeneratedoutofbodilyattachment.Alltheseareaplayoftheveil.

Inthisworld,alltherelationsarebasedonagiveandtakepolicy,andit’sthesamewithGod.EverythingbelongstoGod,sowhatwillyougivehim?Goddemandsrespect,devotionandseparationofourmindfromworldlymatters.InreturnhegivesusDivineknowledgeandSalvation.

Niyama(Discipline)

EverydayKriyashouldbepracticedatthesametimeandforthesameduration.Ifoneday,IgetsomejoyindoingKriya,andthatdayIdomoreKriya,andthenanotherdayIamnotgettinganyjoyoutofKriyasoIdolessKriya-thisinconsistentwayofpracticingwillbeofnohelp.EverydayKriyashouldbepracticedfollowingstrictdiscipline.Astimepasses,thedurationofKriyapracticewillincreaseautomatically.ThebesttimetopracticeKriyaisbetween9.30PMand4.30AM,whilesleepingfor3hoursintheafternoon,aftertakinglunch.OnewhopracticesKriyaduringthistimeexperiencesmanyblessingsbecauseatthattimelotofrealisedYogistravelwiththeastralbodyandiftheyfindsomeonepracticingKriya,theyblessthem.Whenyourpracticedurationnaturallylengthens,practicingcontinuouslyatthistimeisequivalenttopracticingKriyafor24hours.BeginnersshouldpracticeKriyaduringearlymorningandintheevening,2-3hoursbeforesunrise,and2-3hoursaftersunset.

TheNumberofPranayamsshouldbefixedeverydayduringKriyapractice.Forexample,ifyoufix108timesofPranayam,thesamenumberofPranayamsshouldbepracticedeveryday.IftodayyouarefeelingspirituallymotivatedandpracticeKriyaforalongtime,andanotherdayyoufeeldepressedandpracticeKriyaforashortertime,thisisnotthewayKriyashouldbepracticed.Itisgenerallyobservedthatforthosewhopractice108Pranayamseverydayatthesametime,uponreaching70to80Pranayams,themindbecomescalm.ThisistheeffectofpracticingPranayamatafixedtimewithafixednumberofPranayams.

Kriyashouldbepracticedwithoutanyworryinthemind.ItwillhelpwithrapidprogressintheKriyapath.Forthefastestdevelopment,Kriyashouldbepracticedatleasttwiceadayinthebeginning.Ifit’snotpossible,onceeverydayisabsolutelynecessary.IfonepracticesKriyainthesametimeeveryday,hewillnoticethatduringthattimeofthedaymindwillbecomecalmautomatically.AtadvancestagesonecanpracticeKriyawheneverhelikesandforanyduration

AtadvancestagesonecanpracticeKriyawheneverhelikesandforanydurationbecauseatthisstagethemindandPranaareundercontrolofSadhaka.ThebiggestenemyofKriyapracticeisnoise.OneshouldpracticeKriyainacalm&quietatmosphereinadarkroom.

Note:YAMAandNIYAMAarethefoundationofaYogi.WithoutmaintainingYAMAandNIYAMAonecannotsucceedinYoga.

Asana

Nowletusdiscussaboutasana(PostureforsittinginSadhana).Therearemanyvarieties.ButforKriyapracticeSiddhasanorSwastikasanisthebestandeasy.

Aftersittinginasana,oneshouldfirstinhalefullytoexpandthechest,andthenmaintainthispostureofanexpandedchestwhiledoingpranayama.Thearmsandwristsshouldbestraightout,withthewristsrestingontheknees.Postureorasanashouldbeinthestateof“SamakayaSiragriba”:samameansinthesamestraightline,kayameansbody,sirameansheadandgribameansshoulders.Itmeansthespineandtheheadshouldbeplacedinthesamestraightline.Thechinshouldcomeslightlydowntowardsthroatbytiltingtheheaddown.Nowitshouldbepracticedtomakethebodytotallystillbecauseunlessthebodybecomestotallystill,itisnotpossibletopracticethePranayamfollowingtheactualprocedure.Thesittingcushionshouldbelikethis:firstcushionshouldbemadeoutofKushagrass,abovethatawoolblanketshouldbeplacedandonthetopsilkclothtobeplaced.[NowadaysgettingKushasanmaybedifficult.Alternatively,onecanmakethesittingcushionwithapurewhiteorplaincolouredwoollenblanketandagoodqualitysilkclothplacedabovethat].

DuringKriyapracticeoneshouldbecarefulthatnopartofthebodyshouldtouchtheground.OtherwisegroundwillabsorbthespiritualenergygeneratedoutofKriyapractice.Thisincludeskeepingthesilkonthewoolblanket,andnottouchingthegroundorfloor.DuringKriyapracticeoneshouldbecarefulthatthemastakgranthi(itisphysicallylocatedinmedullaoblongata)andAgnachakraformalinethatisparalleltoground.IfduringKriyapracticeitisnoticedthatmedullaoblongatahascomedownandAgnachakrahasgoneup,itindicatesthatmindisnotthereinAgnachakrabutroaminginworldlythoughts.

indicatesthatmindisnotthereinAgnachakrabutroaminginworldlythoughts.SoduringKriyapracticeoneshouldbecarefulthatmedullaoblongataandthecentreofAgnachakrashouldformastraightlineparalleltotheground.

Pranayam

NowletusdiscussabouttheprinciplepartofSadhanathatisPranayam.TherearetwomainhindrancesinSadhana.OneisAbaran(acurtainorveilonthespiritualeye)andtheotherisdiversionordeflection(bikshep).AbarancoversGodinthesimilarfashionofdarkcloudscoveringthesun.Thesunisalwaystherebutwhendarkcloudscoverthesun,itlookslikethereisnosun.Similarly,GodisalwaysthereinKutasthabutduetotheeffectofAbaran,wearenotabletoperceivehimalways.BikshepiswhereonetriestokeepmindontheplacewhereGodis,butitgetsdeflectedfromthere.BypracticingPranayamandfollowingstrictdisciplineofYama&Niyama,thisAbaran(veilonspiritualeye)slowlyvanishesandBikshepgetsremoved.

BecauseofthisAbaran,whenwecloseoureyes,weseetotaldarkness.TheinnerskywillglowwithmoreandmorelightastheveilofAbaranvanishesandwereachclosertoGod.TodefeatthisAbaran&BikshepisthemostimportantstageofSadhana.

ThoughtherearemanyvarietiesofPranayam,thenaturalPranayamwhichonegetsfrombirth(SahajaPranayam)isthebestPranayam.ThisPranayamwasgivenbyLordSriKrishnatohisdearestdiscipleArjuna.InthisPranayam,inthebeginning,Pranabmeanstorememberateverychakrathemantra(OM)andshouldbedonewithnaturalinhalationandexhalation.ThismeansmentallychantingOmsixtimesonthe(natural)inbreath,andmentallychantingOmsixtimesagainonthe(natural)outbreath.MindandinnervisionshouldbefixedatKutasthawhichmeansatthecentrepointofAgnachakra.Agnachakraislocatedatthepointbetweentheeyebrows.Inthebeginning,itisverydifficultto

locatethecentrepointofAgnaChakraorKutastha,whichiswhyfocusshouldbekeptatthecentreoftheeyebrowsandattentionshouldbekeptatthecentreofanyfiguresorshapesthatappearthere,intheinnervision(thisisallwiththeeyesclosed).ThecentreofAgnaChakraisaligned/connectedwiththecentreofalltheotherfivechakras.That’showwenavigateallsixchakraswhilefocusingonlyonthecentreofAgnachakra.Thisshouldbepracticedwithoutstrainingtheeyes,andeventuallyvisionwillbeautomaticallyfixedatthecentrepoint.Mindshouldnotgetdivertedfromthispoint.Thetendencyofmindwillbetogetdivertedbutagain&againitshouldbepulledbackandfixedatthepointbetweeneyebrows.Withthis,mindandPranawillmovetogetheratthepointbetweentheeyebrows.ThisisdescribedbymyReveredGurujiaskeepingthemindwithPranaorLife-force.ThisistheKriyaofsixchakras.Inthebeginning,noforceshouldbeappliedonbreathing.Inthebeginning,thenadis/veinsinthebodyremainblockedwithbile,mucus&air.Ifforceisappliedinthiscondition,itmaycreatemanydiseases.Itwillalsohamperthespiritualadvancement.Inthebeginning,asthenadisarecleaned,theysimultaneouslybecomefilledwithPrana.Whentheyarefullycleaned,thebodywillbecomefilledwithPrana.Inthisway,theinternallightwillincrease,andyouwillbeabletoseepast/present/future.

Likethis,Pranayamshouldbepracticeddayafterday,monthaftermonth,yearafteryear.Oneshouldnotlosepatience.ThatiswhyThakurRamakrishnasaid(ThakurliterallymeansGod–aGodlyperson)“theonewhokeepspatiencesurvivesbuttheonewholosespatiencegetsdestroyed”.AfterpracticingPranayamforalongtimelikethis,Pranayameventuallybecomessubtleandthenextremelysubtle.Onedaymindwillsurelybecomefixedatthepointbetweentheeyebrowswithoiutdeflection,butuntilthattimeoneshouldgoonpracticingKriyainthisway.Whenthemindbecomesstableatthepointbetweentheeyebrows,thebreathingwillbecomeextremelysubtle.ThisiswhenforceshouldbeappliedonthebreathingduringKriyaPranayam.Atthattime,anoverwhelmingjoywillfillthemindandthefeelingwillcomethatIhaveneverexperiencedsuchjoyearlier.Kriyashouldbepracticedinthiswayuntilthe

experiencedsuchjoyearlier.KriyashouldbepracticedinthiswayuntilthelowerpartofKutasthaiscrossed.OncethemindgoesaboveAgnachakra,theKriyaofsixchakrasends.ThenmindandLife-forcebecomestable,andbyanunknownforce(forceorgraceofGod),theKutasthaispiercedandthemindandtheLife-forcerisestoSahasrasar.ThesameisbeinghintedatintheBiblebyJesusChrist:“Askanditwillbegiventoyou;seekandyouwillfind;knockandthedoorwillbeopenedtoyou.”[Matthew7.7].HereJesusisnottalkingaboutawoodendoor.ThisisthedoorofKutastha.WithKriyaPranayam,theSadhakaeverydayknocksatthecenterdoorsofthesixchakrasandopensthemonebyoneandreachesthecenterofAgnaChakra.ThecenterofAgnaChakraorKutasthacanbeopenedwiththeKripa(blessings)ofGodonly.HeseesthattheSadhakahasreachedneartohim,soHeopensthedoorofAgnaChakraandbringstheSadhakatoSahasrasar.BeforepiercingKutastha,theSadhakakeepshisfocusontheeastsideofthebodyandafterpiercingKutastha,hekeepshisfocusonthewestsideofthebody.(TheFrontofthebodyiseast,backiswest.)

AfterpracticingKriyaPranayamsandmudras(Jyotimudraandmahamudra),oneshouldnotimmediatelygetup.OneshouldsitforsometimesfocusingattheKutasthaandfixingthemindthere.Thisiscalledparabastha,ortheKriyaofPratyaharorKriyaforwithdrawingfromtheoutersenses.Thisismeditation.Duringanypartofkriyapracticewhenonefeelsthedivineintoxicationorecstasy,noKriyashouldbepracticed.WhenmindbecomesfixedatKutastha,onewillbefilledwithDivineintoxication.Oneforgetshimselfinthisconditionandfeelsthathe/shewasinastateoftotalblissbutunabletorememberthatstateexactly.He/Shewillnotfeelanydesiretoopentheeyes,feelsdifficultyintalkinganddoesn’twanttohearanything.He/Shedoesnotfeelhungryorthirsty.WhilewalkingtoostepswillnotbeproperduetothisstateofDivineintoxication.AfterthisstageDharana,DhyanaandSamadhiKriyacanbeperceivedautomaticallyatSahasrasar.

ControllingthemovementofPrana(Lifeforce)

ImaginethePrana(lifeforce)isariverflowingwithgreatspeed.Ifwedigcanalsbythesideofthemainstreamoftheriver,thensomeofthewaterwillstartflowingthroughcanalsandthespeedofthemainriverforcewillstartslowingdown.Inthisway,wecandivertourPranatomovethroughdifferentchannels(Nadis)ofthebody.ThentheflowofPranacanbecontrolled.Thistechniqueistobeappliedin2ndKriyaonly,andjustlikethisin2ndkriyawehavetoforcePrana(lifeforce)totravelthroughdifferentchannelsofourbody.Thiswaywecangetmanydifferentpowers,whichhelpustopiercedifferentchakrasandthenfullygaincontroloverPrana.WithoutcontrollingPrana,wewillbenotabletopracticehigherKriyas.ThemainobjectofPranayamistogetcontroloverPrana.ThisisoneofthemostimportantaspectofKriyaYoga.

Meditation(Dharana,Dyana,Samadhi)

Pratyahar(FirststageofMeditation/orParabastha)AfterPranayam,practiceYoniMudraandMahamudra.Then,asdiscussedabove,sitsilently,withtheeyesclosed,watchingthecentreofeyebrows(Agnachakra)withoutchanting‘OM’,andsitinthiswayfor15-20minutesinthebeginning.Gradually,thedurationtositlikethiswillincreaseautomatically.OneshouldonlywatchthecentreofAgnachakra.Mindwillgetdivertedagainandagain.OneshouldrepeatedlybringthemindbacktothecentreofAgnachakra.Inthisway,youwillfindthatthemindisgraduallygettingsettledandfixedatthecentreofAgnaChakra.YouronlytaskistowatchwhatishappeninginAgnachakra.Eventually,withmoreandmorepractice,bodyawarenesswillceaseandintoxicationwillcome.AfterpiercingAgnaChakra,youwilldoDharana,asbelow:

A.Dharana(2ndstageofMeditation):ThisstagecomestotheSadhakafterpiercingAgnaChakratothelowerpartofSahasrasarchakra.Inthisstage,youwillbeabletoconcentratedeeperandgethigherconsciousnessandholdyourmindorconcentrateonaparticularobject.

B.Dhyana(3rdstageofMeditation):ThisstagehappensinthecentreofSahasrasarchakra.ItisextremelydeepMeditationandonestartsgettingextremeknowledge.

C.Samadhi:Hereoneforgetshisidentityandgetsimmersedintotalbliss.Atthisstage,mindandintellectarelostandtheindividualsoulbecomesmergedintotheuniversalsoul.

Thetimeofdeathistheworsttimeofourlife.AllthatwehavesacrificedandachievedinKriyaYogaisforthismoment.Theresultsofallthepreviouslyaccumulateddeeds(goodorbad)appearasavisionatthetimeofdeath.Duringthelastbreath,onewhohaspracticedKriyayogaseriouslyandperfectlythroughouthislifeshouldonlyconcentrateinKutasthaandmentallychantPranab(Om).Inthisway,bypiercingKutasthawiththegraceofGodanddestroyingalltheveils,onegoestoSahasrasarChakraandgetsSalvationbywhichyouavoidthepainofdeath.Atthatverymoment,neitherthepainofdeathnorbindingstotheworldcantouchyou.

TheSecretof“OM”

OmisthedivinelanguageofGod.Whenrepeatedinaspecificway,itcreatesvibrationsthatcalmthemindandthoughtsandbringoneclosertotheAlmighty.ChantingOMduringPranayamahasthepowertoactivatealltheChakras.BeforetheUniverseexisted,onlythissoundwasthere.Thatiswhy“OM”iscalledthelanguageofGodorGodhimself.WhiledoingKriya,thejapaofOminthecentreofeachchakraisveryimportant.Thejapaactivatesthechakras.PracticingPranayamwithoutchanting“OM”islikeabreathingexerciseonly.Itwillnotresultinanyspiritualdevelopment.Withoutjapa,theKriyabecomesTamasikandKriyaYogabecomesfruitless.

IamnotsayingthesethingsinordertocriticizeothermethodsofKriya,buttoshowyouthesimplest,bestandfastestwaytoreachandtravelthroughSushumna.Inwhateverwayyoudoyoga(unionwithGod)alwaysrememberthatwehavetotravelthroughSushumnatoreachAlmightytogetsalvation,becauseSushumnaisthefinalroutetoGod.WithoutenteringSushumnayoucannotgetSalvation.SowhyshouldweunnecessarilychooseadifficultpathtoreachSushumna,whenthereissuchaneasyprocesstoenter?Godisverysimple,sohecreatedasimpleprocesstoreachhim.Whenthereisastraighthighwaytoreachhimquickly,whyshouldwegothroughsmalllanesandroads

highwaytoreachhimquickly,whyshouldwegothroughsmalllanesandroadstoreachhim?

KriyaYoga,RajaYogaorBrahmaVidyaareallthesame.ThisisthegreatestofallYogasincethisistheonlyYogawhichcandissolveourindividualsoul(Jivatma)withtheUniversalSoul(Paramatma)andcangivesalvation.BeforedissolvingwiththeAlmighty,oursoulshouldbecomesopure,justliketheUniversalSoul.Otherwiseitcannotgetmixedtogether,asoilandwatercannotbemixedtogether.Onlyoilmixeswithoilandwatermixeswithwater.WemustbecomejustaspureastheAlmightyinordertomergewithHim.

StagesofKriyaYoga

TheSadhanaofaKriyaYogimovesthroughdifferentstages,outofwhichthreestagesaremostimportant:

FirstStage:ThisstagestartsafterKriyaDiksha(initiation)andcontinuesuntilthesubtlelifeforcereachestheentrance/doorofSushumna.Thisisaveryrestlessstage.Inthisstage,theSadhakshouldhaveblindfaithintheGuruandpracticeKriya,alwayskeepingthemindfocusedatKutasthaasperHisguidanceandinstruction.

SecondStage:MindbecomescalmwiththepracticeofKriya.Inthiscondition,theSadhaktriestoenterSushumnawithacalmmind.Atthattime,whateverhappensinthephysicalbodyaswellasthefeelingsthatcomestothemindgetreflectedinKutastha.WritteninstructionstothepractitionerareshownwithlightraysthatgetflashedintheKutastha.Itisfeltthatsomebodyistellingyousomethingwithinasplitsecondandthisissopowerfulthatitleavesapermanentimpressiononthemind.TheKriyabanwillgetareplytoallhisqueriesanddifferenttypesofsoundsareheardwhichmakestheSadhaktotallyastonished.

Afterthis,thethirdstageofKriyastarts.Inthesecondstage,withKriyapractice,lifeforcemovesupwardalongthespineintheSushumna.Inthis

condition,awarenessofthebodyislost,andatypeofSamadhiisexperienced.Butinthebeginning,thislastsonlyforashortdurationandtheoldsamskaras(mindimpressions)attacktheSadhakandbringhimbackdowntotheoutwardmaterialisticsenses.Inthisstage,theSadhakshouldcontrolhismindandgoonpracticingKriya.Heshouldavoidhavingamindbusyinmaterialisticthoughts.

WhentheSadhakareachestheentranceofSushumna,heseestheundisturbedandstableDivinelightofKutasthaandthishasamagneticeffectwhichattractsthemind.Thegazebecomesfullyfixedthere,andinthisconditiontheeyesdonotblinkormove.Thebodybecomesfixedwithoutanysensation.

Thoughthegazebecomesfixed,themindoftheSadhakastillgetsdistractedbecausehisthirstformaterialisticpleasurestillexists.Inthiscondition,boththestateoffixingthegazeatKutasthaandcomingbacktomaterialisticpleasurecontinues.

SamadhiorYogaNidra:DuringKriyapractice,atsomepoint,astatesimilartosleepisexperienced.Itisoneoftwotypes.Oneisthesleepofignorancewhichcomesbecausethemindgetstiredfromcontinuouslyhavingmaterialisticthoughts.ButthestateofsleepwhichcomesoutofDivineknowledgeisastateoffulllightedawareness,andthemindstaysundisturbedinthisstate.Thisstateofundisturbedmind,wherematerialisticthoughthastotallyvanished,isastateofcompleterestforthemind.ThisisthestateofSamadhi.Inthiscondition,thepowercomestocontrolthefiveoutwardsenseorgans.Afterdoingpranayama,andyousitformeditation,sometimesitisverydeep.Youwillfeelsleepy,butnotlikearegularsleepwhereyouloseawareness.ThisisatypeofSamadhi.Nidrameanssleep.Yoganidraissleeping,butalsogettingallknowledge,becauseyouareenteringthesushumnaandgoingup.Itisnotanormalmaterialisticsleep,andyouretainconsciousness,despitefeelinglikeyouare

goingtosleep.

Inthebeginning,itiscommonfortheKriyaban(practitioner)togetfrustratedanddepressedbecausehehastosacrificeallthematerialisticpleasuresoflife.HethinksthatbydoingKriya,heisabletoadvanceinthespiritualpathbutontheotherhand,heissacrificingthematerialisticpleasuresoflifewhicharedearertothemind.HefeelsitisbettertogetinvolvedinmaterialisticliferatherthandoingKriya.Hefeelsthatotherpeopleareenjoyingandheisunnecessarilysacrificingmaterialisticpleasures.Hefeelsthatitisbettertodiethantosufferandachievesalvation.Itisasufferingtobothbodyandmind.SuchafeelingmaycomeatthebeginningstageofSadhana.Thestageiscomparablewithasmallsnakeswallowingabigfrog.Neitherthesnakeisabletoswallowthefrognorisitabletothrowitout.Atthistime,theminddwellsbetweengoodthoughtsandbadthoughts.MindwantstoenjoybothYoga&materialisticpleasure.Thisisnotpossible.Onecannotcrossariverkeepinghisfeetseparatelyintwoboats.Itwillnotleadtosuccess.Ifwewanttogetoutofthecycleofbirthanddeath,wehavetopracticeYoga.Atthebeginning,onehastostrugglemuchbutafterthat,thestateachievedisthestateofcontinuousbliss.

KriyaofSahasrasarChakra

AftercompletingKriyainthesixchakras,theKriyaofSahasrasarChakrabegins;thatis,Dharana,DhyanandSamadhi.

UntilandunlessyougetSiddhi(success)inPratyahar,wearenoteligibletodoDharana,DhyanandSamadhi.WhathappenstousafterwegetsuccessinPratyaharisverydifficulttoexpress.Eventhoughitcannotbeeasilyexpressed,aKriyaPractitionerexperiencesthestepswithinhimself.

AftersuccessinPratyahar,theKriyaofDharanabegins.Thiscanbeconsideredthesecondstageofmeditation.InDharana,aKriyaPractitionergetsthepowertoconcentrateonasinglepoint.AfterpiercingAgnaChakra,youreachKutastha,whichisinsideAgna.So,afterpiercingAgnayouwillfindKutasthathere.FromKutastha,youwillseethisplaceforDharana-atriangle,asinthediagrambelow.Atthispoint,youneedtoconcentrateoneachpointofthetriangle.Thenyougetthefullknowledge-divineknowledge.Then,wehavetoconcentrateonSreeBinduwhichisinthecenterofthetriangle.YouhavetogothroughSreeBindutoreachMulachakra.NirvikalpasamadhicomesafterpiercingSreeBindu.

So,ifwewatchuntiltheendofSahasrasarChakra,thisplacewhichcomesinourvisionaretheplacesofDharanaseeninthistriangle.Ifweconcentrateonthosevisibleplaces,wegetdifferenttypesofknowledgeandpowers.(again,afterreachingkutastha,yougetthisvision-whichisafterpiercingagna).

ThefirstplaceforDharanaistheKutasthaBindu(star).ThesecondplaceforDharanaistheBamaBindu,asshowninthediagram,whichisontheleftsideofthetriangleinSahasrasarChakra.Thatistheareaofintellect.Herewegettheknowledgeorabilitytojudgewhatisgoodandwhatisbad.Herewegettheknowledgeofpureintellectsothatnoevilthingcandistortourmind.Tounderstandthis,wemustknowaboutdesire.Therearethreethingswhichcreatedesireinthemind:thesenses,themind,andintellect.Therefore,untilwecrosstheareaofintellect,thelaststageofdesirepersists,thatis,attractiontowardsthebody.ThethirdstageofDharanaistheothercornerofthetriangle:"Roudri".Thisistheareaofego.So,hereallegosgetdiminished(ended)andthewishtomeetGodincreasesandreachesthe"Jestha"bindu.

ThisisthefourthstageofDharana:Jestha,ortheuppercornerofthetriangle.It

ThisisthefourthstageofDharana:Jestha,ortheuppercornerofthetriangle.ItisalsotheChitta,orthestoreofallthoughts.Thisistheplacewherematerialisticdesirecan'treach-onlydivinedesireexists.Afterwecompletelyovercomethenegativedesiresofmaterialisticdesire,wecomeveryclosetoGod,andGodappearsasawellwisherandafriend,andwelcomesusandtakesusinhislap.

ThelaststageofDharanaisSreeBindu;thatis,thecenterofSahasrasarChakra.Fromthere,wemovetowards"Mula"ChakrawiththepowerofDhyan.ThisisthefinalstageofmeditationandafterpiercingMulaChakrawegettotalsalvation.Regardlessofhowyouthinkofthisorsayit,thismeansbecomingabsorbedinGodortheAlmighty.

ThisistheKriyaofSahasrasar,whichcan'tbeunderstoodbymerereading.Ifwewanttorealizethis,wehavetoreachthatstageandexperiencethisdirectly,byourselves.

VolumeII

Inthenextvolumeofthisseries,moredetailsonadvancedpracticesaregiven,aswellasSecond,Third,andFourthKriya.DetailedexplanationsofthedifferenttypesofSamadhiaregiven,asareadetailedaccountofthe18egoswemustgetridofinordertoachievesalvation.Also,somestoriesaboutthelineageandmyselfaregivenattheendofVolumeII.VolumeIIisconsiderablylongerthanthisvolume,whichwaslimitedtotheessentialpracticesandexplanations.Remember-reveredLahiriMahasayasaideverythingispossiblewithFirstKriya.

VolumeIIwillbepublishedandmadeavailableatthesametimeasVolumeI,butIamalsoplanningtowriteandpublishmoreadvancedinformationlaterthisyear,2017,inanotherbook.Lastly,acontactemailtoreachsomedisciplesIhavepermittedtogiveinitiationwillbeprovidedinVolumeII.AsthislineageofKriyaisnotaffiliatedwithanyformalorganization,theonlywaytoensureitscontinuationisperson-to-personthroughempowereddisciples.

GlossaryofTerms

BhramariGuha-ItisthedivinetunnelinsidewhichGodexists

Bindu-Brightstar

Bramharandhra-IsbehindSreeBindu,wherebothendsofSushumnameet

Brahmananda-InternalBliss

Celibacy-ItgivespowerfordeepmeditationandforpiercingthechakrastogetknowledgeinSahasrasarviaextremelysubtlevision

Demons-Animalitywhicharestoredinourchitta-likesex,greedandanger,restlessness,etc

Dharana-2ndstageofmeditation.Focusingofattentiononaparticularobject

Dhyan-3rdstageofmeditation.Thedeepeststageofmeditation

Ganges-TheholyriverinIndia

IdaNadi-Channelthroughwhichwebreath

Japa-Chant

Kriyaban-KriyaPractitioner

Moksha-Typeofsalvation,butwheredualitystillexists

Naad-Sounds

Nadi-Channels

PingalaNadi-Channelthroughwhichwebreath

Prana-Lifeforce

Pratyahar-1ststageofmeditation-hereselfrealizationoccurs

Sadhak-Yogi

Sadhana-ToperformKriya

Sahasrasar-Thousandpetaledlotusinthetopofthebrain

Sanyas-AyogiwhohascompletedallstagesinKriya(mainly,Kriyaoftheactionarea)

SatGuru-realizedguru

Satya,Rajo,Tamo-Threekindsofeffectsonthemind

Siddha-Realized

Siddhi-SpiritualPowers

Sushumna-ThemainchannelthroughwhichwehavetotraveltoreachSahasrasartogetsalvation.OnlywithextremelysubtlePranacanweenterthischannel

channel

Vibhuti-Accordpowers

Yogaruhra-Samadhi