Customer Reviews

The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga

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Kriya Yoga refers to a specific meditation technique popularized in American by Paramahansa Yogananda in "Autbiography of A Yogi." Maddeningly, that book never reveals the technique, leaving the interested reader to send away to Yogananda's ashram for months of preliminary lessons before he is eligible for "initiation" into the core technique. I bought this book, "The Spiritual Science..." hoping the technique would be explained. It isn't. He explains pretty much everything else in Yoga, and does so quite well; the book is a good compendium of techniques. But the actual Kriya technique is only taught if you go visit his ashram in Chicago, according to a wispy-voiced woman I spoke to there. If you want to learn a straight version of the actual Kriya technique, buy The Sacred Science by Norman Paulsen. He's thrown in a lot of Christian theory and jargon, but the technique itself is what he learned from Yogananda, and he gives it to you in a clear and practical form. However, keep in mind that there is some controversy about whether the version of the Kriya technique that SRF teaches, as taught by Yogananda, was simplified for a western audience. Having learned another version of the technique from followers of Swami Hariharananda, and having read the SRF version, I can say only that the version I was taught seems more complete. The key difference being that, in the SRF version, in the core exercise the energy and breath are moved up and down the spine, as if the spine were a straw. In the version I learned, the breath is moved up the spine, around the top of the head where it passes through the crown chakra, and then down the front of the body, chakra by chakra, and up and around again and again, with other steps following the basic pranayama, and preceding it. Now, I cannot say whether one is more effective in inducing meditation, stilling the mind, raising the kundalini, fostering spiritual growth, and I suspect that it might be an individual thing. But the reader should understand that when one says "kriya yoga," the techniques differ considerably, with the guru who claims to be teaching Babaji's kriya yoga teaching still another variation that is quite dissimilar from what I have described. This of course leads to controversy: which is authentic? My advice: read as much as you can, then find a teacher with a solid lineage and learn that version of the technique first hand. While I have had an excellent experience with the Hariharananda group, I'm sure there are other teachers, including the SRF and those who studied there and started their own schools, as well as the author of this book. Meanwhile, practice what you read and see if it helps your meditation.

this remarkable book remarkable is the only one I have found in English that presents and discusses the Eight Limbs as an interconnected system. it shows how the goal of each limb is to mobilize and transform energy inside the body in order to create the necessary conditions -- sattva -- for the attainment of cosmic consciousness. for this reason, I think this book ought to be read by all students of hatha yoga. I think it is the most comprehensive modern book on the esoteric (spiritual and energetic) side of hatha yoga practices that are becoming increasingly common in the West.

many other reviewers complain that this book does not teach kriya yoga. if by kriya yoga they mean the initiated teachings of paramhansa yogananda, they are correct. since kriyananda would be breaking his vows to include such teachings in a book he can hardly be blaimed; furthermore, kriya yoga lineages contend that initiation is an absolute necessity for the correct practice of those techniques.

if you want to learn the inner medititative teachings of yogananda's lineage, this is not the place to do it. unfortunately, since the publication of yogananda's autobiography a huge market has sprung up of people attempting to make a profit by claiming to offer a short-cut around the SRF's laborious route to yogananda's "secret" teaching. this is not such a book.

however, the contention that this book is not about kriya yoga, or that kriyananda fails to properly emphasize devotion, shows a lack of understanding about the philosophy and practice of kriya yoga in India. the word "kriya" means "activity" or "movement." it refers to the inner meditations of kriya yoga, but also to a number of cleansing techniques considered a part of hatha yoga. techniques in Yogi Bhajan's Kundalini Yoga are also called "kriyas" -- meaning a series of movements.

this book teaches a system of yoga that is in a kriya lineage. it is kriya yoga insofar as the teachings are presented as contributions to the evolution of a whole. it is the whole system that is "kriya," not the individual components. kriya yoga is not a mystical tradition distinct from other yogic teachings; they are part of the same complex mosaic.

as far as devotion, "Bhakti," in India it is viewed as technique among techniques. each student is expected to follow the predelictions of his or her own karma. Yogananda was devotional by nature, and so emphasized Bhakti. he is a Bhakti teacher and so he attracts students who are themselves Bhakti, hence his success among Christians. kriyananda seems to be more of a "Jnana" ("learning") teacher, so his writing will appeal to people with logical, scientific or musical temperaments. this is why there are many teachings. no one teaching is appropriate for all individuals.

these days, the inner "kriya" techniques of the Babaji/Yogananda lineage have the reputation of being some kind of spiritual magic bullet. whether or not that is true I do not know; I have not received them. this book does not claim to offer a magic bullet. instead it presents simple, direct steps to point you in the right direction. if you enjoy hatha yoga and have committed yourself to its study, you will be grateful for the insght contained in this book.

This text offers a very readable explanation of the practice and methodology of kriya yoga. It is a practical book yet contains the mystical wisdom of the ancient texts on kriya yoga. I recommend it for the beginner and the advanced student. It will change your life.

Kriya Yoga - the yoga of spiritual action. Swami Kriyananda has written a book of incredible depth in an easy to read style. This book is packed with so much wisdom and inspiration. It was used as the reference book for the yoga teachers training class I studied with in 1994. I savored the many months of study this book brought forth in my course work and the inspirational force it continues to provide for me. I refer to it often. As a yoga teacher, I refer all my students to this book as well. It is truly, deeply excellent...and a blessing.

Comprehensive coverage of yoga as a health-creating and sustaining system, as well as fulfilling practice. The author's warm humor and deep wisdom is evident throughout. The book contained practical and highly beneficial information that I was able to apply immediately to life improvement. This book tremendously impacted my life. Highly recommended.

Goswami Kriyananda's book the "Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga", is exactly that. The book is written clearly and concisely for the student who wants to understand how to master their own universe and take control of their own lives. Practicing yoga does not mean isolation from society. Quite the reverse in fact as we learn how to live amongst other people and inspite of the angular energy we find ourselves in, find balance and contentment. This book is about the pscychology of the soul that links the chakras as psychological states of consciousness, to the planets in the macrocosm that no other book I have found does. In our society we are looking for the quick fix that brings liberation, when in fact it is a process that takes many thousands of lifetimes to achieve. This book gives many practical techniques in how to discipline the physical body and the mind that are important techniqes to embody,not mearly dabble in. The simplest one of hong-sau which was introduced by Yogananda to the West is explained, and if the student is well discipined and practicing loving kindness, will be able to deepen their meditation practice with this alone. Kriyananda's teaching style is not the same as Yogananda's had to become.He needed to appeal to a population in the 1920's that was 'star struck' with the new moving picture shows and the miracles that they were taught from the christian faith. Kriyananda brings Kriya Yoga philosophy, psychology and cosmology to the modern day householder in an easy to understand format. Modern life is complicated enough. This is the book that can motivate people to sew the seeds of wisdom and discernment. Camella Nair- Author of "Aqua Kriya Yoga".

This was the first major publication and text book that I received 30 years ago when I enrolled in The Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago Teachers Certification Program. It remains the absolute best and most practicle resource I have. I still refer to it regularly. I am still learning from it even though I have been a teacher for 30 years. The fact is that these teachings are wisdom from Babaji Himself.In an era of where yoga is portrayed as gymnastic exercises to keep us liberally correct with images of young super modles as poster children of popular yoga business, this text restores the true heart and soul of yoga written by a truely enlightened being. Buy this book, use it and teach it to your children. Namaste!

This book by Goswami Kriyananda describes the philosophies and disciplines of yoga. But this book does NOT reveal the actual technique of Kriya Yoga which is provided in the Self-Realization Fellowship lessons. And this is actually a positive situation because it forces the sincere student to spent his money and develop his patience in receiving the actual technique of Kriya Yoga. It separates the sincere students from those who wish to receive this ancient science for curiosity sake. Thus the actual technique should NEVER be revealed to the general public.

But this book gives the reader an exhaustive description on hatha yoga and the benefits of practicing the postures correctly. It also discourages people with poor health from doing the more advanced postures. This shows that Swami Kriyananda is not a megalomaniac when it comes to yoga, but advices the student to do his meditations and postures without any strain or discomfort.

The reason I gave this book a 4 rating and not a 5 is that the author failed to deeply emphasis on the importance of devotion in the spiritual path. At most, he gave a scant report on the path of devotion by the spiritual seeker. Paramhansa Yogananda ALWAYS emphasized on the importance of devotion to God in his writings. Thus, the average reader might find this book a bit "dry".

In short, sincere seekers who wish to know the Truth should turn to other reading materials in the market today. Books such as the "Autobiography of a Yogi" and "The Christ Consciousness" will provide much inspiration on the novice's spiritual quest for Nirvana. For those interested in developing their intellect and body only, this book is a sufficient reading material.

The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga, by Goswami Kriyananda, needed better illustrations of the yoga poses, comments on the sequencing of the sometimes strange poses besides the sun and moon salutations, and comments whether the benefits of the poses are null in the wrong order. If sequencing is the responsibility or prerogative of the student without loss of benefit, then there are enough poses here to construct sensible routines. Some of the techniques in the meditation section could have perhaps been a paragraph longer, as well. These problems justify the subtraction of a star from an otherwise five-star rating.

The book is a balanced articulation of the eight limbs of yoga that many are familiar with if they are acquainted to yoga philosophy at all. The incorporation of astrological concepts in relation to the chakras, the explanation of yogic ethical concepts (yamas and niyamas), and the accessibility the reader has to higher concepts in this tradition due to his style are all reasons to like this text. The astrology or other elements of his perspective are not presented in an overwhelming way, so I can see how this would be relevant to trainees in yoga education. The concepts of the Supramental and involution also came up in one chapter, which was enjoyable. Public techniques for many purposes are presented here, so there is plenty to practice without "joining" any group.

Actually, this is a very memorable and re-readable book, complete with index, that spiritual individualists and yoga-oriented seekers will likely find relevant. I have already referred back to passages from it. There are ads for other books in the proper sections, rather than the main text, which stands alone. It puts into eloquent words subjects that are left strictly to intuition by other schools. Philosophically and metaphysically interested beginners can comfortably start here, and I wish I had not previously overlooked it.

Why read a poor, misguided substitute when you can learn the true Kriya Yoga as taught by the enlightened master Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of the world-wide spiritual organization Self-Realization Fellowship? If you want to learn about the true science of meditation, go to the Self-Realization website at www.yogananda-srf.org. There you will find Paramahansa Yogananda's pure, unadulterated teachings.