Kriya Yoga by Swami Yogananda, 1930
Kindle Version
(c) copyright 2013, J.C. Stevens, All rights reserved.
NOTE FROM EDITOR:
Dear Reader,
Thank you for downloading this Kindle formatted version of Swami Yogananda's Kriya, as previously published in 1930, and more recently in my book, Kriya Secrets Revealed. Performing a legal search revealed that since the copyright was not renewed, it expired in 1958. This allows me to legally re-publish the work. I have placed great effort on making sure this formatted version reads well on Kindle devices, and at the same time maintains the look and feel of the original, as closely as possible. It therefore includes some typos and misprints, which are intentional. I also digitally enhanced the diagrams, as they had faded over time.
As you review these lessons, you may notice that the techniques differ from those taught by many of the organizations which claim to be teaching the Kriya of Swami Yogananda. Kriya is said to have been first given to Lahiri Mahasaya from Babaji, and then taught to Sri Yukteswar, and finally to Swami Yogananda. Also note that the spelling of certain words and phrases have changed since this publishing, i.e. Swami Sri Yukteswar was then written as "Swami Sriyukteswar," where two words, namely "Sri" and "Yukteswar" are run together, as in the original Sanskrit/Bengali.
Further research has confirmed that this material represents the entire Kriya Yoga technique dispensed by Swami Yogananda in 1930. It was not until years later that Yogananda added some of Lahiri Mahasayas higher Kriya techniques. For a further compilation of techniques, refer to Kriya Secrets Revealed.
It is my sincere wish that you can enjoy this text, and that it hopefully adds something significant to your spiritual search.
Sincerely,
J.C.Stevens
ART OF
SUPER-REALIZATION
INITIATION
By
SWAMI YOGANANDA
---
This sacred lesson is meant only for the devoted Yogoda
student who would, untiringly and unceasingly
seek God until he finds Him
---
Published By
YOGODA SAT-SANGA SOCIETY
3880 San Rafael Avenue
Mount Washington
Los Angeles, Calif.
STRICTLY FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE ONLY
Copyright, 1930, by Swami Yogananda
Printed in U.S.A.
All Rights Reserved
International Copyright
ART OF SUPER-REALIZATION
By Swami Yogananda
INITIATION
Invocation
O Heavenly Father, Jesus, Prophet of my religion, Prophets of all religions, Supreme Master Babaji, Great Master Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giriji, and you, my Guru (Preceptor), free my spiritual path from all difficulties, and lead me to the shores of eternal wisdom and bliss.
Babaji
Babaji is the Supreme Master of the Yogoda Sat-Sanga movement in America and India. His disciples claim that he is living an extraordinarily long life. It was he who gave this lesson to Lahiri Mahasaya, who revived the art of Super-Realization and practical Yoga in a sweeping way in Bengal and India, teaching thousands of disciples.
Lahiri Mahasaya
Lahiri Mahasaya was an ideal prophet and a Christ-like man, while married and performing the duties of ordinary life. We can picture saints in the forests, but when we find them in the jungles of civilization we can hold hopes of spiritual salvation for the worldly man.
International and All Rights Reserved
Swami Sriyukteswar
Disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya is Swami Sriyukteswar Giriji, my Master. The inspiration and command for the spread of Yogoda Sat-Sanga in America is due to Babaji and Swami Sriyukteswar Giriji. It was Swami Sriyukteswar Giriji who chose Swami Yogananda as the only representative to spread the message of lost Yoga and Super Art of Salvation. Swam Sriyukteswar Giriji is one of the world's intellectual and spiritual giants. In him East and West meet. He came to unite the best in Eastern and Western civilizations. His message combines the necessary lessons on material and spiritual life, bridging the chasm existing between theology and true inner realization. Yogoda teachings emphasize the necessity of concentrating on the technique of salvation and not on unproved religious beliefs.
Sat-Sanga
Sat-Sanga is fellowship of religions and includes the good in all.
Yogoda
Yogoda is the scientific technique for developing body, mind and soul harmoniously. It is the method for recharging the body, mind and soul batteries from inner cosmic energy. It is the universal technique of salvation, the royal highway in which all theological bypaths conjoin.
Swami
Swami is a title received from another Swami, signifying the highest order of renunciation. Swami means master of himself, or one who is trying to master himself. A Swami recognizes no other family than the entire human family. Only a Swami can ordain another Swami.
Yogi
A Yogi is he who scientifically unites his soul with Spirit through the teachings of a Guru. A Yogi may be a worldly man or a man of renunciation.
Guru and Disciple Versus Teacher and Student
Guru means preceptor. One can have many teachers in the beginning of the study of difficult teachings, but one can have only one Guru, who leads him to God consciousness. The Guru is the vehicle through which God redeems a disciple from mental bondage. He who receives this lesson ought to take the preceptor of this lesson as Guru. He would then be known as a Yogi or Yogodan or a Yogoda disciple. One can have many teachers before he settles down to one path and one Guru. Until he takes the one path and the one Guru, he is called a student, not a disciple.
Yogoda Student
A Yogoda student is a Yogi.
Student
One who receives the Yogoda lessons is only a student.
Disciple
A disciple is he who advances in the Yogoda faith and strictly follows the path of Super-Realization as given in this lesson and as directed by one Guru. One has to live a life of discrimination in order to be a Swami or a Yogi.
Posture and Preparation Necessary to the Correct Methods
of Practicing the Exercises Given in This Lesson on
the Great Art of Super-Realization
Preparation
1. Face east, sitting on a straight, armless chair, over which a woolen blanket has been placed, running down under the feet.
2. Take a teaspoon of melted butter (unsalted) or olive oil. This is to grease the throat. The butter or oil should not be swallowed quickly. Sip it slowly. It is extremely important to observe this rule, as the throat must be well greased. There should be no deviation from any of the methods given in this lesson. There are few rules. Obey them strictly.
Posture
3. Correct posture: Spine erect; shoulder blades together; palms upward, resting on thighs; chest out; abdomen in; chin parallel to the ground; relax whole body, keeping spine straight.
The correct posture is extremely important. It will be almost altogether ineffectual to perform this exercise with a bent spine.
4. With spine erect, relax all muscles and limbs. During the practice of this lesson the spine often bends forward unconsciously through bad habits. Straighten it as often as it bends, to gain the desired results.
After the correct posture has been attained, and all muscles and limbs are relaxed, practice the following exercise, called Kriya, for magnetizing the spine.
He who practices Kriya is a Kriyaban or a true Brahmin or true twice-born Christian, or a man of realization. He is born again as spoken of in the Christian Bible: "Except ye be born again, ye cannot enter the kingdom of heaven."
The physical birth is given by the Father, the spiritual birth is given by the Guru (preceptor), the one individual who is able to lead the disciple to God-consciousness. One may have had many teachers before, but when he finds his Guru he becomes the only one throughout life. The Guru is the vehicle of God through which God teaches and calls the disciple to Himself.
