Keith G. Lowenstein - Kriya Yoga for Self-Discovery: Practices for Deep States of Meditation

KRIYA YOGA
FOR SELF-DISCOVERY

This book is deliciously detailed, deep, and elegantly expressed. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone interested in learning Kriya yoga as a more-needed-than-ever method for systematically expanding consciousness.

EVE BAUMOHL NEUHUAS,AUTHOR OF THE CRAZY WISDOM OF GANESH BABA

Valuable step-by-step instructions for posture, breath, inner gaze, and awareness of subtle perception. Throughout this book, the authors tone rings with encouragement: be curious, trust yourself, all will be revealed.

YOGACHARYA ELLEN GRACE OBRIAN, AUTHOR OF THE JEWEL OF ABUNDANCE

In this remarkable book, Dr. Lowenstein shares with great clarity both the profoundly practical knowledge of Kriya yoga and insights he brings to this ancient wisdom through the lens of cutting-edge health science. This book is a real treasureenjoy!

JIM CARSON, PH.D.,AND KIMBERLY CARSON, MPH, C-IAYT, COAUTHORS OF RELAX INTO YOGA FOR CHRONIC PAIN

Dr. Lowensteins Kriya yoga is a gift. It represents the passage of an ancient lineage through his personal apprenticeship with Ganesh Baba into a modern science-based exegesis. In this book, he offers practitioners, from novice to advanced, unique access to an invaluable body of wisdom and practical skills.

CHRIS STAUFFER, M.D.,ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY AT THE OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY (OHSU)

With topics ranging from a neuroscience-based discussion of Dr. Stephen Porgess Polyvagal Theory to an exploration of the impact of Kriya yoga on spiritual development, this book is a must-read for anyone in improving their physical, mental, or spiritual health.

DONNA KIRCHOFF, M.D., FAAP, INTEGRATIVE PEDIATRICIAN

This book is a beacon for those of us who have goals of solace, gratitude, and peace. Its reading is a smooth, fluid presentation of the discipline of Kriya yoga, and its lessons are stunningly beneficial to the reader.

DONALD E. GIRARD, M.D., PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE EMERITUS AT THE OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

George Harrison described the sixties and seventies as a mini-Renaissance, and along with its famous geniuses were a number of inspired visionaries working in relative obscurity to combine the best of Eastern wisdom with the perspective of Western science to further the evolution of the human species. And they are ready to share their stories to those seeking more meaningful lives. Keith Lowenstein is one of them.

SCOTT TEITSWORTH,AUTHOR OF KRISHNA IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS

At the same time an introduction to the beautiful science of Kriya yoga for an uninitiated public and a comprehensive manual for experienced practitioners, this book comes at a perfect time in our era when spiritualization is becoming a vital necessity.

CHRISTIAN PILASTRE, KRIYACHARYA (MASTER TEACHER) AT TRIPOURA YOGA CENTRE

A disciplined practice, involving breathing exercises, meditation, and posture. In chapters on Kriya yogas lineage, practice, and scientific and spiritual effects, the authors masterfully explain it, presupposing no previous knowledge of yoga or philosophy.

J. M. FRITZMAN, PH.D.,ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AT LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE

Dr. Lowensteins book has many hints and instructions that can be followed with benefit. He has been a practitioner for forty years and shares his journey in a way that may help us further open ours. It is at once practical and touches deep psychospiritual wells. Something to practice and grow with.

MICHAEL EIGEN, PH.D.,PSYCHOLOGIST AND AUTHOR OF THE CHALLENGE OF BEING HUMAN

This illustrated work offers a grounded and comprehensive view of Kriya yogas history, theory, and practice, giving new expression to an ancient truth: the power of human breath and posture to affect body, mind, spirit, and heart. A very helpful and easily readable book.

ROBIN BAGAI, PSY.D.,LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

Presents easy-to-understand steps to develop a Kriya practice. Although one needs patience in the gradual development of the practice, Dr. Lowenstein mentions how some results can be immediate, and I agree. This is a must-have book for every human. And remember, breath control is mind control.

MARY K. MCCARTHY, M.D., PAST PRESIDENT OF THE OREGON PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION

Acknowledgments

It would take me another volume to begin to scratch the surface of the deep gratitude I have for the many people who have shared a path with me over the years.

Of course, this book would not be possible without the loving generosity of Ganesh Babas patience, intelligence, fortitude, resilience, strength, humor, tenacity, and fearlessness as he provided a loving stable structure for me to sit still in and breathe. The Kriya line continues to provide inspiration that is woven into this book in a multitude of ways. Over the years I have been influenced by others in the Kriya line, including, Paramahamsa Hariharananda, who provided additional Kriya yoga instruction for me in the early 1980s. Others in the Kriya line with whom my path has crossed and have been influential have included Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, Hilda Charlton, Roy Eugene Davis, and most recently Sri Mukherjee.

It was the love of Roxanne and Jayant Gupta, who brought Ganesh Baba to this country in the late 1970s for a corneal transplant as he was about to lose sight in his only functioning eye. The second attempt at the surgery was successful, and I met him shortly thereafter.

Jayant, Roxanne, Eve Neuhaus, and many others in the Finger Lakes region of New York State provided support for me when I arrived on the scene with Ganesh Baba clearly explaining to me that I would be with him for five years to learn the things that he had to teach me. This statement proved accurate almost to the day. On the second day of knowing Ganesh Baba he instructed Dan Kraak to give me my first Kriya yoga lesson in posture, which I remember to this day. The first twelve to eighteen months I spent with Ganesh Baba was also spent with Dan, his cats, and my dog, Sheba, who became Ganesh Babas good friend. During this time, I was afforded much generosity by many around, including Eve, who for a period of time allowed me to treat her home as my own and continues to be a deep and close friend.

A few years later, after completing my medical internship, Jayant provided a haven for my wife (who had also just finished her internship) and me for a week of rest and rejuvenation. The loving support and wonderful food that Jayant provided to us over that week was deeply nourishing to the soul, and the memory of that week continues to warm my heart.

There were many others in the Ithaca area that contributed to the general community around Ganesh Baba, including Kip, Bob and Carol, Kapil, Brenden, Lisa, David and Madeline, Bobby, and Diane, among others. Ganesh Baba and I also spent a few years in New York City where he introduced me to many American friends that he knew from India twenty years earlier. These included Ira Cohen, Ira Landgarten, Karl Hartig, and Hallie Goodman to name a few. In addition, we taught Kriya yoga class typically once a week just off the Bowery on Spring Street in what is now SoHo. Although some of these individuals have passed on to the other side, I expect many who are still in their body are still practicing Kriya. Those attending regularly in New York City include Johnathan, Fred, Perry, Robert, Lois, Barbara, Michael, Len, Gale, Andrea, Mama Dog, Randy, Carol, Jenny, Michela, Alex John, Dr. G, and many more. There are quite a few individuals who live in California, including Amy Steiner and Dulal as well. There was also written correspondence with many others whom Ganesh Baba loved and stayed in touch with around the world, and he also has students in France, including Christian and Corinne, that continue to teach Kriya yoga. This book is an invitation to any past students of Ganesh Baba to get back in contact.