Meditation & Kriya Yoga
“Kriya Yoga, controlling the mind directly through the life force, is the easiest, most effective, and most scientific avenue of approach to the Infinite. In contrast to the slow, uncertain “bullock cart” theological path to God, Kriya may justly be called the “airplane” route.”
— Paramhansa Yogananda
Ananda Sangha Mumbai teaches the meditation techniques taught by Paramhansa Yogananda. Meditation is a state of intense awareness achieved by stilling and concentrating the thoughts. It is a journey to the center of our own being, a process so perfectly natural that we don’t have to learn how to meditate. Rather, we have to unlearn those habits and attitudes that keep us from experiencing our natural state of expanded awareness.
We offer regular How to Meditate workshops, and daily morning and evening group meditations at our center. Group meditations are especially helpful for those who are new to meditation, as the energy of the group supports and encourages them in their efforts. Once a week, every Wednesday, we have guided meditation for beginners.
Those interested in learning Kriya Yoga can join us for the entire course that prepares the aspirant to receive initiation into kriya yoga. Kriya yoga is an ancient and sacred yoga technique that has been practiced by saints and sages for thousands of years. In the modern age, this technique has been introduced by Mahavatar Babaji through his disciple, Lahiri Mahasaya, to be taught and shared with true and sincere aspirants seeking spiritual evolution. This technique has been mentioned by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita and by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras.
Steps to Learn Kriya Yoga Meditation
Paramhansa Yogananda said that the first step to deep meditation is single-single-pointed concentration and relaxation, and that is exactly what we’ll learn in this class. This is a single 3-hour class, where we will share the Hong-Sau technique of concentration. The Hong-Sau technique will help you experience deep calmness and stillness, and help you manifest these qualities in your daily activities. During this session we will cover:
- How to overcome the restless mind
- Deep relaxation at will
- Correct posture
- How, when and where to Meditate
- Establishing a daily routine
Based on the book of the same title by Swami Kriyananda, this 6-class series is an in-depth study of the Yogic Path and lifestyle. The key component of this series is the learning of 39 Energization Exercises that were developed by Paramhansa Yogananda. These exercises will give us the ability to recharge our body at will by drawing in cosmic energy from the universe. The class duration is 3 hours. Throughout the 6 weeks we will continue to deepen our meditation practices and learn 10 Energization Exercises each class. During the series we will cover the following topics:
- Principles of Energy, Will & Magnetism
- Overview of Yoga – Bhakti, Gyana, Karma and Raja
- Ashtanga Yoga & Yamas and Niyamas
- Overcoming Habits
- Affirmations
- Applying Yoga Principles in Daily Life
- Mapping your Spiritual Progress
The cost of this 6-class series is Rs. 3,500 which includes the book Art and Science of Raja Yoga as course material.
At this point the spiritual aspirant shifts from being a student to becoming a disciple. Discipleship doesn’t mean a change in your outward life, or the renunciation of a worldly life. It only means a deeper inner relationship with the Divine through the channel of the Guru. Several new techniques are taught during this class series. All of them essential to the practice of Kriya Yoga, helping to perceive the subtle spinal currents and the sounds of the chakras. This series consists of 6 classes of 3 hours each. The following aspects are covered throughout this level of classes:
- Understanding the need and role of the Guru
- Recognizing a true Guru & Attunement with the Guru
- Pre-requisites and right attitudes of a true disciple
- The lineage of our Masters, Mission of Yogananda, Swami Kriyananda & Ananda’s mission
- Discipleship Ceremony
- The techniques of Mahamudra, Aum Technique and Navi kriya
The cost of this series is Rs. 3,500 which includes A Handbook on Discipleship and another book, as course material.
During this final level we study many of the deeper teachings of the Yogic path, all the while continuing to practice all the meditation techniques that we have learnt in the previous levels. We begin to really lengthen our meditations, allowing for longer, deeper sadhanas. This 6-class series of 3 hours duration each covers the following areas:
- Introduction to Kriya Yoga and The Anatomy of the Astral body
- The Yugas, with emphasis on Dwapara Yuga (the age of energy)
- Yogananda’s interpretation of the Gita and Kriya Yoga in the Gita
- Long meditations & kriya related Q&A
- Technique of Jyoti Mudra
Cost of this series is Rs.3,500. After completion of this series of classes, there will be the Kriya Initiation Ceremony where qualified students will receive the sacred diksha in Kriya Yoga by a Kriyacharya.