|
Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga
is a system of Indian yoga that was revived in modern times by
Lahiri Mahasaya. Paramahansa Yogananda brought it into widespread
public awareness through his book Autobiography of a Yogi. The
system consists of a number of yogic techniques that purportedly
hasten the practitioner's spiritual evolution and help to bring
about a profound state of tranquility and god-communion within
one's own self.
According to
Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi, kriya yoga was
well-known in ancient
India,
but was eventually lost. In 1861 however, the book continues, the
immortal yogi Mahavatar Babaji initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into
Kriya Yoga. Lahiri Mahasaya then revived the practice, and it soon
spread throughout India. Paramhansa Yogananda, a disciple of Swami
Sri Yukteswar Giri who was himself a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya,
then brought Kriya Yoga to the United States and Europe during the
20th century. Since that time it has spread throughout the world
through various lineages, most of which claim descent from Lahiri
Mahasaya.
Lahiri
Mahasaya's most well known disciples were Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri,
Swami Pranabananda, Swami Kebalananda, Swami Keshabananda, and
Bhupendranath Sanyal (Sanyal Mahasaya). |
