What is Kriya Yoga
The Sanskrit word kriya means “action”. In the context of yoga it indicates actions that purify ones awareness.
The specific practice of Kriya Yoga, as taught in the spiritual lineage originating with Mahavatar Babaji, is a series of initiatory techniques leading to Self and God-Realisation.
Paramahansa Yogananda said that Kriya Yoga is the most rapid approach to God-realisation.
People of all walks and life and of any faith or tradition can practice Kriya Yoga.
It offers a direct experience of Reality through the practice of specific meditation techniques and an appropriate lifestyle.
Dedicated Kriya practice and deep meditation leads the aspirant on the path to enlightenment and liberation of consciousness.
What are the origins of Kriya Yoga?
In 1861 Mahavatar Babaji, a great master of yoga, initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into the practise of Kriya Yoga. Until that time the techniques and practices of Kriya Yoga had been kept secret and practised only by a few. Lahiri Mahasaya was given permission by Babaji to teach Kriya more openly and thus the age-old restrictions concerning Kriya initiation were somewhat relaxed. Despite having thousands of disciples Lahiri would not allow any formal organisation to be built up around his work.
The liberating message of Kriya Yoga was put on a more organised footing by one of Lahiri Mahasaya’s most advanced disciples, Swami Sri Yukteswar. It was while still a college student that Paramahansa Yogananda (whose name was then Mukunda Lal Ghose) met his guru Sri Yukteswar, who after ten years of ashram training was sent to the West in 1920 to widely disseminate the teachings of Kriya Yoga. From that time, apart from a short period in the 1930’s when he returned to India, Paramahansa Yogananda resided in the USA. Several years after arriving in America he settled in Los Angeles, California, forming the Self Realisation Fellowship in order to propagate the teachings of Kriya Yoga. He left his body in the Spring of 1952.
Yogananda - sketch by Ben Hubbard
It was late in 1949, at the age of 18, that Roy Eugene Davis met his guru Paramahansa Yogananda. Under the guidance of his guru Roy made rapid spiritual progress. In 1951 he received ordination from Paramahansaji, being told:“Teach as I have taught. Heal as I have healed. Initiate devotees of God into Kriya Yoga”. In the 1970’s he established the Centre for Spiritual Awareness and through his many books, seminars and classes throughout the world and by the training of disciples and initiates he continues to propagate the teachings and practices of this guru lineage.
Roy Eugene Davis
For information about meditation retreats, seminars and books by Roy Eugene Davis, contact:
Center for Spiritual Awareness, Post Office Box 7, Lakemont
Georgia 30552 USA
Email CSA
website:www.csa-davis.org
