Kriya
Yoga is the name given to the actions that
purify and strengthen the body, both physically and psychologically,
in preparation for the experience of the transmutative life force
experienced during meditation and yoga practice. It is called the
path of the good son, and referred to by Paramhansa Yogananda, as the
Yoga of the householder.
Kriya
refers specifically to the last three ‘nyamas’
as duties for everyday life, namely ‘Tapas’
Austerity, ‘Swadhyaya’
Self-Study, Ishwara-pranidhana’
Attentiveness to God. It is the Yoga most
suitable for the western practitioner, and was revived by Lahiri
Mahasaya who lived 1828-1895, and who was unusual among Indian holy
men, in that he had a job, was a family man with children.
Any
form of action or kriya, is not a blind re-action to an external
situation, but an act of will for the greater good. It can take many
forms from politeness to others, a moderate diet, control of the mind
and regular yoga practice. Any form of self discipline awakens us to
the established inertias that resist change; strengthens our central
will, and helps us grow in self understanding. The householder does
not live in isolation and has others to consider. They do not live in
isolation from the world, such as in a cave on a mountain top. They
live in the hurly burly of daily life, which provides the
difficulties needed for development.
Patanjali
defines Yoga as controlling the activities of the mind; which is
quite a difficult thing to do when the senses are pulling us, first
in one direction and then the other. To withdraw the mind from
movement, and enter the stillness that transcends mental activity, is
not abandoning ship, but rather placing oneself in a position of
command. To awaken the wisdom mind, is to awaken the intuitive
response from our vast storehouse of spiritual knowledge, and to
which our thoughts are but the stepping stones.
Feeling
is the key to unlocking the intuitive response, after first stilling
the mind. A mind that is locked into one thought chasing another is
confused by a variety of impulses, and feelings that obscures the
clarity that lies within. The wisdom mind arises from inner clarity,
and the love that transcends all differences. The techniques of yoga
are there to bridge the gap between the lower mind and the all
comprehending mind of the Divine, sometimes referred to as the mind
of the heart.
Kriyas
are actions that purify at every level from the physical to the
spiritual. They are pure uncomplicated acts of will that focus heart
and mind on that which is essential. Whether asana or pranayama the
aim is to make the link between the underlying space (stillness),
from which has arisen all movement.
Asana
is held against an undifferentiated background of stillness;
pranayama is an expression of life force that breathes life into all
living things, or remains poised between breaths in moments of
realization. It is from moments of stillness that we touch the
reality that lies within, and grow in Self understanding. Kriya yoga
is not different from Christian yoga as it does not serve self
interest but aspires to a level of action as expressed by the words
‘Thy Will Be Done’
The
householder, beset by the problems of daily life, through study,
prayer or repetition of sacred mantra, refines and purifies his
actions. Any form of self-discipline sets the pattern for the future;
physical exercise will help to promote health. Actions
that are consciously initiated (kriya),
transform the spiritual body, so that the psyche or soul, not unlike
the transformation of the caterpillar to butterfly, awakens the Self
(atman), to much wider and freer dimensions
of reality.
