Science
of Kriya Yoga
The science of Kriya Yoga, mentioned so often in these pages, became widely known in modern India through the instrumentality of Lahiri Mahasaya, my guru’s guru. The Sanskrit root of Kriya is kri, to do, to act and react; the same root is found in the word karma, the natural principle of cause and effect. Kriya Yoga is thus “union (yoga) with the Infinite through a certain action or rite.” A yogi who faithfully follows its technique is gradually freed from karma or the universal chain of causation.
Kriya Yoga Lineage
Short Introduction, Babaji, Jesus Christ, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar, Paramhansa Yogananda
Paramhansa Yogananda
Paramhansa Yogananda (1893 – 1952), best known as the author of Autobiography of a Yogi, was the first yoga master from India to make his permanent home in the United States. He showed how through meditation one can realize God in their daily lives as a tangible, loving reality. He taught an ancient meditation technique known as Kriya Yoga, by which one can quickly attain Self-realization.
Yogananda introduced millions to the teachings of meditation and kriya yoga in the West from 1920 until his conscious passing (mahasamadhi) in 1952.
Swami Kriyananda
Swami Kriyananda was a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda and the founder of Ananda Sangha. His deep spiritual quest for ‘truth’ led him, in 1948 at the young age of 22, to read Paramhansa Yogananda’s spiritual classic, “Autobiography of a Yogi.”
In 1948, young Kriyananda became a disciple of the yoga master, Paramhansa Yogananda. He lived with Yogananda until his passing in 1952.
Kriyananda dedicated 65 years of his life to practicing and sharing his Guru’s teachings through lecturing, guiding, writing, art, founding communities, and much more. He passed away in the year 2013 leaving the legacy of his service to thousands of truth-seekers and followers of Yogananda’s teachings.
Ananda
Sangha
Ananda is a global spiritual movement to help you realize the joy of your own higher Self. It is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
Ananda was founded by Swami Kriyananda on 4 July 1969. It spans many countries and serves several thousand spiritual seekers through its communities, meditation groups, and online offerings.