“The ancient yogis discovered that the secret of cosmic consciousness is intimately linked with breath mastery.”- Paramahansa Yogananda -

Every year on June 21, since its adoption by the United Nations in 2014, people from all walks of life unite under the banner of International Yoga Day, a global initiative to celebrate the ancient Indian tradition that promotes the holistic benefits of yoga, health, harmony and well-being. While modern yoga is often associated with physical flexibility and fitness, its true roots lie in the deeper realms of consciousness and self-realization.

This year, we shine a spotlight on Kriya Yoga, a sacred spiritual science revitalized globally by the revered yogi Paramahansa Yogananda.

 The essence of Kriya Yoga

Kriya Yoga is a systematic spiritual path that combines advanced pranayama (life-force control) with meditation, right living and inner devotion. Unlike other forms of yoga that focus on the physical postures (asanas), Kriya Yoga is primarily concerned with the direct experience of the Divine within. It emphasizes the inward journey- stilling the fluctuations of the mind and expanding awareness beyond the limitations of the ego and body.

Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the most significant spiritual figures of the 19th century was the first great Indian master to make his permanent home in the West.

He founded the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) and Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) to disseminate his teachings worldwide – the undiluted ancient divine science of Kriya yoga with the spiritual injunctions that had been handed down to him through his unbroken lineage of enlightened gurus.

The soul knowledge imparted in the Bhagavad Gita, could now be personally experienced by following the unique lessons with his step-by-step instructions in the techniques of yoga meditation and spiritual living including energisation exercises and Kriya yoga, for home study.

Paramahansa Yogananda explained that Kriya Yoga accelerates human evolution, allowing the practitioner to neutralise past karma and to rise above the turmoil of human duality. He described it as “the airplane route to God,” because of its ability to fast-track spiritual growth through specific, time-tested techniques.

 The science behind the practice

At its core, Kriya Yoga revolves around controlling the life energy (prana) in the body through focused breathing techniques. According to the study of yogic science, the breath is not merely a physical necessity – it is intimately connected to the mind and emotions. When the mind is agitated, the breath becomes restless. When the breath is calm and regulated, the mind becomes still, opening the door to deeper states of awareness.

Through Kriya Yoga, practitioners learn to revolve the life energy (prana) in the spine, magnetize the spine and pull the energy upwards to awaken the higher centres of divine consciousness. This process fosters deep inner joy and peace, heightened intuition, modifies habit and neuronal patterns in our brain and mind and also evolution of life in accordance with the yogic science and a sense of unity with all life.

Modern life scientific studies increasingly support what ancient yogis already knew: practices like Kriya Yoga significantly reduce stress, improve heart rate variability, enhance focus, and promote a balanced nervous system. More importantly, a profound spiritual transformation will be seen with regular and sincere practice.

Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings are not limited to meditation techniques alone. They form a complete way of life rooted in the eternal principles of truth, nonviolence, humility, devotion, and self-discipline. He emphasized that true yoga is not found only in the ashram or on the meditation cushion, but in how we conduct our lives, interact with others, and maintain a deep connection with our inner self.

 Some key principles he taught include:

•   “Be calmly active and actively calm.” This paradoxical wisdom invites us to live dynamically in the world while remaining inwardly serene.
•   “Environment is stronger than will power.” Associate with uplifting company and surroundings that support your spiritual growth.
•  “To work with God’s happiness bubbling in the soul is to carry a portable paradise within you.” True happiness lies not in material pursuits, but in the joy of divine communion.
•   He also taught that the goal of life is to attain self-realization through direct personal experience that we are not the body or mind, but the eternal soul, One with the Infinite.

Special yoga meditation prgramme
The YSS Colombo Meditation Centre will hold a special yoga meditation programme of guided yoga meditation and energisation exercises introduced by Paramahansa Yogananda on Sunday, June 22 at Oneness Centre, Colombo 3. Registration  is free and for any further information please contact (077) 660 2523,  (076) 971 0534.

 

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