How Do We Know That Jesus Practiced Kriya Yoga?

Question

Hey there,

I was wondering how do we really know that Jesus and his disciples practiced Kriya Yoga?

Thanks,

- Josh

—Josh, Canada

Answer

Dear Josh,

What we know is that an avatar who lived in the 20th century, Paramhansa Yogananda, said that Jesus probably practiced either Kriya yoga or “a technique very similar to it.” In Autobiography of a Yogi, he wrote:

St. Paul knew Kriya Yoga, or a technique very similar to it, by which he could switch life currents to and from the senses. He was therefore able to say: “Verily, I protest by our rejoicing which I have in Christ, I die daily.

The statement of a great master is a fairly strong indicator that this was true.

In addition, Swami Kriyananda said he had been told about a tradition in Spain which stated that at the time of his death on the cross, Jesus made certain movements with his head that are very similar to those taught in the higher Kriya initiations.

Both the statement of Yogananda, as well as this tradition in Spain, link Jesus Christ to Kriya Yoga or “a technique very similar to it.”

In divine friendship,
Nayaswami Parvati