It is not uncommon to hear people make the claim that Paramhansa Yogananda diluted the Kriya technique or that he changed it for Westerners. Sometimes it is done through a conscious intent to deceive and promote one’s own Kriya teacher and sometimes out of ignorance. Either way, it is an unfortunate sign that the world of Kriya Yoga is not … Read More
The Mystery of Suffering Your soul–the essence of your being, consists of pure bliss (sat-chid-ananda), as the great Masters teach us. But do you feel this bliss right now? Probably not. Instead, we all suffer, go through hard times, and have lives that can be amazingly tough. Why is that? How can that be? It seems impossible, given the inherent … Read More
Having a guru is the greatest blessing in the three worlds — causal, astral, physical. - Adi Shankaracharya The concept of a guru or teacher was well established in my mind throughout my childhood. In India, every teacher is called a guru — whether one teaches painting or the path to finding God. At the age of four, I wanted to learn dance and was … Read More
In his youth, Swami Kriyananda discovered an amazing law of life – the Power of Expectation. He describes this law in The New Path: I hit upon what was, as far as I knew then, a novel theory: To be lucky, expect luck. Don’t wait passively for it to come to you, but go out and meet it halfway. With … Read More
This quotation of Muir captures the essence of his love for the California Sierra Nevada mountain range and passionately attests to the inspiration that enabled him to strive tirelessly to preserve their beauty. As I read these words colorfully painted on a bench alongside the forest path at our Meditation Retreat, I was immediately struck by their powerful relevance to … Read More
Often I tell Kriya Yogis, particularly those who are mathematically challenged, that there is a mathematical equation to memorize in order to achieve success on the path of Kriya. The equation is this: 25% of spiritual success comes by the devotee’s effort 25% comes by the guru’s effort on his behalf 50% comes by the grace of God —Paramhansa Yogananda … Read More
The Mother Aspect of God For centuries, across the world, there has been an imbalance that favors masculine energy. This is evident in the realms of religion, where God is generally described as “God the Father.” Paramhansa Yogananda tried to change this unilateral approach and used himself as an example. I myself worship the Mother aspect [of God] especially. For … Read More
The energy of the first two chakras can be unified and brought to a focus by their “older brother”, the third chakra; center of fiery self-control in the body. In this class, Asha talks in greater detail about the interrelationship of the first two chakras, and their corresponding spiritual disciplines, and how proper utilization of our vital willpower can potentiate … Read More
From December 2nd to 9th – Join us for a weeklong exploration of the eight-fold Path of Self-Realization – the eight universal steps for higher consciousness. Throughout this week, experience for yourself spiritual states of consciousness as we offer a full immersion program that takes us deeper into the experience of this eight-fold system, bringing to life these timeless teachings … Read More
The heart center; so often proclaimed as a pivotal chakra in the body. Whether our energy predominately moves upwards or downwards in the spine rests in large part to how we direct this powerful center. Upwards, it can lead us to expanded love, moving into the higher throat chakra of deep inner calmness. Downwards, it can scatter our life force … Read More
