What Kriya is: its aim and general advice

Kriya Yoga is an advanced form of yoga, which enables the practitioner to comprehend his own immortal substance, that is inside everybody. It will also enable him to understand the relationship between mind and body and how to develop the consciousness.

Many people say that kriya yoga is practiced to know God. But the basic theme of kriya yoga is to know yourself, all the possibilities, which are inside you, and to awaken the subconscious mind to conscious state. Only then will you begin to understand the working of Creation; and maybe you will get advanced enough to know the Creator.

Here I will give a very brief introduction of kriya yoga. I’ve read many different versions of kriya yoga from all over the world, but I will tell you only what my lineage taught me.

We study yoga in all its variety. We don’t divide it into karma yoga or dhyana yoga, we practice yoga in general. Yoga is a way to balance your body, mind and soul.

Disciple: What is a progress in yoga?

Guruji: The practice will make you realize your own true nature. That is yourself. When you realize your own true nature you will begin to be aware of the nature in general because it is the nature of mother Earth or the Creator. The close you come to your own nature, the better you feel the nature. They go together. I have noticed that the higher you go in your practice, the more your surroundings begin to improve, even if you don’t try to improve them.

What is Kriya Yoga ? Kriya yoga the science of reaching the soul through your breath. And through Prana there is a direct way to reach the divine with the soul. Very briefly it can be said that the soul is still inside the body, this is proven by the fact that you are still breathing. One end of the breath is attached to the gross body, the other end to the soul. When the breath stops, it is said that the person is gone. That is, the soul has left the body and went away. Our core identity comes from there ( breath ). Yogis recognized this fact and through breathing techniques they adopted the path to reach the soul.

Path was traced and when the soul was reached, the soul showed them the way to reach the divine through Prana. First Soul, then God. This is what Kriya Yoga is in a nutshell.

How does Kriya Yoga unites a person with his spirit ? Till now, whatever I have seen, whatever I have read, Kriya Yoga is the most straightforward way to get united with the Spirit. It can be explained very simply that our Spirit is connected to our body through our breath. When the breath stops, we all say that the one who was there has left. That is, the spirit has left this body. So, the breath is such a link that connects the spirit to the body. So, the knowledge that Babaji Maharaj has given in Kriya Yoga, if you hold the breath and walk, then you will definitely reach the spirit.

Kriya Yoga is an advanced form of yoga that aims to help its practitioners understand the connection between their mind and body. It enables one to develop their consciousness and become aware of the immortal substance within them. The ultimate goal of Kriya Yoga is not just to realize the existence of God, but to understand one’s own self and awaken their subconscious mind to a conscious state.

YOGA AND STEADINESS OF THE BODY

Is it true that Shiva Ji resides only here and yoga was practiced only in India?

Guruji: Initially – only in India. The most mysterious yoga; I’ve told you about those yogis who were sitting in padmasan we – don’t know since then.

What happened suddenly that someone went to the west and taught yoga, then they also started to practice?

Guruji: That's the point: the real mysterious yoga is given to a very few people which is almost nothing if you just compare percentage from the world population point of view. And most of the yoga was introduced like a physical fitness program. Many religions initially were absolutely against practicing yoga. Now they are becoming more liberal and for physical fitness they are allowing yoga postures and other things. But it’s a different form of yoga. The yoga, which we keep discussing about like Gorakhnath, Matsyendranath, what Shiva must be doing – that yoga will remain only with few people. So we hope to reach them – why not? Always think big, have big ambitions. What we have now is just a hint of it. Over 12-15 years what were we understanding about yoga? Now it is becoming deeper and deeper, now yoga is appearing very mysterious. I have been doing Kriya yoga for 39 plus years now – and I feel that I just started to practice. This is an amazing feeling.

For me it is very interesting how exactly the way of teaching developed: maybe Gorakhnath received from Matsyendranath the whole system without any preparation techniques?

Guruji: Very few disciples were selected. It was not like everybody would go and ask them for yoga; the rules were extremely strict and the discipline too tough for the average person to follow. That’s why most of the yogis of the ancient time achieved immortality – at least the life for hundreds of years and thousands of years. Only if you live that long, some wisdom will appear.

Here I will say one very important thing: people say about making the mind steady; we’ve been hearing what we don’t know since then. But the mind is a very fine, sukshma thing: if you are not even able to make a gross thing like the physical body steady – how can you hope to make your mind steady? This is the very practical approach from ancient yogis, and I will agree absolutely.

Steadiness doesn’t mean that you’re sitting without moving: it means your aging also should stop. That is the climax of steadiness. These things I begin to see now.

But achieving immortality is impossible without mercury and rasayanas?

Guruji: Read Hatha Yoga Pradipika: every mudra is indicating towards it.

BIRTH SECRET AND MEDICINE

can You tell us more about holding prana in different chakras?

Guruji: there are different dharanas and when you get the power for every element – they described in Gheranda Samhita also.

when he holds prana in the throat – he falls asleep?

Guruji: consciousness becomes unconscious.

if he holds prana in the heart – he instantly falls down the earth?

Guruji: like a dead man – suspended animation. In Gorakhnath books he gave the name dharana for each chakra. Dharana means – to keep it somewhere.

in Gheranda Samhita vamakrama kapalabhati is done with khechari?

Guruji: it can be done even without khechari, changing by hands.

who was the Guru of Gheranda?

Guruji: nobody knows; but the names of his disciples are in the list of siddhas in Hatha Yoga Pradipika – he must be part of it.

… they’re saying that ingredients for becoming a siddha. Taking birth is the first thing – you should be born person. Then you should know some secret – mantra means secret. And also aushadi – some special herb to maintain your youth for a long time. Even in Gita it is said that. It’s the very complicated thing and not many people actually are qualified to do that.

American Indians are using some plants to get the knowledge…

Guruji: and in India most of the people have knowledge how to use certain plants - that’s the difference. They are saying “aushadi” – it means medicine.

without support it’s not possible to achieve?

Guruji: without knowing the mystery – mantra – it is not possible to know the use of it, or even recognizing how it will work. It’s very different from “opening your awareness”. I’ve seen some people – it really works. I gave this example before and I will give it today: Arnold Schwarzenegger used anabolic steroids. It doesn’t mean – a person without weight training if use anabolic steroids will look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He was already working very hard for build himself up – and those drugs support him. If someone somehow discover such medicine, not practicing yoga, - they won’t work much. It is a great combination. Medhya rasayana: medha means very high intellect.

DIE RIGHT

what do You think about the idea of absolute symmetrical body – like yogateachers of Iyengar method saying?

Guruji: symmetry of the physical body is something which you’re born with and you can develop it.

but is it really needed or important?

Guruji: not to me. Kriya yoga is not for make your body symmetrical, we rather use the body to actually know the spirit inside which is immortal substance from whatever we say beyond everything; breathe is connecting body and spirit- so you take hold of your breathe, go inside your body and you will find the spirit there. The aim is to make your spirit your friend: then it will tell you things from the beyond. You will need to use your body to reach inside. Our aim is direct contact with spirit, using our breath as a cord or a link. Remember, body is a temporary phenomena, it will end one day. Use it as best as you can and take good care of it.

what about the aim of fitness?

Guruji: fitness is very important in life – there are so many different methods to become fit, instead of tying your body into different knots. It may give you some confidence that – yes, I can do it; but again I’ll tell you the main definition of the word asana: asan, which is roughly translated as posture, - it is just to provide a seat for your spirit and the spirit will feel very comfortable. That is the main aim. If you go to the ancient texts of yoga – they are not describing many postures.

if we use postures like fitness routine – will it make our body stronger to tolerate another breathing patterns?

Guruji: I think, 16 asanas which are described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika – your body will be prepare to tackle more – let’s say intimate practices like mudras and different pranayamas. Only them and they were never used as a fitness program. But you need fit body to practice.

we must use heavy weights for it?

Guruji: not use heavy weights – but moderate weights you can use. That’s enough.

what’s about development of right and left hand?

Guruji: only warriors has right hand stronger.

but it’s not possible to make a body absolutely symmetrical?

Guruji: it’s universal discussion. Everybody has some differences. We were just discussing about hope – give the hope to someone and he will begin to practice and earn you enough money.

does it meaningful – to die with symmetrical or asymmetrical body?

Guruji: if you will die without knowing your spirit – then it is a tragedy. Symmetrical or asymmetrical – doesn’t matter. That Iyengar people considered as yogis? Fantastic.

DEFINITION OF YOGA; YOGAFITNESS; YOGATHERAPY; KUTASTHA; HYP; AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI; YOGANANDA; YOGIN VS YOGATEACHER; DEFINITION OF "ASANA"

we’re not teaching yoga – we just have good fitness. We could make the body strong and flexible.

Guruji: it’s honest and you’re understand the subject now.

There is only one book in the entire creation which name carries the words “Hatha Yoga”, and it is not about physical culture. That is about yoga therapy – it can be physiotherapy, but not the yoga. Now they are working with even chakras. And most of them have their swadhisthan chakra more activated. Yogi was rare from the very beginning and they will continue to be rare.

I never heard any criticism on my commentaries. It make everybody silent.

we uploaded preview of “Hatha Yoga Pradipika” on several “yoga sites – but they simple delete them

Guruji: it means they are afraid. It’s too much for them. They aware of it – and they are afraid of it. We should not worry about their opinion – they should worry about our opinion. Yoga is becoming popular more and more.

YOGA – literally you can translate this word as “union”. Many people do it that way. And also they say – it’s union between atma and paramatma, you and the god. Because I’m simple grass root level man so I would just say – this is the union between your body and your spirit. When the permanent union will take place – then you will remain together forever.

Only in Kriya yoga – or in Hatha Yoga system the spirit can be actually invoked and you see it face to face – even it takes many years to understand, what you’re actually seeing.

Even though your Guru will be telling you all the time – this is your spirit, this is your spirit – but it will not registered in your mind. After many years of observation finally it will register – then maybe it will start communicate with you. It has it’s own consciousness, remember that. When the friendship begins – without technic it will remain in front of you 24 hours.

Yoga is an art, not just technic. Together forever.

is it really higher state when I see kutastha?

Guruji: that is real spiritual height. the line from Sanskrit dictionary: the word “kutastha” literally means – immortal spirit.

when we do kumbhaka at yoga classes – it is?

Guruji: it is just breathing exercises.

but it’s suitable for ordinary people?

Guruji: Khechari is not for ordinary people . They can continue to do whatever they are doing. Ordinary people are doing ordinary things. If they have enough interest – they will find the right way.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika is for senior yogi, not for beginner. If the ordinary person continue to be beginner – he will not understand it.

but there are a lot of different types of pranayama which we can do without khechari?

Guruji: remember, Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a MANUAL of Kriya Yoga. Read the title!

but should we do some breathing exercises from there?

Guruji: there are no breathing exercises, these are progressive things in Kriya Yoga, which only come when you’re ready to receive that. You cannot learn these things simply by going to some yoga instructor classes. That will always remain like this.

Even ordinary people will agree that too much communication with other ordinary people will be more disturbing. And yogis are much more sensitive. Honestly – it’s nearly impossible to find ordinary person. Every ordinary person believes – he’s unique. Nobody will accept – he is ordinary person. Except me.

you’re telling every time that you’re simple grass root level man

can You explain the difference between yogi and yoga instructor?

Guruji: Yogi means a person, who is living yogic way of life, absolutely committed to yoga discipline, and he is practicing yoga according to the instructions of his Guru. That person is called a yogi.

Yoga instructors are those great people who learned yoga postures and spreading it for the needy people who want to be physically fit and they want to release some stress and they just want to feel good. And they are doing good work for that. But you cannot consider them as yogis. Being a yogi is a very difficult thing. I’ve never seen a yogi making yoga asana classes.

there are a lot of Russians

Guruji: they are yoga instructors. You asked me about yogis – and I’m telling you the difference. I’m a yogi and I’m not taking yoga posture classes. It’s different way of life.

yogi must live the lifestyle like in Hatha Yoga Pradipika?

Guruji: mostly – yes.

can we say that yogi is the person, who achieved Samadhi?

Guruji: Yogi is the person, who is initiated into the cult by the competent lineage of the Gurus and he’s spending his time absolutely without doing any job or anything – to achieve Samadhi. That person is called a yogi. And a person, who achieve Samadhi and goes beyond it is called an accomplished yogi.

There were never many yogis from the beginning of the time. Now I hope there will be more yogis, because yoga was never that much popular before. It cannot be without any reason. And as I told you, this word “posture” is not the literal translation of the word “asana”.

“Asan” means the seat, on which we sit. That means what? – by making different positions of your body you’re providing a seat for your spirit, so it will be comfortable inside you. That is the basic concept of asan. Posture is an exercise. We need to understand this object a little bit more deeply. “Sthiram sukham” – the pleasure of stillness is asana, on which you can sit comfortably.

That is only for spirit.

chakrasana is not sthiram sukham?

Guruji: why not? If you’re able to do it for 3 hours and 36 minutes – your spirit will be very happy. Even in mayurasana – in every asan. They’re just seat for the spirit.

3 hours 36 minutes is a time limit when asan is complete and spirit is in peace – with you and with asan.

In English language posture means absolutely different thing. Asan is not exact translation as posture. Position of the body – that you can say, but asan means seat.

from where the name Kriya yoga come?

Guruji: it was created by Yogananda Paramahamsa. The name even mentioned in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. And the word Kriya yoga is attached with so many rituals for many different deities. The ritual is called “Kriya yoga”. It is there; but what we’re practicing – is the purest form of hatha yoga. But then so many yoga instructors from south India, who came to the west, - they categorize that all physical exercises are hatha yoga. Hatha yoga is a very mysterious thing. Ha is prana and tha is apana; but they brought it down to a physical level. It always will remain a rare phenomena – to be a real yogi. It’s not easy thing. First – is to develop interest to the subject. Then after many-many years the little understanding of the subject will develop. Then your journey will begin.

KRIYA YOGA IS THE HI EDUCATION PROGRAM IN YOGA DISCIPLINE

what if I still cannot do padmasana – is it obligatory for the practice?

Guruji: it is considered that a person, who is asking for Kriya yoga has gone through all the asanas and they are able to do them. this is higher education. When you’re enrolling in college it is taken for granted that you have already gone through the primary school. Conditioning is extremely important.

it concerns technics or results?

Guruji: it is called “vidya”, “yoga vidya” – never yoga technics.

could we say that vidya and mantra is one and the same?

Guruji: mantra is part of any vidya. Mantra is secret knowledge. We are just started to scratch the surface. I think in the last 8 years physical changes are visible; let’s see for 4 more years – then new cycle will begin.

If you had gone through these 4-5 levels in your Kriya practice, Mahavidyas darshans will follow one by one or all together – it all depends on the level you’ve achieved.

There is no exact order in their appearances because all of them represent different directions.

Let’s say different directions of obtained wisdom will come to practitioner from all directions, it will start from the beginning.

Yogi will become a center, a junction of all spatial directions and every wisdom and every knowledge – (negative or positive, it doesn’t matter) will come to him. Because negativity or positivity is just a point of view.

Kriya Yoga is a very advanced form of yoga, which enables the practitioner to realize his/her own immortal substance, which is inside everybody. Also it will enable the person to understand the relationship between mind and body and how to develop the consciousness.

Many people would say that Kriya Yoga is practiced for realizing God. But the basic theme of Kriya Yoga is to realize one's own self, all the possibilities, which are there inside you, and to awaken the subconscious mind to conscious state. Then only you will begin to understand the working of Creator; and maybe you will advance enough to know the Creator after that.

I don’t think, that in religion or in any other practice, there is something, which will enable the immortal substance or your Atma to appear like that. I’ve never come across that.

So I’ve given this brief introduction just for the information for a true seeker, so that he will have some idea. If he is committing himself for practicing Kriya Yoga, he should have a very clear vision on how far he has to go.

that means the practice I was given there is working?

Guruji: definitely. And your sincerity is working as well. Technics are there; but take the Kriya yoga like an art: there are technics involved – but you need to practice it like an art with yourself.

why when we are react, communication stops?

Guruji: because the mental state changes immediately. When you’re having some experience: you’re not planning to have it but it happens, that means that mental state you were in triggered this experience. And the moment you will react that mental state will change and that experience will stop. Mostly I have seen – until unless you calm down; next time when you will sit – again you will be expecting that something will happen. The same mental state will not be there – it will take quite some time again for that experience to repeat itself.

when you forget how to react – like this?

Guruji: I mean everybody reacts in the beginning, then some understanding comes.

TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE

Your samadhi happen before You start to wear kundals?

Guruji: much before that – in 1995. And I started to wearing kundals in 2001.

it’s not necessary condition?

Guruji: no. in the beginning I was very tired, abandoned, but now I’m ok.

Your first samadhi came because the grace of Your Guru, Babaji and Shiva?

Guruji: I’m sure about that. And pure luck.

so the level of practice and kundals doesn’t matter?

Guruji: the hard practice is the base of it. I was practicing to my limit.

what level You practiced?

Guruji: 6 th . But levels don’t matter much. It is my conclusion, observation – that 1 st level is enough to take you to the level of samadhi.

first without khechari?

Guruji: even without khechari. Our human nature is very deceiving for us: when we receive something – we think it’s not so important, may be next level is better. This actually holds us back. The first introduction in Kriya yoga is enough in itself. If by the baddest luck man cannot achieve khechari – that means he’s not working hard enough. Even then – if he would work hard enough, he would have that glimpses. There is untold feeling: if I received that – that means it ‘s not so important. That is another psychological trick. Believe in yourself, have more faith in yourself and go.

It is written in all ancient yoga texts: you should not sit near the fire for long, you should no go long distances or run, and avoid massage . In all ancient yoga texts it’s mentioned – maybe even in Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Sitting near the fire will warm you too much: some very fine nervous system and metabolism may be affected.

why not to walk the long distances?

Guruji: your legs will become stiff.

ALL IS CONSCIOUSNESS

we need to do pranayama and asana?

Guruji: this is part of yoga – it is only for yogis. Because if you are not a good person and sincere person and you lack the ability to take the strongest of the strong decisions and wise bite – you cannot become a successful yogi. And for that matter – you will not become so successful in life also: material or immaterial – doesn’t matter.

but Your definition of asana is very different: not any person who can do asanas can be called a yogi…

Guruji: the way yoga has been introduced to the west – like physical culture – go back to the first yogi, who visited America: Yogananda Paramahamsa. He is a pillar of our Parampara. He was not teaching yoga postures, he was discussing about samadhi and superconsciousness and how to achieve that; so then many people for material success began to flow to America and other western countries. Even that is good – because you have to start from somewhere.

but you cannot see the consciousness?

Guruji: if you see the person going somewhere, with your eyes; but until unless you know him and you talk with him – you will never know the level of consciousness which he might be having. Looking is not enough!

but can we see the consciousness by the mind?

Guruji: your consciousness will become aware of that consciousness.

and when the communication will start?

Guruji: when you will introduce yourself

how it is possible to introduce yourself to the consciousness of the matter?

Guruji: very easily. We are very mundane people: everything you are doing – you’re doing with your brain, body is just an instrument.

Q : all the benefits, which are attained by yoga practice – could they be attained in vedic times by some other means – mantras for example?

Guruji : no; all the mantras and other things are dedicated to invoke certain god. Yoga is practiced to know your own spirit, immortal substance inside you, so the object is absolutely different.

Spirit

is connected with your physical body and the breath- so you try your breath and

you will reach spirit.

And only

in Kriya yoga method you taught the way it will actually appear and you will

see. Even though, it will take many years when you will begin to understand

what you’re seen, but it started to appear. There is no other method which is

so direct. And I’ve read quite a few methods.

it is possible in many-many years?

Guruji: to understand your experience –

that’s the point.

Something

happens to us and we say – oh my god; then we think – oh, it just happen by

chance or something; but then the understanding will take some time to develop

and you will see it – oh, this is this.

That moment

will continue to repeat so many times – not only one time: that’s a beauty of

Kriya yoga. I’ve read almost every life of every famous yogi or saint of India

and also all over the world; when I read Lahiri Mahasaya’s life and his

diaries( I was fortunate enough thanks to my Guru’s grace he allowed to me

browse of his personal diaries) – some of the portion has been published now

even in Russian language – you may find this book, you must read that; before

Lahiri Mahasaya nobody has ever discussed the kutastha and spirit and those

fantastic experiences which he had when he was practicing Kriya. This is

something very special, extraordinary.

I think I’m

very fortunate I learn this thing and I’m practicing and sharing also by my

Guru’s order. Otherwise I would live somewhere privately and doing it alone.

But sharing is good. Why sharing is good? Because I was not very talkative when

I was practicing, then my Guru told me that you’re my successor, now you can

initiate. When you’re answering questions – like I’m answering so many

questions – your own thoughts become very clear. It’s a very great privilege

for me: because more questions are coming your way – your thinking ability is

developing and you’re able to express something, so it’s a big privilege

because not many yogis have been seen who were communicating like this – that

is again a very good thing. So we’re fortunate we received this. And if some

art – let’s call it yoga art – can make spirit appear immediately after

receiving the technic: just imagine what will happen when you will advance very

far in this. Just try to imagine that! Life will become very different.

Q- I had to take off my kundals because my ear lobes became inflamed, and the holes have closed off. Can I ask some Gyrubhai to pierce my ears or should I wait until I can go to Govardhan to get it done there?

O- Any disciple or jeweler can do it, no problem.

NO GURU – NO RESPECT

Q : I had the experience of that kind of meditation called vipassana which were from Gautama Buddha…

Guruji : I will ask you a simple question: what does the word vipassana means? Vipassana means to see in the prospect.

what do You think about vipassana from the yogi’s perspective?

Guruji : vipassana means to look within. Maybe Buddha was trying to explain Shambhavi mudra, which is described in most of the yogic texts.(Shloka in Sanskrit). That means: your vision is outside, but your aim is inside and your eyes remain without blinking; that is the state of Shambhavi, which is the very secret practice in all the technical texts. Vipassana maybe another name for it. Whatever the practices are told in the name of vipassana – Shambhavi mudra is the very high yogic achievement. Simply sitting quiet without talking for 7 days or 10 days not make you to achieve Shambhavi mudra. Looking within; not outside, but within – that is the description of Shambhavi mudra – this is what I think.

Q : what do You think about practice of asking Yourself – who am I?

Guruji : who was not able to find the very good Guru and doesn’t know the parents’ name will continue to ask “who am I?” I’m looking from absolute grass-root point of view: only orphan, brought up in the orphanage, will continue to ask “who am I?”.

But yogis know, who they are. That’s why they try to develop there self; you need to know exactly, who you are to become a yogi. Only orphans keep asking this question. Be very careful here. It maybe very controversially statement, because everybody would love to talk politically correct things and also religiously correct things – but I’m a yogi. I’m in a yogic lineage. A person without a Guru is not respected. Think on that.

Q: what is the difference between know the technic and mastering it?

Guruji: very simple: you take the masterpiece of any great painter – you try to analyze it – what is it: canvas, pigment, some tints – that’s it. But what is real? The beauty expressed - there the deep thing, that is real. That is art. Technics are everywhere; how you express yourself with that - this is the important thing. This is what we are trying to do.

what does it mean than sadhaka must drink the juice without shame?

Guruji: as a yogi I will say – that juice are coming down from your brain. And without shame – means with courage.

Most of the people are very much afraid of society or family – then what people will say if I will be like this. That lifestyle of a yogi or sadhak is very different, which civilized person are not like and follow it in front of others. So no shame, it should be done with pride!

SADHANA

sadhana and yoga are one and the same?

Guruji: sadhana you can do in any thing: if you’re learning dance – it’s sadhana for learning dance; sadhana is the very wide term. If you’re learning music – you’re doing sadhana for learn music; if you’re training to be a commander in army – you’re doing sadhana to become a commander. Trying to perfect something is sadhana.

technically we can say that we all are doing tantra sadhana?

Guruji: of course: tantra means the technic.

what is the difference between practice with the open eyes or with closed eyes?

Guruji: it depends on how much advance the

person has become. It depends on advancement of the practitioner.

with the open eyes it’s more work of the conscious mind and with closed – subconscious?

Guruji: we’re old fashioned, traditional

people – when a person reached a certain level it is suggested how to do with

open eyes or closed eyes, depending on the development of the person.

sometimes we want to understand the energy of the nada?

Guruji: first we imagine that there is nada – then we experience it.

Kriya is imagination or will?

Guruji: Kriya is a physical act which your mind is telling you to practice- so it will develop.

it is natural current?

Guruji: no, it’s not natural – it is your working out to develop yourself, to develop your brain, to wake up the sleeping giant. You’re using your body to practice these things. Body is just the support system for the brain.

but moving of the energy in the body is differ than having an image of the object?

Guruji: state of your mind depends on state of physicality of your body. If your body is in good condition and without any problem, your mood is good – your mind is working well. If there is something wrong with the body – even constipation – then mind is not working good.

We just used the habits which were formed from our younger days and just to make some money – this much of brain is used. Rest of it is relaxing and sleep.

If he is following yoga in a very right way and he’s lucky enough to find a good Guru to teach him – then he will get over all his habits, even his DNA memories and genetics. Yoga is just not a small time thing or very plain thing. Now I’m sure – after many years of practicing you will be aware of the mystery behind. It’s too big mystery. I’ve been practicing yoga now for 35 years plus. And I feel like I even scratch the surface – or I just become aware of the tip of the iceberg, no more than that. Just becoming aware of some things – and 35 years is a long time for anybody.

when we start to practice Kriya yoga technics – it takes a long time to understand and master them?

Guruji: actually at first everybody learns and they don’t take them for seriously – just take them like another yoga asana. But if they continue to practice it – then some different understanding will develop: then they begin to appreciate the depth of it and the mystery of it – and also the results of it. It takes 2-3 years just to understand the physicality of the movement. And of course, in this 2-3 years some results will be shown on the person. The mind will start to open up, he will become more sensitive, and his ageing will slow down a lot – that I can guarantee. These are real signs. Mind is fickle, so sometimes we’re going to this philosophy and that philosophy and leave the main thing behind – that’s how tragedy is happen.

How to say it in English? An idiot or a durak looses a gold coin in a greed of a small coin – that’s how it goes.

REALIZE NOTHIG AND KNOW NOTHING

Yoga is fantastic world. When a person starts to learn yoga postures, asanas, he maybe able to do some difficult things; his confidence is so much – that he knows yoga inside out and he’s accomplished in everything. Then after some time when he begins to learn some higher things in yoga – mudras and other things – he realizes he knows nothing.

Then after few years of practicing higher yoga again the same feeling come – that he knows everything. But few more years and he’s back to zero – that he knows nothing. And the philosophical thing is: to actually realize nothing and to know nothing is the goal of yoga. Best of luck!

nothing is void?

Guruji: nothing is nothing. Thing is a thing of matter. When there is no matter – there is no thing.

For doing difficult postures you need to have the very strong mind – and the body will follow.

When the body begins to follow it and the different body language develops – it begin to affect the mind. Then the real practice of yoga begins. They both go together – mind and body, body and mind.

Q: Is it possible to pinpoint the specific part of the brain which is responsible for its development?

Guruji: That is for scientists to decide. We just know that the process is on.

I can add one more thing: scientists say that after we reach our 30-s, the neurons begin to die in millions. What I see is that with the practice of Kriya yoga, especially after meeting Babaji for the first time, neurons were not dying to that level.

That is guaranteed. Maybe even new neurons will start developing, hopefully. Just imagine what kind of practice we were had been doing before meeting Babaji and receiving his corrections. That was the great grace! There was mental nabhi kriya only – and after khechari every kriya was performed only mentally. That was it. Only khechari was required – and nobody was even stressing the importance of mahamudras!

People would do 1 to 3 mahamudras and they would think it was enough, it was better to sit in meditation. No wonder there were no results.

YOGA FOR KRISHNA AND SHIVA CONSCIOUSNESS

-By Shailendra

The word Yoga is now a household name. It indicates towards that mystic practice, which awakens the dormant consciousness of mind and develops it beyond the physical limitations. The Yogi realizes the infinite and omnipotent nature of mind and comes to know the secrets of life and death. The fear of death vanishes after realizing the secrets and Yogi sees, face to face, four armed human form of Lord Vasudev who resides in every living being's heart as the essence of Prana, the life force. After seeing Lord Krishna or Vishnu face to face, the knot in the heart is pierced, all his doubts vanish and the Yogi attains lasting peace. However, the practice of Yoga does not end here. It becomes even more rigorous and hard. After seeing the Lord Vasudev face to face, the Yogi goes even higher and he starts the most difficult practice of all - to know the essence of Vasudev - the Time, as the embodiment of Lord Shiva. After going through the most difficult practice with all his might, with the help of his Guru and by the grace of Lord Vasudev, he realizes his essential universal form - the Light of all Lights, the great effulgence of Time - Shiva and becomes liberated and one with the Time.

The mystic and liberating Yoga technique was almost extinct in the medieval period, when the world was under the influence of religious fanatics and nobody was mature enough to accept the truth. Even Galileo was prosecuted for stating the truth as it was. Later when the time changed and became somewhat more favorable for discussing the truths of life and nature, the general consciousness of mankind begin to develop and there was a general awakening for realizing the hidden and invisible facts of life which science began to discover, then, in 1868, the great Yogi guru, whom we know by the name "Babaji", again introduced this mystic Yogic art to the society through his disciple Shyamacharan Lahiri. The day Babaji initiated Shyamacharan Lahiri and sent him back to the society, from that very day all true seekers of truth found the means to realize the truth of life and death and beyond. Shyamacharan Lahiri demonstrated most of the results of this mystic Yogic art by putting his own example. All his life, he indicated the Yogic way to true seekers and introduced them to the different stages of this mystic Yogic art. After his demise, some lines of his disciples have maintained the practice of this mystic Yogic art. I belong to one line of disciples which although was not very famous but was able to maintain the strict standard of this mystic art. The line goes like this - Shri Shyamacharan Lahiri, his disciple and son Shri TeenKodi Lahiri, his disciple and youngest son Shri Satyacharan Lahiri and then myself. It is by the grace of my Guru that today I am able to discuss this great mystic Yogic art.

[Recorded on Nov 18, 2014.]

A student asked Guruji about Kriya yoga.

Guruji replied: “I will give you the definition in one sentence: You will be able to make your conscious mind unconscious, and your subconscious mind conscious. When that happens a new world will open up! This is the climax, or the biggest achievement of Hatha yoga. No other system in the world comes even close. This practice will always remain a mystery, and open only for very sincere seekers.

. Saints are those persons, who are praying to a certain God. They are not studying their own nature. They may work against their nature to please their God - so they suffer. In yoga the first study begins with yourself. First you know about your true nature - then you know about the nature of God, because you are a part of it. The approach is different. And the result is different too. A saint receives what God gives him by grace or when he is pleased - no more than that. And in yoga you will achieve it by your own efforts.

Q: what do You think about just visualization?

Guruji: I think nothing of it.

Q: if someone is trying to imagine chakras – their colors, petals and other details?

Guruji: but that is another information from John Woodruff. Why not, if they are your chakras, go down and discover them? Instead of trying to imagine something, which was described by some translator?

Q: is it useless spending of time?

Guruji: if a person is strong enough – it will be a good exercise for his mind, no more than that.

GOAL of YOGA

Q: what is the goal of yoga, Guruji?

Guruji: the goal of yoga is to establish your identity in its totality. So far when we say “I am” – it’s 2% of our consciousness. Goal of yoga is self-realization: that means in this world of illusion you will make yourself real – that will be realization of your personality, yourself – that is the goal of yoga.

Q: what is the goal of any life, human life?

Guruji: mostly I see – the goal of any life is just to live a life, just be there. Everybody wants comfortable life, comfort everybody loves. Only few ambitious people ponder on these things: what when I’m saying “I am” – it’s just a small minuscule part of my personality. They try to found the different way how to develop and what to do, start to focus on the brain; then the brain awaken and so many things happen. In Kriya yoga first is brahma granthi bhed – opening of the mind. After you begin to understand it – then you also begin to understand that who is supporting the brain. Then your attention go to the heart; then after you begin to understand the mysteries of the heart – then you think how heart was created. Then you go to the navel – from navel everything was created. After you understand this – then you begin to be aware of the importance of the earth element. So the journey begins.

Q: immortality is not the goal of yoga – but it’s one of the components?

Guruji: it may be achieved. Physical immortality may be achieved. Kundalini is sleeping in the earth element: it means the real power remains in the earth element. Once you realize it – your earthly body may become immortal or live as long as the earth herself.

Q: this journey is for selected few – some can go further and leave the physical body…?

Guruji: they may hope to enter the nirvana; but I would love to travel with the Mother. If she take us to market – we will hold her finger and go.

Yogi is one in whose life there is absolutely no disassociation.

Every moment of the life of yogi is full of unmatched splendor because moments of union are always splendid.

If mere imaginations were horses; lazy and indolent people would be great riders.

Whether young, old, very old, sick or feeble, one can at -
tain perfection in all the yogas by practice.
Perfection comes from practical application; without
practice how can one attain success? Just by reading the
shastras, perfection in yoga can never be attained.

Wearing the clothes (of a siddha) does not bring perfec -
tion, nor does talking about it. Only through practical
application does one become a siddha. This is the truth
without a doubt. Asanas, various types of kumbhakas,
and other various illuminating means – all these should
be practised in Hatha Yoga until the fruit of Raja Yoga is
obtained.
End of Chapter I

Bhastrika Pranayama with kumbhaka should be espe -
cially practiced to activate Kundalini. From where will
the fear of death arise for the yogi who has absolute self-
control and who practices this daily and very regularly?
What other methods are there to make the 72 000 nadis
pure of all these impurities besides the practice of arous-
ing the Kundalini?

”
This middle nadi, that is Sushumna, becomes established
easily by the yogi’s very regular practice of asana, pranay-
ama, mudra, and absolute self-control.
Those, who practice to awaken the mind and establish it
in Samadhi, achieve Rudrani Mudra. This is the greatest
of the achievements.
When the subconscious mind is awakened, it is estab -
lished in Samadhi. It is only after this that the knowledge
of Rudrani or Shambhavi Mudra begins.

The Earth without Raja Yoga ([…] is Earth) , the night
without Raja Yoga, even the various mudras without Raja
Yoga are useless and not beautiful.
If there are no human beings who have achieved this
state of Raja Yoga, how could Mother Earth be happy? How
could the night be happy if there are no yogis with awakened
subconscious mind when all other minds are asleep? With-
out achieving Raja Yoga, all these mudras have no beauty.
All the practices for vayu ([…]) should be done with a
very concentrated mind, by joining your mind with vayu.
The wise man should not let the mind get involved in
emotional plays ([…]).
”

These ten mudras have been told by Adinath Shambhu
Himself. Each of them bestows perfection to the
self-disciplined.
He, who teaches the mudras in the tradition of Guru and
disciple, is the true Guru and is Shiva Himself.

By following the Guru’s words exactly and practicing the
mudras, one obtains the qualities of eight siddhis, over -
comes death, and knows Time.
End of Chapter III