The Kriya Yoga tradition is not a separate or different yogic path. It emphasizes what all enlightenment traditions emphasize: the relinquishing of ego for realization through meditation, study, surrender, self-discipline, and a dedicated, committed practice. But it shares with those sincere truth seekers the liberating technique of Kriya Pranayama. Through this technique, spiritual evolution is accelerated, the awakening process is streamlined, karma is mitigated, and Self-Realization is prepared for. The Kriya Pranayama empowers the yogi with a potent and priceless spiritual tool on the quest toward enlightenment. But it is our dedicated and devout practice and relentless pursuit of the Divine that assures the attainment of that goal.
In the Kriya Yoga tradition, as imparted by Mahavatar Babaji through his lines of successors, there is an essential technique known as Kriya Pranayama. It has also been referred to as Shushmna Kriya and Brahman Kriya. This pranayama encourages the movement of kundalini through the spinal column upward toward the crown chakra.
It is considered a sacred technique that should be shared only by qualified and sanctioned spiritual teachers as it carries with it the spiritual energy known as shaktipat or saktipāta; this transmission of spiritual force is an essential part of the Kriya Yoga Pranayama tradition. It is imbued with the vibrations and energies specific to that spiritual lineage.
The transmission of shaktipat has been referred to in various ways in other traditions; it has been called “the quickening” and “the sharing of the Holy Spirit.” Shaktipat may be imparted by touch or intention from an awakened teacher. If the student is prepared and open to it, shaktipat may be shared simply by being in the teacher’s presence. Shaktipat rouses the kundalini within the student, assisting in their spiritual awakening.
The Pranayama technique is important but so is the sharing of consciousness and spiritual energy. That is why it is necessary to seek out qualified and sanctioned teachers when learning Kriya Pranayama. In Paramahansa Yogananda’s book Autobiography of a Yogi, he states that we, the representatives of this Kriya tradition are not allowed to share this technique other than directly from teacher to student. It is in direct violation of the sanctity of the Kriya pranayama sacrament to share the technique on the internet through YouTube or other media platforms and those who do are bastardizing the teachings and violating the sanctity of a tradition that is millennia old.
The primary reason these people are sharing the sacred technique on media platforms is because it is driving their business model. This alone should be reason enough for sincere seekers to look for more genuine teachers. Spirituality should not be sold-out for coins in the temple.
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