What is Kriya Yoga and where does it come from

Kriya yoga has been known and practiced for centuries, it was Paramahansa Yogananda, who first taught it in the west. Yogananda traveled from India to America in 1920 and lectured, wrote, and trained disciples for 32 years before his passing in 1952.

His best known book, Autobiography of a Yogi, is now published in 17 languages around the world.

Kriya means "action." in Sanskrit and is a concentrated approach to self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment.

It includes the most effective processes of all systems of yoga, with emphasis on wholesome, constructive living and super conscious meditation practice. Super conscious states are clear, refined states of consciousness superior to ordinary waking states and subconscious and unconscious states.

The purpose of yoga practice is to restore the practitioner's awareness to wholeness. This is accomplished by acquiring knowledge of one's true nature as a spiritual being; cultivating rational thinking, emotional balance, and physical health; purposeful living; and meditation.

To help with in this, specific meditation techniques are taught and practiced. Beginning meditators are usually taught how to pray effectively and how to use a simple word or sound ( mantra) to focus attention. After a period of preparatory study and practice, initiation into advanced meditation processes can be requested.