What are the origins of Kriya Yoga?
In 1861 Mahavatar Babaji, a great master of yoga, initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into the practise of Kriya Yoga. Until that time the techniques and practices of Kriya Yoga had been kept secret and practised only by a few. Lahiri Mahasaya was given permission by Babaji to teach Kriya more openly and thus the age-old restrictions concerning Kriya initiation were somewhat relaxed. Despite having thousands of disciples Lahiri would not allow any formal organisation to be built up around his work.
Lahiri Mahasaya Swami Sriyukteswar Giri It was while still a college student that Paramhansa Yogananda (whose name was then Mukunda Lal Ghose) met his guru Sri Yukteswar, who after ten years of ashram training was sent to the West in 1920 to widely disseminate the teachings of Kriya Yoga. From that time, apart from a short period in the 1930’s when he returned to India, Paramahansa Yogananda resided in the USA. Several years after arriving in America he settled in Los Angeles, California, forming the Self Realisation Fellowship in order to propagate the teachings of Kriya Yoga. He left his body in the Spring of 1952. Paramhansa Yogananda It was late in 1949, at the age of 18, that Roy Eugene Davis met his guru Paramahansa Yogananda. Under the guidance of his guru Roy made rapid spiritual progress. In 1951 he received ordination from Paramahansaji, being told:“Teach as I have taught. Heal as I have healed. Initiate devotees of God into Kriya Yoga”. In the 1970’s he established the Center for Spiritual Awareness and through his many books, seminars and classes throughout the world and by the training of disciples and initiates he continues to propagate the teachings and practices of this guru lineage. His many books, some in several languages, have inspired and encouraged thousands of readers to unfold their spiritual potential. Roy Eugene Davis
In common with CSA ministers in many parts of the world, in the UK Richard Fish, a minister ordained by Mr Davis, continues this instruction to :“Teach as I have taught. Heal as I have healed. Initiate devotees of God into Kriya Yoga”. The blessings and flow of grace descending from the guru lineage is freely available to all who are prepared to dedicate their time, efforts and understanding to follow this spiritual path. For information about meditation retreats, seminars and books by Roy Eugene Davis, contact:
Center for Spiritual Awareness, Post Office Box 7, Lakemont Georgia 30552 USA
Be sure to visit their very informative website: www.csa-davis.org
Recommended reading: Any books by Paramahansa Yogananda, but especially ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ and his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita ‘God Talks With Arjuna’. Any books by Roy Eugene Davis but particularly ‘Paramahansa Yogananda As I Knew Him’ ‘The Science of Self-Realization’ (Commentary on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) ‘The Eternal Way’ (Commentary on the Bhagavad Gita), and ‘Seven Lessons in Conscious Living’.
The liberating message of Kriya Yoga was put on a more organised footing by one of Lahiri Mahasaya’s most advanced disciples, Swami Sri Yukteswar.
If you have not yet read Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda we thoroughly recommend this book to you. First published in 1946 it has remained a spiritual classic. Now published in over 17 languages it continues to be a best seller among spiritual books. Countless thousands have been blessed by reading this book and by learning the Kriya Yoga practices and lifestyle from disciples ordained by him.
