Thank you both for writing.
“[B]What is initiation in Kriya Yoga[/B]?”
[I]Answer:[/I] Usually when a student resonates with a teacher/lineage, a time is set to learn the fundamentals of that path. When a person is initiated they learn unique meditation methods and are encouraged to commit as completely as possible to a life dedicated to Self-realization, until the job is done. Complete dedication means that all thoughts, energy, motivations, relationships etc., are assessed based on the ability to further clarify awareness or not.
Once initiated the student (hopefully) adheres to the particular path outlined by the tradition, so that the process of Self-revelation can unfold without interference.
During initiation there is a blessing that empowers the student. It does not change the student, but gives the student an extra (spiritual) boost to make changes on their own. It’s like someone giving you a $10,000 dollars to improve your life. If it is spent foolishly, the effects quickly wear off. However, if the person can invest it knowledgeably, that $10,000 can grow and continue to pay dividends.
During the actual process of initiation, the student is encouraged to bring a fruit, a flower, and a donation. The fruit represents giving up the fruits of their karma. The flower represents their devotion to the path until the final realization. The donation represents putting all one’s resources towards the process of Self-realization, and also treating one’s resources as though they are “God’s” resources (so as not to be wasteful with our life’s resources).
The initiation process begins with the teacher and student meditating together. Then the teacher shares the fundamental philosophy and techniques. Then the student places the fruit, flower, and donation on an altar. Standing before the teacher, the teacher can place one hand on the students head, and hold the student’s hand in the other hand. The teacher does nothing, merely gets out of the way, but lets the process occur as the student is receptive.
Then the student is initiated into the practice, and said to be “linked” with the lineage and tradition, which can make it easier to gain benefit from the practice. Just like life can be easier if one is adopted into a healthy minded wealthy family, once initiated into a healthy path and spiritual family, spiritual realization becomes easier.
Ultimately initiation is a new beginning. What we do with that new beginning and clean slate is up to us!
“[B]What is the difference between Kriya and Hatha Yoga[/B]?”
[I]Answer[/I]: Kriya Yoga is actually the title of the second chapter in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Kriya Yoga is defined as “Austerity, Self-study, and Surrender in God as the means to accomplish perfect concentration. This is the Path of Kriya Yoga.” This is according to verse 1, chapter 4 in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. When Yogananda was leaving on the boat to come to America, I have been told that Sri Yukteswar told Yogananda to teach the yoga of Patanjali.
In the Yoga Sutras the limbs or Yoga are described in that same chapter 2, verse 29, “Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.” These translate to: refraining from destructive behaviors, actualizing constructive behaviors, steady meditation posture, regulation of vital forces, internalization of attention, concentration, meditation, and cognitive absorption.
Hatha yoga (as predominately practiced in modern culture) is a series of asanas and pranayama. It’s great for the body and mind. Yet often the emphasis on the limbs of concentration through Samadhi are not emphasized. There are many hatha yoga teachers that do go into the 8 limbs of yoga well. In my experience these have primarily been Iyengar Yoga teachers.
Hatha yoga is a limb (or a collection of limbs) of the full procedure. However, the point of Hatha yoga in relation to Kriya, as we are talking about it, is to have a strong body and healthy body so that we can meditate well and without distraction. Meditation to direct attention to experience Samadhi is the prime emphasis in the teaching with which I am familiar. So while I do hatha yoga a few times a week, I always meditate multiple hours every day. The emphasis is different.
“[B]What was the immediate benefits you experienced as a result of your practice[/B]?”
[I]Answer[/I]: “It has been a number of years since I began, yet I recall the following. I was more motivated and focused on accomplishing important goals in life. My ability to understand spiritual literature and teachings improved. My discernment, my ability to know what was spiritually accurate, greatly improved. I was happier. My ability to sit longer (alert and attentive) in the silence of meditation became much easier, and periods of silence were much longer. That silence continued longer through my day, during daily activities. I began to get an inkling about what I really was at the core of my being, and also what I was not.”
”[B]How many times a day do you practice[/B]?”
[I]Answer[/I]: “When I began I would practice 3 times a day (not very well of course), an hour in the morning, 30 minutes at lunch, and 45 minutes before bed. Over the years, that developed into a solid 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon or evening, practicing skillfully. For the first 8 years or so I specifically took work that gave me a lot of free time, and lived way below my means, and I spent that extra time studying the sutras, meditating, and contemplating all the stuff that seems so important. So I had more time to meditate, etc. Then, as I became more clear in my dharma and purpose in life, my work load increased and so now I meditate at least 90 minutes every morning, and then on lighter days I add an extra hour or two.
Yet, in time, the work you do and the life you live also becomes your practice, and so that can’t really be broken down into increments.”
“[B]Can you give the steps involved (not saying state how to do the steps)[/B]?”
[I]Answer[/I]: “First, think of God, or the Self, or whatever your concept of the divine is ALL of the TIME. See everyone and everything (including your little self) as an aspect of that One Reality. Treat your self, everyone and everything as if it is That (because it is).
For meditation specifically:
- Acknowledge the divine in everyone and everything. Acknowledge those teachers and great souls who have provided for the opportunity to go deep into meditation.
- Remember, know, why you are practicing. What’s your motivation. Affirm it.
- Then practice Alternate Nostril Breathing 12-24 rounds.
- Practice Sushumna breathing. (A variation of Kriya Pranayama)
- Sit in the silence for as long as possible.
- When distractions arise, use a mantra while focusing awareness gently at the crown or spiritual eye.
- Rest in the silence.
- Visualize, feel, every cell of your body, every atom of space, every person place or thing imbued with Love, Fulfillment and Self-knowledge.
- Go about your day maintaining the after effects tranquility of your practice.
Now for one initiated, the basic procedure is to do a technique called Maha Mudra, or alternative life force arousal technique a few times. Then one practices the Kriya Pranayamas (variation of Sushumna breathing) for a certain number of times. Then sit in the silence generated from the practice. Then there is a technique called Jyoti Mudri, which enables one to see the inner light and hear the Om vibration. One learns to absorb oneself in that (OM). Then when the time is over, they conclude the practice.
”[B]Has your practice brought you to enlightenment[/B]?”
[I]Answer[/I]: “This a great question, and I understand why you are asking. Yet, experience has taught me, that the word enlightenment is heavy with connotations and certain ideas that may or may not be true.
The word enlightenment points to and indicates a state that is beyond concepts. It is the essence, the core of everything. Some would even say the reality of everything, as there is only One Reality, seemingly individualized as “all this”.
The only way to know another is enlightened is not by their claims. That is an easy thing to claim, and not everyone is as honest or sincere as we may hope folks in the spiritual community should be. And sometimes people are well-meaning, but don’t quite fully grasp nor have experienced the totality of what that word indicates.
The only way to know another is enlightened is to find a way to completely calm your mind and let go of attachment to your small sense of self, and to flow your awareness into theirs. You can do this through mental attunement, by attuning to one’s words, or just looking at them quietly. This is for the purpose of observation only. What you experience in that merging will give you a clear indication of their state of consciousness. If it seems enlightened to you, that is OK. But you must be able to fully trust your experience. Also, you must be sure you are completely in a neutral observational state, as projection and even a hint of expectation can give false results. You may be surprised at what turns up sometimes!
What is on the surface is not always a clear indication of what is beneath. Deep, deep, deep down, we are all enlightened. If you can go that deep into another (or hopefully yourself, as that is the most important part to explore anyway) you can know your own enlightenment or that of another. Then you will see it everywhere, in the saint, the sinner, the sage, the merchant, the scoundrel, the painter, the engineer etc.
That was a long winded way of saying, “that’s my own business.” But hopefully these words will have helped some.
realization is born from understanding which is born of contemplation. To apply is the most important key!