Kriya Secrets Revealed: Complete Lessons and Techniques [4 ed.] 1479109517, 9781479109517

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Kriya Secrets Revealed Lessons and Techniques Workbook

J.C. Stevens

Kriya Secrets Revealed Lessons and Techniques Workbook Author: J.C. Stevens Golden Swan Publishing & CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Fourth Edition. No part of this book may be reproduced, translated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author. Photos and illustrations used throughout this book are mostly the privately owned property of J. C . Stevens. Special thanks to Christian, Dick, Ennio, Heather, Janey, John, Joseph, Lory, Maria, Nina, Ramdas and Uma. Edited by Nina Swan ©Copyright 20 1 3 by J. C. Stevens, All rights reserved. ISBN 1 0: 1 4791095 1 7 ISBN 1 3: 978-1479 1 095 17 Disclaimer The information in this book was designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. This book is not meant to be used, nor should it be used, to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of medical problems, consult a medical professional. The author and publisher are not liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application or preparation to any person reading or following the information in this book. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement of any websites or other sources. Readers should be aware that the websites listed in this book may change. In certain circumstances, some of the exercises described in this book may cause injury if not practiced correctly. Techniques that involve a mental or energetic practice can be dangerous if performed while operating a vehicle or other heavy equipment. At times readers are asked to persevere through difficulties to master a technique; however, if at any time you feel that it would be dangerous to do so, it is strongly advised that you listen to your instincts and stop the practice. Confer with a medical professional if there is a question of fitness in order to recreate the more energetic practices.

Dedication This book is dedicated to Lahiri Mahasqya and all sincere seekers of enlightenment who were led astrqy.

Thank you I want to thank you, dear reader, for purchasing this book; proceeds from sales will assist in the advancement of the field of I

07!1 bhur bhuvab svalJ, tat savitur vare1J(i)yaf!1, b hargo de va'sya d'h fm ah i, dh 1yo y6 n ab p racoda'yii t

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In Yoga, the tenth gate is Brahmarandhra. The nine gates are: the eyes (2) + ears (2) + nostrils (2) + mouth ( 1 ) + urethra ( 1 ) + rectum ( 1 ) 9 gates or entrances into the body. The one gate that is normally closed is Brahmarandhra; passing through it leads to liberation. =

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Kriya Secrets Revealed

Om Guru

This is a simple mantra meaning, 'From darkness to light' . Literally gu means ' shadow' and ru means ' disperser' . So the Guru is one who disperses the darkness of soul ignorance. Some choose this mantra and think of their spiritual Guru when they say it. Some choose only to think of the spiritual light, such as what they experience at the Kutastha. Guru Stotra

In the Battacharya-Sampradaya lineage, the following mantra is required to be chanted before and after Kriya practice:

, akha1J4a- ma"f)4alakaram vyiiptam yena chariicharam tat padam da tam yena tasm a i r gu ave n am a �==================r.= 'Sz= ' ============s== i ==r,======== b========== zJ Of!l

The Guru Stotra mantra may be translated literally as follows: Akhanda (urifi-agmented); Mandalakaram (one infinite whole); Vyaptam (pervades); Yena (by which); Characharam (movable and immovable); Tadpadam (that state); darshitam (has shown); Yena (by whom); Tasmai (to that); Shri (glorious); Guruve (guru, teacher); Namah (my salutations). less literal translation might be: My Salutations to that Guru who revealed to me that Truth, which is un-fragmented, infinite, timeless divinity, and which pervades the entire universe -movable or unmovable.

A

The purpose of this mantra is to invite God as Guru to be with us during our Kriya practice. The Guru Stotra mantras are not exclusive to the Kriya Yoga of Battacharya­ Sampradaya, but are practiced commonly throughout India.

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LESSON 1 2 Mantra (Japa Yoga) -

Hare Krishna

There are several versions of this popular mantra. Many devotees understand Krishna as a man. However, those of true spiritual advancement understand that He is the True Oversoul of us all. Christ is synonymous with Krishna, for it was this same spirit which infused Jesus. You may have seen popularized paintings in India with a miniature Krishna being Hare Krishna Hare Krishna depicted in the heart of each � crwr � crwr 1 person. This is because He is Krishna Krishna Hare Hare within each and every one of us. He is our true Higher-Self, the one Being who plays the illusion Hare Rama Hare Rama of the many. We are the illusion: our minds; our history; our Rama Rama Hare Hare individuality. The consciousness � � � � II of the Son is one, but spread out into the many. We (all beings ======= within Creation) are Krishna.

�

�

So the mantra uses three simple words: Hare, Krishna, and Rama. Hare could either mean the consort of Krishna or a manifestation of Vishnu who removes illusion. Rama is another name for God. Your own mantra

A

whole book could be written about mantras, and many have been. In the end, you or your spiritual guide needs to decide which one is right for you.

12 3

Kriya Secrets Revealed

Procedure

1.

Start by repeating your newly chosen mantra aloud

1 08

times followed by

1 08

times silently. Do this for a week.

2. After a week (or sooner i f you like), start repeating your mantra mentally when walking from place to place. Never forget to say the mantra aloud

1 08

times at

some time during the day.

3.

After another week, attempt to say your mantra at all times when your mind is free. Repeating your mantra while driving or operating heavy machinery is not necessary, and can be dangerous. The most important part of Japa is the fact that you are focused on something. Let that something be the task at hand only when it would be wise to do so.

Suggested Daily Routine Tech n i q u e

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

D uration

2 1 minutes

26 minutes

26 minutes

Mantra - Out Loud

5 minutes

5 minutes

5 minutes

Mantra - Silently

5 minutes

1 0 minutes

*

5%

50%

75%+

3 sets

3 sets

3 sets

3 sets

3

sets

3 sets

Talabya Kriya

30 sets

30 sets

30 sets

Maha Mudra

3

Navi Kriya

4 sets

4 sets

4 sets

Om Japa*

6

6 rounds

6

Kriya

1 2-24 breaths

1 2-24 breaths

1 2-24 breaths

Concentration

5+ minutes

5+ minutes

Y o:ni Mudra 2

5+

1 -3 times

Mantra

Nadi

24 hours

Sodhana*

Ujjayi

124

-

Pranayama

Pranayama

3

sets rounds

sets rounds minutes

LESSON 1 2 Mantra (Japa Yoga) -

Before going to sleep*

Maha Mudra

3 sets

Yoni Mudra

1 -3 times

Date Started * Optional, 2 Only practice Y oni Mudra at night. This daily routine begins with saying your mantra out loud and then silently. You may have noticed that the mantra is repeated 24 hours 75% of the time. This is because , after some time repeating your mantra, a certain threshold is reached where the mantra becomes automatic. If your mind is not completely under your control, which it might not become until you have mastered Kriya, you may find that you are temporarily seized by problems of the day, and must bring it back through focusing on your mantra. When in doubt, either during daily activity or meditation, relax and repeat your mantra. If you are receptive and say the mantra with intention, your problem will become solved or your need fulfilled, either by being shown a way to help yourself, or through help from an unknown source. Graduation

After you are able to repeat your mantra in the background of your mind, and are conscious of it during free time, you may move on to the next lesson. Yogic Wisdom - The Higher-Self

I am blessed that I have experienced many events in my life that have proven to me that there is a power beyond my small linear mind operating within its own agenda. Once, during my college years, while I was studying physics seated at my desk, I received a clear message, which I immediately recognized as coming from a divine source. However, the nature of the message was perhaps even ridiculous. Basically, it said very clearly, "Stop your studies, get up, and go to the corner market. Purchase one scratch-type lottery ticket and you will win exactly ten dollars. " This was a particularly odd message. As a yogi, I was opposed to any form o f gambling. Skilled in mathematics (as a student of physics), I was further convinced that gambling could only result in a net loss; the house always wins. After all, anyone who had studied Game-Theory was familiar with this simple calculus. Still, I knew the voice to be genuine, and a certain peace and surety overcame my being. I obeyed the command, marking my 12 5

Kriya Secrets Revealed place in my physics book and exiting the small shack where I was domiciled. I walked to the comer market with one dollar and purchased a single lottery ticket. After scratching the ticket to reveal the hidden symbols, indeed, out of the six exposed, three were ten dollar ($ 1 0) marks, which meant a win. The shop owner was somewhat surprised, perhaps because of my non-emotional reaction as I passed the ticket back to him to be redeemed. After he handed me the ten dollars, I promptly returned to my shack, sitting back down and opening my book. At that moment, the meaning of the entire, albeit minor, experience hit me. I reflected upon the event before resuming by studies. Jokingly, I smiled, realizing that finally some of the money that had been promised for education from the State lottery program was being fulfilled! I did apply the money towards my education, after all. Since that incident, I have had many similar experiences. And in each case, I was made clearly aware that a higher power was always in control, even over the Lottery. Although small examples, they demonstrate that the power of practicing Kriya Yoga raises our thinking to the Higher-Self, which begins as a hidden mysterious force, even seeming separate. As we progress with this understanding, we begin to identify more and more with the Supreme Being, and we start to see the little self (the natural man) as the separate being, or our false self. Indeed, the lower self is not capable of having the perfect intuition of the Higher-Self. However, it is capable of learning through the Higher-Self as teacher. My experience with the lottery ticket is an example of that ability which we all possess through the steady practice of Kriya Yoga. And so, the better lesson that day was not in mathematics, but of a more divine nature.

126

LESSON 13 Mental Kriya -

Ignorance is the outward state of mind. Knowledge is the after-effect ofKriya. - Shyama Charan Lahiri

OTHER NAME S : Mental Kriya Pranayama REQUIREMENTS : First Part of Kriya Pranayama Mental Kriya is similar to Om Japa; however, instead of being practiced before Kriya Pranayama, it should be practiced afterwards. Om Japa is also meant to stimulate the chakra, whereas Mental Kriya is meant to experience them. As with Om Japa, we focus on each chakra and chant Om; whereas, with Mental Kriya we spend a much longer time (between 1 0 to 20 seconds) on each chakra, attempting to intuitively feel it, and relax it. The chakras are constantly at work taking Prana and distributing it to the body. By calmly focusing on each one, after Kriya the chakra will naturally calm down. When this occurs, the breath will also slow down. However, do not make any attempt to even notice it, let alone control it. You are most likely to enter the breathless state, a necessary goal of the Kriya yogi, during the practice of Mental Kriya. Because the mind is occupied, this technique is superior to Dharana, which is used by some schools in place of Mental Kriya. Mental Kriya replaces both the need for Om Japa and Dharana. Procedure 1.

After practicing Kriya Pranayama continue to sit in your Asana with your eyes towards Bhrumadhya. Allow the breath to flow naturally, and then forget it.

2.

Start with focusing o n the First Chakra and remain there for 1 0 to 20 seconds. Om can be mentally chanted, although optional. Remember to keep focus until you feel a release, which will be perceived as certain sweetness, or as radiating colors in your Kutastha.

3.

Repeat step 2 for the 2nd , 3rd , 4th, and 5 th chakras. Repeat also for B indu.

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Kriya Secrets Revealed

4. After ascending t o Bindu, begin the descent, pausing i n Medulla, 5th , 4 th , 3rd , 2"d , and 1 s t chakras. Om can be mentally chanted in each chakra, or you can simply pause for 1 0 to 20 seconds; however, never rush your practice or let your concentration lapse. 5.

One complete round lasts between 2 to 4 minutes. Continue this raising and lowering of energy for as long as it is comfortable. In order to completely relax, you do not need to bother keeping track of the number you are performing. Just repeat steps 2 through 4 for as long as it is comfortable.

Technique Tips

Sometimes a light is perceived in the upper part of the head. If this occurs, keep your awareness calmly focused there. Static Prana is experienced in the Seventh Chakra. This is the state that comes after Kriya, called Kriyar Paravastha 89 • Bring the remembrance of this state into your daily life as much as possible. If you are overwhelmed with bliss, or you start to experience euphoria or other experiences of a divine origin, you may pause your practice to merge your being into these manifestations. After the experience has subsided, simply complete your rounds. As always, the Kriyaban is detached from results, accepting them as they come, but not clinging onto any one in particular. Only in this way do we progress unto even higher experiences that we cannot at this particular time possibly imagine. Another way to vary this technique is to alter which side of the chakra to concentrate on. Most people experience a calming result when focusing on the backside, and an activating experience when focusing on the front. Traditionally, we can alternate by focusing on the front as we are ascending, and on the back when we are descending.

89

Paravastha (Bengali :

128

"'l l�"l'4) adj . Not wavenng. Nirvikalpa Samadhi is oneness with the Absolute without any disturbance. It is also called Asamprajnata Samadhi or N irbija Samadhi. -

3 . Sahaj a (Sanskrit: sahaja - �) adj . Natural. In this state the person can remain in N irvikalpa Samadhi, but remain active in the world, and even act naturally. 4. Mahasamadhi (Sanskrit: mahasamiidhi tf"l()

4. 2nd chakra - Na(a:f)

6. Anahata - Bha(3f)

8. Bindu - Ba(Cf)

9. Medulla - Te({f)

1 0. 8th Point - Va(crr)

1 1 . 9th Point - Su(�) �

1 2. 1 0th Point - De(�)

1 3.

1 1 th

Point

-

1 4 . 1 2th Point - Ya(