Paramhansa Yogananda and Kriya Yoga

(paraphrased and based on Yogananda’s (bless his soul) “Autobiography of a Yogi”.

Paramhansa Yogananda is one of the best known yogis in the west, the first yoga master to bring the tradition in person to the West. He was born January 5, 1893 in Gorakhpur, India, the fourth of eight children. His mother passed away when he was about 11 years old, and soon after he had a vision of the Divine Mother, who said, “It is I who have watched over thee, life after life, in the tenderness of many mothers!” The Divine Mother became the center of Yogananda’s devotion for the remainder of his life.

After finishing high school, Yogananda formally left home and joined a Mahamandal Hermitage in Varanasi; however, he soon became dissatisfied with its insistence on organizational work instead of meditation and God-perception. He began praying for guidance; in 1910, his seeking after various teachers mostly ended when, at the age of 17, he met his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. In his autobiography, he describes his first meeting with Sri Yukteswar as a rekindling of a relationship that had lasted for many lifetimes. He would go on to train under Sri Yukteswar as his disciple for the next ten years (1910–1920), at his hermitages in Serampore and Puri. Later on Sri Yukteswar informed Yogananda that he had been sent to him by the great guru of their lineage, Mahavatar Babaji, for a special world purpose of yoga dissemination.

During his study with Sir Yukteswar he attended and graduated from Calcutta University. July 1914, several weeks after graduating from college, he took formal vows into the monastic Swami order; Sri Yukteswar allowed him to choose his own name: Swami Yogananda Giri. He learned the physical and spiritual practice of yoga, teaching and then establishing a high school with yoga training at Dihika, West Bengal, that combined modern educational techniques with yoga training and spiritual ideals. A year later, the school relocated to Ranchi. One of the school's first batch of pupils was his youngest brother, Bishnu Charan Ghosh, who learnt yoga asanas there and in turn taught asanas to the future yogi Bikram Choudhury. This school would later become the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (the Indian branch of Yogananda's American organization, Self-Realization Fellowship).

In 1920 he came to the United States as the Indian delegate for the International Congress of Religious Liberals. He stayed and traveled extensively on the East and West coasts lecturing on yoga. He spoke at the International Congress in early October, and was well received. IN 1920 he founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) to disseminate worldwide his teachings on India's ancient practices and philosophy of Yoga and its tradition of meditation. Yogananda spent the next four years in Boston; in the interim, he lectured and taught on the East Coast and in 1924 embarked on a cross-continental speaking tour. Thousands came to his lectures. During this time he attracted a number of celebrity followers, including soprano Amelita Galli-Curci, tenor Vladimir Rosing and Clara Clemens Gabrilowitsch, the daughter of Mark Twain. He settled in California, founding the Yoga Institute at Encinitas, California. He introduced millions to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his organization Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) / Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) of India. He lived his last 32 years in America. His last four years of this life were spent primarily in seclusion at his desert retreat in Twentynine Palms, California. He continued to write, to finish revising books, articles and lessons on yoga. During this period he gave few interviews or lectures. He told his close disciples, "I can do much more now to reach others with my pen."

On March 7, 1952, Yogananda attended a dinner for the visiting Indian Ambassador to the US, Binay Ranjan Sen, and his wife at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. At the conclusion of the banquet, Yogananda spoke of India and America, their contributions to world peace and human progress, expressing his hope for a "United World" that would combine the best qualities of "efficient America" and "spiritual India." According to an eyewitness – Daya Mata, a direct disciple of Yogananda, who was head of the Self-Realization Fellowship – as Yogananda ended his speech, he read from his poem “My India”, concluding with the words "Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, and men dream God—I am hallowed; my body touched that sod." As he uttered these words, he lifted his eyes to the Kutastha center (the Ajna Chakra or "spiritual eye"), and his body slumped to the floor." Followers and others say that he entered mahasamadhi: the medical cause of death was heart failure. His funeral service, with hundreds attending, was held at the SRF headquarters atop Mt. Washington in Los Angeles.

In 1946, Yogananda published his life story, “Autobiography of a Yogi”, the first hand account of the life experiences of Paramhansa Yogananda. It describes Yogananda's spiritual search for enlightenment, in addition to encounters with notable spiritual figures such as Therese Neumann, Anandamayi Ma, Vishuddhananda Paramahansa, Mohandas Gandhi. The book has since been translated into 45 languages. In 1999, it was designated one of the "100 Most Important Spiritual Books of the 20th Century" by a panel of spiritual authors convened by Philip Zaleski and HarperCollins publishers. “Autobiography of a Yogi” is the most popular among Yogananda's books, read by millions of people all over the world, classic reading for teachers and practitioners of yoga, and recognized universally by varying religious traditions as a beautiful depiction of his spiritual path.

Yogananda wrote the “Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You and God Talks With Arjuna – The Bhagavad Gita” to show the complete harmony and basic oneness of original Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ and original Yoga as taught by Bhagavan Krishna. In the book he also presents that the principles of truth are the common, scientific foundation of all true religions.

In his work, “The Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons”, Yogananda gives his in-depth instruction in the practice of the highest yoga science of God-realization. That ancient science is embodied in the specific principles and meditation techniques known as Kriya Yoga. Kriya Yoga is a meditation technique that quickly accelerates one’s spiritual growth — though ancient, it was first made widely known by Yogananda in his autobiography.

“Kriya,” Yogananda wrote, “is the easiest, most effective, and most scientific avenue of approach to the Infinite. In contrast to the slow, uncertain ‘bullock cart’ theological path to God, Kriya may justly be called the ‘airplane’ route.”

Kriya Yoga is more than a simple technique; it is an entire way of life. With Kriya Yoga, Paramhansa Yogananda taught three other techniques of yoga and meditation: Energization Exercises, Hong-Sau, and Aum Technique.

Pendulums and Discernment

What are Pendulums and how are they used?

If we look at ancient art, such as Greek and Egyptian paintings, we will find images of pendulums. They have been a tool of humanity since ancient times, probably before the recording of history and were considered one of the fundamental tools in Greek science. And the power of pendulums are still available for us today. The East teaches us that the goal of life is finding balance within the oscillation of life, and this is the same energy that guides the pendulum, its oscillating balance.

There are many ways to use your pendulum. Asking and receiving answers to yes/no questions is the most basic tool of a pendulum. But this is not its only use. In fact, the oscillation of a pendulum is a 180 degree possible swing, with allows for far more complex questions and answers than just yes or no. It is easiest to start with yes/no questions and then as you get comfortable with the subtle messages of the pendulum and how to phrase questions, you may move to more complex questions and answers.

It is best not to share your pendulum. You want to keep it’s energy clear and programmed for you. (Step 3 below will present Programming your pendulum). The choice of material (traditionally crystal, metal or wood) is of personal choice. It is best to hold and try a variety of materials and shapes to see what resonates and feels comfortable to you. Choice of materials might be considered in the type of help being sought of the pendulum. For instance working on opening a particular chakra would suggest a crystal pendulum that resonates with that pendulum. Help with health (life force) questions would suggest a wood or carnelian pendulum. But for most pendulum practitioners, they develop a relationship with a particular pendulum and continue to use it regardless of the type of questions being asked. A pendulum can also be used in place of muscle testing.

How to Use a Pendulum to Answer Yes/No Questions

1. Relax and bring your mind to a calm and focused state with your thoughts releasing any worries and distractions. Free yourself of internal chatter and noise. Do not multi-task, but be present to the pendulum. Relax and focus. Quiet music may help, along with other meditational aids like candles, incense, or crystals. But these things are not required. You can use your pendulum anywhere, at any time, with or without these extra items.

2. Position yourself and your pendulum. Ideally, you want to sit up straight or stand straight. Grasp the pendulum's fob ( the end of the chain opposite the pendulum) between your thumb and forefinger, or the end of the chain just blow the fob. Arch your wrist slightly, steady your forearm (but not your hand). You can use something solid, like the edge of a table to steady your arm, but in time you get used to just holding your arm steady and at rest. Let the pendulum just dangle, but hold it still. Your hand may shake but it won’t matter to the pendulum. but don’t worry if your hand shakes a little bit.

3. You should now Program your pendulum’s signals if you haven’t before. You only need to do this step once, unless you decide to make changes afterward. The purpose of programming is to establish signals for each of these answers:

- Yes

- No

- Maybe (which can also be interpreted as "I don't want to say")

Here are some common, easy-to-read signals that your pendulum may use:

- front to back (like a head nod - common for “yes”)

- side to side (like a head shake - common for “no”)

- clockwise circle

- counterclockwise circle

To begin Programming, first ask your pendulum “What is your yes?” Then be patient for this beginning use of the pendulum. Again stay focused and mindful. Give the pendulum space to answer. Then ask the opposite, “what is your no?” And finally ask about “maybe”. You might ask if here is a different response for “don’t know” or “can’t say”, etc.

Now verify the answers. You can test out the different answers by asking a couple of test questions, such as “Is my name ____?” Or, "Is today Monday?" Basically, you want to verify that yes is yes and no is no. If the signals are consistent, go back to the beginning of step 3and reprogram the pendulum. Once your signals are verified, you skip this step.

4. Then you will Program your pendulum’s Source. Unlike steps 3, you'll want to include this step every time you prepare to use your pendulum. The purpose is to establish where the pendulum will get its answers. The goal is to tap into your higher self. Skipping this step may cause your pendulum to restrict itself to the subconscious mind or Ego.

Begin each session by saying something like, “I call upon the higher self to answer these questions. I seek only truthful answers, which are aligned with the highest and greatest good for all concerned.” Or, “ I ask that the Source of all that is Good and True guide my pendulum….” this can be said silently or aloud. Do what you are comfortable with, and of course, feel free to tailor this language to words that reflect Source for you and so that it matches your own terminology.

5. Ask your question. Ask questions that can be answered by YES or NO. Be as specific and clear as you can in your phrasing. Avoid asking for opinions or using the words “should” or “supposed to” in your questions. You might want to initially first write out questions so you can more easily see any ambiguity in your questions. Be specific with dates, times, names, places. (“Will my appointment tomorrow at 10am with ___ provide solution to ____?”) Be objective in the question not biasing towards the answer. (“Will John, that jerk, ever ask me out?”)

6. Wait for the answer. Be patient. Give the pendulum as much time as needed. The speed of answers will probably change over time as your relationship develops. Concentrate on your question but do not concentrate on what you think the answer should or will be. And try not to become anxious. Remember to breath! If it is difficult to focus you might try Clearing your thoughts by closing your eyes. Keep them closed and look up. This little muscle exercise will temporarily short-circuit the conscious mind's involvement and bring you back to a neutral, unbiased state. Remain detached about the answer and focus only on receiving a correct, unbiased answer.

When the pendulum swings, look at it - observe its direction. This is your answer. If it doesn’t move immediately, give it time, or if it’s unclear what the signal is, try rephrasing the question and do it again. When the pendulum swings with great force, it’s answering loudly. If it swings with only light force, you can interpret this as a quiet, perhaps less committed response.

8. Clear the pendulum at the end of each question by touching its weight to the palm of your free hand or on another surface. This signals that your question has been answered and you are ready to move on to the next question.

9. Protect and cherish your pendulum when not in use. You might wear it on a neck chain or in a little bag with a cord. That way it will receive your energy all day long, and will be readily attuned to your body's energy and vibrational level. And it will be easily accessed when you have a question to ask. Or you can keep it in a pouch or a keepsake box.

If worn or used much, the metal of the pendulum will eventually oxidize and develop a patina; a warm glow accentuated by darkened areas. And crystals may develop a skin, which is natural for crystals. You can either leave it this way, or if you prefer a bright and shiny surface, gently polish with a soft cloth to remove the oxidation. Never use abrasive cleansers or expose to salts. Ideally store in a cool dry place when not worn.

Pendulum Charts

Pendulum charts expand the power of your pendulum far beyond the simple yes/no/maybe question method. Pendulum charts are available individually or in booklets.

There are lots of different types of charts. Some are complicated and others, quite simple, but the principle is the same in all. Instead of using pre-programmed signals (as you would when asking yes/no questions), your pendulum uses the reference points on the chart to show you answers. Usually the charts are a half-sphere with subdivisions, each division labeled with a different possible answer. For example, a chart for nutrition might have divisions with different vitamins or herbs to answer which would be beneficial for your diet. Or for Chakra energy work the divisions would have the major Chakra names.

Chart work is usually done standing or sitting at a table. The charts may be opened from a booklet or created at the time to address the possibilities of the questions that are going to be asked. Remember to Program the Source even when using charts.

What are the Chakras, and what is Chakra Wellness?

The seven major chakras

The Chakras

We know through science and may experience for ourselves that our physical bodies are encircled and held by an electromagnetic field, analogous to the flowing energy field that encircles and emanates from Mother Earth. The field protects us, and creates our environ through which we interact with the world. Everything is experienced because we’re both surrounded by our own personal force field, and the insides of our bodies contain electrical generators, which the body uses to send signals through our body and experiences our environment. The focus of that field is at our core, running from below our feet through to above our head. In the Eastern tradition the focuses of that field are called chakras. They are not really points, but focuses, spinning energy points of that larger field, interconnected to our mind and body and spirit. (In the eastern and western mystic traditions these are not separate things, but one interconnected aspect of our being.) Virtually every single process which is keeping you alive can be traced back to that field and those energy focuses.

There are seven major chakras, starting from the base of the spine through to the crown of the head. These spheres of energy, aligned with the spine, keep us vibrant and healthy. The Sanskrit word Chakra translates as “wheel” or “disk”. In the eastern tradition the invisible, healing energy is called Prana, the vital life force, which keeps us vibrant, healthy, and alive.

The first three chakras, starting at the base of the spine are chakras of matter. They are more physical in nature.

First Chakra: In Sanskrit, Muladhara, the Root Chakra is the lowest chakra and connects us to Mother Earth. Through this chakra we experience stability, security, and our basic needs. When this chakra is open, we feel safe and fearless. It is also one of the paths through which we connect to others, like spokes of a a single wheel, through the Muladhara we connect to the spoke and others experiencing our interconnection and “oneness”.

Second Chakra: The Svadhisthana , the Sacral Chakra is our creativity and sexual center. It is located above the pubic bone, below the navel. It holds much of our life force and vitality.

Third Chakra: The Manipura, the Solar Plexus Chakra resides between the navel to breastbone. The third chakra is our source of personal identity and power. When people refer to feeling something “in their gut” or “butterflies in their stomach” this is us feeling our Solar Plexus. It contains our “inner wisdom”, that which we know is true for us, versus what for which the world is trying to convince us.

The Fourth Chakra: The Anahata, the Heart Chakra, is the Connection Between Matter and Spirit. Located at the middle of the seven and unites the lower chakras of matter and the upper chakras of spirit. The fourth is also spiritual but serves as a bridge between our body, mind, emotions, and spirit. The heart chakra is our source of love and connection. It contains both our passion and compassion, and therefore guides how we connect to others. Sometimes it is described as if it is two aspects, but in truth this is a single, connecting chakra.

The last three chakras are the Chakras of Spirit.

Fifth Chakra: The Vishuddha, the Throat Chakra, is the fifth chakra found at the area of the throat. This is our source of verbal expression and the ability to speak our truth. But the throat chakra may be used in silent prayer, meditation, and empathetic expression. It is another sphere of connection to others through our sharing and blessing.

Sixth Chakra: The Ajna, the Third Eye Chakra, is located in between the eyebrows. It connects mind to spirit. The Ajna is our center of intuition, or “seeing in a different way”. We all have a sense of intuition but we may not listen to it or heed its guidance and warnings. Focus on opening the sixth chakra will help hone this ability.

Seventh Chakra: The Sahaswara, the Crown Chakra or the “thousand petal lotus” chakra is located at the crown of the head. This is the chakra of enlightenment and spiritual connection to our higher/highest selves. It is a focus of connection to others, the communal consciousness, and ultimately to the divine.

The Seven Chakra Sanskrit Names

The Importance of the Major Chakras in the Body and Relation to Wellness

Wellness: We have all met people who are physically well, but in whom we can feel that they are feeble, or that their life force is weak. And then there are others, like newborn babies, who just radiate that vitality of life. In them the life force is strong and we would say that their chakras are “open”, vital and flowing. And we can feel and see that vitality. And that vitality is not actually limited by age or circumstance. It is an internal, powerful force.

These chakras, swirling spheres of energy correspond to massive nerve centers in the body. Each of the seven major chakras contain our body, electromagnetic flow, bundles of nerves, and major organs. And each is part of our psychological, emotional, and spiritual states of being. This is not a static energy, rather verything is moving, spinning, flowing. It’s essential that our seven chakras stay open, aligned, and fluid. If there is a blockage, energy flow will be restricted.

Balance: In the eastern tradition, wellness is found through balance. Mind, body, soul, and spirit are intimately connected. The condition of these energy centers can affect the physical organs that are found within their vicinity in the body. Our bodies are in constant flux between balance and imbalance. The chakras impact emotional, spiritual and mental aspects such as: feelings of security and "groundedness"; artistic creativity and enjoyment; motivation or drive; connection and love; assertiveness, communication and self expression; intuition and self confidence; feelings of ecstasy and blissfulness. Awareness of an imbalance in one area through chakra meditation will help bring the others back into balance. Awareness is the first step in detecting any imbalances. Then through the use of techniques such as meditation and yoga sequences, crystal healing, and Reiki, one can work towards improved energy flow and balance. These techniques, beginning with meditation, can open the chakras, restore the balance, and strengthen our life force, sense of well being, and connection to spirit.

- Aum Shanti