The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga
by Goswami Kriyananda
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Book Summary Information
Author: Goswami KriyanandaIllustrator: Eric Klein
Illustrator: Lynn Wallace-Mills
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-05-01
ISBN: 0961309911
Number of pages: 365
Publisher: Temple of Kriya Yoga
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Book Reviews of The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga
Book Review: comprehensive discussion of the eight limbs of yoga
Summary: 5 Stars
this remarkable book remarkable is the only one I have found in English that presents and discusses the Eight Limbs as an interconnected system. it shows how the goal of each limb is to mobilize and transform energy inside the body in order to create the necessary conditions -- sattva -- for the attainment of cosmic consciousness. for this reason, I think this book ought to be read by all students of hatha yoga. I think it is the most comprehensive modern book on the esoteric (spiritual and energetic) side of hatha yoga practices that are becoming increasingly common in the West.
many other reviewers complain that this book does not teach kriya yoga. if by kriya yoga they mean the initiated teachings of paramhansa yogananda, they are correct. since kriyananda would be breaking his vows to include such teachings in a book he can hardly be blaimed; furthermore, kriya yoga lineages contend that initiation is an absolute necessity for the correct practice of those techniques.
if you want to learn the inner medititative teachings of yogananda's lineage, this is not the place to do it. unfortunately, since the publication of yogananda's autobiography a huge market has sprung up of people attempting to make a profit by claiming to offer a short-cut around the SRF's laborious route to yogananda's "secret" teaching. this is not such a book.
however, the contention that this book is not about kriya yoga, or that kriyananda fails to properly emphasize devotion, shows a lack of understanding about the philosophy and practice of kriya yoga in India. the word "kriya" means "activity" or "movement." it refers to the inner meditations of kriya yoga, but also to a number of cleansing techniques considered a part of hatha yoga. techniques in Yogi Bhajan's Kundalini Yoga are also called "kriyas" -- meaning a series of movements.
this book teaches a system of yoga that is in a kriya lineage. it is kriya yoga insofar as the teachings are presented as contributions to the evolution of a whole. it is the whole system that is "kriya," not the individual components. kriya yoga is not a mystical tradition distinct from other yogic teachings; they are part of the same complex mosaic.
as far as devotion, "Bhakti," in India it is viewed as technique among techniques. each student is expected to follow the predelictions of his or her own karma. Yogananda was devotional by nature, and so emphasized Bhakti. he is a Bhakti teacher and so he attracts students who are themselves Bhakti, hence his success among Christians. kriyananda seems to be more of a "Jnana" ("learning") teacher, so his writing will appeal to people with logical, scientific or musical temperaments. this is why there are many teachings. no one teaching is appropriate for all individuals.
these days, the inner "kriya" techniques of the Babaji/Yogananda lineage have the reputation of being some kind of spiritual magic bullet. whether or not that is true I do not know; I have not received them. this book does not claim to offer a magic bullet. instead it presents simple, direct steps to point you in the right direction. if you enjoy hatha yoga and have committed yourself to its study, you will be grateful for the insght contained in this book.
Summary of The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga
This fully illustrated book is the most complete text available on the theory and practice of Kriya Yoga. The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga takes the student step-by-step through the eight stages of Patanjali's Kriya Yoga system and contains extensive chapters on hatha yoga pranayama, mantra, meditation and samadhi. Goswami Kriyananda explicitly teaches how specific asanas can be used to balance each of the seven charkas. If you could only have one book on yoga, this would be it!Yoga Books
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