Name: |
Paramahansa Yogananda, Founder of Kriya Yoga |
Birth, Age, Death: |
Paramahansa Yogananda Jan 5,1893 – Mar 7,1952 |
Nationality: |
Indian |
Method/Religion started: |
Kriya Yoga (meditation), Self Realization Fellowship |
Holy book/teachings: |
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons & well known for the book, Autobiography of a Yogi |
Followers: |
1,000’s |
Lifestyle requirements: |
Recommend simple life & vegetarian diet; abstain from excessive sexual desire |
Form of practice: |
Kriya yoga |
Wiki (encyclopedia) link: |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramahansa_Yogananda |
Paramhansa Yogananda and Kriya Yoga
Satguru Paramhansa Yogananda said “You are walking on the earth as in a dream. Our world is a dream within a dream; you must realize that to find God is the only goal, the only purpose, for which you are here. For Him alone you exist. Him you must find”. Paramhansa Yogananda was an indirect student of Mahavatar BabaJi, and was fated to teach eastern mysticism to the west, living a good part of his life in the United States (California).
He taught an ancient method known as Kriya Yoga, which has 6 stages of practice. Each building on the previous until complete self-realization is obtained. The guru would teach the next stage when the disciple had passed the current one. If the disciple could not pass before the masters death, then he would need to be reborn or find another master to impart the method.
It’s best to learn this technique directly from an authorized Kriyaban or acharya teacher as it contains many advanced aspects.