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SRF Walrus > SRF Teachings and Ideals > what about the techniques
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luc Unregistered User (12/20/01 12:32 pm) Reply	what about the techniques I read on this board doubts about tjhe lessons. I've had them to. But always about topics concerning diet, ways to live(as a couple for exemple). But what about the different techniques? How can we know they are reliable. SRF speeks of "scientific", but for me it seems "pseudo-scientific". Can any one comment on this? Thanks Luc
username Registered User (12/20/01 1:13 pm) Reply	Re: what about the techniques SRF has changed the techniques
Shivanath Unregistered User (12/20/01 4:05 pm) Reply	Techniques Its an interesting issue...in the SRF Kriya lessons, the Kriya technique is referred to as Lahiri's technique. However, there is some evidence that the SRF techniques differ in some details from other Lahiri "lineages." And you will often see other lineages referring to their technique as "original", "authentic", "traditional", etc. I had thought these differences reflected the way Yogananda wanted to teach Kriya, and not some post-Yogananda SRF initiated change. The popular story, rumor, legend etc. is that Yogananda "watered down" the techniques for western consumption. That story certainly makes the SRF techniques sound less effective...sorta like a baby aspirin. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can comment about this. Faith and Doubt are the horns of a dilemma. On the one hand, you need to maintain your reality testing and keep your rational, questioning faculties intact....on the other hand, doubt, especially doubt about the validity, authenticity, efficacy etc. of the techniques is the surest way to undermine your practice. The danger then, is that at some point questioning can lead to a loss of faith...it is a danger for all spiritual aspirants. It is a question of balance. I believe it is possible to maintain a questioning attitude without losing faith...faith based on experience....for me, the tools Yogananda gave us have demonstrable, repeatable effects. So my experience is that the tools are effective, whether or not they are "authentic", "original", "traditional", etc.
Delighted Unregistered User (12/20/01 9:28 pm) Reply	Re: Techniques It does seem surprising that only a little over 100 years after Lahiri taught kriya there is no consensus regarding the specifics of his Kriya. Just read the puplicly available writings of the more visible Kriya lineages and they hardly seem to be discussing the same set of techniques. How did this happen? Is it a common Indian practice for each generation of teachers to add, subtract, modify what they have been taught according to their own personal experiences? Of course, this is what western scientists do, attempting to improve on the knowledge and techniques of those who came before. Or have a number of people just traded on the well known term "kriya", (much popularized by Yogananda) using it to bring credibility to a different set of techniques that have nothing in common with Lahiri's. Somehow none of these seem an adequate explanation for this baffling state of affairs as regards Kriya. Unfortunately, the veil of secrecy that most teachers impose on the techniques they offer makes sorting it out very dificult. Shivanath, I think you are quite on the mark when you say: "for me, the tools Yogananda gave us have demonstrable, repeatable effects. So my experience is that the tools are effective, whether or not they are "authentic", "original", "traditional", etc." We can also keep in mind that the techniques are just tools for opening one's consciousness to direct perception/communion/realization of God within and without. Some, such as Ramana Maharshi (with whom Yogananda met during his trip to India) have accomplished this with no techniques at all. He advised others to simply ask themselves "Who Am I?" as the most direct way to the goal. Interestingly, the meeting between Ramana and Yogananda was recorded in the notes of Ramana's biographer and can be read today. When Yoganada asked Ramana about human suffering, Ramana replied "Who suffers?', at which time it was noted that Yogananda became visibly moved and appeared to pass into Samadhi. Later when discussing instruction of devotees Ramana stated his opinion that all instruction was best given individually. Hmmmm. Delighted
Fourfourfourfour Registered User (1/21/02 2:59 pm) Reply	Re: Techniques There is a film that contains the meeting with Yogananda and Ramana Maharshi. It's called, "The Archival Films 1935 - 1950. It can be purchased from the group's websight I believe. It's mostly about Ramana, yet the part with Yogananda, which includes other VIP's, shows that he didn't come out of Samadhi to socially join any festivities surrounding the event of the meetings.
unclear Unregistered User (1/21/02 6:09 pm) Reply	Re: Fourfourfourfour What you wrote is not very clear. WHO did not come out of samadhi to join the festivities, Ramana or Yogananda?

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