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Ringbearer7
Registered User
(11/18/03 7:57 pm)
Reply 		Kriya Lessons
I am curious. Does anybody have access to the old SRF lessons that were in use just prior to Yoganandaji's passing? As far as I know, the current SRF lessons were put together after 1952. I am particularly interested in whether the higher Kriyas were in the lessons used prior to 1952 or if these techniques were only taught in person. Much thanks to any one who can shed some light on this.

Borg108
Registered User
(11/19/03 6:46 am)
Reply 		Re: Kriya Lessons
Higher ktiya lessons were available in the earlier Praeceptum lessons copyright 1938. The content is the pretty much the same as in the later lessons.

bsjones
Registered User
(11/19/03 9:57 am)
Reply
ezSupporter
 Re: Kriya Lessons
I am reading new Lesson #6 now. Notwithstanding the SRF self-promotion in #1 and the packaging, I get a lot out of them.

Ringbearer7
Registered User
(11/19/03 6:46 pm)
Reply 		Re: Kriya Lessons
Thank you Borg. Another question. Do you know if there is a reference to khechari in the old higher Kriya lessons and if so was it similar in nature to what is written about it in the current 2nd Kriya lesson? I am asking this because I have heard from several places that when putting together the current SRF lessons there was debate among the BOD whether mention of khechari in the 2nd Kriya lesson should be made with Dr. Lewis being in favor. Have you heard of this and do you know of any info to confirm or deny this rumor?

Ringbearer7
Registered User
(11/19/03 6:54 pm)
Reply 		Re: Kriya Lessons
Certainly. This are a lot of wonderful things in the SRF lessons - I don't agree with everything in there and not everything there is useful for me but there are many good things to be found. If I had to do it again from the beginning then I would approach the lessons like I imagine a young Swami Sri Yukteswarji would - with a respectful yet discriminating and scientific attitude...with no fear.

YellowBeard420
Registered User
(11/20/03 12:44 am)
Reply
Advanced Kriya Lessons?
In the SRF Lessons you're given information on Energization Exercises, Hong Sau Technique, Aum meditation. After these you are offered the much talked about Kriya Yoga. You need to pass an exam, so to speak, which tests you on your knowledge of the techniques taught in the Lessons and on how often you practice them. If you answer acceptably you usually get a few pointers on your practice and you're on your way to Kriya. After receiving Kriya, you begin to get Kriya initiation offers in the mail which costs a couple hundred bucks or so if I remember correctly. My question here is are there "advanced levels" of Kriya given at these initiations? searching around on the Web with regard to SRF Kriya, I'm hearing something about four levels of Kriya Yoga. Can anyone comment on this? Perhaps I'm misconstruing something. I'm sure just mentioning if there's more advanced Kriyas offered by SRF wouldn't be in violation of any copyright laws or anything like that.

Borg108
Registered User
(11/20/03 3:58 am)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
Ringbearer7,

In the old Kriya Lesson 14 there is a brief reference to khechari mudra (but never referred to by that name) that looks to be the same as in the later second kriya lesson. I'm actually missing the last page of the later second Kriya Lesson 14, so maybe you can tell me if it says there as it does in the old lesson that this method (khechari) must be practiced regularly in order to stimulate the kundalini current to enjoy the inner communion and nectar.

I never heard anything about discussions at SRF of whether to include or not include kechari mudra. There are several references to it in God Speaks With Arjuna. Page 792 says it "...should be practiced only according to the instructions of one's guru..." Page 128 says "When this exercise is practiced under a guru's guidance by an advanced yogi - such as one who has first made significant spiritual progress in Kriya Yoga - it turns the sense-bound life current Godward." So I guess most of us are not ready for khechari, according to God Speaks With Arjuna. But no such qualifiers for khechari practice existed in the old second kriya lesson - it just wasn't explained very well.


Yellowbeard,

There is no charge for kriya other than a few dollars to cover the postage and printing of those kriya lessons. A donation can be made at the time of the initiation ceremony, if one wishes. The higher kriyas are given by lesson only and not by physical initiation.

Edited by: Borg108 at: 11/20/03 4:20 am
chrisparis
Registered User
(11/20/03 7:25 am)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons?
..."After receiving Kriya, you begin to get Kriya initiation offers in the mail which costs a couple hundred bucks or so if I remember correctly."

No matter what other problems I may have with SRF, THIS is really most unfair! I was charged several dollars for the Kriya lessons, really just enough to cover postage. I was also notified of when and where kriya initiations were going to be held. I chose to fly out to LA to receive mine. I was told to bring some flowers, a piece of fruit and a money offering in an envelope. That's it. Nobody ever charged me anything, nor was the amount of the money offering stipulated, nor even hinted at. I was told it could be any amount, since it was symbolic.

I am aware that many people and groups charge for initiation, and that the charge can be quite steep. However SRF impressed me greatly in as far as that wasn't done at all in my case, which seemed in keeping with tradition.

Ringbearer7
Registered User
(11/20/03 8:20 am)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
Borg,

I don't have the 2nd Kriya lessons handy at the moment but as I recall the reference there sounds very similar to the way you described kechari being discussed in the old K14 lessons. I was just asking this because kechari raises a lot of heated discussions with some people claiming that SRF changed this aspect of Kriya after Yoganandaji's passing.

YellowBeard420
Registered User
(11/20/03 3:30 pm)
Reply
Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
Borg108 wrote: "There is no charge for kriya other than a few dollars to cover the postage and printing of those kriya lessons. A donation can be made at the time of the initiation ceremony, if one wishes."

Kriya Lessons cost me about $9. I think they're making a slight profit over printing and postage, but nothing to complain about. It's actually quite reasonable.

But what I was trying to say is that I would get (and I'm sure others must have as well) letters every 6 months or so inviting me to Kriya initiation ceremonies. The cost of participating in these ceremonies was at least $100, but I think more close to $200. I'm positive on this because at the time I was a serious devotee and it was the cost that turned me off on it, otherwise I would have went.

There may be some confusion on this because you guys may be coming from the perspective of 10 years ago or so, but I'm talking about modern day practices like within the last 5 years.

If I get one of these invitations soon, I'll post the actual details.

Ringbearer7
Registered User
(11/20/03 7:20 pm)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
Borg,

I sent you a message. Please check you mail box.

Ringbearer7
Registered User
(11/20/03 7:28 pm)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
"The cost of participating in these ceremonies was at least $100, but I think more close to $200."

I have never heard of this and if this were indeed the case then I am sure that someone would have mentioned it on the Walrus board before.

"There may be some confusion on this because you guys may be coming from the perspective of 10 years ago or so, but I'm talking about modern day practices like within the last 5 years."

5 years? Perhaps you should be called "GreenBeard420?" ;-)

ranger20
Registered User
(11/21/03 8:46 am)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
Quote:
There may be some confusion on this because you guys may be coming from the perspective of 10 years ago or so, but I'm talking about modern day practices like within the last 5 years."

I attended one in 2002 and there was no cost beyond what each individual chose to spend for flower, fruit and donation.

stermejo
Registered User
(11/21/03 2:17 pm)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
The only kechari debate I've heard regards an ancient practice of severing a muscle under the tongue that would normally prevent the tongue from being used to close off the upper part of the throat. Pardon my lack of nomenclarure.

Regarding the cost of participating in those "higher" initiations, I'm assuming you mean the ones held at MC and Convoc. I've ALWAYS viewed them as cost prohibitive; time off work, flying to LA, cost of food, lodging, transportation, registration, etc.. Exing the reg fee for non-convoc related initiations at MC notwithstanding, my spiritual efforts to date have failed to bring me the longed for and promised prosperity, etc., etc.:-)

YellowBeard420
Registered User
(11/21/03 3:47 pm)
Reply
Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
Ranger20 wrote: "I attended one in 2002 and there was no cost beyond what each individual chose to spend for flower, fruit and donation."

Chrisparis wrote: "I was told to bring some flowers, a piece of fruit and a money offering in an envelope."

You know what you guys, I'm sorry, I must be thinking of the price to attend Convocation.

Although the cash in the envelope thing reminds me of the Mafia. :)

Ringbearer7
Registered User
(11/21/03 6:53 pm)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
"The only kechari debate I've heard regards an ancient practice of severing a muscle under the tongue that would normally prevent the tongue from being used to close off the upper part of the throat. Pardon my lack of nomenclarure."

No muscle there that I can tell - just skin. In any case, from what I have read Lahiri Mahasaya forbid his disciples from cutting the tongue to achieve kechari.

chrisparis
Registered User
(11/24/03 8:18 am)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
"No muscle there that I can tell - just skin. In any case, from what I have read Lahiri Mahasaya forbid his disciples from cutting the tongue to achieve kechari. "

Actually, there are major blood vessels and nerves which serve the tongue, and severing this tissue is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, so I wouldn't do it.
Lahiri Mahasaya also forbade the practice of "milking" the tongue to acheive kechari mudra, and yet this is precisely what the Ananda folks recommend doing, basing the instruction (I presume) on instruction given to Kriyananda by PY, so who knows. I asked Anil Nerode about it, and he said that kechari mudra wasn't critical to success...

Ringbearer7
Registered User
(11/24/03 10:33 pm)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
"Lahiri Mahasaya also forbade the practice of "milking" the tongue to acheive kechari mudra, and yet this is precisely what the Ananda folks recommend doing, basing the instruction (I presume) on instruction given to Kriyananda by PY, so who knows. I asked Anil Nerode about it, and he said that kechari mudra wasn't critical to success..."

I doubt that Yoganandaji instructed "milking" the tongue as this was forbidden by Lahiri Mahasaya. In any case, why would he teach "milking" when there were apparently other ways to work toward kechari that were taught and advocated by Lahiri Mahasaya. I don't want to be harsh but my guess is that Ananda is making some of these things up - I strongly doubt what they are giving regarding kechari was taught by Yoganandaji.

etzchaim
Registered User
(11/25/03 6:43 am)
Reply 		Re: Advanced Kriya Lessons
"I asked Anil Nerode about it, and he said that kechari mudra wasn't critical to success... "

From what I have been told, the Kechari Mudra has to do with subtle movement in the mind that does not become an issue until the later stages of unfoldment. When the tongue is completely 'stretched' and 'gripped' in the throat, it's imobility has a further stilling effect on the deeper layers of mind. It's not necessary at all, in the earlier stages (stop the bigger waves, first, in other words), and only helpful in the latter.

needthestar
Registered User
(11/25/03 11:33 am)
Reply 		Norman Paulsen and Kechari Mudra
*If this post is not relevant to the topic, just tell me to butt out, but I thought it may be of some interest*

From "Christ Consciousness" by Norman Paulsen

Chapter 15 "Vision of the Future"

"I received the Kriya Yoga meditation technique from Yogananda shortly after moving to Mount Washington in 1947. One day Boone and I were discussing the merits of Kriya Yoga versus other techniques of meditation. Boone mentioned Kechari Mudra, 'the king of all yogic mudras".

'What is Kechari Mudra, Boone?'

'Well, it has to do with the tongue and a unique position which the tongue assumes."

Boone began to explain how the life force is drawn up through the nerve centers of the spine toward the higher centers of the brain. He then went on to describe the pituitary gland and the pineal gland and their functions.

Finally he opened his mouth and said, 'Do you see the soft palate which hangs down from the roof of the mouth?'

'Yes, I see it.'

'Well, the trick is to pass the tongue backwards until it slips behind the soft palate. You then push the tongue upward until it slips behind the nasopharynx. You should be able to close off either nostril with the tongue from the inside. Pushing on up with the tip of the tongue, you will reach a bone protrusion that is just under the pituitary gland, The force which is rising upwards flows off the end of the tongue, like flames under a pot. It is here that the final connection is made. By exciting the pituitary gland, the pineal gland begins to vibrate, and the two forces are magnetically drawn to unite in the region of the spiritual eye. Therefore Kechari Mudra works like an excitation current to arouse other forces in the body to join at the center of consciousness.'

I decided to try it. I pushed my tongue upwards and backwards until I felt the tip of my tongue touching the soft palate. Pushing on, my tongue slipped behind the soft palate. Then moving the tongue upward, I could feel the nasopharynx and the inner side of the nostrils with the tip of my tongue. I pushed beyond the nostrils and came up to the bone protrusion Daniel had described. It was true! I immediately felt a very deep consciousness pervading my mind; with closed eyes spectral lights flared around me. Daniel found it hard to believe I had accomplished this very difficult mundra on my first try, so I demonstrated the fact. I began to practice Kriya Yoga with my tongue in this unique position experiencing tremendous results.

One day a message came: 'Paramhansaji wants to see you.' I climbed the stairs to the third floor and went toward Yogananda's room. I found him in the kitchen.

'Big Boy, what have you been doing?'

'Working on the tennis courts, sir.'

'Well, come in a minute. I hear you are doing Kriya differently these days.'

'Well, yes sir, I am.'

'Can you swallow your tongue?'

'Yes sir, I can.'

'Show me.' Paramhansaji picked up a flashlight and I performed the mudra. He backed up a step. 'My Lord!' he exclaimed. 'You don't know how blessed you are. Do you practice Kriya with your tongue upward?'

'Yes sir, I do.'

'You have been an adept in the past, this is why your karma has allowed you to perform the king of mudras. Go now, and keep up with your meditations. Wonderful experiences with come to you.'

I know that Norman' group Solar Logos teaches their version of Kriya with the use of the tongue. Is this what is referred to as "milking" the tongue?

etzchaim
Registered User
(11/25/03 2:03 pm)
Reply 		Re: Norman Paulsen and Kechari Mudra
Milking the tongue is a specific technique that leads to the lengthening of the tongue (if I'm remembering right). It was explained once to me and then I was told not to do it. Again, if I'm remembering right, it involves pulling the tongue out of the mouth and making a motion and that is very much like milking a cow.

The pituitary and pineal glands will be activated during meditation. You do not NEED to be pushing on that bone, though, I'm sure it will increase the activity.

You can make a daily practice of simply trying to push your tongue to the back of the throat and it will eventually happen naturally, if you are so inclined.

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