KRIYA TEACHERS AND KRIYA PATHS - Yogananda lineage

SRF Walrus

Mt. Washington, Ca

Open discussions about SRF

SRF Walrus > Non-SRF Teachings and Ideals > KRIYA TEACHERS AND KRIYA PATHS - Yogananda lineage
Page 1 2 3	<< Prev Topic \| Next Topic >>

Author	Comment
username Registered User (3/14/02 9:12 am) Reply	KRIYA TEACHERS AND KRIYA PATHS - Yogananda lineage I want this thread to be a listing of all know kriya teachers who had Yogananda as their guru. Hopefully we can have contact name, address, phone number, web site, books written etc. for these groups or individuals. If a person was authorized by Yogananda to teach kriya and now that person is dead I would like to gather as much information as possible on this person. If an organization is a offshoot of SRF is some way but is not teaching kriya then they would not be included. If an organization or person is teaching kriya but it is questionable whether or not he was "authorized" that person could probably be included. Probably an alphabetical listing of groups would make the most sense.
username Registered User (3/14/02 5:18 pm) Reply	Re: KRIYA TEACHERS AND KRIYA PATHS - Yogananda lineage swami kriyananda www.ananda.org Edited by: username at: 3/14/02 5:26:00 pm
username Registered User (3/14/02 5:27 pm) Reply	Re: KRIYA TEACHERS AND KRIYA PATHS - Yogananda lineage goswami Kriyananda (Dr. Melvin Higgins) www.yogakriya.org
Parabastha Unregistered User (3/15/02 5:59 am) Reply	Yogananda lineage Roy Eugene Davis www.csa-davis.org Norman Paulsen www.solarlogusfoundation.org Swami Premananda www.self-revelationchurch.org Yogacharya Mildred Hamilton www.crossandlotus.com Yogacharya Oliver Black / Bob Raymer www.goldenlotus.org Hariharananda www.kriya.org
username Registered User (3/15/02 7:49 am) Reply	To: Parabastha hi thanks for the posts Can you go in an edit your posts to get the links to work. You can do this by using ezcodes. [link] written just before the addrress and [/link] is written just after the address so if you write it like this (and you have clicked on ezcodes below) your links will work [link]www.kriya.org[/link]
Parabastha Unregistered User (3/15/02 2:33 pm) Reply	To: username Thank you. Let me try again. Roy Eugene Davis www.csa-davis.org Norman Paulsen www.solarlogusfoundation.org Swami Premananda www.self-revelationchurch.org Yogacharya Mildred Hamilton www.crossandlotus.com Yogacharya Oliver Black / Bob Raymer www.goldenlotus.org Hariharananda www.kriya.org
caliyogi Registered User (3/16/02 7:22 pm) Reply	Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago Shelliji was yogananda's disciple, and he passed away recently. The guru-preceptor of the Temple of Kriya Yoga is Goswami Kriyananda. He has written an excellent book "The Science of Kriya Yoga" which basically follows the 8 fold yogic path, with a kriya slant. www.yogakriya.org Edited by: caliyogi at: 3/17/02 7:49:08 am
etzchaim Registered User (1/29/03 10:56 am) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago Greetings to all, I'm a disciple of the Chicago Kriyananda, and have been looking for a place of entry, which this thread has provided, though the intent seems to be of simply creating a list, so I appologize if inappropriate. First, I have to say that I am enthused about the spirit of the Walrus. I've heard quite alot from my Guru about SRF (stories from Shelly, his own observations, etc.) and so much of what is being discussed is not a great surprise to me. It might be helpful, and healthy, for that matter, for people to hear a different perspective of the American Kriya tradition that has it's roots in Yogananda's teachings but has developed an independent 'vision' of the path. Kriyananda's approach appears to be almost diametrically opposite of the "Matas'". We are encouraged to learn as much about the worlds mystical and religious traditions as we can - this includes attending lectures and meeting spiritual people from different paths as well as reading. Seminars, taught by Kriyananda or the Swamis and disciples have included everything from traditional Vedanta and Yoga (classes on Chakras, Mantras, teachings from the Vedas and Upanishads, etc.) to Tibetan Buddhism (we hosted an initiation by the Drepung Monks), Kabbalah (including a seminar taught by a Lubavitch Rabbi), Zen, and even, I recall, Zoroastrianism, etc. etc.... Both Shelly and Kriyananda were(Shelly passed away about 5 years ago)/are happily married. Kriyananda tells a story that when Shelly was living at the ashram, Shelly told Yogananda that he could not take a vow of celibacy because he had seen his future wife in a vision. Yogananda said that he would make an exception for him. I don't know all the details of this, but I believe that Shelly did not become a Swami because of this. Kriyananda began the householder order, and I'm sorry that I do not have the details on this. The next time I'm in Chicago I can ask one of the older Swamis. In short, the Householder path is the norm. Kriyananda has often said that it is very easy to not act on desires while you are living in a cave, it's when you leave the cave that you find out where you are truly at. Balance and softening of karma in all areas of life, including our sex lives, is emphasized instead of renunciation. Kriya is taught as a science, astrology is prevelent (for example: the chakras have planetary signifiers and a persons chart is used to understand the karmic patterns within the chakras and how is may manifest and be softened). As the Guru himself is a scientist, he has an avid interest in incorporating as much science into his teaching as is helpful to make the process of Self-realization clear to modern seekers. Much information on diet is taught, because of the connection between physical blockages and impurities in the body and blockages of the pranas, etc. There is always a distinction made between 'religion' and the path of Self-realization of Kriya, which can be practiced within any religious orientation. I practice what can be called a "New Age", for lack of a better word, version of mystical Judaism and find that it blends quite nicely with Monist Kashmiri Shaivism... Kriyananda appears to be Dualist Vedanta oriented with a good amount of Zen thrown in. We've argued "for the sake of Heaven" over the Dualist/Monist issue in the past. Obviously, debate is not discouraged. I have had one difficult interaction with one of the Swamis, which appeared to be caused by jealousy and an inability to properly handle ambition and authority but all my other interactions have been positive or neutral. I have to admit that I don't go to the Swamis for counseling very much. I HAVE had my buttons pushed, which appears to be an actual technique that Shelly perfected, and I'm sure relished, in his way. The idea being that, your hot spots are the best places to push you towards further spiritual growth. When the emotional reactions are no longer there, the energy is flowing in the center, and you have balanced out the Karma. This does not sound like what is happening in SRF, though. As far as I can tell, every disciple is treated by the Guru in a unique way. Having a living Guru at initiation is considered fundamental. I personally have no issue with having a (self-described, mind you), imperfect Guru. He has been my teacher before and I have a link to him that is very resillient and fruitful, which is the point, as far as I can see it. We'll travel from lifetime to lifetime together till it's time to go... Blessings, Etzchaim
Borg108 Registered User (1/29/03 5:52 pm) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago Swami Atmanandaji was a boyhood friend of Yoganandaji who headed up YSS in the 1950s, but left (along with almost everyone else there) when Daya Ma went to India to reorganize things along the SRF lines. He has passed on, but his disciple, Swami Jnanandaji, was authorized by Swami Atmanandaji to initiate others into kriya. Swamiji lives in Dehra Dun and gives satsang there every evening. Swami Atmanandaji was given sannyas diksha by Rajasi Janakananda and passed it on to Swami Jnanandaji. Neither Yoganandaji nor Rajasi gave sannyas to anyone who is now in SRF/YSS. Their sannyas came from the Shankacharya of Puri after Rajasi's passing. FWIW, in a magazine article published in India a few years ago, Daya Ma has said that if you are drawn to Yogananda, then you should take kriya only from SRF.
Lobo Registered User (1/29/03 10:14 pm) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago Ananda publishes a book by a former YSS monastic, Debi (I think is correct) Mukerjee. I believe the title is Saved by Saints (it's on their website and can be read for free). He spent much time with Atmanandaji at the main ashram and writes of his experiences, and his admiration for the spirituality of Atmanandaji, very eloquently. He also details the changes that came into YSS, and what was the reason for Atmaanandaji's departure from, when Daya Mata went to India in 1959 meeting Binay Narayan. This latter fellow had an inordinate amount of influence upon her and he became something of a Svengali to her. For instance it was he who insisted that she, as the president, was the only representative of PY, and was therefor the only person who could authorize others to give kriya initiations etc. Debi, who as tactfully as he can, details the ominous changes that were wrought under this relationship between Binay Narayan (later Shyamananda) and Daya Mata; many of them listed here on this board, and which finally resulted in Debi leaving the ashram! But he ended up marrying the daughter of Tulsi Bose, Master's dear childhood friend. Her name is Hassi, and Master foretold her birth. Anyway I urge all those who want to understand some of the Indian side of the history of the organization to avail themselves of this fine book. It isn't a tell-all at all, gossip, I mean. He writes beautifully of his experiences with other Indian saints he spent time with, most especially The Bliss-Permeated Mother, Ananda Moya Ma.
etzchaim Registered User (2/1/03 7:20 pm) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago "FWIW, in a magazine article published in India a few years ago, Daya Ma has said that if you are drawn to Yogananda, then you should take kriya only from SRF." I'm wondering what she would say about those drawn to Kriya who are not drawn to Yogananda... I was told about my Guru by someone I was working with who thought I would like his teaching. I learned about Yogananda from him. I have alot of respect for Yogananda, but I'm not really drawn to him as a Guru. There are a number of reasons for that, not the least of which is the Christianity he mixed with Yoga. He doesn't reach my "West". I find it a bit odd that he went to Europe, met some Christian saints and completely missed the Jews. I understand that he was probably trying to reach the mainstream, as he saw it, but from a Jewish perspective, Jesus was using Jewish spiritual techniques, and that's that. It's so obvious to anyone familiar with Jewish mysticism. An example of this can found in a text called "Harba d'Mosheh" ("Moses' Sword"). It falls into the category of "Hekhalot" ("Palaces") and Merkavah ("Chariot") literature, from the turn of the Millenium - the time that Jesus was walking around. Most of this text consists of various uses of Gds name and magical incantations (Mantras...). One of these is a formula that is said to give the ability to walk on water. I would have an enormous amount of difficulty in conforming to the SRF "Church" and would simply keep searching for a teacher that is more open minded about religion. It appears to me that creating a "dogma" through which one has to leap in order to receive Kriya is going completely against Babaji's directives for the dissemination of the techniques and the teachings. Lahiri Mahasaya had numerous Muslim disciples. He never asked them to become Hindu. While many people, who were raised Christian, will find Yogananda's approach to be liberating, it's completely incorrect to present it as the only way (as Daya Mata is doing). Kriya, thank God, is above the divisions that religions create and that is how it should be taught. Etz Edited by: etzchaim at: 2/1/03 7:48:48 pm
Lobo Registered User (2/1/03 9:26 pm) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago The article is reprinted in the SRF Magazine (not sure of the exact date) from a couple of years ago. The interviewer (done over the phone from India) asked Daya Mata about other lineages that teach kriya yoga. She said that for those who are drawn to Yogananda they should seek kriya from SRF. But she acknowledged that there were many other teachers from authentic kriya lineages teaching kriya today, and if they were drawn to one of them they should seek kriya from that particular teacher. Actually it was kind of a broad statement in light of what SRF had been saying for years regarding their belief that they were the only true authentic place to receive kriya. She seems to understand that PY, whilst the first kriya Master to come from India and live for over 20+ years in his adopted country, and who was sent by Sri Yukteswarji a fully realized Master and top disciple of Sri Lahiri Mahasayaji, who held the infant Mukunda in his lap and told his disciple Mukunda's mother that he would be a powerful spiritual engine bringing many people to God through kriya; that there are other teachers who teach kriya and it isn't the role of SRF to judge them anylonger, or say that they "are the only way." It is my understanding that Maharajji Babaji himself told Swami Yogananda before he left India to teach the basic oneness and underlying harmony between the teachings of Jesus the Christ and Bhagavan the Krishna. Babaji of course also appeared to Priya Nath (later Swami Yukteswar) at the Kumbha Mela and told him to write a book with the same theme, hence the Holy Science. So in light of these facts it appears that PY was being loyal and obedient to his guru when he focused upon the Christian teachings so much. Also wasn't Jesus a member of the Essenes, the Teacher of Righteousness, that the Dead Sea Scrolls have revealed? The Bible with its rewrite by the Church leaves much out of official Gospels that were found amongst the Qumran scrolls. In other words Jesus was institutionalized for political reasons and changes were made to support that. What does Goswami mean? You say Kriyananda is married, traditionally forscribed for those who become renunciates sannyasi's. Also, who did he receive his sannyas vows from? Shellyji wasn't a swami, so I often wondered how he received them.
etzchaim Registered User (2/4/03 4:45 am) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago Lobo, I have always understood the title Swami to indicate a member of a priesthood. To my mind, the issue you have of brahmacharya with the use of the title reminds me of the Catholic/Protestant divide. It seems to me to be a 'Religio-Politico' issue, and not related to the Guru/Disciple relationship, nor is it related to a persons level of attainment. In my mind, "priest", "minister", "rabbi" "swami", etc. are religious/legal fictions (in the sense of being a part of the level of Maya) that enable people to function in the social world we live in. I recognize that as important for what it is worth, but I tend to stay away from politics in these kinds of situations. Perhaps you can get your answer by emailing the Temple. The term "Goswami" means "teacher of Swamis" I personally feel that celebacy is unhealthy and causes more damage to a person than it is worth. I will not list the abuses that have occured because of it (not to mention the dissillusionment and pain that occurs when a the abuses are engaged in). I've seen a short list on this site already and don't feel it is necessary to 'rub it in'. Renunciation, I believe, is best lived through internal balance and gradual detachment from desire. Please feel free to (respectfully) email the Temple and one of the Swamis will probably send you an answer. I'm not a representative of the Temple, just a simple disciple. I actually dropped out of the Seminary program for various personal reasons when I saw that it was not my way. I refrain from official and organized authority on the grounds that it's a form of insanity, and not necessary for my enlightenment ;-). I'm glad that Daya Mata said that there are other legitimate Kriya teachers around, though I disagree with her in various other ways. My issue with the 'comparitive studies' between Hindu teachings and Christian scripture is that I perceive these ('The Holy Science' and Yogananda's work) to be only the beginning of a universalization of religious understanding, not an end, and certainly not meant to create a new, hybrid religion. Both Shelly and Kriyananda have taken this method and extended it to include more than just Christianity. SRF has not. This is where my issue lies. Almost all non-western people perceive the west to be Christian, so I do not hold this against the lineage. Being in a minority has its ups and downs. I am simply more drawn to my Guru's teaching than to Yoganandas (i.e., were I to believe that I could have a Guru who was not currently alive at my initiation, I still would choose my own Guru). I like the method of the lineage, just not the limited expression of it. My own soul's path requires that method to be used with Judaism, or I cannot link myself to it. I believe that linking oneself to a teacher or Guru that speaks to your soul is of utmost importance. Having a picture of Jesus hanging up with the Kriya lineage is meaningless, and bordering on offensive to me. Jesus was no more a part of the Kriya lineage than any other founder of a major religion was. This is not to say that if Jesus is a person's Ishta Devata, they should not put a picture of Jesus up on their altar, or place of meditation. I think they should, if that helps them link to their Higher Self. As for Jesue being an Essene, I find your belief quite fascinating, but this is a theory that has been refuted by scholars for years now. Since the 90�s, a wider range of scholars have had access to the scrolls and there has been much activity in the debate, which has produced some very good scholarship as well as some that isn�t quite so sound. There is a well balanced article written in Cross Currents that explains this very thoughtfully and clearly. You may find it interesting. www.crosscurrents.org/deadsea.htm Etz
Lobo Registered User (2/6/03 11:05 pm) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago Etzchaim, Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I haven't the time now to reply in depth, but I would just like to say that part of the problem westerners have perceived with the gurus and swamis that've come here and have failed to live up to their self-professed heights of consciousness is the fact that they claim (some anyway) to be swamis. Why is this important? As PY described it in his work, the AY, "Every swami belongs to the ancient monastic order which was organized in its present form by Shankara. Because it is a formal order, with an unbroken line of saintly representatives serving as active leaders, no man can give himself the title of swami. He rightfully receives it only from another swami: all monks trace their spiritual lineage to one common guru, Lord Shankara...." Teacher of swami's? That is very interesting in light of the above; but as you say you aren't a devotee of Yogananda, so if it works for you that's not for me to judge. As for celibacy, I agree that suppression of the sexual urge is damaging, both physically and most certainly psychologically. My question then, if Kriyananda is married why the swami business? Does he somehow equate being a swami as more spiritually impressive than a householder devotee of God? Ramakrishna, Ramana Maharshi and many other absolutely realized beings were householders, or at least not married, and certainly not swamis, so there is perfect examples of the holiness of that lifestyle around.
username Registered User (2/7/03 9:34 am) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago Ramakrishna was indeed married. To a woman called Sri Sarada Devi. Ramakrishna was a Brahman priest in the Kali temple. Priests in Hinduism are married with families.
Lobo Registered User (2/7/03 7:59 pm) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago It was very poorly worded, the part of that sentence about "or at the least not married." I was trying to show that Ramakrishna, who of course was married (but never consummated!) to the very Holy Mother, Sarada Devi; AND that Ramana Maharshi was a householder (of sorts) who never married. I was trying to point out realized beings who weren't swamis. Nisgardatta Maharaj, who recently left the body and was the simple street corner merchant who was very advanced, some say realized, also raised a family. So sorry for the mix-up.
etzchaim Registered User (2/10/03 6:53 pm) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago Lobo, I�ve been considering the conversation we are having here. The differences we have are, I believe, philosophical in nature. In Hindu terms, I�m not a Vedantist, but a Tantrist. The �school of thought� I follow is called Trika Shaivism and was developed primarily by a sage named Abhinavagupta. His primary disciple was a sage named Kshemaraja. Most of the practitioners of this school fled to Tibet and Mongolia, or remained in the Himalayan mountains after the Moghul invasion turned oppressive. Shankara developed Vedanta out of the dualist system of Shankya Yoga. Abhinavagupta developed Trika Shaivism out of the dualist Shaivite and Shaktite Kashmiri Tantras and also in reaction to Vedanta. Vedanta is viewed from the Trika system as another form of dualism - a more subtle form than Shankya, but dualism, none-the-less. This is because Vedanta presents Maya as being less-than-real. In Vedanta, only Brahman, the absolute, unchanging, impersonal Self can be real. Whatever changes is less-than-real. In Trika, Oneness is thought of as the �coextensive unity (ekarasa) of both duality and unity�. Brahman and Maya are the two sides of the same coin. Brahman is Maya and Maya is Brahman. I�m going to quote from a text, because I�m afraid I will not say is correctly (I�m your basic intuitive type - I have a degree in fine-art, not philosophy, please bare with me!) This is from a book called �The Doctrine of Vibration� by Mark S.G. Dyczkowski: page 40: �The Vedantin�s way is one of withdrawal from the finite in order to achieve a return (nivrtti) to the infinite. This process, however, from the Shaiva point of view is only the first stage. (in other words, Trika and Vedanta are essentially in agreement up to this point - Etz). The next stage is the outward journey (pravrtti) from the infinite to the finite. When perfection is achieved in both movements, that is, from the finite to the infinite and back, man paricipates in the universal vibration of the asolute and shares in its essential freedom. � (Page 41/42) �...The one reality is manifest both as unity and diversity. There can be no real unity unless diverse elements are united in the wholeness of totality...Reality is the One (eka) which becomes manifest as the many (bahu). Universal Being moves between two poles, viz., diversification of the one and unification of the many. Thought (vikalpa) interferes with our direct intuitive understanding of this fact and splits up the two aspects of this movement into separate categories...� (i.e., Brahman and Maya) Vedanta is the path of renunciation, Trika is the path of participation. Desire, in Trika, is not denied, but controlled and brought to a higher level. It is to be eliminated only if it is a desire �for� rather than a desire �to�. In other words, the idea of living in the world but not being of the world is the ideal. If a person is ignorant of Brahman, he/she is equally ignorant of the true nature of Maya. This is a very brief description of the philosophical differences, but it may help to explain why I have no issues with what you are implying when you ask about where Goswami Kriyananda received his Sunnyas. The principle of descent from Shankara isn�t of much importance to me. I trust him (my Guru) more as a non-celibate priest (although I see this as completely unconnected to my relationship to him as a Guru), and it is much more in harmony with my philosophical view. The Jewish approach is very similar to the Trika approach. The idea in this system is that the Neshamot (souls) are the drops of water that make up the Ocean (God). God desired that His light be openly revealed on all levels of creation. The creation (called Olam, which literally means �hidden�) is God manifested as Elohim (similar to the idea of bahu, the many, in the Sanskrit) in an unconscious, �hidden�, way. the duty (dharma) of the Neshamot is to manifest themselves in bodies to create a conscious awareness of Gods Light in Asiya, the lowest level of creation, and all levels above (Yetzirah, Briya and Atzilut). In Judaism, to be a high soul and not reproduce, or try to, at any rate, is to not allow another potentially high soul to fulfill it�s duty as a part of God. Sex is viewed as holy if it is engaged in in a holy way - and the Rabbis have much to say about this. My reaction to your statement about Ramakrishna not consumating his marriage was �wow, that�s too bad. What kind of soul could his lovemaking have brought down and he failed to do this! His high level would certainly have given a great being the chance to incarnate and do Gods work�. (Please know that I mean no disrespect here). Your reaction was one of approval that he was a renunciate. I have gone through Kriyananda�s texts, and he seems to teach from the Shankya philosophical point of view. His focus, if you can call it that, is on the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, selected Upanishads and various other schools of meditation, like Zen in particular. He brings in a very universalist point of view, so it would be difficult to say he is �this� or �that�. He appears to be very much a pragmatist and is mainly concerned with bringing conscious awareness to his students and disciples, as opposed to bringing a �philosophy� to us. He seems to want us to find our own individual paths, stick to our path, and use Kriya as the means to progress us to enlightenment. There is also quite alot that goes on in the internal planes that has nothing to do with any philosophy at all, but with our final goal, which is moksha. I suspect, and this is only my thoughts on the subject, that his take on the �Swami� business is that it is another tool, like becoming a minister, that facilitates his ability to bring people to higher levels of consciousness. Many people require external authority and this enables him to function in that level of the reality that serves them. He can also perform religious/legal duties, like marriage, baptism, last rights, etc. for his disciples and others who have linked to him on a less formal level, within the bounds of our society. I seriously doubt he is trying to �pull the wool over somebody�s eyes� and if he is, I�ll be sure to tell him he�s not kidding anyone! Etz Edited by: etzchaim at: 2/10/03 7:16:31 pm
soulcircle Registered User (2/11/03 3:48 am) Reply	Jnananda and the former Atmananda Those of you that can please tell us of these two within Yogananda's lineage. of Atmananda's not accepting the srf fear farm and closed system being laid down on top of YSS in India of both of these monks openness and the beautiful, healthy non structured helpful lives and the kriya that they gave/give .........of the stories and satsangas hopefully, shortly Jnananda's autobiography can be available to all for all time online thank you
redpurusha Registered User (2/11/03 12:52 pm) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago etzchaim, greetings to you. It's good to hear you are have found a teacher and path that suits you. You sound like you have a lot of respect for Yogananda, and understand him to be a Master with his own style of teaching kriya, just not what is best suited for you in particular. Yogananda's mission was indeed to show the underlying unity of all religions, but with an emphasis on christianity and hinduism, due to the obvious popularity of christianity in the west, and the fact that hinduism is the "mother" of all religions, so this makes sense. It is important to note however, just as Judaism is its own expression of sanatan dharma or the eternal religion, with its own set of both esoteric and exoteric doctrines, so is christianity its own unique expression with its own brand of communing with God -with an emphasis on the Holy Name of God, and mantra. Its interesting that you make note of this (in one of your posts), because I've recently read the autobiography of a disciple of Yogananda's, George Burke, who has taken the teachings of Lord Jesus as given by Yogananda to a new level bringing, strictly focusing on the teachings of Jesus Christ in its totality and as given directly to the Apostles. In the Autobiography Yogananda hints the 'similarity' of Jesus' methods of self-realization and of Babaji's kriya, that is, they are closely related but in practice there are more fundamantal differences. There is more to christianity than what has been given by Yogananda or any of the SRF publications. But growing up a christian, and because there is an emphasis on Christianity and great detail in explaining the deeper mystical meanings of Jesus' words, this has an appeal to me, personally. However I see how this might not fit so well with others of different traditions, like you. Burke, has a whole chapter, or couple of them, devoted to showing the lack of substance in the many universal yoga teachers who promote yoga now in the West. How, by not having any affiliation with any particular religion, is not only a liberal and safe position to take, but also not an effective one. For example, he gives a quote by one group that so proud of the fact that the word "God" is not even used once in their lectures. Another major work by Yogananda, The Second Coming, a more detailed interpretation of the Bible has yet to be published, and could shed more light on the original teachings of Jesus, but I have yet to read this. I will get a copy from the Amrita Foundation, who's aim is to promote Yogananda's original teachings, as well as other kriya teachers, like Dhirananda. Edited by: redpurusha at: 2/11/03 1:18:25 pm
etzchaim Registered User (2/11/03 4:37 pm) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago redparusha, thank you for your response. I do recognize that Christianity has a deep mystical heritage. I don't think this can be questioned. I believe that religions are paths to God, and there are many religions because there are many kinds of people. This I believe to be good. Religions become problematic, in my opinion, when people begin to believe that their religion is the only true religion, or their approach to God, however that expresses itself, is the only way to God. I'm quite certain that Kriyanandaji believes the same. I'm curious as to why you would warn me about superficiality in Yoga centers around America. I don't think that my posts would lead anyone to believe that I am learning in a superficial way, but I could be wrong. I suspect that you might think that since I cannot pin Kriyananda down to one religion, you might think that he doesn't have a religion, but I can assure you that he is very attuned to Hinduism and Buddhism - some would say that these are the same religion - the Buddha having developed his system from Hinduism. The fact that Kriyananda has a universalist (not Universalist) perspective, I think, is a sign of his awareness that all paths lead to God, as long as an individual is on their own path and not someone elses. It's not an attempt to water down religion and be politically correct. I can assure you that he is not politically correct, but I'll refrain from pointing out the details! It's not pablum for people fascinated by shiny baubles... I'm fairly certain that his Ishta Devata is Lord Krishna. As I said in the previous post, his teaching focuses on the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita and certain Upanishads. I'm not sure how much more specifically Hindu one can get! He has spent alot of time in Japan with Zen Monks and teaches from this perspective quite frequently. I'm also fairly certain he's had several past lives following the Zen tradition, and a few in the Jewish tradition, but, honestly, I can't speak for him, though I'm starting to think I'm getting pretty darn good at it, if I can say so myself! It's my belief that a universalist perspective is exactly why Babaji told Yogananda to go to the West, and why Lahiri Mahasaya had so many Muslim disciples. I agree that many people teaching yoga are doing so in a superficial way (and not just in America), but I also see many people practicing specific religions in superficial ways, so I'm not sure what your point is. Blessings, Etz
redpurusha Registered User (2/12/03 7:58 am) Reply	Re: Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago Dear etz, My reference to the superficiality of some yoga teachers had nothing to do with you or your teacher, Kriyananda. I am sorry if I wasn't clear with that part of my post. Basically I found Burke's perspective on some of these yoga teaching styles to be interesting, one I have not thought about or heard of before. It particularly interested me because I have a great interest in the classification of religion and also the underlying universality of all religions and how they relate to one another. Ever since I first read Yogananda's/Dhirandanda's work The Science of Religion, which gives a universal and pragmatic definition, I have been fascinated with the topic, and it didn't occur to me that if you take that universal concept too extreme, you miss the point of having unique expressions and traditions like Judaism and Christianity. Your teacher, Kriyananda, very much appears to be in tune with Hinduism and Buddhism, as you say. A note on reincarnation, (perhaps you might find interesting) George Burke gives a detailed description of the incarnations of all the Jewish and Christian prophets and bibilical figures, and how they are all connected. The Christian saints, many of whom are reincarnations of past Jewish prophets, and also Yogananda himself having been John the Beloved in a previous incarnation. So, as we can see, different "religions" or paths toward God are for different stages of development and are all necessary for souls to grow spiritually. And within these religions themselves, we see people of various stages of develpment from the lowest to the highest. Though I have to admit, the validity of these claims made by Burke and others about past incarnations, unless you have extensive spiritual develpment and intuition, is difficult to prove. blessings redpurusha Edited by: redpurusha at: 1/16/06 9:23 pm

Page 1 2 3

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

Email This To a Friend
Topic Control Image

Topic Commands

Click to receive email notification of replies

Click to stop receiving email notification of replies

jump to:

- SRF Walrus - Non-SRF Teachings and Ideals -

Powered By ezboard� Ver. 7.32
Copyright �1999-2005 ezboard, Inc.