Sri M's Kriya Yoga

As Sri M explains, the word 'Kriya' means action. The technique of Kriya Yoga, according to Sri M's 'parampara' (tradition) is a combination of yoga asanas (body postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), which may include positive and constructive imagination exercises and the chanting of Pranava and/or other mantras.

"It's important to note that Kriya Yoga is not a compulsion for spiritual pursuits and this goal can be achieved with or without a formal Kriya Yoga technique." – Sri M

The techniques taught in Kriya Yoga are universal methods of meditation meant for one and all, regardless of religion, race, order, caste, creed, sect, or nationality. These are meant for all genuine aspirants including householders and ascetics alike and do not require any theistic belief system of the practitioner.

All Kriya initiations by Sri M usually take place privately at designated events or retreats amidst groups of interested aspirants.

You can visit the website and sign up for an upcoming Kriya Yoga event/retreat or you can write to us at meetsrim@satsang-foundation.org and we would be happy to facilitate your request at the earliest.

Sri M says, "Spiritual advancement is a very personal affair, and is not something that can be sold 'en-masse'". And with this, he often quotes "A certain method or practise may be suited to some, but may not be recommended for all".

Sri M teaches Kriya Yoga personally in small groups. Kriya initiations by Sri M usually take place at designated events / residential retreats amidst groups of interested aspirants. The official website has regular information on events or retreats where Kriya Yoga is initiated by Sri M. You can sign up for one of the events if you are keen to learn.

Sri M does not teach Kriya Yoga as a paid course or as a meditation franchise.

A genuine aspirant may only be requested to offer a flower or a coin, which is regarded as a traditional 'symbolic' practise of Guru Dakshina representing an aspirant's offering of sincerity and willingness to learn. However, there may be cost involved for food, accommodation and other expenses in case of a residential program.

Kriya initiation is given only by Sri M. Sri M does not have any appointed teachers.

Anyone claiming to teach or sell Kriya Yoga in the name of Sri M or his Spiritual Tradition (Parampara), is not endorsed by him or the Foundation. As he says "Kriya Yoga or any other genuine spiritual technique is not an item for sale, and it must never be made into one either. There can be no mass franchise in these matters, every aspirant is different and may require a different approach"

Sri M teaches Kriya Yoga in person and does not endorse or authorise the use of any indirect form of communication through mass postal correspondence, or via emails, unsolicited audio-video, or through the use of any other medium (physical / non-physical) in order to impart these techniques.

Not at all. There can never be a mandate for any real spiritual pursuit. In fact the true goal of Kriya Yoga is to liberate you from all teachers, teachings and techniques.

No. Sri M often cites the example of the famous Indian poet-saint 'Meera Bai', who is said to have attained spiritual awakening by her intense and pure devotion, or Ramana Maharishi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda – all of whom did not practice "Kriya Yoga' in particular.

Just like any new practise, different techniques of Kriya Yoga maybe given to aspirants, depending upon what is best suited at the time. This is not based on any certification process.

In some cases, Sri M may give a certain practise to follow before adopting another. This is very individual and cannot be generalised and is personally communicated to the aspirant.

Please note that Kriya Yoga is taught so that the aspirant can free the mind, and not be caught up in worrying about a 'course' or an exam which must be judged, qualified for, graded or certified en-masse. On this, Sri M often quotes the weaver saint Kabir Das and says 'Jaise Paat Gire Paruvar Se' ie. just like the leaf falls from the branch, these processes are meant to be both practical and natural. They are required to be learnt through insight from a genuine teacher and are usually not set in stone.

As Sri M says "The only prerequisite that I request of an aspirant is to be 'Truthful' in all walks of life, and once the method is taken, to practise regularly with 'Sincerity'. That's all."

Kriya Yoga is universal and is meant for one and all. In fact, Sri M's teacher Maheshwarnath Babaji stated to him that the goal of Kriya Yoga in today's day and age is to benefit the householders. People must remain where they are and practise towards their spiritual development. There is no need for taking Sanyasa or become a renunciant. Sri Lahiri Mahasaya ji had also stated the same thing, and in fact lived his life as an example.

There must be no force. The inclination to learn must be natural. As Sri M says "These methods are meant to liberate the mind, not to bind."

Neither Sri M nor does The Satsang Foundation vouch for the similarity or authenticity of any method,'Kriya', Meditation, or any technique sold, or taught by anyone from any other 'spiritual' or volunteer organisation.

However, the 'Kriya Yoga' tradition that Sri M teaches traces back to the same lineage as that of Sri Lahiri Mahasaya, and is more or less the same technique that was popularised by Paramahansa Yogananda. Both are similar and the technique that is taught here may have a few additions or subtractions, often depending upon what suits the individual aspirant.

No. As Sri M says "If you have already been initiated into a tradition which can genuinely trace its roots back to Sri Lahiri Mahasaya's method, then there is no need to take it again, since it will be more or less the same technique coming from the same source."

Yes. Please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org and upon validating your request, we will accommodate you either in the Kriya group at the event/retreat itself or facilitate it in a designated initiation session.

We do not encourage this and cannot guarantee you a private audience with Sri M due to various factors involved. Please write to us at meetsrim@satsang-foundation.org and we will check on the possibility.

We sincerely apologise for the delay. This may be due to multiple emails and queries coming in almost daily. Due to unforeseen reasons, if you do not receive a reply within 10 days of sending your email to meetsrim@satsang-foundation.org, write to us again at office@satsang-foundation.org and forward your sent email, and upon validation, we will get in touch with you at the earliest.

We cannot tell you with certainty about if and when you will be initiated into Kriya Yoga by Sri M, but we can surely try to facilitate the process for you, by reminding you about the upcoming events/retreats.

We would wish to inform you, that unfortunately due to the Covid-19 situation at hand, there are no events or retreats planned as yet.

You can subscribe to the updates on the website www.satsang-foundation.org to receive the latest updates in your inbox.

Sri M answers this by sharing a story of Lahiri Mahasaya ji (An accomplished Spiritual Master and Kriya Yoga teacher from Varanasi, India). This story involved two of Lahiri Mahasaya's Kriya Yoga disciples. The first disciple was a humble postman, who practised sincerely. The second disciple was one who was convinced that his worth was not being evaluated.

One day, he decided to ask Lahiri Mahasaya why he was not giving him the advanced technique. Why is he still being made to practise the 'basics'? He confronted Lahiri Mahasaya and demanded that he be taught the advanced technique! Mahasaya remained silent. The disciple waited eagerly for a reply.

After a few contemplative minutes, the postman walked in to hand over the mail. Mahasaya simply inquired, 'Tell me, haven't you been practising the 'basics' every day since a long time? Do you want the advanced technique now?" The postmaster replied "No sir, I'm so satisfied with my first round of practise of the 'basics' that I dare not ask for anything more. I don't think I'll be able to take it" On hearing this Mahasaya looked at him keenly and said "Good, you are genuinely ready for the advanced technique".

As Sri M says this is "Food for Thought".

Sri M recommends that a review be done after a minimum of 9 months to a year of regular practice. Every Retreat / Event has a 'Kriya Review session'. You can visit the website and sign up for an upcoming Kriya Yoga event/retreat as and when an announcement is made.

Kriya Yoga practice comprises of a set of simple asanas, pranayama and meditation. You do not need to learn yoga to practice Kriya Yoga. However, if you do practice yoga, it is better to do it before your daily Kriya Yoga practice. Please visit Bharat Yoga Vidya Kendra to know about our upcoming courses and programs.