Kriya Yoga is an integral body-mind-soul methodology for spiritual awakening. It is the branch of yoga discipline brought to the United States by the Indian saint ParamahansaYogananda in the early part of the 20th century. “Kriya” means “action” and “yoga” means conscious union of body, mind, soul, and Spirit. Yoga, in the highest sense, is realizing we are one with the Infinite—integrally connected with all that is.
Kriya yoga is a great way to center yourself, understand your spiritual purpose, and live a more satisfying, conscious life. So in this blog, we’ll discuss a few ways you can use the principles of kriya yoga to live a more conscious and rewarding life.
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1. Meditate and Give Thanks EveryDay
First and foremost, it’s important to start every day by meditating, clearing your mind, and giving thanks for your personal situation. Even if you are in a season of trouble and difficulty in your personal life, centering yourself through Kriya Yoga meditation and thinking about what you have to be thankful for is very helpful.
Doing this every day helps you focus on the positive things in your life and maintain a healthier attitude toward your circumstances – and in turn, this helps you with the practice of living consciously.
2. Be Mindful of How You Act and What YouDo
Too often, we operate on “autopilot” throughout our day-to-day lives. Whether you’re attending college, working at a job, caring for your kids, or doing anything else, you may act without even thinking or reflecting on your actions. Your instincts will take over, and this isn’t always a good thing.
In Kriya Yoga, mindfulness is very important. You must live an intentional, mindful life, and always be aware of how your actions affect others and yourself. Before you act and make decisions, take a quick step back and think about whether or not you’re making the right choice. Are you exercising patience, or restraint, or kindness? If not, why not?
3. Care for Your Body, Mind, and SpiritProperly
Living a conscious life means you need to care for your whole being. Kriya Yoga is a holistic practice, and you need to make sure you’re caring for your mind, body, and spirit.
Body
Make sure you get enough sleep. Eat well and choose high-quality foods. Exercise when you can, even if that just means walking the dog every morning. Make sure you do everything you can to keep your body healthy and inbalance.
Mind
Prioritize your mental health, and make sure you’re aware of your emotions. Take steps to de-stress, and to seek further help for any mental health issues you may have, ifapplicable.
Spirit
Practice Kriya Yoga meditation and engage in other spiritual practices that make you feel closer to God and the Divine. This can include personal religious practices that may vary depending on your beliefs. Kriya Yoga is not a religion, but a way of life, and Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and other religious practices can be integrated into your practice.
4. Engage in Routine SpiritualStudy
Whether you adhere to specific spiritual beliefs or you are just a “seeker” looking for more information and details about living a spiritual life, it’s good to engage in routine spiritual study. This is one of the main principles of Kriya Yoga. Primary sources like the Bible, Bhagavad Gita, Koran, the AyurvedicCharakaSamhita, and others are great places to find spiritual inspiration.
It can also be helpful to read books and take courses that study these primary sources in more detail, particularly if you are new to Kriya Yoga and spiritual practices. Experts like Dr. Ellen Grace O’Brian can help break down difficult spiritual concepts in a way that makes more sense to those who are new to Kriya Yoga.
5. Follow Your Personal Dharma and Find Your Place in The Larger Dharma Of TheWorld
What is dharma in yoga? What does dharma mean? Simply, it means “path”. Living a dharmic life means to find your purpose in life, and to live a life that’s fulfilling.
Everyone’s personal dharma is different. Maybe you will work a job that you don’t particularly like, but your true dharma is raising a family and being a great parent. Maybe your dharma is to volunteer among the needy, or to start some kind of foundation or nonprofit to help those who are in need.
No matter what you’re doing, you will be living a dharmic life if you live with a purpose, and you are living in harmony with yourself and with others. This allows you to live a truly fulfilling and peaceful life.
It’s also important to realize that there is both personal dharma and overarching dharma. This larger concept of dharma refers to understanding the natural order of the world – and awakening your natural, spiritual purpose.
This naturally flows from your personal dharma or path. If you live according to personal dharma, you will live a dharmic life that’s in accordance with the wider dharma of the world.
Towards A Conscious Living
Kriya yoga is a path for spiritual awakening—a way to discover our essential nature and live a more conscious and fulfilling life. Conscious living begins with intention, so address your overall wellness today: physical, mental, and spiritual. Commit to believe in your higher Self now and cliché as it may sound, consistency is the key!