An open library in progress. Explanations are editorial drafts, with sources for further study. Translations await specialist review. How to read our labels.
A place to begin
This overview follows the Lahiri Mahasaya stream, using public material from Paramahansa Yogananda’s Self-Realization Fellowship as one named branch. Its account presents meditation as a path to realization of the soul and Spirit. The source’s lineage narrative is a religious account, not independent confirmation of every historical claim.
Reading source: Kriya Yoga — Royal Technique of God-Realization ↗
A public account from Yogananda’s branch of the Lahiri Mahasaya stream. Spiritual and historical claims are the lineage’s own; other branches may explain the teaching differently.
Prāṇa and inward awareness
The SRF overview connects prāṇa with inward attention and describes centres in a subtle spinal model. These are the lineage’s explanatory terms. They should not be equated with measured anatomical pathways or offered as proof of a shared energy system.
Reading source: The Kriya Yoga Path of Meditation · Techniques ↗
A public overview of preparation and initiation in this branch. Its subtle-body descriptions are religious teachings, not established anatomy. Restricted practice instructions are not reproduced here.
Transmission and interpretation
Public explanations place preparation and teacher transmission before initiation into the specific method. The article linked below also presents an inner reading of the Bhagavad Gītā. That reading belongs to this lineage; it is not the only interpretation of the text.
Reading source: Kriya Yoga — Royal Technique of God-Realization ↗
A public account from Yogananda’s branch of the Lahiri Mahasaya stream. Spiritual and historical claims are the lineage’s own; other branches may explain the teaching differently.
A shared name needs context
Yoga Sūtra 2.1 also uses the term kriyā yoga, in connection with tapas, svādhyāya and Īśvara praṇidhāna. A shared name alone does not establish that its meaning or method is identical to the later Lahiri Mahasaya stream.
Reading source: Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali ↗
Original Sanskrit; see 1.1–1.3, 2.29 and 4.34. Our English renderings are provisional editorial translations.
A distinction to carry with you
This Lahiri-stream usage is not identical to every use of kriyā yoga, including Yoga Sūtra 2.1.
Reading about practice
This page describes public teachings only. Initiation details, spinal techniques, breath ratios and retention instructions are not published here. Learn specific practices through appropriately qualified lineage guidance.
Read the practice safety and scope guidance.
Related background reading
These articles provide comparative background. Classical Yoga, Vedānta and Tantra are not being presented as Kriya Yoga sublineages.
- Classical Yoga · Comparative background
- Vedānta · Comparative background
- Tantra & Kuṇḍalinī · Comparative background