After practicing asanas and pranayama we say, ‘Okay, now I’m going to practice dhyana.’. We went into a meditative state to create certain images, fantasies and ideas of what should be the dhyana or how we can practice. We ignore the practices of Pratyahara and Dharana. Only in difficult times when we thought we could not meditate at all, we rely on the practices of Dharana and pratyahara. Then we ask someone, ‘Look, I cannot concentrate properly. How can I fix this problem? ‘This person tells us to practice trataka in order to develop concentration and then let the dhyana practice and we get back to dharana to start practicing trataka.

After some time we say to ourselves, ‘Well, I practiced trataka for a month. I do not need to practice more, I will return to dhyana. ‘When we start meditating, we are faced again with our negative and positive aspects, desire and aversion, strength and weakness, which create another movement. When we confront our weakness, we tell ourselves, ‘I do not understand why I have had these results in my meditation. It should feel good, but every time I feel more depressed. I do not know why I have not had good experiences in my meditation, others have so good experiences…’.

After, we consult a person who says, ‘Look, if you are finding these problems in your practice you should return to practice pratyahara. Practice antar mouna, antar darshan or hamsa dhyana and observe what happens inside you. Once you understand better what is happening and you are able to deal with your emotions, feelings and thoughts, then you can go to the practice of dhyana.’ And then we come back again to pratyahara.

The ancient yogis of India discovered the relation between the mind and breathing. When a person is agitated his breathing becomes faster and when he is very calm it is slower. The yogis revealed that by controlling the breath we could control the mind. Anyone can experience this by breathing deeply and slowly for a few minutes. The mind becomes calmer and the heart rate slower.

But this is not enough to completely still the mind and experience our real nature. In order to achieve this it is necessary to employ more effective methods. Kriya Yoga (a form of Raja yoga) is such a method which prevents the electrical impulses from going out of the brain and spinal cord so that external world ceases to exist as for as the person who is meditating is concerned enabling him to experience a state of conscious sleep. This state is different from natural sleep, which is involuntary. With constant practice a person will be able to withdraw the life force from the senses at will and enjoy that state of bliss.

The actual technique of Kriya Yoga shall not be explained in an article meant for general public. It creates a powerful electromagnetic field around the spinal cord by making the life force move up and down the spinal cord. This field withdraws the electrical impulses from all the senses so that the soul is cut off from the outer world. In the highest state of meditation called Samadhi, the person goes into a state of suspended animation. Heart ceases to beat, there will be no breathing and all the functions of body come to a stand still but the person continues to be alive. This may sound strange for many people but is true.

It is important to remember that one cannot experience the highest state of yoga within a short period. Though the technique of Kriya Yoga is not complicated it takes several years of constant practice to experience the results.

It is equally important to understand that in order to progress spiritually one has to lead a moral and disciplined life. If anyone thinks that he can commit all sorts of crimes and indulge in immoral activities but still benefit from Kriya Yoga he is completely mistaken. Those who are serious about their spiritual progress should eschew alcoholic drinks and smoking not to mention any drug of addiction. It is highly desirable to be a pure vegetarian. Consumption of meat causes certain biochemical changes in the blood making it difficult to control the mind.

Raja yoga is a scientific method of controlling the mind, reversing the flow of life force and experiencing our true nature. It is the greatest gift India has given to the world. It is universal in nature. It does not interfere with the religious faith of anyone, as it is based on psycho-physiological principles. People can have their own concept of god and continue to perform any other rituals of their religion. Kriya yoga will help them to feel the presence of god within irrespective of their concept of god. Then they will also realize that god defies definition and conceptualization.

The knowledge and practice of yoga elevates humanity to a higher level and reduces conflicts in the world. It will help ushering in an era of peace and harmony. Those who are seriously interested in learning Kriya Yoga can contact the Self Realization Fellowship society at Los Angeles in USA or if they are nearer to India contact the sister organization Yogoda Satsanga Society of India situated at Dakshineswar, near Kolkata and a branch at Ranchi in India

“Your only duty is to act and not to hanker after the fruits (or the results) thereof.’ Be not the purpose of your actions. Let not the work bind and blind you. Work with total non-attachment and selfless attitude.”

In Karma Yoga the seeker is working with the hope and aspiration of serving God. In Karma yoga the seeker’s only desire is to fulfil the will of God. In the eyes of the world an action can be judged on how significant it is. However to a Karma Yogin even the smallest of actions becomes of the utmost importance, if it is performed with the correct attitude.

A Karmin yogi does not believe in the path of renunciation. Unlike a jnani yogi a Karma yogi aspires to serve God through serving God in humanity. Sri Chinmoy says of Karma Yoga.

“Karma Yoga is desireless action undertaken for the sake of the Supreme. Karma Yoga is man’s genuine acceptance of his earthly existence. Karma Yoga is man’s dauntless march across the battlefield of life.”

We do not have to be a Hindu or even believe in God to practise Karma Yoga. If we feel we are working not for ourselves but for the cause of the divine then we are bringing the ideals of Karma yoga into the heart of humanity. By serving a higher cause with an attitude of detachment we learn to conquer the ego. The Karmin yoga makes progress by growing in to a more illumined consciousness. By doing this we no longer feel to be only our individual ego. We come to identify ourselves with the rest of humanity.

Indian scriptures state that every soul is divine and the ultimate purpose of human life is to experience the state of divinity. They all advocate four separate paths which are not mutually exclusive for attaining this goal. The path of devotion (Bhakthi Yoga) and the path of selfless service (karma yoga), the path of intellectual inquiry (Jnana yoga) as well as the path of meditation (Raja Yoga) are the four different paths.

With Raja yoga you are able to reach your goals father than you ever imagined. This type of yoga involves stilling the mind and senses so that you are able to cease identity with ourselves, with the body mind complex as well as experience our true nature. Everyone communicates to the outside world through the basic five senses. Your mind interprets the impulses from these senses.

In India the ancient yogis discovered the relation between the mind and breathing. If someone is agitated than their breathing becomes faster and heavier, and when they are calm their breathing is calm. It was the yogis who discovered that we are able to control our mind by controlling the way we breathe. Everyone is able to do this by simply breathing in deeply and slowly for a few moments. This allows the mind to become calmer and the heart rate much slower.

It still isn’t enough to completely still the mind to experience out real nature. To be able to totally achieve this you must use different effective methods. Kriya yoga is actually a form of Raja yoga that is said to prevent the electrical impulses from leaving the brain and spinal cord so that the external world ceases to exists because the person who is meditating is concerned enabling them to experience a state of conscious sleep. This is much different from natural sleep which is involuntary.

Yoga is a means to achieve peace and tranquility of mind. It keeps the mind clear of all the unwanted thoughts and tensions and allows the mind to concentrate on the supreme power which is of the utmost importance in life. Though the spiritual benefits include control of mind and thought as well as psychic control, one spiritual benefit which is testified to, by many of the practitioners, is self realization, which helps the practitioner to understand the body, mind and spirit connection in a much better way.

Could Bhakti Yoga be practiced by a Yoga practitioner who is not a Hindu? Let’s ask, for example, could a Christian, Moslem, or Jew practice Bhakti Yoga and stay within the confines of his or her religion? Some already do.

This could be considered sectarian Yoga, when a number of Yoga practitioners, of the same religion, gather to worship, meditate, pray, sing, or chant. Attachment to God is not reserved to any one specific religion. Therefore, in principle, Bhakti Yoga can be practiced by members of any religion.

There are many more types of Bhakti classifications, but I will name two basic classifications. Nishkamya Bhakti is praise to God for all that you have. This is appreciation and acceptance of all your situations, relationships, and everything else. Instead of being a seeker, you are now a “finder” of all that is good in your life. In turn, you will easily be able to project loving kindness to others.

In contrast, there is also Sakamya Bhakti. This is devotion to God with the desire for gaining something. The objective could be material gain, to free yourself from an ailment, or to gain power of some kind. In time of need is when most people pray to God. This is a common thread in all of us, and surprisingly our prayers are answered in a positive way.

It is important to understand that Bhakti Yoga is much more complex than this simplified explanation that I have presented. However, the principles of Bhakti Yoga are there for all Yoga students of every religion.

Interestingly, I have heard strong arguments against “oneness” with God. The theory is that God will only let us so close, as we are imperfect. It is true that humans are imperfect, but there is no harm in self-improvement or Yoga.