The Magical Kriya Yoga

I have been in Kriya yoga practice since 2012. Let me tell you that I have never read any book on Kriya Yoga. I thank God for that. I started my practice without much expectation; my first experience was that I felt good, peaceful, and strongly connected to my inner self, and this was what I was searching for. Whatever I experienced thereafter, was my own first-hand experience with constant practice. 

Often, I meet people in the retreats with strange expectations. All the books written on Kriya Yoga may inspire people to learn it, as it provides effective and simple meditation techniques. Yet many misinterpret Kriya Yoga. People are fascinated by the miracles and the magical stories mentioned in the Kriya books. They think it is some kind of shortcut to attain magical powers.

What does magic mean to you? Levitation, or, fighting tigers, controlling the minds of others? Maybe it is magical, but how many tigers do we encounter every day? How long will the joy of flying last? Controlling and knowing about others will not improve anything in us. After practice, my definition of magic has completely changed. Every difficult situation in life demands a lot of energy, and a constant push to react immediately. The eagerness to solve it somehow complicates the situation. It is almost impossible not to react.

After much experience, it became very clear to me that a restless mind does not have the ability to handle difficult situations. I wondered, is it possible to handle the difficulties without being too much effected? Is it possible to stay calm in the middle of life’s responsibilities and work? Is it possible to maintain softness and innocence in meeting challenges in life without being hard on others and self?

If possible, that would be the real magic. Some days I am much inside due to consistency in practice and suddenly something disturbing comes up out of nothing. It does affect me but not in the same way as when I am restless. I come out of it in a few hours, sometimes a day or two. Rather the same difficult situation turns into my favor without taking away my energy, softness, and sweetness. This is indeed a magical experience for me. I love that part of myself. Other times I fail to maintain my inner silence, immediately restlessness takes control over me. My overconfidence – losing my practice turns me back to stress and my old habits of being restless.

Suddenly, I remember my poem, “How a bird builds her nest again and again without getting tired and complain”. That takes me back to the practice. I tell myself don’t be too demanding and hard on yourself, just keep practicing without expectation like brushing your teeth every morning.

Imagine how much hard work goes into becoming an Olympic champion-and here we are talking about the highest quest-to realize the truth. Kriya Yoga does not teach escapism either, running away from daily life and its struggles.We come to a retreat, spend a few days in intense practice, and go back to our daily life. We continue our practice in the middle of struggles in life.

Poem

The little bird chooses the perfect straw every time, 

Oh, she lost it all,

She builds it again and again, 

Without being tired and complain, 

In the end, she makes it somehow, Without any pride and overjoy.