What is Kriya Yoga?

Kriya Yoga: A Living Tradition

Kriya Yoga is a living tradition, a creative way to health and happiness. Since its inception, Kriya Yoga has been an oral tradition. It is not an orthodoxy, it is not based on writing, but on a direct primary experience and understanding of the nature of life.

This direct experience has been passed on from masters to students and from masters to disciples for generations. This is how the living link of Kriya Jyothi – the Light of Kriya is shared.

The practice of Kriya does not require believing in a specific doctrine or philosophy. Thus, Kriya Yoga is compatible with any religious faith.

The methods and techniques are offered to Kriya students so that they too may have direct and personal experience through their own practice, personal discipline and study.

The Origins of Kriya Yoga

At the beginning of this kalpa (era) it is said that the Wisdom of the Elders of yore was granted to the Lord of Creation, Lord Brahma who transmitted the wisdom teachings to Naradaji who taught it to Sri Vyasa. In time, Sri Vyasa, transmitted the oral tradition to many sages living in the caves of the Himalayas.

A few centuries ago, this ancient Wisdom was revealed in a new way, no longer to the Himalayan sages but to the heads of families living in this world. The teachings were then transmitted from disciple heads of families to disciple heads of families.

The Living Lineage

In time, Sri Babaji appeared again, and transmitted the teachings to Lahiri Mahasaya who initiated Sri Yukteswar, who initiated Paramahansa Yogananda who initiated Sri Shelliji, the guru of Sri Goswami Kriyananda.

Sri Shelliji transmitted the esoteric divine wisdom of Kriya Yoga to Goswami Kriyananda who then shared that wisdom for over 65 years and initiated many disciples into the Light of Kriya.

Swami Pranananda

One of these direct disciples is Swami Pranananda who came to sit at the feet of her guru in the 1970’s and stayed to become one of the living heirs to the Light of Kriya. She is a close disciple who worked intimately with Goswami Kriyananda in many aspects of his teaching until his transition in 2015. She has been given the adhikara of the lineage, that is to say, the spiritual authority, to teach Kriya Yoga, and to initiate disciples and ordain swamis (yogic priests).

Learn the answers to your questions about Kriya Yoga:

• What is Kriya Yoga?
• What is the main purpose of Kriya Yoga Practice?
• What skills are gained through the practice of Kriya Yoga?
• What is the origin of Kriya Yoga?
• What is the living lineage?
• Is there a need for initiation in Kriya Yoga?
• How do you receive initiation into Kriya Yoga?

Our Sangha

Light of Kriya or Kriya Jyothi Sat Sangha is a virtual, global, spiritual community led by Swami Pranananda. The sangha is dedicated to the study and practice of the mystical tradition of Kriya Yoga as taught to Swami Pranananda by her guru, Goswami Kriyananda.

The name Kriya Jyothi Sat Sangha symbolizes the intention to focus on the Light of Kriya within each of us (Jyothi), and through the practice of sacred action ( Kriya) to live in harmony (Sat) with all others (Sangha). Thus, in the sacred language of Sanskrit, the name is: Kriya Jyothi Sat Sangha.

This website has been developed as a home and place for you to explore the mystical teachings of Kriya Yoga. The sangha meets weekly through much of the year.  Sangha members participate in person (in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA) via Zoom or access the teachings through the private section of this website.

If you develop a deeper interest in Kriya Yoga please contact Swami Pranananda to learn about more study opportunities.

Are You Interested in Joining the Sangha?

What Is Next?

Read below to learn about the cost of joining. Then, if you are willing to make a private spiritual commitment to yourself to serve Life, contact Swami Pranananda.

What Is The Cost?

The teachings shared here are given to you as a love offering. There is no financial cost to you for studying through Kriya Jyothi Sat Sangha.

There is a cost of your time and talents as an offering to Life.

If you decide to join the sangha and study Kriya Yoga, your commitment is to yourself.

The commitment is to offer your time and talents to help others in need, without any financial compensation for your services.

We do not want to know what you are offering or how you are fulfilling the commitment. Just perform the karma yoga (service).

You alone know the unique skills which you have. Offer those skills to others in need.

This can be done in many ways:
• helping a neighbor with groceries,
• using your skills to help a non-profit,
• helping pack groceries at the local food bank,
• help elderly people with work that is needed around the home,
• teaching language to people who are new to your country,
• learning meditative prayer and incorporating this into your life on a daily basis.

Your Karma Yoga, or Giving Back to Life,
is only limited by Your Imagination.

You have many skills which you may not be aware of. 
Reflect upon those skills and then decide
how you will use them to help Life.