468--Q&A WITH SWAMIJI-- Lahiri Mahasaya--follow up for Swamiji

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your response Swamiji. I would like to ask a follow up.

Please forgive my mental indulgence with this topic. I would greatly

appreciate your comments.

I agree that the first breathing technique is exactly what you say but

it seems that the whole "Kriya Science" is really centered, in short,

around Khechari Mudra and techniques to push the tongue further and

further up until it reaches behind the eyebrows and locks in there.

Then there is also the opening up of the chakras and the

dissolving/unlocking the "knots" of the spine. I guess from my

reading, not from my extensive true knowledge, that this is common

with all "Kundalini Yoga" approaches, though I really don't like

using terms like that. Can you state a little more regarding this?

Also since you have stated that the tales about the extreme age of

Lahiri Mahasay's Guru, who many refer to just as Babaji, was more

tradition than fact, can you state what your experience was about who

this particular Babaji was/is? From my time in the Garwahl/Kumoan

regions with sadhus, several who are familiar with the subject at all

are of the opinion that he was the older baba known as Herakhan Baba.

I am not referring to the recent supposed reincarntion/remanifestation

of Herakhan Baba in the 70s/80s.

Thank you once again,

Surya

-

Nanda

Friday, October 28, 2005 9:45 PM

468--Q&A WITH SWAMIJI-- Lahiri Mahasaya

Question from Surya:I wonder if you might say a few words about Shyama

Charan Lahiri Mahasaya and the practice he taught termed "Kriya Yoga".

Since you spent quite a bit of time in Bengal, I thought you might

have some unique insight into this Saint and His teaching. I

remember you mentioning "Babaji" a few weeks back.

Swamiji's response:Lahiri Mahasaya is regarded a a great saint all

throughout India, and not just Bengal. The kriya yoga technique is

primary the practice of the Bhuta Shuddhi, which is one viddhi of the

Cosmic Puja. Of course, it is a highly effective and richly rewarding

practice, and when performed in the context of the full puja

paddhoti, it grants an integrated approach to meditation. By bringing

the energy up and then back down again, we learn learn about

meditation not only as a spiritual practice, but moreover as a key

element of leading a spiritual life.