Initiation into the Second Kriya

After receiving sacred Kriya initiation from Babaji, and the special blessing of giving it to all sincere seekers of God, Lahiri Mahasaya embarked on a journey to develop the complete Science of Kriya Yoga, based on the observation of his personal practice. He carefully recorded his observations and revelations in 18 notebooks which are kept in the ashram of his great-grandson Shibindu Lahiri in Varanase, ancient Benares.

The system he devised includes specific preparation techniques to be practiced before receiving the First Initiation, and four stages of Kriya practice. Yogananda mentions them in his Autobiography:

«Since Kriya Yoga can be the subject of several subdivisions, Lahiri Mahasaya wisely distinguished four levels, which were in his opinion the essential ones and of greater value in effective practice. He granted the three most advanced techniques only after the devotee had demonstrated that he had made certain spiritual progress.”

When Yogananda brought this science to the West, he included an intermediate initiation, which we call the Second Initiation. It helps the Kriyaban to concentrate and awaken each of the chakras before moving on to the higher initiations.

If you have already received the Second Kriya Initiation, this weekend will be an opportunity to clarify your understanding, deepen your practice and lovingly support those who are recently entering the higher dimensions of Kriya.