At The Lotus Feet Of My Holy Master

This article was originally written by Saket Srivastava, a devoted Kriyaban and disciple of Gurudev.

Here are a few key teachings of Gurudev:

• Motivating Others and Realizing Truth

  Always encourage others to reach their highest potential. Demeaning others is easy and harmful, but each person has the potential to realize the Truth—that they are Pure Consciousness, Pure Joy, and Pure Love. Unfortunately, this truth is often obscured by ignorance and ego, which arises from false identifications.

• Living in the Moment

  Live fully in the present moment, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. True bliss can only be found in the present. When you are happy now, you will be happy in any other moment as well.

• Wisdom vs. Cleverness

  Be wise, not just clever. Wisdom means understanding that you are the master of your body, mind, and soul. Cleverness, by contrast, is merely the ability to get things done for self-interest without knowing the true self for whom the work is being done.

• Reducing the Ego

  Hold only enough ego to maintain the physical body, but discard the ego of the astral and mental bodies, as these are false identifications. The ego comes from false images that accumulate during upbringing and societal influence.

• Overcoming Vices

  Do not try to control anger, lust, greed, lethargy, or envy, as controlling them is a form of suppression, which leads to latent violence. The only way to overcome these vices is through pure observation from their inception to their end, without interference from thought.

• Being Gurumay

  Be Gurumay—completely absorbed in the consciousness of your Guru, knowing your Guru fully and completely.

• Kriya Practice and Parawastha

  Practice Kriya Yoga regularly with devotion to Gurudev and Lahiri Mahasaya. Aim to reach the Parawastha of Kriya—a state that can only be achieved after deep and sincere practice. In this state, all actions become nishkam karma, or selfless actions.

• Kindness and Love

  Be kind, loving, and affectionate to everyone you meet. Carry out your worldly duties with the necessary temperament but avoid harboring any malice or the intention to harm others. Keep a calm demeanor without holding grudges.

• Avoiding Competition

  Do not engage in competition with others, especially fellow Kriyabans. Each person will receive the fruits of their own actions. Focus on your own Kriya practice with consistency and faith, practicing twice daily as directed by Gurudev.

• Expecting Nothing

  Do not expect anything from anyone, even those closest to you. True understanding comes only after self-realization. Until then, free yourself from expectations—physical, mental, or financial.

• Questioning Superstitions

  Avoid believing in superstitions, dogmas, or rituals simply for the sake of tradition. Seek to understand the rationale behind belief systems, and if they seem unnecessary, let them go without engaging in criticism or condemnation.

• Stilling the Mind

  Kriya Yoga is about stilling the mind by stilling the breath, as taught in the Yoga Sutras (Yogaschittavrittinirodah). The purpose is to make the body-mind vessel fit to receive ultimate Truth. The subtler the mind, the deeper the understanding of Truth.

• Correcting Others with Kindness

  If someone is wrong, offer corrections politely, without hurting their feelings. Direct confrontation may prevent further expression that could benefit everyone.

• Realizing Creation

  Creation is beautiful and can be fully realized by remaining in the Parawastha of Kriya. In this state, you will see creation emerging from nothingness and dissolving back into nothingness, freeing you from worldly attachments.

• Avoiding Pride in Kriya

  Do not boast about your Kriya practice. Kriya is not the Truth but a gateway to Truth. Pride in your practice will prevent you from going deeper on the path.

• Sharing Experiences with the Guru

  Do not discuss your Kriya experiences with others, as they may be hallucinations or imaginations. Only the Guru can confirm whether your experiences are real and guide you accordingly.

• Overcoming Guilt

  If you feel guilty for past actions, do not share it publicly or condemn yourself. At most, share it with Gurudev, observe it deeply, and let go with understanding. It is never too late to correct your path.

• Visiting the Guru

  Though sincere Kriyabans are always under the watchful eyes of Gurudev, visiting the Guru at his ashram can greatly benefit a Kriyaban, as the positive vibrations of the place will surely influence them.

• Balancing Worldly Duties

  A householder must never neglect worldly duties while advancing on the spiritual path, as family members depend on them. A true Kriyaban, following the example of Yogiraj, must maintain a balance between worldly and spiritual duties.

• Respecting Women

  Women are embodiments of love and should be respected as mothers. It is the duty of every householder, especially Kriyabans, to show respect and reverence to all women.

• Seeking Answers from Within

  Do not accept things at face value but question everything with reason and commonsense. The answers to your questions lie within. Practice Kriya faithfully, as all solutions are hidden in the problems themselves.

Conclusion

Kriya Yoga is a path to self-realization, not an end in itself. By practicing with reverence and devotion, Kriyabans can still the mind, overcome ego, and reach a state of divine consciousness.