The Kriya Yoga retreats we host at Lakeside Retreat offer you a unique program with guided meditations by authorized Kriya Yoga teachers. Kriya Yoga is a golden opportunity to reach higher states of consciousness and change your life, by developing the body, mind, intellect, and awareness of the soul. It is a quick and easy path. Kriya Yoga techniques are passed down from master to disciple, master to aspirant, teacher to student.
Kriya Yoga is non-sectarian. Its simple technique is for everybody.
The meditation technique causes no hardship and requires no severity. From the principles of Karma Yoga (detachment from the fruits of actions in the world, and more importantly, from the inner activity of the mind), Kriya Yoga teaches that all action, kri, is done by the indwelling soul, ya. Continuous awareness of the power of the indwelling soul can transform all activity into worship. Awareness that the soul must inhale every breath leads to mind control and liberation.
The Kriya technique emphasizes the relationship between breath and mind. The breath influences the mind and vice-versa. This reciprocal relationship reveals the secret of controlling the mind: “Breath control is self-control. Breath mastery is self-mastery. Breathlessness is deathlessness.” The breathless state of samadhi is the realization of the Absolute.
No written document records when the ancient tradition of Kriya Yoga began. This spiritual technique has been practiced by saints, seers, and sages from time immemorial. The rishis (seers) of the Upanishads, Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, Maharshi Patanjali in his Yoga Sutra, and many other masters of yoga practiced and taught this scientific method through the ages. Kriya Yoga is a powerful tool to be used by seekers of all religions in order to enable spiritual development. Adi Shankara in the Viveka Chudamani described three things that are very rare in this world: to have a human birth, to have desire for liberation, and to have the company of a great soul and realized master.
The Kriya Yoga retreats are open to those initiated by authorized teachers. Introductory programs and initiations are offered regularly. We are happy for the opportunity to help you in any way we can with your Kriya practice. To learn more about Kriya Yoga, please see the listing the international website of Kriya Yoga or you can contact us directly about the possibility of initiation during our program at info@lakesideretreat.org.
Note: text on Kriya Yoga from the international website of kriya.org