Paramahansa Yogananda: Kriya Yoga and Yogoda Satsanga Society

It is heartening to see that the Kriya yoga teachings of the great master Paramahansa yogananda are being spread, steadily and surely, in most cities and towns throughout India by Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. Well known as YSS, this was the institution founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1917 to propagate his teachings on Kriya Yoga. Many devotes who have been attracted to this unique spiritual dispensation have joined YSS as YS Lessons’ holders after reading the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, authored by Paramahansa Yogananda.

In his spiritual classic, the Autobiography of a Yogi, which has been selected as one of the 100 best spiritual books of the century by the worldwide book trade, Paramahansa Yogananda describes Kriya Yoga as the “airplane route to God.” The technique is a psychophysiological method which draws in increasing amounts of life current to rejuvenate the brain and spinal centres. Doing this, it opens up undreamed-of possibilities before the sincere seeker.

A unique and distinctive characteristic of the Yogoda Satsanga teachings is that there is a central set of teachings given by Paramahansa Yogananda that can be practiced by all sincere seekers, both householder devotees and sannyasis. Under the guidance of Paramahansa Yogananda, the personal guidance and instruction that he had given to students of his classes in Raja Yoga during the years 1920 through 1952 were arranged under his direct guidance into a comprehensive series of lessons – the Yogoda Satsanga Lessons – for study and practice in the privacy of one’s home.

Direct perception of God through the faithful practice of Kriya Yoga is the main plank of the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. Known as the "Father of Yoga in the West", the great spiritual guru spent 32 years in the West, spreading the principles of sanatan dharma - India's immortal gift to the rest of the world.

Today, many of the concepts and methods of harmonizing body, mind, and spirit introduced decades ago by Paramahansa Yogananda have been adopted by scientists, religious and spiritual leaders, and experts in the field of physical and mental health, as well as by the public at large.

More than fifty years after the passing away of the great guru, the spiritual dispensation founded by him continues to grow steadily in India and throughout the world. Today, YSS has more than 160 meditation centers in many cities and towns in India -- an eloquent testimony to the fact that the Kriya Yoga teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda are drawing more and more true seekers to the Kriya Yoga path as the great guru had predicted. The YSS website http://www.yssofindia.org provides detailed information about the ashrams and various centers of YSS in India and presents updates on different YSS events and activities.

Information about Paramahansa Yogananda’s life and teachings is also available from the registered office of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India at 21, U.N. Mukherjee Road, Dakshineswar, Kolkata – 700 076; Tel: (033) 2564 5931, 2564 6208 and from Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, Paramahansa Yogananda Path, Ranchi – 834 001, Jharkhand: Tel: (0651) 2460071, 2460074, 2461578.