Kriya Yoga is an ancient technique for self-realization which is well known in India. Through Paramahansa Yogananda and his "Autobiography of a Yogi" it became popular in the West in the 1920s, yet it remains a mysterious and fascinating spiritual path. It is taught by a limited number of masters, most of whom are Indian. Paramahansa Yogananda arrived in the United States in 1920, where he taught Kriya Yoga in accordance with his master's request. The transmission of this teaching has been continued without interruption ever since. Several masters have in the past come to Western countries to teach Kriya Yoga so that it is available to everyone.

 Swami Shankarananda Giri is a spiritual heir in this tradition, and teaches these techniques in its original form as they were transmitted by the lineage of masters. Those who desire to receive instructions in this path as a means for spiritual evolution, may take contact with one of the centres. Swami Shankarananda Giri has been teaching Kriya Yoga techniques in India since 1974, and in Europe since 1978. He has also inherited the astrological system called Cosmic Astrology from his master Swami Narayana Giri ("Prabhujee"). This system was established by Shri Yukteswar.

In order to obtain further information, please contact one of the centres.

Swami Shankarananda Giri is also the founder of three schools in India. The first school, running for over fifteen years, is named after his Guru and has over 1000 students following the Indian Government defined curriculum as well as support for poort students (financial support), ayurvedic medical treatments, hatha yoga, meditaton, school library and computer lab classes.

Guru Purnima on Sunday, 25th July 2010

Message from Swami Shankarananda Giri

Guru Purnima represents the day of the full moon dedicated to the Guru. 

But why is the full moon in this specific month dedicated to the Guru? And what is the meaning of Guru?

The real Guru is the Sun. The Sun has now arrived in the constellation of Cancer and the Moon is exactly opposite in Capricorn.  This means that the Sun is in Agya Chakra, in the posterior of the pituitary, and the Moon is in Muladhara Chakra, in the coccyx. These two centres in the spine play an especially vital role within the human body during Guru Purnima.

On the day of Guru Purnima the whole body is particularly controlled by the Sun and the Moon. When you consider that the Sun represents the Guru and Father and the Moon the Disciple and Mother, we can see that this has a specific spiritual influence on human life.

Guru Purnima always comes once in a year, normally when the Sun is in Karka Rasi, Karkata month or the month of Cancer. Furthermore, every 12th year Guru Purnima occurs in exactly the right place; the conjunction is precise and aligned.  2010 is a 12th year. For the previous 11 years we have not experienced a perfectly aligned conjunction.  From time to time Guru Purnima has been communicated as taking place in Methuna Rasi (Gemini) and Dhanu Rasi (Sagittarius) however this is not correct.

This year the conjunction is exact and for this reason this particular period of human life will be very difficult.  During this period, hardships will not be restricted to those who are in their own personal, astrologically determined, difficult periods. Instead almost all people will experience challenges and difficulties.

On the other hand, there is much spiritual development to be had during this period and I urge you to meditate, meditate, meditate.

As a Kriya Yogi, one has to manifest one’s own Sun and Moon in the Agya and Muladhara Chakras as well as balance the remaining planets in the spine for spiritual benefit.

I pray to Lord Vedavyasa to bless all mankind with spiritual achievement.

Yours with Divine love and blessings,

Baba

ANNOUNCEMENT: Acharya Per Wibe, a disciple of Swami Shankarananda Giri will be holding regular meditation retreats in Rishikesh, India and Barcelona, Spain.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Swamiji latest tour details.