Kriya Yoga The Science of Life Force Hardcover – March 1, 2013

I have been practising since December 1991 (distantly related to Sri Yukteshar Giri lineage). Had many, many questions, misunderstandings, apprehensions - tried to get clear answers and guidelines unsuccessfully, from various sources, about (1) What is the original authentic technique? (2) Why it is essential to vary the practises from person to person? (3) Why there is NO written, step-by-step procedure for anyone to access, read, practice etc.? (4) How to recognise any accruing benefits? (5) How to contact those who have already attained "REALISATION", and how to seek guidance from them?...........NOW, at last, many of those difficult questions HAVE BEEN ANSWERED very, very satisfactorily. I also very much like the detailed explanations given, based on Indian Philosophical Scriptures. I intend contacting Swami Sri Nityananda Giri Maharaj as soon as possible, and seek his blessings and guidance.A slight negative comment about other LEADERS or GURUS in the field - I have had the distinct feeling for a rather long time that, many of them (a) did not themselves know what was the original technique (b) and did not have the requisite spiritual capacity to render help to others..............they were simply hiding their ignorance behind a cloak of SECRECY......stating that ONLY their's was the original technique! ........I am aware of the teachings of SRI SRI RAMAKRISHNA PARAMHANSHA DEV (of Dakshineshwar Temple, Kolkata, India) that there are many paths to the same goal (just like many rivers going to the same sea/ocean).OF COURSE even now, I believe, there are SOME throughout the world, belonging to many different religions that have attained REALISATION by different PATHS, but usually they do not advertise!............

This is a wonderful book. Despite some of the comments, it is well written and very easy to understand. The Sanskrit is necessary to understand the scriptural background. It has both theory based on scripture and science and most importantly, practice. I have seen the author's few YouTube videos and his methods fully resonate with me. In the book, the practices are also very well explained. One example of his methodology is Navi Kriya where others say to intertwine the hands and point palms upward then tap the navel then direct prana up then back down and then tap the back of the spine with palms pointed downwards. His version makes much more sense. Tap the stomach with two hands 150 times. This has a lot of stimulation to the organs and brain but it also creates a very noticeable vibratory feeling. From there it is easier to move ones sense of feel and meditate on the chakras as you are already starting with a physical feeling. This is a must for the beginning practitioner.

Nityananda Giri, a Ph.D. in biological sciences, explains the path of Yoga and the techniques of Kriya with sensitivity, beauty and the rigor of a scientist. The book is filled with Sanskrit terms but these are translated into good English, with a few misspellings here and there. The author belongs to the lineage of Yukteswar but not Yogananda. He addresses in detail the differences between techniques of the various branches from Lahiri. I find this book to be an excellent value.

Right up front, if you are a Kriyaban or interested in this type of Yoga, you want this book. It has good information about the practices and the author is familiar with some of the divergent paths it has taken from Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya's many disciples. He also explains the deeper techniques and enhancements that the Kriyaban eventually practices. But there are drawbacks; it is from India and has those familiar "issues": there are misspelled words, missing spaces between some words, faulty English. For example he sometimes writes "unhurt" instead of "unstruck" or "if" when he means "of" and so on. The beginning of the book is long and tedious to my temperament. In some places, well, several places, he employs copious Sanskrit words throughout the sentences so that it is a chore to just understand what he is saying. I am sure it is fine for the Sanskrit scholar but ... . Yet there are some true gems to be found here. He also goes into good depth regarding some of the experiences one has as they pursue the deeper and more elaborate techniques. I do feel he is not clear enough in explaining some of those techniques but if you already know them or a version of them, you can work it out. There is considerable depth here in understanding the theory behind the techniques. No doubt there are some answers here that have been left out in other sources of this blessed gift of Kriya Yoga.

The author gives instructions and intersperses the book with his own experience in the practise. Great reading from a practitioner.When you read some books on spiritual techniques, you get the feeling some writers are just writers...they have never practised.Swami Nityananda writes about his practises...nice.

Apparently, the author makes use of fonts that are not available on the kindle reader. This would be great as a PDF file. Perhaps I can download the missing fonts?

Very pleased.

Both my husband and I read this book from cover to cover, and appreciate the detailed guidelines.