This unique book is a complete guide to spiritual Raja and Kriya Yoga. Beginning with historical and spiritual accounts of all Yoga traditions, it covers Raja and Kriya Yoga in depth, with instruction on the asanas, breathing techniques and meditations. The book is an invaluable resource for yoga practitioners, as well as spiritual seekers.
Preface. Part I: The Light Within. 1.1 Our Search for True Joy. 1.2 Knowing what God is. 1.3 Six Qualities of a Devotee on the Spiritual Path. Part II: Origins and History of Yoga Philosophy. 2.1 The beginnings. 2.2 The Pre-Vedic Period (6500-4500 BCE - The Treta Yuga). 2.3 Vedic Period (4500-1500 BCE - During the Descending Treta/Dwapara Yugas. 2.4 Post-Vedic/Upanisadic Period (1500-1000 BCE - The Descending Dwapara Yuga). 2.5 The Pre-Classical Period (1000-100 BCE - during the Descending Dwapara Yuga). 2.6 The Classical Period (100 BCE-500 BCE - During the Descending Kali Yuga). 2.7 Post Classical Period - Tantric (500 CE - 900 CE -During the ascending Kali Yuga). Part III: Yoga in Indian Philosophy. 3.1 The 'Sad Darshanas'. 3.2 Nyaya (Valid knowledge through logical criticism). 3.3 Vaise?ika (Analysis of the aspects of reality). 3.4 Sa?khya (Enumeration). 3.5 Yoga: The science of the soul. 3.6 Mima?sa (inquiry; investigation). 3.7 Vedanta (the Ultimate Truth). Part IV: The Subtle Body and the Chakras. 4.1 The Subtle Bodies. 4.2 The Soul. 4.3 The Chakras: The body's energy system. 4.4 Nadis. 4.5 Ku??alini. 4.6 The Seven Major Chakras. 4.7 The Descent and the Ascent of the soul through the Chakras. Part V: Mantra. 5.1 The Spiritual Discipline of Mantra Japa. 5.2 The Significance of Aum. 5.3 So' ham, Ha?sa, and Hong Sau. 5.4 Bija Mantras. 5.5 Hum Mantra. 5.6 The Two Greatest Healing Mantras. Part VI: Raja Yoga. 6.1 The Royal Path. 6.2 Introduction to Astanga Yoga (The Eight Limbs of Yoga). 6.3 The Yamas and the Niyamas (Moral and Ethical Restraints and Personal and Mental Disciplines). 6.3.1 The Five Yamas (Restraints). 6.3.2 The Five Niyamas (Observances). 6.4 Asana (Posture). 6.5 Pranayama (Regulating and Harmonising Energy). 6.5.1 Bandhas. 6.6 Pratyahara (withdrawal of the mind from the senses). 6.7 Dharana (Concentration). 6.8 Dhyana (Meditation). 6.8.1 The Nature of the Mind and Its Functions. 6.8.2 Karma and Sa?sara. 6.8.3 The Gunas - Nature's Three Fundamental Forces. 6.8.4 What is Consciousness?. 6.8.5 The Practice of Dhyana (Meditation). 6.9 Samadhi (Absorption). Part VII: Kriya Yoga. 7.1 An Advanced Spiritual Accelerator. 7.2 The Four Yugas. 7.3 The Kriya Yoga Masters. 7.4 Kriya plus Devotion. 7.5 Consciousness and Cosmic Energy. 7.6 Kriya Yoga Practice. 7.6.1 Hong Sau Technique. 7.6.2 The Energization Exercises. 7.6.3 AUM Technique. 7.6.4 Navi Kriya. 7.6.5 Maha Mudra. 7.6.6 Yoni Mudra. 7.6.7 Kechari Mudra. 7.6.8 Nabho Mudra. 7.6.9 Aum Japa in the Chakras. 7.6.10 Kriya Pranayama. 7.7 Initiation in Kriya. 7.8 Why the Secrecy in Kriya?. 7.9 Spiritual Guidelines for Practising Kriya Yoga. Appendix: An Introduction to Sanskrit. Glossary. Bibliography. About the Author.
Stephen Sturgess draws on decades of study and practice to present a comprehensive and engaging account of Raja and Kriya Yoga. These authentic forms represent true Yoga, and their practice provides spiritual seekers with the ultimate pathway towards self-realisation, inner freedom and ineffable peace and joy. The book begins by providing a complete view of Yoga and its spiritual dimensions, including an account of the history and philosophy of all Yoga traditions. It then covers Raja and Kriya Yoga in depth, with instruction on the asanas, breathing techniques and meditations of each tradition. With a glossary and an introduction to Sanskrit, this book provides everything a truth-seeker needs to embark on the journey to spiritual awakening.
A complete guide to Raja and Kriya Yoga, this book is an incomparable resource that will be a valued addition to the shelves of yoga practitioners and yoga teachers as well as anyone with an interest in yogic or Vedic traditions.
Stephen Sturgess is a dedicated teacher of Yoga and meditation in the Kriya Tradition of Paramhansa Yogananda. He is the author of The Yoga Book, Yoga Meditation, and The Book of Chakras& Subtle Bodies. Stephen was born in London and since 1969 he has studied and practised Yoga and meditation in India, the UK and Europe under the expertise of well-known Yoga swamis and gurus. In 1982 he first met Swami Kriyananda (1926-2013) a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda (1893-1952), who initiated him and gave him discipleship into the ancient science of Kriya Yoga. Stephen was also initiated by Roy Eugene-Davis, another direct disciple of Yogananda, who ordained him in 2011 as Kriyacharya (Kriya Teacher) to teach and initiate others into Kriya. Stephen is also an artist-painter and has a BA University Degree in Ayurveda. He continues to write, paint and teach Kriya Yoga Meditation in London (UK): yogananda-kriyayoga.org.uk
