The Sanskrit word kriya means “action,” but the term Kriya Yoga refers to the preliminary stages of RAJA-YOGA. The preparatory work has been divided into three portions or “limbs” as follows:

(1) Svadhyaya, requiring a thorough study of the problems of spiritual life and how they are solved though yoga.

(2) Isvara-pranidhana, intense devotion to Divine Reality, which is inherent in every human being. This is the primary aim of all yoga practice.

(3) Tapas, rigorous self-discipline leading to the control of the lower vehicles of consciousness and the strengthening of will.

Kriya Yoga has been arranged for those who, for one reason or another, are unable to practice the rigorous disciplines of Raja-Yoga.

P.S.H.

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