Supreme Art and Science of Raja and Kriya Yoga (eBook)

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): www.yogananda-kriyayoga.org.uk

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.