As the world celebrated the 11th anniversary of International Day of Yoga 2025, Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS), Ranchi Ashram organised a special guided meditation session on this day, based on the theme, ‘Kriya Yoga Meditation: An Introduction.’ The session was conducted by Swami Chaitanyananda Giri, a senior ‘sannyasi’ of YSS. Devotees of Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of YSS, and author of the one of the world’s most acclaimed spiritual classics, ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’, and others evinced their interest and attended the session in hundreds.
Introducing the attendees to ‘Kriya Yoga’, Swami Chaitanyananda explained that Kriya Yoga is not just about calming the mind — it is a sacred path for accelerating our progress to the highest spiritual attainment. Addressing the ‘audience’ in the serene and calming premises of the ashram on Saturday evening, Swamiji introduced ‘Kriya Yoga’ saying “Yoganandaji had described it as the one of the fastest and most direct method of realizing God, and that its practice enables the ‘sadhak’ to experience deep inner calm, quietness of breath and mind, and awakening of blissful divine perception. “Kriya Yoga speeds up the soul’s evolution,” he said. Paramahansa Yogananda had said, “[one] half-minute of Kriya[practice] equals one year of natural spiritual unfoldment.” These words of Yoganandaji itself explained the power of ‘Kriya Yoga’.
Though anyone can practice ‘Kriya Yoga’, it must be learned under the guidance of a guru. Yoganandaji had prepared the ‘Yogoda Satsanga lessons — a comprehensive home study programme’ to guide seekers in the various technique — to prepare for Kriya Yoga initiation .
Swamiji put forth a detailed explanation of how ‘Kriya Yoga’ helps overcome stress through scientific redirection of life energy into the spine and brain, which also helps break free from emotional turmoil and stress.
Following the talk Swamiji conducted a session on guided meditation.
Hundreds of other devotees also joined the live streaming of the programme on YSS YouTube channel at country-wide ashrams, ‘kendras’ and ‘mandalis’ of the organization.