Kriya Yoga: Turning an Idea Into Action

Follow the flow of nature

Apr 02, 2024

Hello dear friends!

Happy April, Happy New Month, Happy Heat Wave! Now that it’s sunny and it’s the greatest season of all (Spring) I’ve been spending as much time outside as possible — walking, hiking, building a garden (yay!), eating meals on my tiny balcony, and as soon as I tune up my bike I’ll be back riding in no time. I hope that wherever you are you’ve been able to carve some time out to be outside, feel the sun on your skin, and experience the beautiful natural world in your own special way.

As we watch the seasons change and the natural world begins to come alive again with flowers, herbs, vegetables, procreation, and animals awakening from their slumber, I am reminded of Kriya Yoga. Kriya Yoga, as laid out in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali (here’s a great translation) is the comprehensive approach to transforming Yoga from an idea or a philosophy (a very Winter energy) into action (Spring and Summer energy).

It is a three-part system made up of:

Tapas: the discipline or austerity required in yoga practice, but also extends to life itself. It involves the effort and commitment to consistently engage in whatever your “practice” may be — such as asana (physical yoga practice), pranayama (breath control), meditation, hiking, running, therapy, backpacking, writing, creating art — for the sake of positive evolution and/or spiritual growth.

Svadhyaya: self-study, introspection, and the cultivation of deep self-awareness. It involves studying sacred texts and honestly reflecting upon one’s own thoughts and actions.

Ishvara Pranidhana: the practice of surrendering to God (or whatever word you want to use — grace, divinity, higher power, beauty, nature, The One, The Ultimate). It involves letting go of the ego and acknowledging that there is more to this life than the individual experience, cultivating humility, faith, and trust in the divine plan.

When we integrate these three aspects of Kriya Yoga, yoga transcends the mat and meditation cushion, becoming a lived experience in our daily existence.

Here’s how I translate the principles of Kriya Yoga into actionable steps:

Commit to Effort (Tapas): Acknowledge that the path of yoga requires effort. Promise to give your best effort regardless of the challenges you may face along the way. Offer nothing less than honest and sincere dedication.
Embrace Studentship (Svadhyaya): Be steadfast in your commitment to learning. Study the sacred texts of any wisdom tradition that resonates with you. Dive deep into self-study to understand your own tendencies and behaviors.
Reflect and Plan (Svadhyaya): Reflect on your observations and tendencies. Make a plan for how to address them.
Take Action (Tapas): Put your plan into action. Implement the changes or adjustments you’ve identified to address your observations and tendencies. It will probably be challenging, as all new habits are, but we do not let that challenge deter us.
Accept Failure (Tapas): Understand that setbacks and failures are a part of the human existence. Be prepared to mess up.
Persevere (Major Tapas): Despite setbacks, be willing to try again! Maintain perseverance and resilience in your practices and commitments.
Surrender to the Divine (Ishvara Pranidhana): Recognize that there are forces beyond your control and that the world does not revolve around your individual experience. Let go of the ego. Set it down. Cultivate a sense of surrender to God or your chosen word. Offer your very best, and let it go.

This is a time of action my friends. When in doubt, follow the earth. We look around and see blooms, sprouts, and the trickling of water beginning to fill our creeks and rivers. Let this be a gentle, beautiful reminder, to keep going.

“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins, not through strength, but by perseverance” - H. Jackson Brown

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