What is Real Kriya Yoga? - Let's go to the Master

Drawing from the Oral Tradition of Sri Panchanan Bhattacharya, and Lahiri Mahasaya's private letters to his students, we can begin to know the truth about Kriya Yoga and it's intentions in the body (the battlefield).
Lahiri Baba's Private Letters in this collection:
amzn.to/2WIS74C
Consider joining our community:
/ forrestknutson
MyCalmBeat app download:
apkpure.com/my...
Spiritual Gita (in 3 Volumes)
by Shyamacharan Lahiri & Bhupendranath Sanyal
amzn.to/2YBrIcG
3 books to Enlightenment:
The Master and His Emissary: amzn.to/2Vv1U0l
Satyacharan in Abode of Truth: bit.ly/2ZspNVy
My Stroke of Insight: amzn.to/2XAlOnU
Books based on Lahiri Mahasaya's Diaries:
Purana Purusha: bit.ly/2L63luB
On Amazon: amzn.to/2UNMEw1
Who is this Shama Churn?: bit.ly/2QBxQOn
On Amazon: amzn.to/2IBMqBN
Lahiri Mahasaya's Letters to students:
Garland of Letters (Patravali): amzn.to/2WIS74C
Another translation:
Personal Letters to Kriya Disciples: amzn.to/2DcvyfI
Iain McGilchrist books:
The Divided Brain: amzn.to/2WxvjVm
Ways of Attending: amzn.to/2MJ7RA0
The Master and His Emissary: amzn.to/2Vv1U0l
Lorna Byrne books:
Angels in My Hair: amzn.to/2V2KqVn
Angels at My Fingertips: amzn.to/2DExsGa
Prayers from the Heart: amzn.to/2GLaccG
Love From Heaven: amzn.to/2DL3joA
Books on the Polyvagal Theory:
The Polyvagal Theory: amzn.to/2DkmdF7
Pocket Guide to Polyvagal Theory: amzn.to/2SJhAZS
Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: amzn.to/2qqvnYj
Important Kundalini Books:
Kundalini Rising: amzn.to/2MMR1CE
The Kundalini Guide: amzn.to/2NvISnt
Joan Harrigan Books:
Kundalini Vidya: amzn.to/2DUOOB5
Stories of Spiritual Transformation: amzn.to/2R9w2sF
John Alton & the 3 Emperors:
Autonomic Intelligence: amzn.to/2K3kK9I
Reflective Exercise in 8 Sessions: amzn.to/2XtFfPD
NLP books:
Magic of NLP Demystified: amzn.to/2O7g81m
The Essential Guide to NLP: amzn.to/2TIKX2y
Time Line Therapy: amzn.to/2UFcYV1
Time Line Therapy Made Easy: amzn.to/2W5d8p6
Books by Todd Murphy:
Sacred Pathways: amzn.to/2THZO9C
Deja vu & Other Gifts: amzn.to/2IwdPFd
Books I love:
Book of Floating: amzn.to/2xHtdHd
JASON and the Argonaughts: amzn.to/2KU5qMR
The Manual: amzn.to/2Dn0xbk
Vijnana Bhairava: amzn.to/2oKylps
Outliers: The Story of Success: amzn.to/2M21m9t
Autobiography of a Yogi: amzn.to/2MpbMoN
The Awakened Mind: amzn.to/2BB2mRU
Awakening the Mind: amzn.to/2wkfqFx
The High-Performance Mind: amzn.to/2PeCJZF
High Performance Mind CD: amzn.to/2BYEMND
Hacking the Universe: amzn.to/2wfIjmg
The Autobiography of Gopi Krishna: amzn.to/2MMFe7o
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: amzn.to/2BB3IMu
Drawing on the Right Side Workbook: amzn.to/2Msyuwb
The Illustrated Happiness Trap: amzn.to/2BBXETZ
The Voice of the Soul: amzn.to/2wjjK82
Stranger In a Strange Land: amzn.to/2OV2HAE
Please Understand Me: amzn.to/2UCs6U3
Please Understand Me II: amzn.to/2LwmcQ9
Personology: amzn.to/31dISeN
Tongue Scraper: amzn.to/2GiPTEj
My Camera: amzn.to/2MMQosM
Rebound Trampoline: amzn.to/2XyhLfL
Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil & Neem Toothpaste: amzn.to/2TUA76l
Tom's of Maine Fresh Mint: amzn.to/31WhpOn
Thank you for the excellent music!
Artist: Sachko
Song: Meant to Be
/ s4chko
Thank you for the excellent music!
Artist: Ron Gelinas
Song: Make Me Free
/ atmospheric-music-portal

[@johnm.4655]

From Yogananda's website, "Kriya Yoga is an instrument through which human evolution can be quickened. The ancient Yogis discovered that the secret of cosmic consciousness is intimately linked with BREATH MASTERY. The Kriya Yoga meditation techniques of PRANAYAMA, life-force control that transmutes breath into subtle lifetronic energy, bring positive realization that the COMPOSITION of the body is pure cosmic energy. In the adept practice of Kriya, the body is oxygenated and its atoms ETHEREALIZED until it becomes light as a feather. Man has no idea how much power comes into the body when he has mastered the mystery of the PRANA through breath." 🌬️💨 🙏🕉️

[@neilgeldart4789]

Teachers inform, masters transform 🙏. Keep up the go(o)d work Forrest.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Neil! Great to hear from you! You are so right! 🙏🙏

[@carpenterfamily6198]

“ Its not supposed to impress you. It’s supposed to work ! “ 👍

[@ForrestKnutson]

Makes sense, doesn't it!

[@victormartinbagant8074]

What a beautiful being you are!!

[@ForrestKnutson]

God bless us both Victor! God Bliss us both!

[@sadhanagopal7550]

I’m so blessed to come across your videos.. 🙏🙏🙏

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Gopal! I'm so glad they are helping! 🙏

[@shreekrishna4074]

You are my first guru to whom I have asked so many spiritual questions and you gave amazing answers to all my questions...... Thank you so much Forrest.... Awesome video 🙂👍

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's beautiful Rohit! 🙏🙏🙏

[@Karaan_Guleria]

Suggest who in india is giving initiation for kriya yoga under panchaanan bhattacharya lineage.

[@Peixadinha]

Thank you very much for your videos!!! Grettings from Brazil! 🙏

[@catalinciortea4453]

Thank you, I recently got my initiation in Kriya Yoga and started practicing it. Your videos help me a lot because the teachings I received were not very clear and I find different versions of it and approaches. I found the HRV breathing and OM Japa very helpful.

[@navjotkaur973]

Being an Indian I feel ashamed that all this knowledge was never explored by me.Heartfelt thanks🙏🏼 for sharing this information.

[@ForrestKnutson]

We all come with cognitive biases. I'm so glad we both have a chance to explore it now! 🙏🙏

[@vaidi865]

Where in India can we learn the correct kriya yoga.

[@egortitov9494]

@@vaidi865 Bihar school probably.

[@ketakinikini]

​@@egortitov9494 there isn't any Bihar school. The lineage of Panchanan Bhattacharya presently Rabin Ray in West Bengal.

[@ketakinikini]

There is nothing to be ashamed of. Kriya yoga is a path which is totally different from bhakti path or Tantra. It starts with knowing yourself and magically turns to God head later as one masters the techniques. You have to be a seeker to learn these. The guru presents himself when the seeker disciple is ready. There is need to have prarabda off your previous birth to get the start. I was an atheist of a sort and then all of a sudden every thing turned over the God head works in storage ways.

[@judithpohlhaus3726]

I am so happy to have found you! Thank you for all your insightful knowledge.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Judith!

[@lrodriguez5545]

I am always impress with your teaching delivery! today i was thinking about the saying "When the Student is Ready, the Teacher Will Appear" because of another of your class you said something about "the brain master" Thanks God for put in your heart to teach us.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you!

[@JK-nt8ou]

You are absolutely amazing. I had a question and I asked God, minutes later I am guided to this video and you answered my questions completely, simply and throughly. Thank you

[@ForrestKnutson]

Beautifully sincronistic! Ask and you shall receive!

[@JK-nt8ou]

@@ForrestKnutson Indeed! May you receive all that you ask in the most unexpected, amazing, miraculous way :D

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@JK-nt8ou thank you so much!

[@phijk66461]

Thank you Forrestji. This was a very informative video. It was also nice to get a little history lesson on Panchananji, as there is not as much info out there on this branch of the lineage here in the West. Even though it's only been a couple of weeks since I was initiated into Panchanonji's lineage, I can confirm that my experience so far matches your statements. Over the last couple of years I've experimented with a lot of "kundalini", tantric, and other popular Kriya variations. Each of those did have some tamasic negative effects. There was good from them as well, but it was not all good. What you said about how these other techniques "awaken" the chakras vs proper Kriya "silencing" the chakras is exactly what I have been experiencing.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Philip! What a fantastic testimony. Thank you so much! It really makes all the difference.

[@harsh-dy8lp]

Hi Philip!!Just wondering where did you got initiated into Panchanan B's ashram? US or Howrah,Calcutta? Thanks

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@Karaan_Guleria hi! If you do a google search for "Maheshwari Dubeyji" then you should find 2 lineages that are operating in India at this time.

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@Karaan_Guleria I pointed you to two, and you brought up another. So, this is where you need to search your heart. That's the soul-searching that Babaji mentions in the Autobiography of a Yogi.

[@arminhurt6906]

Very nice person..and very good explanation!!! Really like that!!!❤

[@joshuamiller5701]

This video will help many sucked into external rituals and dangerous practices - very safe, effective and transformative advice to quiet the mind so one can eventually live in the spiritual eye for little bits of time. Thanks Forrest!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful testimonial Joshua! Thank you so much! That's exactly why I made this. In an effort to make someone's road shorter than my own. God bless you and your family! 🙏🙏🙏

[@Iyersab]

God, Guru (inner) and you are great...i seem to be hitting the correct videos of yours to get more clarity into different aspects of Kriya Yoga. Thank you so much for such selfless wonderful explanations 🙏🏼

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful Sai! So glad to hear that!

[@neo85ish]

Loved the intro, so soothing! Very important transmission 🙏 Thank you🙏

[@ForrestKnutson]

I'm so glad you saw this one! 🙏🙏

[@ForrestKnutson]

Exactly! OM Japa, HRV, and a long breath are essential. 🙏

[@1rsalc]

Thank you for an informative video and the beautiful history of Lahiri Mahasaya and Panchanonji's guru-disciple relationship. I enjoyed also the brief quotes from Yoganandaji's Autobiography of a Yogi.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Fantastic! Thank you!

[@thesparkoflight613]

wonderfully fascinating and insightful, as usual Forrest! Many thanks!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you so much for watching! You are always a joy!

[@randonaccessmemoreis]

What incredible insight, much respect and many thanks!

[@grammar37]

Feeling really blessed to discover your videos 🙏🏽🙏🏽🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Shilpa 🙏🌹🌹🤩

[@alexmatanga4381]

Received with Gratitude 🙏🙏🙏

[@thomasroland2364]

I was initiated by Sri Dharmendra Vats 16 years ago in Kolkata. He was initiated by Netaicharan Banerjee who was initiated by Panchanon Baba. Unfortunately some scandals came out regarding Sri Vats and true or not he stopped initiating as far as I'm aware. I can say though that he met the conditions laid out by the Guru mantra and after 5 years practice the urdhvareta kriya began automatically for me. That kriya is effortless and has been happening daily for 11 years now.

[@omsemperorvan5416]

I've practiced OM japa into the chakras once and had great mental stillness but I stopped after that and my mind was just chasing the bodily instincts even though I immerse myself in meditation. I was clearly getting tamasic results 😅 I did the OM japa again last night before meditation then applied full khechari mudra and meditated blissfully. I had beautiful flashes of yellowish lights and the blob of deep blue light was as bright as ever. Up to this moment my mind is so peaceful. I'll commit myself to the OM japa in the chakras now. Thanks again Mr. Forrest🙏 I'm advancing a whole lot with your divine teachings🙂

[@ForrestKnutson]

That is so fantastic to hear!! So wonderful. It really is a magical process. 🙏🙏

[@egortitov9494]

The light comes from adjnya chakra, which is thalamus.

[@arobersonable]

This is so insightful for me at this time. I will not feel that I'm betraying Yogananda by looking at other teachers.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful Amy! I often mention that Yogananda was initiated in kriya, first by his father, then his Sanskrit tutor - who was a huge influence, then Yukteswar, who he mentioned was a proxy for Babaji. That's four guru teachers!

[@arobersonable]

@@ForrestKnutson I totally feel better about the guru situation now! It's cool.

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@arobersonable that's perfect 🤩

[@DharmaScienceRadio]

Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, which I learned from Sadhguru, includes aum as my favorite part of the practice 🎉

[@jannareindel6263]

Thank you again Forrestji!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Janna! 🤗

[@bobseehafer5414]

Forrest I feel you are a modern day Lahiri Mahasaya, your insights are deep and life changing. 🙏

[@ForrestKnutson]

Bob, you are so kind. There's only one Yogiraj, of course, and I owe him everything. It is my great pleasure to put a medical label to the many things he taught.

[@bobseehafer5414]

@@ForrestKnutson you insights are inspired I feel.

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@bobseehafer5414 it takes depth to recognize depth. 🙏🙏

[@sabrinasundari]

Your insight into kundalini yoga makes a lot of sense. I notice some people who are deep into these practices have a lot of explosive anger, obsession with the personality, and ego within the esthetic of it. I was turned off by kundalini yoga, but your videos are making me more and more interested in Kriya yoga, so thank you!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Great Sabrina! I'm so glad it's making sense! 🤩

[@sabrinasundari]

@@ForrestKnutson Do you think that the modern studio yoga is also tamasic? In these classes, there is often little focus on the breath or the internal self, and more on movement as exercise. There is definitely a competitive nature to it.

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@sabrinasundari it's usually a physical practice only. but it can be a wonderful prep as the muscles lengthen they relax tremendously and you'll have much more ability to sit still in meditation.

[@jahlandonviviano5241]

Every video you make is fantastic. I did om japa this morning in the chakras. Extremely powerful. Wow. ...also making solid progress on talabya kriya, which is how I found you..thanks for that too!

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's fantastic!

[@victorsaitta5692]

OMG!!!! Thank you so very much for this wonderful explanation of Kriya Yoga. I was scrolling down your KZbin video’s and found this. It truly explains the importance of exact lineage and the importance of no tomastic experience. I know it’s not all of the fundamentals but it covers the basics beautifully.

[@ForrestKnutson]

I'm so glad to hear that Victor!

[@Sassieone1]

It’s very CRYSTAL CLEAR !!! Thank you so much 🕉😌🧘‍♀️💜

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful Dreamer!

[@aloksahu7208]

Whenever I watch this new thing comes great sir🙏

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful Alok!

[@Uunimahavatara]

Endless Pranams of gratitude Forrest. I have been practicing Kriya yoga, for 45 years on and off. I've been contacted by Mahavatar Babaji many times...one is now. HE is very actively prodding me to find the perfect lineage to again be initiated into Kriya Yoga. Could you please direct me towards a connection in this lineage that you were speaking of. I am in Kansas City and I'm hoping to find a connection here if at all possible. Thank you for your clarity sincerity and knowledge, and of course, your spiritual light is brilliant, and I'm very grateful for what you are sharing with us thank you thank you thank you.

[@robinriches7798]

Absolutely fabulous. Immensely beneficial. X🇬🇧

[@ForrestKnutson]

You're the best, Robin. Top banana for sure!

[@leonardderosa8440]

Thank you Forrest I really enjoyed this clarification of intent and practice of Kriya yoga

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful, I'm glad to hear that!

[@private7419]

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Thank you so much!

[@ForrestKnutson]

I'm so glad you saw this one! 🙏

[@Quezecotl2012]

Nice insights

[@js4386]

Babaji is Yogananda's true Guru. Not clear about when they first met but in the Bhagavad Gita, Babaji was Lord Krishna and Yogananda was Arjuna in their former incarnations.

[@MrHmm300]

You really explain this very very well, thanks for this video//*

[@Celebritybeginnings775]

Thanks for this video Forrest! I was wondering what you thought of Sri Mukherjee’s technique of the first kriya? He says to only chant Om at Kutastha 6 times on the inhalation and 6 times on the exhalation. He says the 6th chakra governs all other chakras so they are simultaneously receiving Om Japa. He says Lahiri Mahasaya taught it this way as the original kriya. I’ve been doing it this way for months because it it made sense and resonated with me. Sometimes I wonder if I should be placing Om in each chakra individually. What do you think? I’m not sure

[@ForrestKnutson]

Well, if the chakras are projections of the brain, which is what I teach, and what Lahiri Baba's chakra chart is about. If the brain is not the problem, but the projections are. Then where should we chant OM? In the brain which is not the problem? Or in the chakra projection which is the problem? When we ask the right question, it answers itself, doesn't it? If you want to see more on that watch the Big Bliss presentation. Great question, btw.

[@Celebritybeginnings775]

@@ForrestKnutson Thank you! I am going to check that out definitely. I just discovered your channel and love it. I read Hacking the Universe but didn't know you had a YT channel. Do you FaceTime or video chat with people? I would love to talk to you man. I have so many questions! I live in Fresno, CA and nobody seems to have any interest in this stuff so I'm trying to find like-minded people.

[@egortitov9494]

@@ForrestKnutson Chakras are nerve knots of vegetative nervous system, kinda perifery command nerve centers. Adjnya is most probably thalamus and it's the part of CNS, not VNS, unlike others. VNS is connected to CNS, therefore this "projection".

[@DP-fd4id]

Any good book for learning all kriya yoga techniques ?🙏

[@ggiiuulliio10]

hi forrest! such a informative video! thank you very much! :) I would also like to hear you opinion on satyananda kriya yoga lineage (you know, "systematic course on ancient tantric techniques of yoga and kriya") maybe in some future video by the way I am on my way to India right now, going to get initiation from my guru, whish me luck :D

[@ForrestKnutson]

Lareth, congratulations! I will put your request on my list of videos, thank you!

[@duanef2634]

In chapter 11 on page 115 of Autobiography of a Yogi Yogananda said, "Pratap, I will instruct you in the Kriya of Lahiri Mahasaya, the greatest yogi of modern times. His technique will be your guru." Thank you Forrest for being the instrument of Lahiri Mahasaya's Kriya.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you brother, for joining me in this adventure.

[@parthachakrabarty3125]

Namaste Mr Forrest I want to be initiated in kriya yoga. Can you please help me?

[@skipskiperton4992]

what is meant by 6 Oms, and so a very long breath? also, the chakras are along the spine?

[@silverrayleigh8095]

Hello forest i hope you are doing well. I also want to get initiated in kriya but the thing is i live in Australia is there any possibility to get initiation ???

[@davydsol8471]

I have to comment on this video because there is something missing. You see when L. Mahasaya spoke on practicing kriya yoga as a householder he did so from a day and age very different to our own present day and age. We have to factor in the insanity that modern Life has become. We have to include mother nature... The answer I am getting at.

[@amolbhavsar2361]

Very nice explanation!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Amol!

[@mikebell4435]

Forrest, for people that have a spare 60 minutes per day, how would you recommend that 60 minutes is spent approximately for beginners? For example, 10 minutes Maha Mudra, 20 minutes HRV breathing,....minutes Om Japa, concentration, etc? Thank you once again for all that you do.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Yes, great! 10 minutes mahamudra, 1 minute neck lock, 20 minutes HRV, 15 minutes OM Japa, 14 minutes enjoying peace, silence, and Meditative Mellows.

[@mikebell4435]

@@ForrestKnutson , Thank you so much for sharing.

[@juliaainley2889]

Yes you are correct Forest Kriya v different from kundalini where people can get caught up overstimulation fear sexuality etc MANY THANKS FOR INFO BESTWISHES FOR YOU & URS DO YOU TEACH IN FLORIDA? EUROPE? ORJUST ONLINE? 💜

[@josetarragonatyvallejoslut2]

Thanks tanks thanks ! I wish whit all my heart i could be your student !

[@ForrestKnutson]

Carlos, I would love that. Maybe we can make it happen one day soon.

[@SaiF290]

Hey Forrest, I have another question if you don't mind (i'll try to keep it short haha). Do you think spinal breathing is a sufficient practice by itself? If so, how exactly does one do it? I ask because I tried doing it for like almost an hour for a few days, and I felt like I didn't get anywhere. I couldn't align my breath with spinal awareness properly, and I didn't feel like anything significant or real was occurring. It just felt like imagination. I don't really understand what to do. Should I continue visual concentration practices until I can visualize my spinal centers properly and then begin spinal breathing or begin asap? Have you done spinal breathing? If so, how were you able to get the hang of it and how effective did you find it as a primary practice? I feel pretty lost in general when it comes to spiritual practice and progress, and I feel your channel is one of the most appropriate places for me to seek help. Thank you very much and best wishes.

[@ForrestKnutson]

I prefer OM japa in each chakra, HRV, concentration on the medulla. I have found these essential. There's more, but that is the start. .. Yes I did spinal breathing for decades. ... I gave you my email under this post, but somehow it disappeared.

[@SaiF290]

@@ForrestKnutson Thanks Forrest, I will try those out. I really appreciate your advice. I have been tryrirng something else lately, called noting. I feel like labeling every perception/sensation can lead to reflecting your consciousness back at itself rapidly. I'm gonna keep experimenting with this, and Fire Kasina practice (using the light bulb), Om japa, and doing some prayers (to fully realized beings) & shaktipat stuff. I see your email on your youtube page, so if you prefer we talk thru there that's fine. Thanks gain. :)

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's fantastic. Labeling is a process of the left brain, while seeing something as brand new is an experience of the right brain. You might like to practice Hakalau to help you with your noting practice. I have a video call Hallucination Meditation that you might like as well.

[@SaiF290]

@@ForrestKnutson Hi Forrest, sorry to bother you again. I was wondering if you can answer another question for me, please. Before I ask I just wanted to thank you so much for linking that app for HRV (MyCalmBeat). I love it, it's incredible! I was shocked by how relaxed and present I felt just after a few minutes (almost fell asleep haha), and the results have been totally consistent. What would happen if you follow the app for like a few hours each day consistently? Would it reprogram your breathing automatically? I ask because I've had severe breathing issues growing up from birth trauma and I believe it causes my anxiety to some degree. Anyways, my main question is, what's the difference between spinal breathing and OM japa in each chakra? I thought they were sort of the same thing. Is spinal breathing more of a continuous movement up and down the spine whereas OM japa is focusing on each chakra individually? If there is a noticeable difference between them, which do you think is objectively more effective in the long-term, and which would you say Lahiri favored generally? Also, where are you supposed to place the attention when you reach ajna? Is it at medulla, kutashta, or somewhere else? Is it different going up and down (for instance, when going up, is it placed at kutastha, but down at medulla?) I read some differing points regarding this and wanted to know from someone credible like yourself. Lastly, I plan on trying to get initiated soon at a Kriya location in my area (NYC). I'm not sure if I should go for it right away or continue my practices for a bit to prepare, but I'm hopeful overall. Thanks again for all your help Forrest! :)

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@SaiF290 yes, it will help to reset your breath rate in the medulla. Which is why the medulla (rather than the kutastha) is so important. OM japa hands down. Lahiri Baba makes this clear, and I can confirm this, from doing both for decades. The chakras are projections, and you need the technique that will blow them out most efficiently. It's the difference from a sprinkler to a power washer. ... I'm in Long Beach, CA, and I initiate within Panchanan Bhattacharya's line if you are interested.

[@nickbrosnowski]

Do you do the om japa between each breath?

[@edward6768]

Hi Forrest, Thanks so much for all you've put into this so we can benefit from your good fortune. I've been meditating for quite some time now and I'm finding that Kriya techniques you share are having a very positive effect on my practice. I wonder if you've ever considered putting them is some type of order or if there is another place I can access you or your work I'd be very happy to do so. I tend to not do so well with entering a path at any old place. So can you help me here. By the way, I live an hour north of Philadelphia.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Hi Edward if you go on my patreon you'll see a bunch of posts like what you're looking for. I think especially you would like the seven steps to deep meditation where I'm showing a pathway into absorption and samadhi. That all begins with HRV resonance and the four proofs.

[@dr.anjanikumarshukla1034]

Can you please guide step by step instructions for kriya yoga as has been taught to you by your Guru.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Hi Dr. that's what I do privately with my students, but I can't do this on KZbin. If you would like you can contact me at [e-mail]

[@preetamjn4]

please give a clear reason for not doing it on you tube?

[@nicolasmtg]

Wow what a beautifull video and info you are gifting all the humanity 😀 Question, i am initiated. In which part do we need to say om and how many times , in the IN breath? Out breat? In the HOLD part? How long in each stage? And how many times do we need to say om and in which pace? Do you have a,video of this? Thank you so much for your time JAI GURU

[@JoeBlogs000]

I was initiated into Kriya by Sri M, he doesn’t have Om Japa in the Kriya he gives. However he has his technique Chakra Dharma, that seems to match the Lahiri Mahasayas description. It’s a mantra on the Chakras. But each has its own sound Lum, Vum, Ram, Yam, Hum and Om for the top two. He puts this on KZbin by the way I’m not spilling his secrets, search Sri M Chakra Dharma. But does this count has Om japa? I haven’t noticed anything negative from my practice but I’ve only been doing it 3 months.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful Joe those are all derivatives of OM and this will work very well.

[@JoeBlogs000]

@@ForrestKnutson thank you Sensei Forrest, this gives me confidence!

[@SaiF290]

Hey Forrest, I have been experimenting heavily with visual concentration practice and have noticed significant effects both on- and off-the-cushion. Unlike all of the other practices I have tried, visual practice leads to noticeably altered states of consciousness for hours at at time after practice. I believe this may be happening because of the strong correlation between visual attention and mental function and also due to attention being placed on the third eye chakra, potentially redirecting the flow of prana upwards within the central energy channel? I'm not sure, but just speculation. I began doing open-eyed visual concentration on an external object such as a yantra and this lead to altered states for hours afterwards, very similar to the states one experiences when smoking weed, but without the dullness and intrusive thoughts/sensations, but I noticed that this practice would ultimately lead to negative results, like you mention in the video. In other words, after the 'high' came a crash to the 'low'. Then, I began practicing in a different way, based on the information surrounding Fire Kasina practice; I basically lay flat under a light bulb and gaze at it for a few seconds, close my eyes and focus on the internal afterimage until it completely fades and then repeat. This sometimes lead to kechari-related stuff, like tongue pressing on soft palate in a particular, spontaneous manner, whole-body breathing (cool energetic current going up spine) which feels incredibly euphoric, sort of like floating in space, eyes rolling up into the center of head, eye-flickering, deep insight into impermanence, etc. I kept all of my sessions under an hour, typically 45 minutes, and even with that short amount of practice time, I would notice significant effects off-the-cushion. But unlike when I practiced with mostly open-eyes on external object such as yantra, these effects would not lead to a 'crash'. I would just feel totally different for a few hours, as if my mind and body were highly undisturbed and everything was vivid; I would also feel ecstatic and just generally 'positive'. I decided to try a variation of these practices, where I basically gaze in the mirror at a point drawn on where I believe my third eye chakra may be. Just doing this under 30 minutes has also lead to altered states, which last for some hours as well. The states are a bit different than what is produced by FK practice (although still very similar to weed effects), as in it is more spacey and tranquil, certainly less energetic, and they seem to be induced with much less practice time. Also, I notice energetic pulse-like sensations in the third eye off-the-cushion and magnetic energy at the base of spine. What do you think is occurring here, based on your knowledge and experience as a yogi? Do you believe this is an appropriate practice or may it eventually lead to negative effects? If I find that it's beneficial, I may devote hours a day to it, but I ask because I'm highly emotionally unstable these days and I try not to explore things that may trigger deep personal issues. I would appreciate any insight pertaining to this if you can. Thank you and best wishes! :)

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wow! What a description! The meditation where you stare at the light and then you use it as a point of focus internally is a really great meditation. That's a wonderful way to find an inner light to concentrate on. And that will make your mind very sharp and very penetrating. Kriya yoga wants to use OM Japa in order to silence those emotional projections that we all have. We do this first so that when we begin to concentrate on the interior light, or the interior cave as we perceive it in meditation oh, then those projections no longer hinder us and pull us out of the meditation process of absorption. So my suggestion to you would be to try that out a little bit as a two-step process. The mirror meditation I did something like that when I was very young not exactly consciously it was more like a unconscious process of adolescence. It's a great meditation and it can help you deconstruct the world a little bit, but I don't know if I would make it to my primary meditation practice. Those are my thoughts and I really like your question great question!

[@SaiF290]

@@ForrestKnutson Thank you very much Forrest!!

[@SaiF290]

​@@ForrestKnutson Hey Forrest, sorry to bother you again, but I was just wondering, what are your main spiritual practices? I'm not sure if that question is too personal, and I'd understand if you feel that way and prefer not to answer. I'm thinking of making the mirror meditation my primary practice for a bit until I can develop sufficient concentration, clarity, and tranquility, and then I'll use those meditative skills to do spinal breathing (visualizing and placing awareness in the chakras); I hope to see everything internally clearly and do spinal breathing with the help of shaktipat to awaken the kundalini and merge shakti and shiva. The mirror meditation does something significant to me and it is WAY more efficient than open-eyes on an external object, such as a yantra. Looking at your third eye in the reflection is very powerful I believe, and I think it's because it does many things simultaneously: focusing your visual attention on the reflection of your own third eye area causes your awareness to somatically feel that area internally and this is what may be causing the intensely relaxing effect, also, looking at yourself in such an objective, detached way visually for such an extended period causes you to realize the emptiness of your 'self' -- do it long enough and you may receive experiential insight into non-self. it's like your consciousness is reflecting itself, but using visual attention as the apparent medium. The Fire Kasina, on the other hand, since it's an internal visual image, it is highly changeable and eventually causes deep intuitive insight into impermanence. If you do long sessions of Fire Kasina, you would be able to visualize all of your chakras very clearly and work on them directly. I def know this, but it probably takes hours and hours a day for a few days. I'm really excited for the mirror meditation because I feel it may have significant potential. I'll try to keep you updated. :) edit: also, focusing on your third eye seems to develop a deep sense of compassion for your identity/projections. It can be really deeply experienced, and my whole day felt transformed just doing a bit of the mirror practice yesterday. I felt so calm and present and loving (in a disidentified way). But I have to keep experimenting with it before making definitive conclusions. I just wanted to thank you sincerely for all your videos and help Forrest. They have certainly guided me and helped me understand/connect everything. :)

[@Crispylaff]

@@SaiF290 can you tell me what meditation practice you are doing to get that calm feeling you explained in your edit? Does it have a name I can look up? I need that in my life soo bad. This is one reason I started meditation. I want that feeling I get when I go inside to come out with me through the day.

[@JK-nt8ou]

@@Crispylaff Hey! So from reading Saif's comment one of the meditation he did to give him that calm feeling was mirror meditation, you can read more about it here: www.mirrormeditation.com/how-it-works/

[@josephfranklin5083]

What material should I get to learn first kriya? I'm reading the garland as you advised. How do I do japa upon each Chakra?

[@alapalvideo]

Hi Forest, I just discovered you on You Tube and find your your discourses on Kriya yoga to be very deep and profound, delving deep into layers that are not often disclosed. I have been a Kriyaban for over 30 and a disciple of Yogananda. The question has come up about how certain prescription drugs such as anti depressants or sleeping pills like Ambien effect the Pinial gland and consequently the ability to visualize the third eye. I can’t find anything written about this. What’s your perspective?

[@ForrestKnutson]

Hi Alan, what an interesting question. I'm not sure; I haven't spoken to many yogis who have told me they are on those, so I don't have much experience with it.

[@claresage]

I've been doing a kind of kriya for years and this is the first hearing of om japa! I suppose if we come from negative and don't see much improvement, we might not recognize that there are negative consequences, it just seems the same and that we aren't doing enough maybe... so now I see I may have been missing steps to doing it properly all this time

[@ForrestKnutson]

Excellent, Claire, try it out, and see how it improves. In the Big Bliss Training I go very in-depth on OM Japa and what it is doing in the brain that gives results.

[@masterskitchen3521]

You made it sound like a deep (long breath) by itself would result in HRV. Based off previous explanations, is it not true that the exhalation needs to be longer than the inhalation? Thanks FK

[@ForrestKnutson]

Yes, that's correct. I call it the Holy Trinity of the Breath: 1. under 7 breaths per minute 2. no pauses 3. exhalation longer than inhalation. That guarantees HRV Resonance. Kriya is slightly more advanced in it's application of a 3rd agenda, however I don't teach that 3rd agenda in the beginning, as I've watched students mess up the HRV by trying to add too much to their plate at once. ... So, I give you the Holy Trinity of Breath so you have no choice but to get it right. However, just a long breath almost assures the same result. ... Also, the instruction of a longer exhale is within the Oral Tradition of Kriya.

[@SB-6298]

How many cycles of Om japa /6 chakras are recommended (minimum) to avoid tamsic results.

[@deepblack67]

mmm, nice, I love Om Japa, first thing I do after sun salutations

[@ForrestKnutson]

I'm so happy to hear that! It's such an amazing technology.

[@nandakumar8936]

Is that the las olas beach in fort Lauderdale at the beginning?

[@ForrestKnutson]

Yes, I was visiting a student there. Beautiful beach.

[@sureshvengatesan9793]

Can you make video with demonstration..

[@sabrinacooper.vipasanacomp7183]

Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Sabrina!

[@janglestick]

Hi Forrest, thank you for your efforts, does this mean that Tamas and Rajas are always to be avoided, one is meant to not only strive for, but only accept, (as in, vary the practice) satvic results ? I thought in some cases one was to know how to guide the rajas or to unstick the tamas. Blessings.

[@aliad.4848]

Thank you!!!!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Alia!

[@astoria791]

Good video. So is this Om japa done with the same type of breath as taught in SRF. That is, similar to ujayi breath. Or is it just a long slow inhalation and then exhalation. thanks for any help.

[@ForrestKnutson]

It is long and slow, and follows the rules of HRV Resonance, firstly.

[@poembypp8032]

🙏🙏🙏

[@reenamisra481]

Hello Forrest, there are many comments below and I hope I am not repeating. Great video once again, thank you for your contribution. Can you please point me a video of your where you explain the characteristics of each chakra and what they project. Why do we use 'silence' only, are there not any positive projections that can be enhanced? Or is it that by silencing projections of say 'fear' we automatically enhance confidence. Also do you have a video on how these projections come to be - is it our thoughts, sanskars we inherit etc.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Hi Reena! That information, in the best detail, is in the Big Bliss Training. There are positive aspect, that will tend to shine through more easily after kriya practice. However, in Kriya we are suspending normal function so that we can reverse into the brain, both the "energy" and the self. ... So, yes, you're correct. After returning to "normal" after kriya, we may find ourselves naturally more confident, calm, and even blissful.

[@dg7085]

How does one learn the Kriya technique?

[@Johnny-ok1hu]

Hi again Forrest. Once again LOVE the video. I read through the comments to avoid repeating questions (and fortunately the text before I asked you how to spell Panchanan Bhattacharya's name ! ). I THINK I get the OM Japa - my understanding is you can either a) do the chakras individually by breathing into that chakra with a HRV breath (ie Holy Trinity) [ Q : In this case would you mentally chant OM through the inhale AND exhale ? OR as if you were doing it aloud ? ie on JUST the exhale ? - MY guess is it probably doesn't matter ? but theres no point in guessing when you're here :)] or you can b) breathe and chant OM through all of the chakras in succession by taking awareness through each through the one breath ? in which case the Q above still applies but also did you say in another video that Lahiri Mahasaya also said to go DOWN the chakras rather than up ? (or did I just make that up ?) so would you visualise root up to medulla or vice versa (or again does it matter ?). Thanks in advance and blessings always

[@ForrestKnutson]

Johnny! Fantastic questions all! Could you email me at [e-mail] so I can tell you about it.

[@Johnny-ok1hu]

Delighted to..... 😊

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@Johnny-ok1hu perfect!

[@Marisol.M]

My mind is exploding!! There are gurus saying that Yoga not done properly can have a negative impact but never explained what that meant. I never wanted to practice Yoga because I was afraid to do it in a non proper way. Now I believe I just grasped what they were trying to say. Thank you Forrest! I would love to learn more, Yoga is so new to me but it is so interesting.

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's perfect! Yes, we are working with the central nervous system and we don't want to do it in the wrong way. What Kriya is putting together is heart rate variability resonance and OM Japa. It's very difficult to go wrong with these two especially when you add in the four proofs that I teach. 🤩🔥

[@vimaladominic]

Atma Namaste sir..when i do Om japa. When the immm comes after the ohhh .i hear ringing of bells like hear beat with omkhar tune..i hopefully explained to you. Kindly help me what it means. Thanks a lot much love.

[@ForrestKnutson]

You are hearing the internal sounds of OM. You can use this sound to go deeper in meditation.

[@nadimares7153]

Thanks, dear friend (:

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Nadi!

[@equynenergie]

Very helpful

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful!

[@mikebell4435]

Hi Forrest, do you recommend Kriya Pranayama or instead only Om Japa? Thank you for your great videos.

[@ForrestKnutson]

I initiate Lahiri Baba's original Kriya in Long Beach California. And I make sure that my students are getting into HRV while they practice. That, and OM Japa is the very best practice I've ever seen.

[@mikebell4435]

@@ForrestKnutson , Thank you so much for response. How long do you suggest we practice HRV breathing per day and length of breathing sessions? For example 4 lots of 5 minutes? Or 20 lots of 1 minute, etc. Thank you.

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@mikebell4435 5 or 10 minutes gives the HRV time to set in to the body, so that would best.

[@shuvluck]

@@ForrestKnutson what is your linage? I am from India

[@mikebell4435]

Hi Forrest, should Om Japa be done with any particular breathing pattern?

[@ForrestKnutson]

With HRV if you can do both simultaneously.

[@mikebell4435]

@@ForrestKnutson , Thank you. But is that focusing on the chakra points only and not the rest of the spine?

[@ForrestKnutson]

Chakra points only. The rest is unnecessary. Great question!

[@mikebell4435]

Hi Forrest, what is the ultimate goal of Kriya yoga? Is it to awaken our body? Is it to get ourself into a better meditative state? Thank you for any further clarification.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Great question. It's actually to silence the body and get it out of the way of our psyche and perception. Then we are free to truly concentrate on one thing and absorb ourselves into it. This becomes the mystic union.

[@mikebell4435]

@@ForrestKnutson Thank you for your prompt reply. Sorry I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'silence the body'. Can you please give me an example?

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@mikebell4435 the heart rate and the breath rate both reduce. Then the psyche also quiets. That's the ultimate recipe.

[@mikebell4435]

@@ForrestKnutson, Thanks again. And is that the reason for all the Kriya yoga stretches and Om Japas, etc, to reduce the breath rate and the heart rate?

[@ForrestKnutson]

The stretching gives relaxation, and lowered blood pressure. Yes, that's the reason to lower the heart rate on the outbreath. Because of its profound affect on the whole system and the psyche. The OM in the chakras (centers of projection of limbic material) affects the psyche profoundly as well. All of this is to foster an introception of the deep brain.

[@Modern.Mystik]

Namaste 🙏🏻 @Forrest_Knutson did not Lahiri Mahasaya himself gave modified Kriya Versions to different Diciples depending on their constituition? And do you Not think that Yoganandaji exactly knew what He was doing and why He simplified the Kriya for the Mass ? God bless ❤️ One Love 🙏🏻🕉️

[@fatemehjang4288]

Thank you Forrest, should this OM chanting on each Chakra be at out breath to have HRV? Or should I do it as I pull the breath up in spine at in breath?

[@ForrestKnutson]

Both are good. HRV resonance takes place with the breath. I have a video called The Holy Trinity of breath and that lays out the rules of the breath to get into that resonance. The OMs further deepen the experience by cleaning out the chakras or disrupting them and causing the projections to go back to the brain.

[@parashoust]

Forrest, you're the man :). I don't want to be intrusive, but what happened to your right index finger? Keep up the great work, for when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

[@ForrestKnutson]

It was cut off in a gardening accident while I was a monastic.

[@parashoust]

@@ForrestKnutson Thank you for taking the time to answer. I was wandering about it since I am a guitarist and used to check a lot of videos as a post production video editor. Now I am without a job and using this time to go back to myself. It's been about 15 years from my first and till now my last samadhi and I can't explain why I waited so long. Now I am very glad I found your channel to remind myself what I was missing. I used to have my reiki master who tought me how, but she passed away 2 years ago so I am extremely grateful to see someone who makes sense in this mess again. As soon I can afford your training videos, I for sure will purchase, because if nothing else, you really deserve that for so much help to others. Live well my friend and I wish to you and your family a long and blissful life.

[@kevinjoseph517]

shi bendu lahari

[@aagaur1]

Hello Forest, I would like to be initiated for kriya yoga, can you help me on this. Thanks

[@ForrestKnutson]

Okay Ashu, can you email me at [e-mail]

[@aagaur1]

Forrest Knutson please check your email. Thanks

[@juanalarcon6449]

Dear Forrest. From seeing your video attentively, I have a question, what is a less risky path to avoid negative results(Tamasek) and avance correctly to Silence the chakras or to awake them? Could you please elaborate more on those negative results to know how to identify them? .Could You you please teach us or show us How to do Kriya Yoga Correctly?. All the good you do with your teaching and videos return to you multiply a million times.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Great questions Juan. Privately, I initiate within the Panchanan Bhattachary line. I can't do this over video, of course, but only one on one and face to face in the traditional manner. However, I've given you the very big hint in this video, that OM Japa in the chakras is 100% necessary, as we can read in Lahiri Baba's own words. ... The negative aspects of the chakras are magnified when we don't do that OM Japa technology. So, then kriya will become tamasic by our own actions. This isn't me speaking, but Lahiri Baba himself.

[@juanalarcon6449]

@@ForrestKnutson I got it. I would like to be initiated by you. But I live in Colombia. In Bogota. Do you have any plan as to come to my country some time in a beat future?otherwise I will have to save some good money the whole year and visit you in the States. Blessings

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@juanalarcon6449 I would love to initiate you. I don't have any travel plans at the moment. So, until we're able to meet, I hope you'll practice HRV Breathing, and let it inform your kriya practice. This will put you leagues ahead of the game. God bless!

[@kumargovin3314]

Tq

[@walterreuther1779]

Wait wait wait, I'm down with almost all the stuff being said here and I think it's excellent information, but the reasoning at 10:43 for 1. Om Japa 2. Long Breath 3. HRV is very weak IMO: The passage states that one needs to practice Mantra Japa with pranayama, but it doesn't say it needs to be Om Japa, nor does it say how one needs to practice it (later it is said that the mental pronunciation is sufficient), so the second point about long breath is also questionable. Further, HRV is nothing any of the traditional Yoga Gurus would have ever heard of... saying authentic Kriya practice needs HRV is pushing it IMO. Maybe we can just say there needs to be Mantra Japa present?

[@silverlake973]

Hey Forest, you say there are 7 kriyas. Is this just referring to Lahiri's lineage being only 7 kriyas? Since there are said to be 198 /194 kriyas?

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's an interesting number. Where does that number come from? Yes, that's correct, he took many available kriyas and he codified them into a system.

[@vimaladominic]

* like heart beat

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Vimala!

[@neo85ish]

Mr. Knutson could you kindly clarify this doubt for me please? I thought with Kriya yoga one raises Kundalini as well by doing Kriya Pranayama but you clearly distinguished Kundalini yoga as different, could you explain to me how KP is different and if Kundalini is also activated through Kriya yoga?

[@ForrestKnutson]

Fantastic question. Kriya is offers a powerful and gentle rising of the "prana" instead of a dramatic kundalini experience. It does this by silencing projections rather than amplifying them. I hope that makes a little sense. Lahiri Mahasaya never even seemed to mention "kundalini" but only the rising of prana.

[@neo85ish]

@@ForrestKnutson Ahh Silencing the chakra projection and rising the subtle Prana! You have given me much clarity on the subject so subtle yet so profound. Much gratitude to you.😊

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@neo85ish I'm so glad it's clear! Wonderful!

[@encapsulatio]

Can you expand please as to WHY the intention it to "silence" the chakras?And why kundalini/tantrik teachings do the opposite? And i mean I don't really believe that kundalini awakening does not happen in kriya yoga,it just happens differently ,correct?

[@ForrestKnutson]

You're right. It does happen, and we hope that that experience will be an easier one, because we have the intention to silence and "clean" the darker aspects of the chakras. So, then that darker material does not rear up and bite us in the process of the subconscious material coming to the surface of conscious awareness.

[@lav1daloca]

can u go through a kriya yoga demonstration how that looks like or do you have a link if you’ve already done it?

[@ForrestKnutson]

I would love to give away Kriya on KZbin, however I promised only to initiate face-to-face. It is worth it, for those with the interest.

[@lav1daloca]

@@ForrestKnutson I understand. I would like to be initiated to the real kriya and have been looking for a modern Yogi that cuts off all cultural influences and can teach it to me in raw form with a language that I can understand. Can you teach it to me over skype?

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@lav1daloca if you could email me at [e-mail]

[@preetamjn4]

​@@ForrestKnutson Are monetary benefits the reason behind for not doing it on you tube?

[@ghyogi1]

Btw sorry if I sounded rude.Probanly because my own ignorance is pissing me off.Best wishes to you.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Hi GH yogi, thank you for trying to explain. I often feel like I'm having a very long conversation with my channel listeners, so occasionally I forget that I'm not explaining enough in detail. OM Japa in the chakras is accomplished by putting your mind in each of the 6 chakras, and then chanting OM mentally in each of those chakras. This is a very common practice. The trick is first you have to find them mentally. I have a video on my channel about this. Take care!

[@ghyogi1]

@@ForrestKnutson Woow.Gott'a try that one.Thank you Forrest.

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@ghyogi1 excellent.

[@carpenterfamily6198]

8:56 I will have to research, what Om Jappa is.

[@ForrestKnutson]

When you place mental OMs in each chakra.

[@mmMstatus]

Wow, India the land of prophets😇

[@ForrestKnutson]

True!

[@sudhirdhingra2497]

Where to learn kriya yog in India Delhi NCR is

[@ForrestKnutson]

The doctor on this website helps people find a Kriya guru that is in India. lahirimahasayakriyayoga.org/

[@sudhirdhingra2497]

@@ForrestKnutson thanks for providing information

[@roshanmohan1510]

Yogiraj shailendra sharma. He lives in sidha ssidhanta academy mathura, uttarpradesh. Disciple of satya charan lahiri.

[@egortitov9494]

Bihar school. From Shivananda to Satyananda. This school wrote guide book on kriya practice.

[@Vshamann336]

Forest, could you please actually elaborate on what possible negative results they're talking about. Just a little briefly and with kind of a scale of 1 to 10 negativity. Because I've had negative results and I can tell that it can be something very serious. And something that's off and not talking about. But I'm not really sure what negative type of result you're referring to exactly. Like just nothing happening at all or maybe muscle cramping or something? Just as an example.