What is Yogic Meditation?
Yoga is a meditative practice at its core. The physical based yoga (Hatha Yoga) is only one small part of a greater practice. Yogic meditation can be a way forward to manage stress as well as a path that emphasizes the exploration of one’s inner dimensions of mind and spirit. Most scholars would agree that the text of Patanjali’s yoga sutras represent yoga at its core. This ancient book on yoga is the oldest written text (500 BCE-450 CE) that describes yogic meditation. The practices described in Patanjali’s yoga sutras are also known as Raja yoga or the “Royal” path. Sometimes they are also referred to as the mediation of the Himalayas or Vedic meditation. These practices are older than we can know for certain with estimates dating back from 5,000 to 20,000 years ago.
As with any ancient discipline, many flavors emerge over time. Raja yoga is no exception with many various lineages teaching the same techniques since time immemorial. Of course, each has its own unique way of teaching and describing these practices. Keith was trained in the Raja yoga lineage of Kriya yoga. This is the same lineage as described in the “Autobiography of Yogi”, written by Paramahamsa Yogananda. Kriya Yoga is a meditative practice that encompasses a set of techniques aimed at optimizing human function with the goal of accelerating humanity’s psychospiritual evolution.
What can you expect from a yogic meditation practice:
A regular practitioner of these techniques can expect an increase in a deep sense of calmness, improvements in energy and focus, along with an increased sense of compassion for all that surrounds us. This process begins by first showing up with a curious intention to allow for reflective contemplation and meditation to develop. From that point, it is up to the individual to decide whether they want to pursue the path toward deeper stages of spiritual exploration and growth. Hopefully this brief overview has helped to spark your exploration into the infinite dimensions of human experience including our body, mind, spirit and beyond.
Keith has been teaching these simple, yet effective techniques of postural awareness, respiratory re-education (pranayama), mindful concentration and the appreciation of vibration of sound and silence for over 45 years. He continues to teach in the fashion that he was taught in the early 1980’s, while he lived, taught and traveled with Ganesh Baba (Sri Mahant Swami Ganeshanand Saraswati Giri). It was Ganesh Baba that directed Keith to go to medical school and to continue to teach Kriya yoga meditation.
Offerings
Group Intensives
We offer free introductory lectures each quarter (Second Saturday of January, April, July and October) to introduce the theory behind Kriya Yoga and the guided meditation practice. The 6-week group intensive follows the introductory lecture. Some scholarships are available to allow everyone who is committed to learning to participate within their means.
Individual Sessions
We offer a free consultation for those interested in personalized yogic meditation coaching. This is targeted to individuals that are interested in establishing or solidifying their practice.
Learn more
After 40+ years of practice, Keith wrote a detailed guide on the breath-focused meditation practice of Kriya yoga. Kriya Yoga for Self Discovery, Practices for Deep States of Meditation can be ordered from our publisher, Inner Traditions or most booksellers.
Learn how to:
Enhance your spiritual growth
Cultivate inner stillness
Practice deep states of meditation
