Kriya Yoga vs Kundalini Yoga
Kriya Yoga and Kundalini Yoga are two terms used in the philosophical system of Yoga. Both differ from each other in their purpose. Kriya Yoga is a termed coined by the famous Paramahamsa Yogananda the author of Autobiography of a Yogi. He incorporates the term in his book. In fact Kriya Yoga represents the style of Yoga advocated by Paramahamsa Yogananda.
Kriya Yoga aims at the attainment of spiritual growth in the life of the practitioner by regulating the breathing scheme through strenuous sessions of Pranayama. In short it can be said that Kriya Yoga indicates the different levels of Pranayama.
On the other hand Kundalini Yoga refers to a physical and mental discipline of Yoga that aims at the development of the purity of the mind and the body thereby paving the way for a state of spiritual absorption. Kundalini Yoga can be practiced through the techniques of meditation.
It is interesting to note that Kundalini Yoga is also called by the name of the Yoga of awareness since it goes a long way in improving the aspects of human consciousness, intuition, and knowledge of the self. It brings about the unlimited human potential that is hidden within every human being. Kundalini Yoga aims at activating the Kundalini Shakti in every human being to make him attain spiritual powers and the quality of serving others that get the practitioner closer to God.
It is interesting to note that sage Patanjali the founder of the Yoga system of philosophy did not speak much about the Kriya Yoga or the Kundalini Yoga aspects of practice. He insisted mainly on the practice of Raja Yoga to attain the highest state of bliss. Kundalini Yoga also aims at the attainment of the highest state of bliss. These are a few differences between Kriya Yoga and Kundalini Yoga.
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