Translation = Accepting pain as help for purification, study of spiritual books and surrender to the Supreme Being constitute Yoga in practice

This form of Kriya Yoga is not to be confused with the personal cleansing techniques also know by the same name. Here Kriya Yoga refers to three main concepts: Tapas, Svadhyaya and Isvara Pranidhanam.

Tapas
In this instance, Tapas is understood literally as ‘to burn or heat’. In the same way that forged mental becomes stronger, by the conscious acceptance of pain, the mind can be strengthened and purified. The YSP recommends displaying gratitude towards those who cause us pain as what they have actually done is allow us the opportunity to strengthen ourselves and grow. Sri Swami Satchidananda writes, “if tapas is understood in this light, we will look forward to pain; we will even thank people who cause it, since they are giving us the opportunity to steady our minds and burn out impurities.”

Although there is a clear differentiation between self-discipline and self-torture as often practiced by sadhus (ascetics) in the East, who lie on beds of nails for example to prove their devotion. “Self-discipline is an aid to spiritual progress, whereas self-torture is an obstacle”.

The true austerities as attributed to Lord Krishna are categorised into three groups corresponding to the physical, verbal and mental planes.

1. Austerities of the Body

• Worship
• Purity
• Straightforwardness
• Celibacy (control of sexual desire)
• Non-injury

2. Austerities of Speech – speech should be…

• Tranquil
• Truthful
• Pleasant
• Beneficial

3. Austerities of the Mind

• Serenity of mind
• Good heartedness
• Self-control
• Purity of nature

Svadhyaya
Refers to study of the True self, rather than analysis of the personality or emotions as practiced by psychiatrists. Here, Patanjali recommends reading and fully absorbing anything that re-awakens this knowledge of the Self. It contrast to Christian philosophy which ask worshippers to follow a leader or figurehead, Satchidananda states that by reading scriptures we can elevate our minds but that “only when we become prophets ourselves will we fully understand the scriptures. That is nature’s law. If you want to understand me fully, you must become me.” There is a fundamental differentiation between what we may consider as traditional study, which involves referring to another’s wisdom and Svadhyaya which results eventually in experiential wisdom directly experienced as shruti (divine intuition).

Isvara Pranidhanam
Surrender to the Lord. In this context, the Lord is Purusha and Prakriti; in fact everything that is manifest and unmanifested, therefore this kind of worship sanctifies everything making daily life a continual act of worship. We are asked to offer up all our thoughts, words and deeds to the Lord and to act for the Lord, in this way we can gain non-attachment to the outcomes of our actions. By changing our tendency to say ‘mine’ into a habit of saying ‘thine’ Satchidananda states is “the best Yoga which will bring us permanent peace and joy and keep the mind free from the disturbances of chitta vrittis.”