Kriyaban

How excited I was to arrive in Ranchi! Once I have dropped off my luggage and toured the ashram minimally, I feel that my soul is happy to be here; and it's not just a nice phrase, it's really a feeling. The place is beautiful and full of possibilities; thinking that I have 6 days ahead seems simply amazing. Being able to meditate where Daya Mata had her samadhi, where Yogananda had the vision of his project in the United States and being able to meditate in a YSS meditation hall... since I left Noida this circumstance had not occurred and finally "I've come home again". I'm happy!

Again I arrived at the place on a Thursday and joined the meditation, which at YSS is three hours (the one where they put Yogananda speaking before starting) and after not having eaten anything for twenty hours, it seems almost done on purpose to encourage being as awake as possible. Every time something like this happens to me I remember when I fasted for 24 hours for the first time in my life and I will never forget the feeling that I could go a whole day without eating and nothing happened to me.

I met four guys at the ashram, all of them from California. We spent some time in the evening after dinner sharing our spiritual experiences; I occasionally nodded to pretend I understood something, and if they noticed, I'm sure they forgave me, because I'm from Barcelona and that's very cool over there.

When in Rishikesh I wondered how to love God more and then the guru sent me Carlos to give me the answer to my question, at the same time I also wondered what role Love for God played in the practice of a set of techniques that you could well do without evoking that feeling if you so desired. In fact, there are days when you are colder and feel more that way during practices; the beautiful thing is to see that at the end of meditation, once you feel divine joy, you say to yourself: My God, how can you love me so much, after how cold I have been with you today!

In the three-hour meditation, I received the answer to the question and here I share my experience. With the techniques and without love for God you can go very far, you can reach a state where thoughts have completely ceased and you only find yourself and nothingness. But I have been able to verify from my own experience that the only way to go further once you reach that point or that state, is by practicing Love for God. I think you can't move to the next "screen" unless you are "riding" on the cart of sincere desire to want to know God. So I feel happy and at the same time victorious, not because I have managed to move to the next screen, but because I have understood what needs to be done.

However, we must remember that there is still a necessary action parallel to that state of silence, and that is the disconnection "from the telephones of the senses". This is where Kriya Yoga will spread its wings when the glorious day comes and you must know Yahweh, that when the moment comes, not even the most impious storms will be able to prevent me from seeing the stars!

Today my friend Jordi, who has become a father for the third time, baptized me as Kikenalanda... I love it! I know many are now laughing out loud; me first!

There's a guy at the ashram who must be about sixty years old, who wears a blue turban, a tall and thin guy, with a well-trimmed beard and a silver tooth that when it shows always shines no matter how much it is night. I'm going to see if he helps me fulfill one of my greatest desires, which is to teach me how to make a turban. I get emotional just thinking about it; I promise photos!

I've gotten used to people farting during the energization exercises in the garden; yes, I've gotten used to it, but I can't help but keep laughing out loud.

Images of the YSS ashram in Ranchi

Did I say that this ashram is wonderful and beautiful? Well, that's it, this looks like an oasis in the middle of Ranchi, well, in the middle of India, because here everything is clean, well-kept, quiet, have I already said "CLEAN"?

Since I started in Noida, the thickness of the mattresses I can verify has been decreasing to the point that here, in Ranchi, there is directly a board with "foam". I who sleep on my side, am learning to sleep as if I had fallen from the ceiling, like Mortadelo.

As stated in the lessons, even though the Hong So technique is the younger son of Kriya, it has many advantages that Kriya does not have and one of them is that you can practice it at any time and anywhere, which, given the importance of learning to concentrate, makes it a perfect companion to practice while: waiting, walking, traveling, etc.

Place where Daya Mata had her samadhi in Ranchi. Coin placed in the center of the star, fulfilling a wish of a sister devotee

Even though I often take advantage to laugh at myself about the English I use, I have to recognize that having been going to the EOI for two years and having been practicing at home every day with guests has changed a lot from what I was to what I am in this sense. So, when I manage to have a long and rich conversation I feel happy about all that.

While I am sitting on the grass in one of my morning sunbaths, a fly stops in front of me to practice its cleaning ritual. The truth is that, when you see how it cleans itself, how it shakes and how it subjects all the work done to a quality test I think I will never kill a fly again; I have seen in it much more than a simple insect.

You know? Here in India people don't have dogs as pets, I suppose most of them barely fit in their house let alone share the little space with a dog. The good thing about this is that you don't have to worry about stepping on any shit while walking down the street, so you can concentrate on dodging rickshaws. In this sense I have become an expert; during the journey from the ashram to the hotel, (where I have a cappuccino and take the opportunity to work a little), I have to pass through the train station where an unusual volume of rickshaws is concentrated. It is then that I discover that my waist has become more flexible, and I could even combine a "dodge" with a basic Bachata step.

I am verifying the reality that: "rice is constipating". I have been two days without shitting and I'm fine. Normally in these cases I start to change color, I go from white to yellow, but here I'm handling it well even though my ass loves pressurized water baths, but it seems it doesn't make me want to go every day.

I am quite surprised with the food, I have not yet gotten tired of eating practically the same thing every day, and the truth is, it's very tasty!

Here, in Ranchi I met an Indian guy, Hari, who is a sweetheart. He is doing a kind of retreat and goes with his forehead painted and the spiritual eye drawn on his brow. He has already told me on a couple of occasions that he greatly admires the fact that I have come from the other end of the planet to make a trip like this, a trip focused on the search for God, and that is because here, in India, in general (including atheists and agnostics) those who believe in God and practice are quite respected.

The meditations in Ranchi are scheduled to be short, so if you want to lengthen them you miss breakfast or dinner, as both go immediately after meditating. This forces you, if you want to meditate for longer you must assume the costs, and play with "today I don't have breakfast but I do have dinner" and vice versa. Unlike the beginning of the trip, I no longer consider asking why things are the way they are, I simply try to adapt and that's it.

During the afternoon-evening meditations you can hear how the sky seems to be opening up, and that is because at that moment the chants of the Muslim mosques coincide and it is simply amazing, I get goosebumps just remembering it. By the way, did you know that the moon here, when it is waning has the shape of a smile? When leaving the meditation I looked at the sky and discovered it.

Only if during meditation your mind is clear and calm can you converse with God. This is a necessary condition. Hence the meaning of the techniques: preparing the stage for "the encounter". Sometimes it happens that you are excited about something related to work or some personal project and it is difficult to extract thoughts related to it during meditations, this is when I practice saying to myself: "Enrique, now is not the time to play, you'll play later".

As a condition for "the encounter" the calm and peace that come from being quiet, relaxed and concentrated are necessary, but also, and as the maximum expression of all this: "the disconnection from the body", what Yogananda calls: "the disconnection of the telephones of the senses". This is where the practice of energization exercises plays a crucial role. How are you going to be able to consciously leave the body if you have not previously learned to become aware of it? With energization exercises, precisely what you build is a mental-energetic map of your body that translates into a progressive awareness of its existence, a necessary condition to later leave it consciously.

Prayer. "Heavenly Father, bestow upon me the fervor that all the devotees who once loved you and found you knew".

Fulfilling what was promised and making a wish at the same time

This text corresponds to my experience of returning to Ranchi in 2024. On this occasion, I arrived after having spent four days in Vrindavan, where I deeply enjoyed Bhakti yoga through conversations with the devotee Anuradha and visits to truly inspiring temples. Here in Ranchi, things have changed little since my last time, but I remain inspired and willing to share with you my reflections during the stay. I hope you enjoy it and can take advantage!

I'm still in Ranchi, but I'm leaving tomorrow. I've been here four full days, although I initially came for six. Two of those days I spent in a hotel, which forced me to travel daily to the ashram to make the most of the experience. Of course, it's not the same being lodged at the ashram as coming every morning by taxi and returning at night. This conditioned me quite a bit. I didn't calculate well and those two days without accommodation coincided with the end of the previous week, when the Kriya initiation for devotees took place. The place was packed and there was no availability to stay. It is important to plan the stay and book in advance if it coincides with any event to ensure bed availability.

I have been talking with a girl from Menorca who has been here for quite some time. She told me how events like mahasamadhi, birthdays and even Kriya initiation are celebrated in Ranchi. She was initiated in Kriya here, she came specifically for that. Imagine, how incredible it is to be able to be initiated in Kriya in Ranchi. It's a fantastic privilege.

Ranchi is Yogananda. This place is full of corners where the master's presence is felt, either because he was here or because there is something of him, or simply because of the years and years that devotees have come to express their love for the master. I think it is the most representative place of Yogananda in India. It is no coincidence that it is the headquarters. If it's not here, it must be in Calcutta, but this place is fantastic.

Although on my first trip I made a small video recording of the place and uploaded it to the blog, it is not allowed to record. Still, the internet is full of videos showing the place, so I'm not going to bother adding much more visual content.

I'm still somewhat cold-ridden, but I'm improving thanks to the master who doesn't stop surrounding me with people who help me offering everything. I've tried all kinds of pills, a bit reckless, but I'm starting to get desperate with this cold.

When I arrived here the first day, I jumped straight out of the taxi, entered the ashram and went directly to the central chapel with my backpack still on my shoulders, while people had just started the energization exercises on the lawn. It was like arriving and kissing the saint. I didn't have time to go to the bathroom; I arrived just at the right moment; I arrived when God arranged it.

In India, when the monks begin to cite the different gurus of the altar, we start with: Jesus Christ, Krishna... but they start the other way around. They start with Krishna, Jesus Christ, Babaji... And I hadn't realized this until now, even though it's already my third time...

I remember when I left the hotel where I was previously, at the time of paying, the guy tells me, it's one hundred forty, and I answered him, no, no, no, it's one hundred eighty, you're forgetting the two coffees I had. To which he replies, you are a very honest man. And I thought that behavior was the most normal, right? However, it caught his attention. I wanted to answer him something spiritual and improvised: "Don't forget that God is everywhere". This led me to reflect on an interesting difference between those who believe in God and those who don't.
A friend of mine, Carlos, taught me that believing God is not the same as believing in God. If you believe in God, you can believe in everything He represents, but it doesn't necessarily imply following all His advice and recommendations. However, if you believe God, that implies believing and following everything He represents. Those who believe God and in God practice and apply God's precepts in their lives. For example, on issues of honesty, those who believe, know that God is omniscient and omnipresent, and therefore, being dishonest is being so with Him, which is inconceivable. On the other hand, those who don't believe may think that, as long as they are not seen, they can do whatever they want. This is an interesting and fundamental difference.

Another reflection that arose from the event with the hotel receptionist is that, as Yogananda's devotees, we are ambassadors of his teachings. Wherever we go, we must set an example. We cannot consider ourselves devotees and behave inappropriately, as this would affect others' perception of our faith. It is our responsibility to act according to the principles we preach.

Ranchi is a place to come, stay and not move. Although there are things to visit outside, this site is ideal for a retreat. The ashram is very large and offers many special corners where to practice different spiritual activities. You don't feel locked in or limited, as there is always something new to explore.

To organize the stay in Ranchi, it is important to know that initially they only allow staying six days. If you wish to stay longer, you can request an extension once you are here. If they grant it to you, perfect; if not, the maximum is six days.

On my previous visit to Ranchi, I was lucky to meet Swami Krishnananda, an 81-year-old monk with a very interesting life and influence. This time, Jordi asked me to give him a gift. This forced me to request an audience with him. Swami Krishnananda speaks Spanish because he lived in South America, which facilitated our conversation. Despite his age, he remains very active and receptive.

I asked Swami what he would recommend to maintain God's presence during the day. He mentioned a specific mantra of Babaji. Now I recite it at every free moment, keeping my mind busy and connected with spirituality.

Swami also corroborated my idea that karma can influence the opening of the spiritual eye and visual phenomena. I didn't have to mention it; he brought it up during our conversation.

I tried to ask him for an interview, but he elegantly evaded the proposal. He asked me if on this trip I was going to see Amma and gave me the contact of a Spanish nun at her ashram. I hope to meet her during my stay at the place.

Here in Ranchi, there is a five-star hotel just six minutes walking away, and it's a wonder. It's the only excuse for which I leave the ashram. Every day, after meditation, I walk there carrying my laptop in case I need to work or a book to read while enjoying a cappuccino, which is quite expensive. The hotel is called Chanakia, a chain of hotels in India, and it's fantastic. I don't know how it is that they let me in, since I go with a rather deplorable appearance. Even so, they greet me with their hands in namaste position. I think they think I'm a Hare Krishna because I'm bald and always wear the bead necklace and, believing that I'm religious, they show me the respect that India has for religious people. Otherwise, I doubt they would let me in with this appearance.

Luckily, I was able to buy at the ashram an armrest for the Om practice, two necklaces for counting the Kriyas and two copies of the Autobiography in English. I also bought some great paintings of the gurus to decorate my new Yoga room at home.

Yoga room at my home

I wanted to add a detail about the Vrindavan post, where I talked about the relationship between Kriya Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and surrender. I mentioned that Kriya Yoga opens the portal, but it also does many other things. For example, it burns karma and disconnects the senses, which is vital. This disconnection of the senses allows crossing the portal and surrendering, reuniting with the soul and, later, with the spirit. This process is only possible if you have previously left behind bodily identification. Therefore, the disconnection from the senses is a prior and necessary step to move through those dimensions of consciousness. Of course this requires good training, but it is an indispensable condition. If we had to read all the books about the metaphysics of Kriya Yoga, we would not have enough life to cover it all. This was said by Daya Mata, not me. It is a very powerful technique that achieves many things.

A linga is a natural element sacralized after a ritual, and I believe the ashram's linga is a Shibalinga (a cylinder of stone, marble, metal or crystal representing the union of Shiva and Shakti, symbolizing the energy and creative power of the universe). It's really beautiful. When I said goodbye to it the other day, I was invaded by the feeling that we cannot understand the spiritual dimension of our gurus. It's like trying to understand something infinite in a finite world, or like understanding that someone has three hundred trillion dollars. It's simply incomprehensible.

Since I haven't gone out much from here, I don't have significant adventures to tell, other than practice, practice and practice. It's a full-fledged retreat.

On my next destination, Calcutta, I will visit again the magnificent Kali temple. That's where Yogananda meditated and where he spoke with the Goddess Kali. There is also the room where Ramakrishna lived, and near there is the Yamuna river. It's great because people take advantage to bathe in the river, as it is sacred. There is always a festive atmosphere, with people bathing in their colorful clothes. I love arriving, going down the stairs and getting into the water up to my knees, simply enjoying the atmosphere. On this occasion I want to record a bit with my mobile, because it's really beautiful. It's one of my favorite places and moments in Calcutta.

That's all for now from Ranchi. Let's see if next time I come I organize it to coincide with some celebration and enjoy the place even more, since on those days many people come and the atmosphere is fantastic.

In Ranchi again! This time with the reservation well done from the beginning and with the certainty of being able to enjoy each day staying at the ashram. What a difference when things are well organized from the start; what a luxury to be able to take advantage of every moment without setbacks!

Since my last visit, less than two years ago, the place has undergone an amazing transformation. They have completely remodeled all the rooms, expanded the main building to accommodate more devotees, installed an elevator to ensure access for everyone, and built a new building for large conferences and meditations that, frankly, has impressed me. Everything is impeccable, beautiful and extremely well maintained, as always.

Thanks to the master and the generous contributions of the devotees, resources have been channeled in an exemplary manner. Now we can enjoy all these improvements and opportunities. As a devotee, this is deeply appreciated. The truth is that it makes perfect sense: Ranchi being the place par excellence for Kriya initiations and other important events of Yogoda Satsanga Society, these renovations prepare the space to worthily welcome the crowds that gather during celebrations.

On this occasion, both the master's room and the place where Daya Mata had her samadhi were under construction and I couldn't visit them. At first I felt some sadness, but as the days went by I realized something curious: with everything there is to do and experience here, I adapted to this circumstance much faster than I would have imagined. I ended up intensely enjoying meditation in the rest of the sacred places of the ashram. This time I meditated longer than ever at the shiva-lingam and was able to get more out of it than before.

Shiva Lingam

An important difference on this trip is that I came accompanied by Ana, my partner. Her presence adds a special plus of motivation. Being together, we want to tour all the corners without exception, enjoying each of them; when it's not one who has the initiative, it's the other who pulls and encourages. This spiritual complicity greatly enriches the experience.

As a small gift for ourselves, we decided to recreate that iconic photograph of Daya Mata, but with our own presence. The result is a beautiful and fun memory that has remained as testimony of this lovely shared whim.

Recreating Daya Mata's photo

Information of Interest

Transportation:

Train from Bodh Gaya to Ranchi; cost: 200 rupees. Rickshaw from the train station to the ashram; cost: 50 rupees, but you can walk in 10 minutes.
During your stay in Ranchi don't hesitate to contact the ashram's official taxi driver, the devotee Suno: WhatsApp: 7488686758

Accommodation in Ranchi:

Contact and reservations: helpdesk@yssi.org

Website: https://ranchi.yssashram.org

Recommended donation: 1200 rupees/day.

Places to visit:

In Ranchi, personally I have not visited anything, because I had no knowledge that there was anything worth visiting. So all I have done is enjoy being on the premises, which is huge and very landscaped and also going down the last days to a hotel to work a couple of hours. A good recommendation is that, if you need to work, change of scenery or feel European for a few hours, look for a luxury hotel near the ashram and take the opportunity to have your coffee or cappuccino there while you "connect" with that part of comfort with which you are more accustomed, (Chanakya BNR Hotel).

Important:

If you haven't read the Considerations section yet, don't forget to do so. In this section you will find very valuable information that can save you many headaches. In particular, there are details related to credit cards and mobile phone use that are essential.