Multiverse in Indian Cosmology: Evolution through Kriya Yoga - Part (9/9)
How Kriya Yoga Alters Karmic Vibration and Accelerates the Evolution of Jiva
The Return Journey of a Jiva
From the perspective of the cosmic Creator, all existence is vibration expressed in different degrees of density.
Vibrations closest to the Source are subtle, luminous, and immensely powerful. They are filled with Truth, Love, and Bliss, and remain fully conscious and aware.
As vibration moves outward from the Source, it gradually becomes denser. With this increasing density, conscious awareness becomes veiled by tamasic (darkening) energy.
This veiling create confusion, misidentification, and distortion in the perception of Eternal Reality. The accumulated force of these vibrations is what we call karma.
Evolution, in simple terms, is the gradual refinement and dissolution of this tamasic density within a jiva. As this density dissolves, awareness begins to clarify and expand. This clarification of awareness is known as spiritual awakening.
The direct realization of one’s true nature as Sat-Chitta-Ananda — ever-existing, ever-conscious, ever-new bliss — is called Self-realization. It is, in essence, the return to fully conscious being, established in the state of Sat-Chitta-Ananda.
Paths of Return Journey
There are many paths that lead back to the original state of divine awareness. Yet not all paths take the seeker to the same depth. Some guide the Jiva through partial refinement. Only a few carry it toward complete realization.
One way to understand the depth of a spiritual path is to observe which layer of our existence it primarily transforms. Broadly, these layers may be understood as Kaya, Maya, and Laya.
Kaya relates to the physical body and the gross dimension of life. Practices at this level focus on health, vitality, discipline, and material stability. They strengthen the foundation of embodied existence and bring harmony to the physical system.
Maya refers to the veil of duality. Paths operating at this level work within the field of dual awareness. They may expand perception, awaken subtle sensitivity, and open access to higher planes within creation. The sadhaka may experience divine blessings, subtle beings, and elevated states of consciousness. Awareness deepens significantly. Yet all of this still unfolds within the structure of duality.
Laya means absorption in oneness. Here, the seeker rises beyond ordinary dual perception and becomes deeply absorbed in divine consciousness. However, this is not yet complete union. Individual awareness remains, though fully immersed. The sadhaka is no longer identified with the lower self, yet continues as a subtle witness.
There exists a path beyond even Laya. Kriya Yoga belongs to this level. In this path, the sadhaka moves beyond absorption into complete union with divine consciousness. Separate existence dissolves. The ego remains only in seed form. If the Divine wills that such a realized Jiva return to Earth for the upliftment of humanity, manifestation can occur through this seed-ego without loss of divine awareness.
A sincere seeker can discern which path is suitable through inner experimentation and honest self-observation. One may also feel a natural attunement to the Guru or lineage guiding a particular path. That resonance often indicates alignment with one’s present stage of evolution.
Kriya Yoga: Brahmanda Bhed Huwa (Piercing the Cosmic Egg)
Lahiri Mahasaya wrote in his journal the phrase “Brahmanda Bhed Huwa,” meaning “the cosmic egg was pierced.” This signifies going beyond the Brahmanda into Kutastha Chaitanya, sometimes referred to as Christ Consciousness in some parts of the world.
This transcendence occurs through the inner ascent of consciousness via the Spiritual Eye. In deep meditation, the sadhaka perceives it expanding into a tunnel of light.
This passage reveals three layers of perception: the outer golden ring corresponds to the astral world, the deep blue field represents the causal world, and at the center shines the white pentagonal star, symbolizing cosmic consciousness — Kutastha Chaitanya.
Through this ascent, the Jiva moves beyond the boundaries of the manifested cosmos and returns to unified divine awareness.
Because this method works directly through the central channel rather than gradual purification, it has been described as the airplane route.
Airplane Route of Self-realization
Paramahansa Yogananda referred to this path as the “Airplane Route to Self-realization” because of the speed with which one can evolve through its practice.
This method centers on developing awareness of prana, the life-force energy, and then consciously directing it through specific techniques into the inner spiritual channel. The focus is not on practices limited to Kaya or Maya. The first step is to cultivate deep absorption in some aspect of the Divine, whether light, sound, wisdom, etc. From that absorption, the journey proceeds toward complete liberation.
This path should not be mistaken for being easy. It is fast, but it is not easy. The techniques themselves are simple, yet they demand determination, discipline, and steady consistency from the sadhaka.
Importantly, this practice can be undertaken while remaining fully engaged in normal life. Explicit outer renunciation is not necessary..
Both Lahiri Mahasaya and Swami Yukteswarji were married and had children. Lahiri Mahasaya worked for many years as an accountant in the Indian Railways before retiring. Both practiced Kriya Yoga while performing their duties as householders. Their lives demonstrated that spiritual realization does not require withdrawal from worldly responsibilities.
Kriya Yoga is an inner renunciation. Withdrawal from worldly life is not necessary.
When a disciple once expressed difficulty maintaining meditation due to work responsibilities, Lahiri Mahasaya advised practicing at night. Sleep is a subconscious state, whereas meditation is a conscious process in which the body enters deep rest while awareness rises toward the superconscious. As practice deepens, the need for sleep gradually decreases. In his later years, Lahiri Mahasaya himself often remained in deep meditation through the night, integrating spiritual discipline seamlessly into daily life.
Vibration Shift Through Lokas
Through the practice of Kriya Yoga, the Jiva moves more rapidly across the vibrational ranges of the Lokas. As awareness refines, the Yogi shifts from one state of consciousness to another with increasing clarity.
Karmic tendencies are lifted toward the Spiritual Eye, where they are dissolved. The experiences contained within those karmas are inwardly understood and integrated. With steady practice, inner transformation unfolds rapidly.
Kriya Yogi’s Active Participation
In this path, the Kriya Yogi is not a passive observer. He is an active participant. Through intent, he works to move tamasic energies toward the Spiritual Eye and into cosmic consciousness. He consciously directs this energy upward. Instead of working with one vritti (mental pattern) at a time, large accumulations of tamasic energy are drawn toward the Spiritual Eye. The focus is on transmuting “truckloads” of energy at once. The aim is a rapid vibrational shift.
Paramhansa Yogananda said – that half-minute of Kriya equals one year of natural spiritual unfoldment.
Maintaining Stability
While this intense movement happens within, the outer life remains steady. That steadiness provides grounding. It also acts as a mirror. The Yogi begins to see his evolution reflected in his responses. He becomes steady, joyful, loving, forgiving, and discerning. Dharmic qualities arise naturally through transmutation of energy. He handles life’s challenges with greater clarity. Gradually, as his magnetism changes, the environment around him begins to realign.
Early attainment of Jivan Mukta Stage
Paramahansa Yogananda stated that it may take a billion births for a human being to realize God, and that in the last million births the soul consciously seeks the Divine. Through Kriya Yoga, this final phase can be greatly shortened. It may take only a few more births. In some cases, depending on karmic load and intensity of practice, realization may occur in this very lifetime.
For a sincere practitioner, the first major milestone is the state of Jivan Mukta — freedom from compulsory rebirth on the physical plane and stabilization in higher awareness.
Design of Kriya Yoga: The Top-Down Magnetic Pull
Process
Kriya Yoga is designed as an upward pull of energy from the Spiritual Eye.
The Spiritual Eye is also called the Agya Chakra (Will center) or the Guru Chakra (Wisdom Center). In this system the awareness is centered at the Spiritual Eye. It creates a magnetic upward pull on the lower chakras. Their energy is gently drawn upward for transmutation. The refinement happens naturally because of this pull.
This method taps directly into cosmic wisdom. It trains the Jiva to operate from that higher center. As a result, an early awakening of Gyan Yoga, or cosmic wisdom, begins to unfold.
Protection
The Jiva keeps its consciousness at the Spiritual Eye. This is very important. It prevents involvement in the lower energies within the system. Because of this upward orientation, the process remains safe. The chances of a downward pull into lower vibrations are greatly reduced.
The powers of the lower chakras do not immediately manifest outwardly. Their energy is absorbed and refined at the Spiritual Eye. This supports wisdom first, power later. It creates balance and maturity in the system.
This upward alignment also creates a protective field. Hence, lower energies and entities generally do not interfere with a Kriya Yogi. Interaction may happen only in rare situations. This could be due to curiosity, or because deep past life karma requires resolution through direct experience.
Normally, this upward current generates a satvik magnetic force field that attracts higher beings.
Result
This upward alignment is foundational for the attainment of Jivan Mukta – free from human birth and death cycle. Without sustained alignment with cosmic wisdom, one cannot stabilize in that realization.
When awareness remains anchored at the Spiritual Eye, a direct link with Kutastha Chaitanya is established. Through this connection, the Yogi’s progress continues at a faster pace even beyond a single earthly lifetime. Even after leaving the physical body, the upward magnetic pull remains operative. As a resident of higher lokas, his evolution continues with greater acceleration, guided by that established alignment.
If such a Yogi chooses to return to earthly birth after attaining Jivan Mukta, the inner linkage to Kutastha Chaitanya does not dissolve. It remains as a powerful magnetic force shaping destiny from within. Future incarnations unfold with greater clarity, reduced karmic entanglement, and intensified momentum toward complete realization.
In this way, Kriya Yoga does not merely refine a single lifetime. It restructures the trajectory of the jiva across births.
Advantage of being Jivan Mukta
To be a Jivan Mukta is to be free from compulsory rebirth. The Jiva now acts from choice rather than karmic necessity. It may return to Earth, delay rebirth, or resolve remaining Earth karma magnetically without taking physical birth.
Yet such a being often chooses return, not from compulsion but from conscious intent. Remaining karma can then be used deliberately in service of others, assisting them in their awakening.
Another great advantage is that meditation no longer requires effort. The inner pathway has already been opened. If reborn, spiritual practice resumes naturally and with depth.
When living in the astral realm, its connection to the Divine is much stronger because of the earlier establishment of alignment with Kuthastya Chaitanya. This makes further progress smoother and faster.
A Jivan Mukta may also choose to incarnate on Earth for another distinct purpose. Earth offers a unique degree of friction that fosters accelerated growth through the remaining stages of evolution.
Once established as Jivan Mukta, the Jiva is free from karma related to Bhu-Loka and the lower planes. As explained in The Holy Science, while incarnated on Earth, remaining lower Loka karma may be resolved through the spine.
True Freedom
Once fully liberated, the Jiva becomes a free being.
It may choose to merge completely into Divine Consciousness. Or it may choose to return to Earth in human form to assist in the evolution of humanity. It may also remain within the structure of the Brahmanda in an astral or causal form, continuing to guide other Jivas from subtler planes.
When a choice is made to return to manifested form it is a choice born of compassion, the same compassion that the cosmic consciousness feels for its creation.
There are many examples of such avatars in puranas and itihasas of Indian scriptures. Even the avatars mentioned in the Autobiography of a Yogi – Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya Swami Yukteshwar & Paramhansa Yogananda made such choice to return to manifested form after they attained full liberation.
Later on finishing his avatar as human, Swami Yukteshwar, maintains his existence in Hiranya Loka. This is described as a subdivision situated between Swarga Loka and Mahar Loka. From there, he assists advanced astral beings in completing their remaining astral karma and progressing into the causal realms, which begin from Mahar Loka onward.
In Autobiography of a Yogi, Chapter 43, “The Resurrection of Sri Yukteswar,” Yogananda describes how Swami Yukteshwar continues his work from a higher loka after leaving his physical body. The following excerpt presents Sri Yukteswar’s own words:
“As prophets are sent on earth to help men work out their physical karma, so I have been directed by God to serve on an astral planet as a savior,” Sri Yukteswar explained. “It is called Hiranyaloka or ‘Illumined Astral Planet.’ There I am aiding advanced beings to rid themselves of astral karma and thus attain liberation from astral rebirths. The dwellers on Hiranyaloka are highly developed spiritually; all of them had acquired, in their last earth-incarnation, the meditation-given power of consciously leaving their physical bodies at death. No one can enter Hiranyaloka unless he has passed on earth beyond the state of sabikalpa samadhi into the higher state of nirbikalpa samadhi.
Nirbikalpa samadhi is the state in which one, while still embodied, remains established in continuous awareness of divine connectedness. This is the state experienced by a Jivan Mukta.
True freedom, therefore, is not merely escape from rebirth. It is conscious participation in Divine Will. The liberated Jiva stands beyond compulsion, yet may choose engagement. It acts not from karma, but guided by freedom, compassion, and conscious intent.
In Conclusion
A Kriya Yogi attains the stage of Jivan Mukta relatively early in the larger arc of soul evolution. What may take countless births through gradual refinement can be significantly accelerated through the conscious transmutation of energy. Once this milestone is reached, the Jiva is no longer bound by compulsory rebirth on Earth. It stands established in freedom.
From that point onward, evolution does not stop. It proceeds with greater speed and clarity. The connection to Kutastha Chaitanya has already been formed. The upward current has become natural. Further progress unfolds with greater ease.
Yet an important shift also happens at this stage. The movement is no longer centered on personal liberation alone. The Jivan Mukta begins to understand a higher law of evolution, the law of compassionate participation.
In the higher Lokas, growth is not driven by struggle or friction in the same way it is on Earth. It unfolds through expansion of consciousness. And this expansion happens through compassion, through conscious giving.
The realized Jiva learns to step beyond personal self-interest. Service is no longer moral duty or spiritual discipline. It becomes a natural expression of expanded awareness. Helping others evolve becomes part of one’s own evolutionary movement.
This mirrors the very process of cosmic creation. Cosmic Consciousness expands into multiplicity not out of lack, but as an expression of fullness. Creation is an act of sharing.
In the same way, the Jivan Mukta participates in the upliftment of others. Through that participation, consciousness expands further. It is no longer the isolated seeker striving upward. It becomes a channel through which higher awareness flows.
Ultimately, this journey culminates in the full realization of Sat-Chitta-Ananda, ever-existing, ever-conscious, ever-new joy. The joy is no longer individual. It is experienced through many. It is the joy of shared existence, shared awakening, shared divine bliss.
The return journey of the Jiva thus completes itself in expansion, in compassion, and in conscious participation in the Divine play.
Amrita Ghosh
YogiEvolve
Your first step toward inner awakening — a yogi’s guide to transforming energy & life.
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