"This is perfect - That is perfect.
Through the ocean of Perfection surge the waves of Perfection,
but that Perfection is never lost." - Isha Upanisad

Kriya Yoga Seminary - A Home Study Training Program for Ordination by Sri Goswami Kriyananda
Sessions begin May 1, 2010 and November 1, 2010

Applications for the May 2010 session will be accepted thru May 30th

The Kriya Yoga Seminary is a non-accredited theological school directed by the Temple of Kriya Yoga, a not-for-profit religious educational organization. Sri Goswami Kriyananda developed this program more than 30 years ago as a bridge between the Temple of Kriya and dedicated people like you who are called to a life of spiritual service — a life devoted to benefiting others.

One of the fundamental principles of Kriya Yoga is the understanding that each of us has the ability to be happy and fulfilled in this very lifetime. One of the best means of achieving this is to share our wisdom and compassion with the world around us. The Kriya Seminary is designed to provide you with tools and techniques that will guide you in this effort. It is a systematic course of study that will cultivate your spiritual unfoldment, prepare you for the priesthood, and help you to assist those who seek a deeper understanding of themselves, God, and Life.

The goal of Seminary study is to be ordained into the priesthood. It is our hope that the self-discipline and dedication that are required will inspire you to teach and become an even wiser and more compassionate soul who will share the sacred science of Kriya with others. However, as a swami of the Temple of Kriya Yoga you are free to express the priesthood through your own personality and talents. You will not be categorized or limited; each person must serve in his or her own way. Many of our priests teach hatha yoga, meditation, or philosophy. Others provide spiritual guidance through the Temple, privately, or in various institutions and organizations in their communities. Others may perform weddings, baptisms, death-rebirth rituals, or house blessings.

It is important to understand that a swami is a real person living in the real world. They often have careers and families. Their backgrounds and talents are diverse. Their goal is to serve the spiritual needs of the people whose lives they touch, to assist them in softening their own karma, and to guide them through the pattern of their lives to greater self-awareness, health and happiness, maturity, and freedom. The role of a priest is to help others to help themselves. The Seminary proverb is, “Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day; teach him to fish and he will eat forever.”

The Seminary Program

The Kriya Yoga Seminary program is comprised of eight quarters (two years) of home study. You may begin the program in the spring or fall of each year. Ordination generally occurs once a year. The program includes:

• Personal daily Sadhana, which is an integral part of the Seminary program and will lay the foundation for your life as a Swami (yogic priest).

• Quarterly lesson packages, including CDs, printed materials, study questions, reading assignments, books, and quarterly exams.

• Regular communication with an ordained swami to answer your questions and provide you feedback. This will occur through both personal and group teleconference calls.

• A research paper on a topic that is relevant to your priesthood.

• Annual weekend retreats held during the course of your studies at a retreat center near Chicago. Attendance at one retreat is required for ordination. (The cost of retreats is not included in your tuition and runs approximately $395 for each retreat.)

• Two required oral tests at the end of your Seminary studies. One test is with a group of swamis who comprise the Seminary committee. The second test is with Goswami Kriyananda. Both tests are to determine the extent to which a Seminarian has mastered his or her studies and personal Sadhana.

Some topics included in the Kriya Yoga Seminary curriculum:

• Kriya yoga philosophy

• The laws of karma

• Meditation

• Hatha yoga

• Astrology

• The language of symbols

• Dreams

• Sanskrit

• The Bhagavad Gita

• Yoga Sutras

• The Upanishads

• Communication and teaching arts

• Karma yoga/spiritual service

• World religions

• Rituals

• Pastoral care/spiritual guidance

 

Tuition

Application fee to be included with your application: $25

Per quarter: $375 (includes most books and materials)

Tuition for one year - $1,350. (10% discount)

Tuition for two years - $2,700. (10% discount)

.
• In order to enroll in this course, please submit your completed application to the Temple.

• Download the Kriya Yoga Seminary application here. Your completed application may be submitted to the Temple via email, fax or U.S. Mail. The $25 non-refundable application fee may be submitted below via our secure server, by phone or by check along with your application if submitted by U.S. Mail.

• Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the application process.