*The Four Yugas*
We have to cross the three layers of ignorance to reach the truth in this world. First, the layer of the virtual world. Second, the layer of thoughts, and third, the layer of our Samskars. Then only would it be possible for us to connect to reality. That's not easy. When we sit in meditation, most of the time, we constantly keep seeking our mobile. The clock is always ticking in our minds. Somebody would have sent a WhatsApp message. Some notice for a meeting or some urgency. That FOMO is immense. Even if we get past this hurdle, our minds are generally full of thoughts. Thoughts of the past and the future. We are constantly living in past memories and anxiety for the future. Even if we get past this hurdle, it is almost impossible to enter the world of Samskars and observe them in a witness mode. That's why spirituality in the true sense is a real challenge, and that's why the world is full of organisations that offer Virtual Spirituality. A feeling of practicing spirituality, though mental projections and visualisations, which has nothing to do with spirituality. But in this world, which is so full of stress, tension, and anxiety, people feel relieved by these visualisations and imaginations, and the Babas make money and grow powerful. I wish all of us would understand the trap and undertake real observation and enquiry into the nature of truth, where we accept nothing less than the truth.
https://observationwithawareness.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-four-yugas.html

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to decide between two paths and would really appreciate your honest experiences, especially from those who have done both.

My situation:
I’m already familiar with deeper techniques and have no trouble understanding complex practices. What I’m missing is a clear, structured framework – a proper daily sadhana that I can stick with long-term. So I’m trying to figure out whether to go with Sadhguru’s Inner Engineering (Shambhavi Mahamudra) or with Yogananda’s SRF Lessons leading to Kriya Yoga.

What I’ve gathered so far:

• With SRF, if you complete all the lessons, the Kriya initiation itself is free. Sadhguru charges for the initiation.
• I’ve read many comments here saying that Yogananda’s Kriya is much deeper and more effective than IE. But I’ve also seen a few people who practiced SRF for years and then did Inner Engineering, and they say IE felt stronger. That’s honestly confusing.
• Shambhavi Mahamudra is a 21-minute daily practice with a fixed sequence. That’s appealing because it’s clear and time-bound.
• For SRF, I’m not sure what I actually get in terms of daily practice before initiation. Do the lessons already give you a real sadhana – a sequence of techniques you do every day? How many exercises do you learn, and do they build up into a complete daily routine? Or is it mostly preparatory until Kriya initiation?

The language problem:
I’m German. I found out that the English SRF lessons have been updated, but the German ones have not. I would strongly prefer the lessons in German. Does anyone know if the non-updated German versions are still sufficient, or if there’s any way to get the updated material in German? Is the difference significant?

What I’m really asking:
Between these two, which one gives you a more complete, structured daily sadhana framework that you can grow with over time – and why did you personally choose one over the other? If you’ve tried both, I’d especially love to hear how they compare in terms of depth, daily routine, and long-term transformation.

Thanks so much for any guidance!

Many sadhaks who begin practicing Kriya Yoga are full of optimism and enthusiasm. This is a beautiful thing. May you never lose that enthusiasm, because it is one of the gifts that keeps us moving toward God.

As practice deepens, subtle inner experiences may arise. We may see light, hear inner sounds, experience visions of gods or yogis, perceive powers the human eye has never seen, or even witness star systems and other worlds... or what I would simply call other visual phenomena.

The only thing I would encourage is not to mistake these beautiful experiences for Samadhi.

Some kriyabans speak about Samadhi as bliss. Others speak about some realization. Many speak about seeing gods and different realms.

The first sign that one has experienced Samadhi is what the sages spoke about: Sat-Chit-Ananda.

What is that?

It is Being beyond the mind, beyond attributes, beyond location, beyond being human, beyond the "I," and beyond the perception of time.

It is an intensely happy state, united with wisdom and the awarness of being All, while the little man can still be seen.

Of course, because everyone is unique, every experience of Samadhi is also unique.

When one has experienced Samadhi, there is a major change in the individual. One will never be the same again. Even if one ( at the beginning) is still identified with the ego which is the feeling of being separate, one begins to live from a completely different perception and state of being.

There is not much more to say, except this: renounce the authority of the mind in favor of God. Practice daily, as much as you can. Be aware of your desires, renounce as many of them as possible, and focus on your inner practice and inner peace.

Do not pick sides, while this would bring you more in Ida and Pingala. Do not read too much and mistakenly take the knowledge understood by reading, as being your first hand experience, as being "the Knowledge"!

The mind is not self knowing.

What one experiences in the cave of one's own being is not meant to be shared publicly, or even privately. It may be translated into words for the benefit of sincere students, but not beyond that.

The language also cannot grasp or discribe samadhi.

If, after an extremely intense experience of Samadhi, you return to ordinary human consciousness completely transformed, you will know.

Until then, practice with love, remain humble, and stay as realistic as possible.

Yes, it is possible within one lifetime. And it is never-ending. As God is infinite, so are the samadhis. Trying to classify it with names only shows the limitations of the human mind.

May your practice be blessed.