Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Lahiri Mahasaya's quotes on Kriya yoga, Yogic Realizations and Advaita – Part I

On the onset of Satya yuga, Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya revived the supreme science of Realizing the Soul or SelfKriya yoga. The most sacred path of being One with the God within, already manifested in all of us. Through Kriya yoga, He bestowed upon mankind – the Sadhana of Prana – ‘Pranayama’, exactly as described in the Bhagavad Gita [Chapter 4, Sloka 29]. Prana [Life energy] is the most primordial existence of Universe. Static state of Prana is God itself.

The chart of 6 Chakras of Prana Vibration - Kriya yoga science and secrets - as expounded by Lahiri Mahasaya
The chart of 6 Chakras of Prana Vibration - Kriya yoga science and secrets - as expounded by Lahiri Mahasaya

Bhagavad Gita terms this secret Sadhana as ‘Brahmavidya’. This only is mentioned thousands of years back in ‘Yoga Sutra’ of Maharshi Patanjali.
 “tapahsvadhyayeshvara pranidhananikriyayogah”  [Sadhana Pada : 1st Sloka]

The name was later on changed by Lord Sri Krishna as ‘Karmayoga’ in the Gita. Lahiri Mahasaya again revived this most divine route of ancient Sadhana as the Yoga of Sanatana Dharma [eternal Religion]. Dharma, which is beyond any caste, creed, community and color; the infinite Dharma to reach the ultimate state of Advaita or Non-duality.

Sambhavami yuge yuge - Swayang Brahma Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya in Satya Yuga
Sambhavami yuge yuge - Swayang Brahma Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya in Satya Yuga
 
Yogiraj Lahiri Mahasaya Himself is Swayang Brahma. Yuga-changer. He arrived when Kali Yuga completed its cycle and the Universe entered into blissful Satya Yuga [Satya Yuga started from 1895]. He is reverentially addressed as “Yogiraj” or “The King of Yogis”. Lahiri Baba used to write down His most exalted Yogic Realizations in His personal diaries which were kept confidential and were in the custody of Mahayogi Sri Satya Charan Lahiri Mahasaya [grandson of Yogiraj Lahiri Mahasaya]. 26 such divine diaries. They are invaluable treasures in the abstruse path of Yoga.


The science of Prana in Kriya yoga - Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya
The science of Prana in Kriya yoga - Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya
On a later date, Sri Satya Charan Lahiri Mahasaya – commanded his most advanced disciple and an exalted Kriyayogi by then – Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee Mahasaya to write divine books, directly based on those 26 diaries. The books are authentic documentation on the sublime exalted Yogic life of Lahiri Mahasaya, the science of Kriya yoga and commentaries on ancient scriptures as expounded by none other than Lahiri Mahasaya Himself.  


The books are:

Purana Purusha Yogiraj Sri Shama Churn Lahiree
Who Is This Shama Churn
Shama Churn Kriyayoga O Advaitabad

Brahmagyani Kriya yoga Masters - Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee and Yogivar Sri Satyacharan Lahiri Mahasaya
Brahmagyani Kriya yoga Masters - Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee and Yogivar Sri Satyacharan Lahiri Mahasaya

Divine Quotes :

  • The dazzling sun of the sky, whose brilliance has made this macrocosm radiant, that sun’s form, fire, resplendence, heat are all Me. When there is nothing barring Me in this universe then along with the sun of the sky I only prevail amidst the total creation. Without My Immanence the resplendent sun of the sky will be absent, thus I have created and am maintaining the totality. In this manner all the forms noticeable in this world are My Form only, My manifestations only. Therefore I only am the Master of creation, preservation and mergence taken together.
  • To familiarize the readers about his Guru Babaji ,Yogiraj, in his personal diary, has delineated a human face and thus recounted beside it -
             “Ehi Babajike rupa, ehi yama, ehi dharma”
  • “This Atmasurya is Mahapurusha Brahma, He only is the Container of the universe; everything evolves from here and ultimately everything merges here.”
  • Jab pran vayu sir ke upar chadha tab babaji se mila, jab babaji se mila tab kya nahi kar sakta hai…
  • Jo kisun so badua baba
  • Khod Babaji kaldand liye upar surya candramake bhitar dekhlai diya
  • jo kabira surya ka rup so hi abinashi brahma so hi hum
  • Hum hi asmanka suryarupa – Hum choday dusra koi nahi
  • Soul Sun Narayana, Bhagavan, Jagadiswara, omnipresent is I Myself
  • When I am the Soul Sun then whatever I state is Vedas- this should be known for sure
    Lahiri Mahasaya’s divine quotes on Advaita [Non-Duality]
    Lahiri Mahasaya’s divine quotes on Advaita [Non-Duality]
  • I only am Krishna
  • The Primordial Male Energy in the Soul Sun is I Myself. Brahma Form of the Soul Sun is Mine
  • Whatever one thinks just at the moment of death, one becomes that.
  • Living being infers kineticism, thus there is no option other than the still state -Pranayama stills.
  • Increase Kevala, Recaka, Puraka this will impart siddhi (fulfillment) – gradual increase entails Samadhi, having Recaka, Puraka it is like a closed well, effect the flow of Pranavayu, the mind becomes static – if further augmentation occurs disease is eliminated, – sins are burnt, purification ensues – knowledge dawns, ignorance or darkness is destroyed.

  • Prana only is the source of all power. Engrossing in Pranasadhana entails every sadhana practice.
  • Practising Kriya and remaining in Kriya’s transcendental state – this entails saying everything.
  • Entering into the realm of the soul is not possible if you do not consider yourself to be small.
  • Household asrama (garhastya) is the biggest asrama as other asramas are based on it.
  • Settlement is the advaita (non-duality) stte removes the difference between God and the devotee.
    Swayang Brahama – Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya quotes on Kriya yoga
    Swayang Brahma – Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya

     

  • Bhagavan marks His Advent as a Guru controlling His devotees and He imparts knowledge, counsel to ones whenever it is necessary for them. This Guru only is the Sadguru.
  • Special knowledge is science. This only is Atmajnana or soul- knowledge.
  • The One Who is All – Pervasive infinitely in the macrocosm, visualizing that unchangeable one is soul-visualization or Brahma – visualization. He is Infinite Soul but can be realized.
  • The state in which the knower, known, knowledge becomes one that only is the state of science. This is the true devotion or true knowledge.
  • Ignorance spontaneously is removed through the practice of excellent Pranakarma.
  • If one had to travel to a distant place for a few days, some requisites would be necessary. In this instance, the traveller is conversant about the place and period of stay. Yet without the prescribed requisites, travel is impossible. But when this body is abandoned and you have to proceed to an unknown path for an indefinite period of time, then how many requisites would be necessary? No material objects will be required then. The destination and duration of stay is unknown. That requisite has to be acquired in this present life through yogasadhana and carried over and that sadhana-derived experience will be the only requisite in the form of reformation. This requisite is imperishable.
  • The impurity of jaggery is removed by a certain process, similarly continuous Pranayama entails purification.
  •  The one who does not envision the Kutastha according to the Guru’s advice is blind.

    Kriya yoga books - Purana Purusha and Who Is This Shama Churn; authored by Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee
    Kriya yoga books - Purana Purusha and Who Is This Shama Churn; authored by Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee

The Author : Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, World Kriyayoga Master


Author of the divine books – a Mahayogi Himself -Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee. He is the World Kriya yoga Master. His first guru was Sri Annada Charan Sastri ji, disciple of Mahayogi Sri Panchanan Bhattacharya Mahasaya, an elevated disciple of Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri. After Sastri ji’s demise, Dr. Chatterjee obtained initiation from Sri Sundarlal Lala ji of Varanasi & later from Sri Satyacharan Lahiri Mahasaya, grandson of Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya.

Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, World Kriya yoga Master
Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, World Kriya yoga Master


Even at his current age of 80, Dr. Chatterjee is relentlessly spreading the teachings of Lord Shyama Charan, with his experience in Kriya yoga, spanning more than 5 decades. He is also the founder-director of Yogiraj Shyamacharan Sanatan Mission (YSSM) with the sole objective to propagate the divine ideals of Lahiri Mahasaya and to preserve the exact Kriya yoga practice as imparted by Lahiri Mahasaya.

On being invited as sole representative from India, to participate in the “Parliament of World Religions” held at Val St.Hugon, France in 1997 convened by Dalai Lama & sponsored by UNO, UNESCO, UNCHR; His call to mankind in the parliament – “ONE WORLD, ONE RELIGION, ONE GOD, ONE MAN”.

The books on Lahiri Mahasaya and the science of Kriya yoga in this video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQQKiFA76Mg


Official website of Yogiraj Shyamacharan Sanatan Mission : http://www.kriyayogashyamacharan.org/


Ordering of books :  http://www.kriyayogashyamacharan.org/howtoorderbook.php


Reach at : contact@yssm.in


Inside Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya temple in Kakdwip, West Bengal, India - A temple for spreading Kriya yoga worldwide
Inside Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya temple in Kakdwip, West Bengal, India - A temple for spreading Kriya yoga worldwide




Saturday, 19 May 2012

26 personal diaries of Lahiri Mahasaya and Kriya yoga books - by Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee


Swayang Brahma - Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya
Fountain-head of Kriya yoga - Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya used to write down His most exalted yogic Realizations in His confidential personal diaries. These are divine Realizations by none other than the fountain-head of Kriya yoga – Bhagavan Lahiri Mahasaya Himself.26 such diaries; they are treasures to the entire world – depicting the true Advaita Sanatana Dharma [Eternal Religion of Non-Duality]. Dharma that’s latent in all of us and is to be realized only through Yoga Sadhana.  Dharma that’s beyond any caste, community, colour, creed. It’s indeed the science of the soul inside. The eternal and supreme science of self-Realization/Soul-Realization.

Lahiri Mahasaya diaries and Kriya yoga books


These 26 diaries were in the custody of Yogivar Sri Satya Charan Lahiri Mahasaya (grandson Yogiraj Lahiri Mahasaya).He, on a later date, commanded his most advanced disciple Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee to write a spiritual and authentic biography of Lahiri Baba by entrusting him with those 26 invaluable diaries. The following books, authored by Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee are directly based on these 26 divine diaries:

Purana Purusha Yogiraj Sri Shama Churn Lahiree
Who Is This Shama Churn
Shamachurn Kriya yoga O Advaitabad
Short descriptions: >

Purana Purusha Yogiraj Sri Shama Churn Lahiree:


Lahiri Mahasaya biography and commentaries
The book is a remarkable blend of spirituality, literature and philosophy based on the life of Yogiraj Sri Shama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya. It is actually part biography and part commentary on Lahiri Mahasaya’s life, on the Indian scriptures, including The Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads etc.  An ultimate guide and a must read for all the soul-seekers and all initiated into the blessed path of Kriya yoga.  The most sacred and secret science of Kriya yoga - explained; taking reference directly from none other than Swayang Brahma Lahiri Mahasaya.
Interestingly, there is enough previously unpublished material about Lahiri Mahasaya’s life that it is well worth reading for that alone. It is wonderful to learn of even the mundane occurrences in the great yogi’s life, such as how he would take tiffin with a little amount of ghee and sugar for breakfast and smoke a hookah everyday after dinner, and how he travelled often by boat to the court of the King to tutor his son. These warming and inspiring stories bring Lahiri Mahasaya even closer to heart.
Going further deep, the book focuses on the scientific essence of ancient Indian Yoga sadhana and it’s ideals as revived by Bhagavan Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya. It traces back the origin of the term ‘Kriya yoga‘which is also mentioned in Yoga Sutra by Maharshi Patanjali and was later changed to ‘Karmayoga‘ by Sri Krishna. It puts light on the ancient scriptures and tries to find out their true meaning, hiding behind, from the yogic perspective. The book describes Yogiraj’s search for his guru Mahavatar Babaji, his exalted yogic state.

Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya quotes


Also the book reveals the true identity of, perhaps the most supreme and enigmatic spiritual entity of India - Mahavatar Babaji.
Author elucidated the scientific essence of sadhana and it’s ideals as revived by Yogiraj in this invaluable scripture. The book This book has mass appeal & has been translated and published in Telugu, Oriya, Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Assamese, Malayalam and English, French, original being in Bengali.

The divine Kriya yoga book in Hindi - "Purana Purusha"


A book of this stature cannot be written only with a command of knowledge, language or with possessing the writing faculty. For this is required sadhana-derived realization. The authenticity of this biography lies in the introduction where Sri Satyacharan Lahiri Mahasaya; grandson of Yogiraj Shama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya, commands his disciple the author Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, who was then an exalted Kriyaban having meticulously and assiduously completed the higher stage of Kriyas to write the biography. He had furnished many details regarding his Grandfather Shyama Charan Lahiri to the author who has judiciously incorporated these into the book. 

Yogachary Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee Mahasaya and Sri Satya Charan Lahiri Mahasaya


Unlike biographies of great personalities it is rather difficult to compose biographies of yogis. In the spiritual world, external manifestations are almost absent in the lives of yogis. Biographies of noble yogis are based on essences beyond senses rather than facts bearing external manifestations. As and when necessitates yogis exhibit miracles, but the ideals they establish or the path of sadhana which they introduce to mankind for the attainment of salvation is more secret than secretive, the path which if followed by man can enable him to arrive at his ultimate and highest objective and this facet is regarded to be the greatest one in their biographies.

Who Is This Shama Churn:

Kriya yoga book - on the divine identity of Lahiri Mahasaya

This book unfolds the true essence and esotery of Yogiraj Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya, the Fountain-Head of Kriya yoga, the Greatest Household-Yogi with an impeccable stroke of dexterity by the author. Author has laid bare the essence, concept, philosophy, the Esse, the sublime spirituality and spiritual sublimity of Shyama Charan for human comprehension. Through the purview of dharmaic history, philosophy, science, spirituality, Yoga-sastra, mathematics, astrology and Sanatana Dharma, a profound exegesis on the Life and Ideals of Yogiraj Shyama charan Lahiri Mahasaya has been conferred in this book. For the first time such an introspective scientific rational expatiation on Shyama charan resulting in harmonious fusion of history, philosophy, religion, logic, science is done. This book unfolds the truth that Shyama charan is Indefinable, Unquestionable, Non-Answerable, Incomparable, Non-Debatable, Indefinable, Irrefutable and indivisible. Shyama Charan vis-a-vis Bhagavan Krishna, Bhagavan Rama, the four yugas, Babaji has been delineated with an intrinsic easefulness in this book. This book unravels the essence of Prana lucidly yet in a compelling manner and explains the abstruse esotery of Prana. The book is forceful yogic expose on Prana scientifically (yogic science) analyzing the Esse of Yogiraj Shyamacharan Lahiri- Absolute Prana, the Origin and Mergence, the Progenitor, the Primordial; everything within and beyond yet nothing, thus the Allness yet Nothingness. This is essentially a book for soul-seekers.  

Kriya yoga book in Hindi, revealing the true divine identity of Yogiraj Lahiri Mahasaya


It expounds the fact that spirituality transcends so called religion. Through this book the author has exposed the flagrant nudity of religion and spiritual culture being abided by today. At the end of the book in the Appendix both the Horoscopes of Bhagavan Krishna and Bhagavan Sri Shyama Charan has been assessed. This book has mass appeal throughout India and abroad and has been translated and published in Hindi and English, original being Bengali.

Shamachurn Kriyayoga O Advaitabad:

Kriya yoga book in Hindi, depicting the Advaita  [Non-Dual] divinity

This book is based on selected 100 significant annotations from confidential diaries of Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya. These annotations are sadhana derived direct realizations of Lahiri Mahasaya and of immense significance for those pursuing sadhana. Author at the behest of his Guru Satyacharan Lahiri Mahasaya authored this composite scripture to save the actual essence of annotations from dilutions or distortions from non-Yogis and for the benefit of future Yogis. Intricate aspects of Kriya yoga has been elucidated by the author lucidly and this book is loved by all Kriya yoga practitioners. This book has been translated into Hindi, Marathi & Telegu, original being in Bengali.

The Author: Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, World Kriyayoga Master

Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, World Kriya yoga Master


Author of the divine books – a Mahayogi Himself -Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee. He is the World Kriya yoga Master. His first guru was Sri Annada Charan Sastri ji, disciple of Mahayogi Sri Panchanan Bhattacharya Mahasaya, an elevated disciple of Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri. After Sastri ji’s demise, Dr. Chatterjee obtained initiation from Sri Sundarlal Lala ji of Varanasi & later from Sri Satyacharan Lahiri Mahasaya, grandson of Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya. 

Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, World Kriya yoga Master
Perhaps less known, but the lineage always maintained the strictest norms of Kriya yoga, set by Lahiri Mahasaya Himself, without committing any change in the practice itself. Kriya yoga – in its most original and unmodified form as imparted by Lahiri Baba himself. Even at his current age of 80, Dr. Chatterjee is relentlessly spreading the teachings of Lord Shyama Charan, with his experience in Kriya yoga, spanning more than 5 decades. He is also the founder-director of Yogiraj Shyamacharan Sanatan Mission (YSSM). The sole objective of this mission is to propagate the divine ideals of Lahiri Mahasaya and to preserve the exact Kriya yoga practice as imparted by Lahiri Mahasaya.

Yogiraj Lahiri Mahasaya temple and Kriya yoga Ashram in Kakdwip, West Bengal, India


On being invited as sole representative from India, to participate in the "Parliament of World Religions" held at Val St.Hugon, France in 1997 convened by Dalai Lama & sponsored by UNO,UNESCO,UNCHR; His call to mankind in the parliament -ONE WORLD, ONE RELIGION, ONE GOD, ONE MAN”.

Official website of Yogiraj Shyamacharan Sanatan Mission :  http://www.kriyayogashyamacharan.org/
Reach at : contact@yssm.in

Yogiraj Lahiri Mahasaya temple and Kriya yoga Ashram in Kakdwip, West Bengal, India

Sunday, 18 March 2012

'Samadhi' - excerpts from the Holy book 'Purana Purusha'; spiritual biography and commentary of Yogiraj Sri Shyama charan Lahiri Mahasaya

Lit. eighth and final stage of eightfold yoga - yam, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi.



Prana Vibration along spinal Cord
Yogically by practising austere samadhi one has to surmount each step and proceed, samadhi will arrive at the final stage.

In the samadhi state there is a cessation of body-consciousness, mind and sensory faculties. It is now that the state of sahaja samadhi arrives.
 

Advancing deeper savikalpa samadhi occurs. Then also soul-visualisation is existent.



Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya
Delving further deeper in the recesses of yoga, a yogi arrives at nirvikalpa samadhi or mahasamadhi which is Kriya's transcendental state. In this state the yogi merges with the Absolute.

Common man opines that in the state of mahasamadhi, one does not return but this is an erroneous concept. Even after merging with the Absolute to effect human welfare a yogi does return but does not digress from this state.

==========================================
Ref:  'Purana Purusha' authored by Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, World Kriyayoga Master. The book is based on the sacred and confidential 26 personal diaries written by Lahiri Mahasaya Himself during His most exalted Yogabastha. It’s also an authentic biography on the life of Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya. This book is a remarkable blend of spirituality, literature and philosophy with its part commentary on Bhagavat Gita, Upanishads and other scriptures.The Gita of Satya Yuga.



A Mahayogi himself, Yogacharya Dr. Chatterjee has penned down several other books on the eternal science of Kriyayoga. He is also the founder-director of  Yogiraj Shyamacharan Sanatan Mission (YSSM), a mission with the sole objective of spreading the words and teachings of Lord Lahiri Mahasaya without any modification in the practice of Kriyayoga itself, exactly as the Lord imparted. 

Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee
Official mailing address of Yogiraj Shyamacharan Sanatan Mission : contact@yssm.in
More on Kriyayoga : http://www.kriyayogashyamacharan.org/



Monday, 27 February 2012

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya on ‘Karmayoga’

The action which causes an union with God is karma and to remain united with that karma incessantly is Karmayoga. Others are all inactions. God is not an Object Who has descended from the sky, this is a state. This is the still state of Prana. Still Prana in a living being deriving vibration has assumed the forms of intelligence, mind, senses etc. and remains enchanted by this. This is a living being’s deviated state from his original form or else this is the state of declension from still Prana to dynamic Prana.
Stillness is a living being’s original form. Dynamism represents a living being and stillness represents Siva.

Therefore the action which terminates that dynamism and reverts a living being again to stillness or the action that causes a living being’s state to be extinct and elevates him to the state of Siva, is known as Karmayoga.

             
                                                    – Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya



Lahiri Mahasaya – Swayang Brahma Himself re-established the eternal and most sacred knowledge of ‘Kriyayoga’. 


Kriyayoga‘ is mentioned in Yoga Sutra of Maharshi Patanjali, 15000 years back :

“tapahsvadhyayeshvara pranidhananikriyayogah”  [1st sloka of Sadhana Pada]


Due to Yuga decadence, this most sacred Yoga almost lost into oblivion. But, as Bhagavan promised in Bhagavat Gita that He will appear at the junctures of two yugas, He again descended in the human form as Bhagavan Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya at the Kali yuga -Satya yuga juncture. And again He revived Sanatana dharma, which is purely based on Yoga in its truest form.
 

 
Please  refer to the two books : ‘Purana Purusha‘ and ‘Who Is This Shama Churn‘ authored by Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, World Kriyayoga Master; to know the most subtle, intricate details of true ‘Yoga’ of Bharata  – 2 books based directly on the invaluable Yogic treasures -  26 confidential diaries scripted by Bhagavan Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya Himself.

Official mailing address of Yogiraj Shyamacharan Sanatan Mission (YSSM) : contact@yssm.in


 




Sunday, 18 December 2011

Kriya yoga meditation

In this fast-paced world of 21st century, the most sought-after things indeed are serenity and peace. Being at peace with ourselves, within ourselves. The more kinetic the world has become, the more has increased the search for peace.  Over the years, numerous ways have been discovered and tried by many. And probably, the best among them is Dhyana or Meditation.
Scientific elaboration of the vibration of Prana along 6 Chakras of spinal cord

The obvious questions, now:
  • Does dhyana refer to mere sitting down and concentrating on a certain thing?
  • Or, calmly sitting down and trying to think about nothing?
 And, most importantly:
  •  Can dhyana be performed explicitly or does it happen on its own?  
 To realize the answers, it’ll be better to dig deeper-

Dhyana is mentioned In the Sadhana Pada of Yoga sutra by Maharshi Patanjali. Here Maharshi expatiates on the perpetual, most secret and scientific knowledge of Yoga. Yoga is to be attained through eight different stages.  Yoga – meaning union. Union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness. Where, personal desires cease to exist.

Yoganganushthanadashuddhikshaye jnanadiptiravivekakhyate   [28]
With the performance of the eight-fold yoga, impurities will be eliminated, the Radiance of Beatific jnana[Knowledge] beyond the gunas will expand.

yama niyamasana pranayama pratyahara dharanadhyanasamadhayoshtavangani  [29]
Yama, niyama,asana,pranayam, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi -- these are the eight limbs of yoga. 

Dhyana is the seventh stage of eightfold yoga. Meditation is undoubtedly the latest craze and it is claimed that it helps in instant self-awakening. However, the truth is, only after succeeding the severely exact six previous stages of yoga discipline, dhyana occurs. Dhyana occurs on its own. It can not be performed as an action point. When, all the sensory faculties and manas[mind] itself become static-as the desire to sit for dhyana even cease to exist. Dhyana is not concentration, rather its realizing the self through Yoga sadhana. Unconditional, endless and selfless LOVE for the eternal flow of Prana prevails. The Sadhana of Prana - Pranayama. This is when Nishkam karma occurs on its own. Karma that doesn’t generate any karmafal [karmic result]. This is the stage where yogi prepares himself for the final stage of Absolute Union (Samadhi).

The eternal Holy knowledge to reach this state is in fact Brahma vidya as described by Sri Bhagavan in Gita. The supreme science of the soul within. But with Yuga decedance, this Prana Sadhana or Atma vidya sank into oblivion. 

Advent of Bhagavan at the Kali Yuga - Satya Yuga juncture

But, as promised by Bhagavan in Gita, He again came in the form of Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya on the juncture of Kali Yuga and Satya Yuga. He again revived this Holy knowledge of Brahma Vidya as He imparted the teachings of Kriyayoga. The term ‘Kriyayoga’ is mentioned in Yoga Sutra of Maharshi Patanjali. Although mentioned very often as 'Kriya Yoga', in reality it's a single word - Kriyayoga. This is only Rajayoga and Karmayoga described in Gita. The knowledge of knowing the self.

The Holy Book Purana Purusha

Ref:  Purana Purusha authored by Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, World Kriyayoga Master. The book is based on the sacred and confidential 26 personal diaries written by Lahiri Mahasaya Himself during His most exalted Yogabastha. It’s also an authentic biography on the life of Lahiri Mahasaya. This book is a remarkable blend of spirituality, literature and philosophy with its part commentary on Bhagavat Gita, Upanishads and other scriptures.The Gita of Satya Yuga.

Yogacharya Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee, World Kriyayoga Master

A Mahayogi himself, Yogacharya Dr. Chatterjee has penned down several other books on the science of Kriyayoga. He is also the founder-director of  Yogiraj Shyamacharan Sanatan Mission (YSSM).

Reach at : contact@yssm.in
Profile and blogs (excerpts from ‘Purana Purusha‘) in speakingtree :