Isha Kriya: My Full Experience With This Incredible Meditation Technique!

What Is Isha Kriya?

Isha Kriya is a guided meditation technique put together by Isha foundation. For those of you who don’t know, Isha foundation are a non profit organization founded in 1992 by Sadhguru.

Sadhguru is an Indian yogi and mystic. It’s very likely you’ve seen one of his many videos on YouTube!

These days he speaks pretty much everywhere around the world….universities, global corporations etc. Because of his immense clarity on worldly (and non worldly!) matters, he is able to articulate responses in an incredibly beautiful manner! Here’s one of my favorite Sadhguru videos. It’s a TED talk that he did a while ago. Plug in your headphones and listen carefully!

Are you blown away? You better be, otherwise you’re not human! Okay, so what are the goals of this “Isha Kriya”? What’s the purpose of doing it?

Isha Kriya is a simple meditation technique that’s designed to remind you that you are neither the body, nor the mind.

So if you’re not the body, nor the mind, then what the hell are you!? Well, that’s something you must seek to answer by becoming more aware and conscious. Everyone has their opinion on our nature of existence: some say we are energy, others say we are a soul, and the list goes on!

You as an individual should not believe anything that’s said to you about this! Answer the question yourself by becoming more conscious!

I’ve been doing Isha Kriya for about 2 months now, so I do have some experiences which i’ll share later. For now, let’s look at the actual guided meditation video detailing how Isha Kriya must be performed.

I’ll say this now and I’ll probably repeat it for the rest of this post: it’s so important that you follow the exact steps as they’ve been prescribed in the video. Don’t try to deviate and do your own thing, Trust me when I say, I learnt this the hard way!

 

Don’t Get Hung On Your Experiences!

Before I share my experiences over the last 2 months, it’s important to always remember:

An experience is an experience, nothing more nothing less!

The point is to not get hung on your experiences when you meditate. The way your body or mind feels is not something you must give your undivided attention to. Simply take note of it, realize the experience for what it is, and continue on with the meditation. Otherwise, your imagination will start to run wild and within 1 session of Isha Kriya, you’ll think you’re already enlightened!

But if they’re not important, why even share these experiences then!?

Experiences are useful for 2 reasons:

They May Indicate Something
Experiences, especially the ones that are profound may indicate some kind of progress (opening of chakras is one example of this).
They Keep You Going
Everyone loves pleasant experiences. It then makes sense that if you experience something pleasant, you will want to keep seeking that out.

Again, recognize an experience for what it is, and then simply continue the meditation. Don’t try to overemphasize or overthink what’s happening to you!

 

My 2 Month Experience With Isha Kriya Meditation!

Without further ado, here’s a list of things i’ve experienced since starting Isha Kriya about 2 months ago. I must remind you that this list is purely informative, and should be taken as such!

#1 Body Movements From Side To Side & Back And Forth!

This is one of the first things I experienced during my first ten sessions doing Isha Kriya. As I sat there in a deep meditative state, my body would involuntarily sway from side to side, then transitioning to back and forth movements. It would start off slowly and then build up in intensity as I progressed through the session.

However, these random body movements were never intense enough to impact the quality of my session.

Why does this happen? Why does the body sway during meditation? One source says it’s the flow of energy against blocks, and when the energy dissolves the blocks, you get this spontaneous movement.

Body Movements During Meditation

#2 Becoming More Conscious Of My Own Thoughts & Emotions!

Not just during Isha Kriya, but in my everyday life I became more and more conscious of my thoughts and emotions. Throughout the day, I became aware of most of the arbitrary and random thoughts floating in my mind. I’d be in the bus for example, and every little thought/emotion that would come up, I became more aware of!

I noticed how I felt about the weather whilst looking outside the window, I noticed how I felt about the bus being 30 minutes late, and I also noticed how I felt about sitting next to a fidgety passenger!

Everything that used to go unnoticed before was suddenly becoming more and more apparent now! In a sense it felt increasingly overwhelming and draining, but at the same time it also felt incredibly liberating!

Conscious Thoughts And Emotions

#3 Becoming More Conscious Of Breath!

Just like thought and emotion, I became more conscious of my breath throughout the day, and instead of it happening “automatically”, i’d find myself wanting to take control!

Often times i’d find myself experimenting. I’d take a deep breath in, hold it for a moment, and then exhale waiting to see how long my body could go without oxygen!

As this consciousness came into me, my breaths (both inhalation and exhalation) became deeper and less frequent. However, consciousness of breath only came in spells. I wouldn’t be conscious of breath for the full 24 hours in a day, but only a few times.

Conscious Of Breath

#4 Nothing Seems To Really Stress Me Out Anymore!

This was by far one of the biggest and most noticeable impacts of Isha Kriya. All the things which used to irritate the heck out of me don’t anymore! The so called “everyday stresses” that most people experience in the 21st century:

Managing relationships especially those that are conflicting and emotionally draining!
Getting stressed because external situations don’t happen the way you want them to!

All of these things used to consume me! Now not so much. Yes there are times when i’ll still get stressed out, but these are few and far between. And even when I do get stressed out, it immediately comes to my awareness. When this happens, i’m able to realize the emotion for what it is, and then simply let go!

#5 The Feeling Of Perspiration During Meditation (Flow Of Energy?)

This is one of the more recent sensations I’ve felt during meditation. Whenever I’m about 10 minutes into the meditation, I feel a strange warmth in my throat, and this feeling of sweat trickling downward. The exact same feeling is present on my forehead also.

I must say it’s a very pleasant experience!

Could it be something that’s connected to the throat (vishudda) and forehead (ajna) chakras? Maybe! I really don’t know that it is or it isn’t!

Note: I say it’s a “feeling” of perspiration because I can’t confirm if it actually is perspiration! Whenever i’m done meditating, there’s no sign of sweat/moisture on my throat or forehead.

Tingling Sensations

#6 A Sense Of Combined Longing & Frustration!

I think this happens as a consequence of Isha Kriya. Somewhere during the meditation you experience something absolutely incredible, something so beautiful that words can’t begin to articulate. But it only happens for a split of a second!

The longing and frustration is just you wanting to get more of that sweetness!

Like sometimes in the middle of the day at 12 noon, a part of me wants to drop everything i’m doing to instead go and meditate!

#7 The Feeling Of Pulsations In Both Hands!

This is another recent experience that’s started to manifest itself both during and after meditation.

To describe it very bluntly, it feels as though my hands have a heart beat!

The feeling is a lot more intense and profound during meditation, but even well after that, if I focus I can feel the throbbing without much effort. Maybe it’s a result of increased perception of the body? I have no clue to be honest! But just like most of the other experiences, it’s mildly relaxing!

Throbbing Sensation In The Hands

#8 A Complete Shift In What I Think Is “Truly Important” In Life!

Before Isha Kriya, I was a lot more “physical” and a lot less “spiritual”, if that makes sense! In other words, the focus of my life took a shift from survival (earning, eating, reproducing etc.) to spirituality (who am I?, what’s my purpose?, how can I learn more about the nature of my existence?).

And I’ve gotta stress, this was a massive transformation!

So much so that the way I look at life has changed incredibly. Materialistic things that once excited and thrilled me, no longer had the same effect. For example, video games…i’d spend hours on end playing video games before Isha Kriya, but now not so much. Not that I don’t play, it’s just that I don’t need to in order to be pleasant!

Shift From Survival To Spirituality

#9 Mortality Is A Daily Reminder!

There’s not a day that goes by where I’m not reminded of my own mortality. Not sure if it’s a result of the meditation, but I basically find myself consciously thinking about death and how soon it really is. Most people try to avoid death entirely, with the thought that it’s still a ways to go for them.

In many ways meditation is a constant “death reminder”.

It’s a good thing because it really helps put life into perspective. If you’re oblivious or ignorant of your own mortality, trust me when I say you’re not living life as you should!

 

Please Remember What I Said In The Beginning!

An experience is just an experience, nothing more nothing less. For those of you with wild imaginations, Isha Kriya is a tool to simply help you realize what you’re not, and even though you may do it once or twice a day, that reminder slowly starts to become a constant. In other words, you slowly realize that you’re not the body, nor the mind.

There are many aspects of my life that have drastically improved as a result, but there are still times when i’ll stress out over things. However, maybe this is just something where I need to do more work and go deeper.

The improvement cannot be questioned, however. And that’s the most important thing to be quite honest! I hope you enjoyed reading this post, and If you did please consider sharing on the socials. Lastly, let me know if you have any burning questions!

If you’ve practiced Isha Kriya, please leave a comment below sharing your own experiences!

About Eve

Just an average bloke intrigued by massage and its incredible benefits. Oh, did I mention I also own a massage chair? More on that in the blog posts!

16 thoughts on “Isha Kriya: My Full Experience With This Incredible Meditation Technique!

  1. I’m on my 3rd week twice a day. During the final part the sensation sits on my head and hands. My hands seem to start to seize up with the sensation still iny hands. This has only happened twice now both evenings gone. I’m all for it just wondering is this part of the process or is everyone different in regards to the way their body works?

    1. Thanks for reading my post and leaving a comment. Yes you are spot on! We all experience things differently. While you may have sensations in your hands, someone else may not. It’s nice to note our experiences but ultimately we shouldn’t get hung on them. Notice them for what they are and then continue the practice with a focused mind. Hope that helps!

      If you have any more questions, please get in touch!

  2. Should we control our thoughts during Isha Kriya? My mind goes around and thinks about many things and I have to consciously bring back my attention. Also shold we focus between the eyebrows THROUGHOUT the practice?

    1. Thanks for leaving a comment. Hope you’re well!

      The more you try to control your thoughts, the more you’ll fail at doing so. If you don’t believe me, try it out and see for yourself. If the mind wants to chatter, what’s the problem, let it chatter! What you can do is realize that your thoughts are simply thoughts and nothing else. Once you realize this, you will be able to better focus at completing the Kriya.

      For Isha Kriya, I recommend you do the practice by listening to the video guided by Sadhguru. This way you can understand all instructions and don’t need to memorize anything. I hope my response has been helpful. Please feel free to write me back should you have any more questions!

      Eve

  3. Hi today is just my second day. Yesterday I felt uncomfortable in legs and back while doing the Kriya, so today I took support for the back not for the neck and did it without the video as I feel its distracting. I sat in surya mudra and when almost done I was not able to feel my hands and the palm of open with the ring finger still half folded- I mean its in a relaxed position rather than strained as it should be in Surya mudra. I don’t know when it happened and I had to literally move my fingers to feel my hands.
    Then I didn’t want to get out of the Kriya so I closed my eyes and sat there for a while again concentrating on my breathing. Then forcefully I had to quit as I had a meeting to attend from home.
    I liked the experience and will continue to practice it, will start waking up early in the morning in order to be in a quite environment:).
    Thank you
    Jay

    1. Jay,

      Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. So happy to hear that you have started practising Isha Kriya! It’s an incredible tool that works in wonderful ways. One thing I want to mention is please try to fix the timing of the practice as shown in the video from Sadhguru. For this reason, it would be a good idea to listen to the video and go along that way. I too, like you felt distracted but following the video is so much better! Please try and let me know.

      Lastly, please do not alter the practice by holding surya mudra. In his video, Sadhguru has instructed to simply keep the hands open. Please follow exactly as instructed in the video. The practice has been designed a certain way, and everything is there for a reason, so we should simply follow and align ourselves. That being said, please write me back letting me know how your practice has been going! Hope you’re safe and well.

  4. I’m unable to maintain the length of my thought and breath together.
    It’s very hard for me to inhale when the spine is erect and straight. sometimes my breath is longer than my thought or thought is longer than my breath. any tips or idea ?

    1. Hi Prem, thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. So happy to know that you are practicing Isha Kriya!

      With the length of thought aligning with your breath, I suggest you contact Isha practice support for help. I will email you the details. The only other piece of advice I can give is to just relax as much as you can and try to not overthink the Kriya. Let it happen naturally to you.

  5. Hi Eve, How are you doing?
    I am doing the kriya for over a month and I have experienced pulsations at my wrists near the thumb after the kriya, violet lights (sometimes).

    My small doubt is what if someone disturbs us in the middle of kriya.
    I am asking it because my mind got very upset after my parent disturbed me in the middle. Is there any remedy you could suggest or did it happen to you?

    If yes, how did you manage to overcome anger or irritation feels after.

    Please help.

    Thanks

    1. Hi Vikas, thanks for dropping by! For the first couple of questions, have you reached out to Isha Practice Support already? It’s best to clarify with them.

      Regarding interruptions, I recommend finding a place where you will be able to do the meditation undisturbed. If you were disturbed/interrupted, it’s okay, no need to get agitated or angered by this. Also, it’s never a bad idea to explain it to family/friends so that they understand to not interrupt you in the future. I find that most people don’t know what this is about, and so a quick explanation does really help clear things up! Hope this helps!

  6. Hii,

    I did isha kriya for about a month and i stated getting afraid everything increased in me anger frustration excessive fear talking to others all interests in everything gone the things i like are no more likeable for me i stay at home all the time i don’t like to listen i wanna talk with ego and somebody says something i judge kind of everyone started hating me I’m becoming so weird i did it for something and totally opposite things are happening idk what to do i want to be just normal as i was before i stopped doing it now I’m in fear and suicidal thoughts isha kriya is good but what happened to me is really bad I’m lost i just want to be like i was before because it didn’t helped me i tried to give it one more shot but it’s same I’m in fear and million times of negative thoughts comes in my mind i just want to die

    1. Hi Saurabh,

      Thanks for leaving a comment and sharing your experience with Isha Kriya. I will also reply to you personally by email, but for the visibility of others I strongly suggest you reach out to practicesupport@ishausa.org and tell them about your situation and what all you’re experiencing. I think they will be able to best help you out. Until you don’t talk to someone from Isha, I would recommend to stop doing the guided meditation for now.

      Eve

  7. Hi Eve! I really enjoyed reading your text! It is always nice to hear other peoples experiences!

    Ive been practicing isha kriya on and off almost 2years but never could stay on it and still it was really beneficial to me. But now i have been on it 1month and 2 weeks maybe and i have been iniciated to the shambavimahamudra kriya 2 weeks ago. Its been really wonderfull i have to say and shambavi made isha kriya so much stronger and deeper that im not going to leave it behind!! few last sessions like yesterday my face goes really crazy like distorded hahaha and my head goes here and there but pretty slowly, it goes a little up then right then left and my face is with a lot of tension but its not something unpleasent. Of course there is some dull sessions also but still its getting deeper.. Namaskar Eve

    1. Ville, so awesome to hear from you. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences by leaving a comment!

      It’s even more awesome to know you got initiated! That’s amazing! How was the experience? Concerning your experiences, don’t be too focused on them. See them for what they are (merely experiences) and bring your focus back to the practice itself. Look forward to hearing from you about how your practices have been going!

      Eve

  8. hi,
    After signing up for Inner Engineering, do i have to finish watching the videos 7 days in a row or can i take a break between two sessions ?

    Thanks

    1. Hi there! Thanks so much for reading my review and dropping a comment. To be honest, I’m not sure as I haven’t done Inner Engineering Online. Can you please contact Isha regarding this? Let me know what they come back with!

      Lastly, my apologies for the late response!

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