Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog (JKYog) is a spiritual and

charitable The practice of charity is the voluntary giving of help to those in need, as a humanitarian act, unmotivated by self-interest. There are a number of philosophies about charity, often associated with religion. Etymology The word ''charity'' ori ...

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

organization in

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. It was founded by Swami Mukundananda (in 2009), a senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. JKYog works for physical, mental, spiritual wellness through a holistic system of Yog that includes

Bhakti yoga Bhakti yoga ( sa, भक्ति योग), also called Bhakti marga (, literally the path of ''Bhakti''), is a spiritual path or spiritual practice within Hinduism focused on loving devotion towards any personal deity.Karen Pechelis (2014), ...

meditation Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally cal ...

, and

spirituality The meaning of ''spirituality'' has developed and expanded over time, and various meanings can be found alongside each other. Traditionally, spirituality referred to a religious process of re-formation which "aims to recover the original shape o ...

. The organization also supports health care for the underprivileged and education for rural youth.

History

In 2009,

Mukundananda Swami Mukundananda (born December 19, 1960) is a spiritual leader, best selling author, Vedic scholar, and authority on mind management. He is the founder of JKYog ( Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog) India, a non-profit organization based in Cuttack, ...

, a senior disciple of

Kripalu Maharaj Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj (IAST: '; 5 October 1922 – 15 November 2013) the fifth original Jagadguru in Indian history, the embodiment of the nectar of divine love, was one of the foremost rasik saints who showered the bliss of ...

, founded JKYog in the

with the goal of disseminating Vedic knowledge in the western world. In July 2017, JKYog established the Radha Krishna Temple, Dallas, which serves as the JKYog headquarters in

Teachings

The mission of JKYog is to serve society with both material and spiritual knowledge for complete physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual well-being. The teachings of JKYog include a combination of five disciplines of Vedic philosophy, which are

yoga Yoga (; sa, योग, lit=yoke' or 'union ) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India and aim to control (yoke) and still the mind, recognizing a detached witness-consciou ...

, breathing techniques, relaxation,

and healthy diet. JKYog teaches non-violence and respect for all living beings. JKYog requires their followers to consume a

lacto-vegetarian A lacto-vegetarian (sometimes referred to as a lactarian; from the Latin root lact-, ''milk'') diet is a diet that abstains from the consumption of meat as well as eggs, while still consuming dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, ...

diet for ethical and spiritual reasons. In 2018, JKYog published a vegetarian cookbook.

Activities

JKYog offers weeklong yoga and meditation workshops in about twenty cities of the United States every year, along with philosophical discourses on Vedic sciences and mind management. JKYog arranges typically four spiritual retreats every year in different parts of the United States. Swami Mukundananda visits different cities across United States every year to conduct weeklong yoga and meditation workshops, and deliver spiritual discourses to explain the theoretical and practical aspects of Bhakti yoga. Daily Sadhana helps people practice Bhakti Yoga on a daily basis by participating in devotional chanting and guided meditation and Vedic study. Several JKYog centers facilitate weekly interactive

Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad Gita (; sa, श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता, lit=The Song by God, translit=śrīmadbhagavadgītā;), often referred to as the Gita (), is a 700- verse Hindu scripture that is part of the epic ''Mahabharata'' (c ...

study sessions based on Swami Mukundananda's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. Bal-Mukund is a children's program that includes character building, yoga, pranayam, meditation, chanting, stories and discussions, language classes, games, and arts and crafts. JKYog also offers a youth career development program of leadership skills, public speaking skills, college counselling and community services. Happiness Challenge JKYog conducted a 21-day worldwide program called "Happiness Challenge" from 1 January to 21 January 2019. The program was created by Swami Mukundananda. According to him, "One of the most pleasing and beneficial arts in our life we can learn is the art of happiness. Happiness is a state of the mind. It arises from a conscious attempt to generate and hold the right stream of thoughts and corresponding emotions." Life Transformation Challenge From 1 January to 21 January 2020, JKYog conducted a 21-day worldwide program called "Life Transformation Challenge". The program was created by Swami Mukundananda to offer 21 free tools to people around the world to manifest their innate potential by harnessing the powers of the mind with right knowledge and practice. International Festival of Yoga JKYog has been celebrating the

International Day of Yoga The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated across the world annually on June 21 since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice which originated in ...

since 2015. On this Day JKYog organizes several sessions on yoga, pranayam, holistic health, health and wellness seminars and workshops. Due to the Covid-19 situation, in 2020 JKYog organized an online event to celebrate the

(20 June 2020 – 26 June 2020), where thousands of people participated virtually around the globe. For the second year in a row, JKYog conducted an online international Yoga festival in 2021, the theme of which was the link between yoga and good mental health in a post-pandemic world. Several renowned spiritual leaders, yoga teachers, and health professionals discussed the theme in this online event. Family Camp Every summer JKYog conducts a week-long spiritual retreat and family camp in the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, Allen, Texas. The week-long program includes guided meditation sessions, kirtan chanting, cultural events and enlightening discourses by Swami Mukundananda. The spiritual retreat also provides personality development activities, value based teachings, painting and music classes for the children (age 5 - 12) and the youth (age 13 - 18).

Congregation Centers

JKYog has 75 congregation centers (as of 2018) all over the world with 50 centers in India, 22 in USA, and 3 in Nepal. The centers in USA span across different cities like Dallas, New York, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Connecticut, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, New Jersey, Houston, Los Angeles, Maryland, Phoenix , Morrisville, Tampa, and Pennsylvania. The centers in India are located mainly in the states of Odisha, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. The Nepal centers include Kathmandu and Birgunj. People regularly meet in the congregation centers to practice bhakti yoga. Many centers also conduct regular Bal-Mukund classes for the spiritual upliftment of children.

Social Service

JKYog social services include

health care Health care or healthcare is the improvement of health via the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, amelioration or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in people. Health care is delivered by health profe ...

for the underprivileged and

education Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Va ...

for rural youth. JKYog has helped establish Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya, a free hospital in the state of

Odisha Odisha (English: , ), formerly Orissa ( the official name until 2011), is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It is the 8th largest state by area, and the 11th largest by population. The state has the third largest population of ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

and supports charitable hospitals and educational institutes in

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), previously known as Sadhna Bhawan Trust, is a charitable religious organisation in India. It was established in 1970 by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and continues to run today under his auspices, with th ...

, in Mangarh, Kunda,

Vrindavan Vrindavan (; ), also spelt Vrindaban and Brindaban, is a historical city in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located in the Braj Bhoomi region and holds religious importance in Hinduism as Krishna spent most of his childho ...

, and

Barsana Barsana is a historical town and ''nagar panchayat'' in the Mathura district of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Barsana is believed to be the birthplace and home of the Hindu goddess Radha, the chief consort of Krishna. It is in the Braj re ...

. JKYog also supports several charitable initiatives in

such as Little Hands Big Hearts, and Kids Assisting Kids. Kids Assisting Kids is a JKYog initiative to provide better access to educational resources to homeless kids by distributing free

laptops A laptop, laptop computer, or notebook computer is a small, portable personal computer (PC) with a screen and alphanumeric keyboard. Laptops typically have a clam shell form factor with the screen mounted on the inside of the upper li ...

to needy youth.

World Peace

JKYog conducted a 24-hour continuous chanting of Hare Rama Mahamantra, for world peace and physical, mental, and spiritual well-being during the coronavirus pandemic. The event was coordinated from the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas premise, with singers participating from around the world, by relay system.

Bhagavad Gita

JKYog conducts regular online and live Bhagavad Gita sessions. In 2021, JKYog celebrated International Gita Festival from Mar 15th to Mar 21st to spread the priceless wisdom of Bhagavad Gita.

External links

JKYog.org

JKYog.in

radhakrishnatemple.net

swamimukundananda.org

References

{{Reflist 2009 establishments in Texas Bhakti movement Hindu organizations Hindu organizations based in the United States Hindu organizations established in the 21st century Indian-American culture in Texas Krishnaite Vaishnava denominations Religious organizations established in 2009 Religions that require vegetarianism Yoga organizations