Sarbani Roy is an educator and a long-time practitioner of Kriya Yoga based in Kolkata. For the last 25 years, she has followed the path of self-realisation, gracefully weaving together her worldly responsibilities and inner journey. In this interview for The Pioneer, she speaks about her journey. Edited excerpts follow:

What first led you on the path of Kriya Yoga and the teachings of Swami Yogananda? Could you take us back to the beginning?

Thank you. That is such a thoughtful question. I have been walking this path since 1998. I was a mathematics teacher in some of Kolkata’s reputed schools and genuinely enjoyed my profession. But despite all the external comfort, I often felt a deep inner emptiness — a yearning for something I could not quite name. My search led me to experiences like Vipassana and Art of Living, which were beautiful in their own way, but my heart still did not feel fulfilled. As the scriptures say, when the disciple is ready, the guru appears. One day, my father took me to the YSS Ashram in Dakshineswar, right after Gurudeva’s birthday celebration on January 6th. The moment I stepped in, I was overcome with emotion — I started weeping. I felt love, joy and immense gratitude all at once. I knew then, with complete certainty, that I had come home. From that day on, there was no looking back.

How have the teachings of your guru shaped how you see life?

I believe our body and mind are deeply connected — any shift in one affects the other. Our minds, as Gurudeva beautifully puts it, can sometimes be like a drunken monkey stung by a scorpion! So calming both the mind and body is a sacred science. One simple way is through breathing. By using effective breathing techniques, we can clear the lungs. When our lungs are free and fully oxygenated, the heart relaxes. And when the heart rests, so does the body — and eventually, the mind. Over time, the mind naturally shifts from a conscious state to a superconscious one — where no thoughts disturb us. This state brings deep rest and inner silence. This wisdom has come slowly, with years of practice and perseverance. I have stumbled, I have fallen, but I have always returned. God is not something we experience through the five senses — only when we quiet those senses, in deep stillness, does the sixth sense — our intuition — awaken. That is when we begin to experience the divine as peace, calm, joy, love — all qualities of the soul and of God.

How has this journey shaped you emotionally, mentally and spiritually over the years?

Kriya Yoga, as taught by Paramhansa Yogananda, has transformed me at every level — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. But beyond all that, the most precious gift is the presence of a Sadguru — someone who is always with you, guiding, protecting, forgiving like a mother, father, friend, beloved — all in one. The love of a true Guru is unconditional. It is divine, like the love between a mother and her child. I often reflect on how I used to be even five years ago and I truly feel I have become a better version of myself. But I still have a long way to go. My only prayer has always been:  God, change no circumstances of my life — just change me. When we learn to master our body and mind, the Kurukshetra — the great inner battle — can be won. And when that happens, we may no longer need to return to this earth school to repeat the same lessons.

You mention that your son, in the US, too has also embraced this path. As both a mother and a seeker, what does it mean to you to see him walking the same inner journey?

It fills me with deep gratitude. Walking this path myself has helped me cultivate qualities like patience, faith, resilience and empathy. And seeing my son take up the same path, especially while living in a fast-paced, often isolating environment like the USA, is such a blessing. This path has given him strength, inner clarity and the quiet guidance of Gurudeva. I see him face life with more confidence and calm. It is one of the greatest gifts I could ever hope for as a mother.

For those who are new, what’s the most loving and sincere way to start walking the path of Kriya Yoga?

I am so glad to hear that — it is a joy to share what has touched my own heart. Here are a few suggestions for those just beginning: Start by reading the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda. It’s a life-changing book that introduces both his teachings and his spirit. Visit a YSS (Yogoda Satsanga Society) centre — they are spread across India and offer a beautiful spiritual community. And most importantly, never give up, even when the path gets difficult. I would like to leave you with a few guiding thoughts that have helped me deeply. The true purpose of life is God-realisation. Keep your eyes fixed on the goal, no matter what. The events in your life — whether joyful or painful — do not define you. What matters is who you become through them. Each day, accept both the good and the bad as coming from God. And finally, before you sleep, offer everything back into His hands.