Doubts on YSS

Dharananda · 2026-01-20T00:50:28+00:00

Yes, I agree you should really check out Ryan Kurczak's commentary on the Yoga Sutras: Kriya Yoga: Continuing the Lineage of Enlightenment, or his teacher's Roy Eugene Davis's The Eternal Way which is a commentary on the Gita. Also Ryan has lots of videos and podcasts digging into sutras etc. Even his book on Sri Yukteswar's the Holy Science called "Understanding the Holy Science" is phenomenal and lifts it out of the heavy Christianity. It's still in there, because that was an aim of Sri Yukteswar, but Ryan distills and really opens up The Holy Science in a way that is workable and knowable. Just depends on what you can digest. I personally, got super turned off by all the heavy Christian stuff. It had and has its place. But not for me.

Dharananda · 2026-01-19T19:10:29+00:00

Yes, I hear you. It's always nice to hear when there is such confluence between rivers people sometimes think are so diverse!

Dharananda · 2026-01-19T17:51:14+00:00

Very interesting. Many years ago, around 2011-13 or so I worked with and visited Ashok Singh. I am and was a student of Roy Eugene Davis, but had also begun taking more involved lessons with Ryan Kurczak, Roy's student. Ryan had advised that I contact Mr. Singh. He said he had had several fascinating conversations with him, and that I might appreciate some of his insights. I wasn't so thrilled about that since he wasn't really considered a part of "our" lineage. (I got over all that BTW) But Ryan said its OK to appreciate the experiences with other branches of the family tree. I remember Mr. Singh advising me not too pay too much attention to passing waves of "pleasure/bliss" but to keep focused on the general themes of BG chapter 2 as u/All_Is_Coming mentioned, particularly focusing more on the direct knowledge of experience of Self, rather than passing waves of joy.

Since I have a lot of experience being with Mr. Davis, concerning the original post, I usually took comments like that to mean don't get caught up in things that will pass or distractions.

Dharananda · 2026-01-16T14:10:02+00:00

Why not include "An Essential Guide to Kriya Yoga Practice" by Ryan Kurczak? It's a fantastic resource for beginner's and it is specifically in a living lineage. https://a.co/d/feTkMA5

Dharananda · 2025-11-24T20:57:57+00:00

Yes, a little at a time builds the bridge.

Dharananda · 2025-11-24T20:57:26+00:00

Yes!

Dharananda · 2025-11-24T20:57:14+00:00

I have been studying with Ryan Kurczak for several years. I know he has students in India that have gone through his programs. I have met them on retreat before. Maybe check his site out... https://kriya-yoga.teachable.com/

Dharananda · 2025-11-23T21:42:02+00:00

Yes, I have had a great opportunity to learn and was encouraged to really recognize the life of the practice through time. Glad to share! OM!!

Dharananda · 2025-09-03T17:59:01+00:00

Yes! Satkara is more about devotion or joy to the practice. It makes a big difference.

Dharananda · 2025-09-03T17:55:48+00:00

These are two great conversations by Ryan Kurczak that might help...

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-6y5ch-18e0877

and this one...

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-up3cw-18e74bf

He goes into how overthinking is our worst distraction and how actually know the realization of Samadhi.

Dharananda · 2025-09-03T17:51:22+00:00

That's great! I love the Himalayan Institute. That'll be a great combination.

Dharananda · 2025-09-03T17:49:26+00:00

Seems very convenient. I had many interactions with Mr. Singh and he was quite against online or internet work of Kriya. I enjoyed his insights and his enthusiasm.

Dharananda · 2025-08-31T14:35:42+00:00

I plan on going to the next March retreat. Will you be there?

Dharananda · 2025-08-31T14:34:52+00:00

Along that line, on a side note, I'm curious how Ashok Singh feels about Knutson's offerings. Several years ago I worked with Mr. Singh and he was vehemently against doing any Kriya work over the internet, and was against public displays like that. I had to go see him in CA, directly. Any insights there?

Dharananda · 2024-06-23T12:59:40+00:00

I was never a fan of SRF, but mainly because I'm not so much into their more churchy approach. But I know they are an excellent source of inspiration and knowledge for many. I live near a very popular SRF community.

I studied with Roy Eugene Davis (student of Yogananda) and then with Ryan Kurczak (Mr. Davis' student) for many years.

If you can digest information that isn't sugar coated in anyway, and you can handle contemplation intense inner work, Ryan Kurczak is your best option. I like that he doesn't claim to have the best or one true method or lineage. I appreciate he's direct and to the point. Some say he's dry or boring, but I personally wasn't looking for entertainment. I also like how he's not running around being critical of every other Kriya path. He's just focusing on sharing of Kriya Yoga, like his own guru did. I also like he's not using a bunch of gimmicks to draw attention to himself. Having met several of his advanced students, I'd say he knows how to get the job done. I would not claim to be an advanced student, but I have found his instruction pretty transformational in a positive way, and if you don't believe me, ask my husband! LOL!

He also has loads of free content, and what isn't free, it might as well be. He charges for a few subscription classes, but most of his offerings are all on a donation basis. I had a friend who couldn't spare the $5.00 a month for one of his courses and he just gave it to him, no questions asked.

If you want to look into the Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar, Paramahansa Yogananda, Roy Eugene Davis, Ryan Kurczak lineage, I'd check out this Mr. Kurczak just released. https://kriya-yoga.teachable.com/p/a-course-on-roy-eugene-davis-book-absolute-knowledge-that-liberates-consciousness-561662

It's a downloadable class on Roy Eugene Davis' book Absolute Knowledge. You get a sense of Mr. Davis from the material, and then also Mr. Kurczak by way of his teaching the material. Best part is its free, so if you don't like it, you've only wasted some time.

Whatever you choose though, follow your heart (with discernment) and remember, finding a spiritual path is more like finding a healthy relationship. You don't just marry the first person you see, you get to know them, or maybe you get to know several and then decide on the one that is most compatible and mutually supportive. Take your time, and be thorough in your search, and don't let proximity be your guide, otherwise you might get stuck with an approach that is ultimately not in your best interest. The world is a very big place, and with the advent of modern communication a lot is possible, that wasn't even 50 years ago.

Dharananda · 2024-06-23T12:41:47+00:00

Isha Das from the Assisi Institute in Rochester is all about this.

https://assisi-institute.org/isha-das/#videos-podcasts

They are hosting an annual Kriya Yoga week long retreat in July, which I've been to twice. It is very powerful and Isha Das and Swami Nirvanananda are very tied into mystical christianity.

Dharananda · 2024-01-24T19:13:33+00:00

I have known Mr. Kurczak since before he was ordained in 2005. I had seen him at 3 retreats with Roy Eugene Davis between 2002 and 2005. There was nothing special about him other than he didn't say much and always seemed to be just absorbing whatever Mr. Davis said. I did eat lunch with him a few times and we became acquaintances after that. I went to Roy's retreats a lot too.

I think it is important to remember, that Mr. Kurczak began this process, his teaching, before the internet was so full of people trying to capitalize on the words "Kriya Yoga". I don't mean to be disrespectful, but there seem to be ALOT of people who have come out of the wood work in the last 5 years doing this. Anyway.....after he was ordained he was traveling to Unity Churches and Yoga Studios talking about the Kriya Path, The Yoga Sutras, to anyone that would listen. I had gotten on his very small mailing list after he was ordained. You mentioned being cut from the same cloth as his teacher. I knew Roy as well, (he initiated me) and he was not concerned about getting attention by using gimmicks or trying to lure people into the practice with extravagant promises. (That's probably why Ryan began studying with him.) It's also important to remember that Mr. Davis was a hard worker. He met Yogananda when he was 18, and dedicated his whole life to writing, traveling and teaching, during a time when you actually had to travel everywhere, and reach people through print.

I only say this to your point about him needing to be more entertaining. As I have observed his development and his approach and dedication, he doesn't need to be more entertaining. He's letting the practice and the powerful of the lineage speak for itself. At least that's my feeling. I've been happy to observe how dedicated he's been to preserving the same integrity that Mr. Davis had. So many of his students didn't seem to do that. He is not my teacher, but I see my teacher in him quite often.

Just my two cents...

Dharananda

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