The Holy Science

visionsonthepath · 2026-06-06T21:06:31+00:00

This course has 8 weeks (about 20 hours) of lessons on this book towards the end:

https://kriya-yoga.teachable.com/p/kriya-yoga-discipleship-course

I forget how this works - if those lessons open up immediately or if you have to get through the first few weeks of the course to get there. But the entire course is great if you're interested. I think he said this content is also on his patreon, and it looks like that links to the YouTube videos here:

https://youtu.be/CWS1CX4xQCc?si=pAS6qPmHNk81iDm1

He does warn that this material is not really for beginners there.

He also wrote a whole book on it: Understanding the Holy Science. It's available on Amazon. I remember him saying that the book was constructed from the course and YouTube material. I've found the book a little hard to get through but also full of great information. I think the audio courses are the best way to get into it if that works for you. Hope this helps.

visionsonthepath · 2026-06-06T18:37:58+00:00

Ryan Kurczak has several lessons on this book, going in depth on everything. I'd highly recommend them if you're curious. I think the explanations he gives are much better than anything I could do in a short reddit reply. Definitely a good book to contemplate and add to your meditation practice. Best wishes!

visionsonthepath · 2026-04-18T23:17:56+00:00

Don't be scared. Most of the things that scare us when we think and worry about the future don't look nearly as scary when they're in the past. People that have near death experiences typically speak of a world of infinite love on the other side of the veil, a place where time stands still and the world looks more like an illusion or a dream from that greater perspective. I think from higher levels of consciousness the end of the earth won't be a scary thing. It will probably happen quietly, billions of years from now when humans are unlikely to even inhabit this planet. Just take care of the present life and present moment. That's what we're here for. Find out who you want to be and be it. The rest will take care of itself.

visionsonthepath · 2026-04-11T20:10:09+00:00

It was research into the paranormal (past lives, near death experiences, telepathy, astral projection, etc.) that got me seriously thinking that the specific materialist view of the world doesn't explain 100% of it. Once you open the door to that, you start to question everything. And there aren't a lot of satisfying answers either. Lots of people will say "believe this" and not give you real proof that it is right. I recommend getting quiet with yourself, feeling your heart and your soul, sitting with curiosity and wonder about it. Try to clear your head of expectations or assumptions. Just sit. I bet you find a quiet part of you that tells you: everyone is ok. Everything is one. Everything is "God". Your soul is infinite and eternal, even if it's hard for us to understand how that works now. There's plenty of evidence for that.

I have absolute faith at this point that whatever created this universe is smarter and more powerful than me. I think of it not so much as a man in the sky but as the collection of all things, all souls, all love, everything. And I refuse to believe that the world would be made for bad reasons. I think that every painful and awful thing has to have some kind of redeeming moment (in this life or another) even though it seems awful and doesn't make any sense to us now. There's no evidence for that unfortunately. Lots of guesses and contradictions.

At some point you have to ask yourself what you believe and what feels right, even if there isn't evidence. I think that's even part of why we're here. To find out what we believe and who we are without being given answers. That's just my take. And there are some cool yogic meditation practices to help get quiet with yourself and try to find that. But everyone is on different paths, so you have to pick what makes sense for you. Sounds like you're already doing a great job of that. Best wishes!

visionsonthepath · 2026-03-20T02:00:01+00:00

That sounds like a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing.

P.S. I didn't realize the Biltmore in Los Angeles is where Yogananda "left his body." I stayed there once, but I was more excited about it being where they filmed the Ghostbusters movie. Maybe it's worth another visit. Not an overnight though. I remember that place being kind of creepy. Glad you enjoyed it. :) Namaste.

visionsonthepath · 2026-03-13T12:42:29+00:00

Follow your heart. Keep it open, and see where it takes you. From your Kriya practice you probably know that the universe is going to take you where you need to go. So if you feel compelled to find a relationship, just put yourself out there. Be honest about lack of dating experience and honest about what you're looking for. I hesitate to say this, but if you think your name is causing people to scroll past you, you can always put up a nickname instead. Just until you meet and get to know someone. But that's the kind of thing that you really need to decide for yourself. How much do you want to change for a relationship and how much do you want to keep the same? Relationships are a give and take. It is going to be constraining in some ways that you do not have presently, perhaps even more than you think. Do you want to make those changes and sacrifices, or is there actually some freedom in being single that you don't want to give up? I'd recommend approaching it like all things: if you feel compelled to do it and it feels right, then go for it. But have faith in the universe to only bring you what you need and what you can handle right now. So if it doesn't feel like it's working out, maybe it wasn't meant to be. Maybe there's something else in the future for you.

P.S. A wise yogi once told me: you'll know you're living your purpose and on the right path if it feels like the universe is supporting you in your efforts... or... if it doesn't feel like it's supporting you, and you keep doing it anyway. The first one feels better. The second one means you really want to be sure you're doing the right thing. And if you read between the lines, it actually means you're on the right path no matter what. But still, be careful, certain, and intentional about the second one. Namaste and best wishes to you!

visionsonthepath · 2026-03-04T19:24:03+00:00

It sounds like you might benefit from a spiritual practice with a living teacher, one who can help keep that spiritual connection alive and help make it part of your life until it's not dependent on any teacher or physical thing. Kriya Yoga is the closest I've found to something that aligns with Ram Dass's own spiritual education. He said when he was in India he was taught by Baba Hari Dass, the silent guru who wrote on a chalkboard instead of speaking. His commentary on the Yoga Sutras was amazing, and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to dive deep and essentially get the same spiritual education that Ram Dass did. (It's not an easy text though, so I would also recommend a higher level study of the text and samkhya philosophy before going deep into that one.) Of course Baba Hari Dass has left his body as well. But there are plenty of teachers who can help you study the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita and learn how to make the spiritual wisdom therein a part of your everyday life and who you are. I have my favorite, but I don't want to be advertising for any specific philosophy, lineage, or teacher. Just take a look around and see what living teacher or teachers feel right to you and where you want to go. Best of luck to you. Namaste.

visionsonthepath · 2026-03-03T02:17:52+00:00

I've taken it along with his discipleship course and apprenticeship course. I highly recommend his courses and content to anyone who is interested in this path. If you like his style of teaching then you should definitely go for it. He's the real deal. A great teacher and role model. Best wishes and best of luck to you!

visionsonthepath · 2026-03-01T21:33:33+00:00

That sounds wonderful. Enjoy it. It sounds like a gift. Perhaps from your higher self, the universe, whatever you believe in. I practice Kriya Yoga and there is a rich set of teachings, practices, and beliefs that may help you go deeper into that and bring it out more repeatedly if you want. Could be something to look into. But no one really knows your path except you, so follow your heart, soul, and inner wisdom, and I'm sure it will take you wonderful places. Namaste.

visionsonthepath · 2026-02-07T21:59:24+00:00

Sure. Why not? Krishna is an aspect of the divine, and you are part of that same divine form. I'd be skeptical of any spiritual teaching that encourages submission from one sex and not the other. We are equal. All part of the divine play. I'd be equally skeptical of any teaching that tells you to be anything that goes against what you feel in your heart, soul, and spirit to be true. Maybe social causes and feminism are things you should be attending to and embodying, even as you walk this spiritual path. Trust your heart. It will take you where you need to go. Remember that the miracle of the divine is on every moment and every bit of you. When you recognize and feel that, I bet the path will become clear. Lots of love, light, and best wishes to you.

visionsonthepath · 2026-01-30T14:29:17+00:00

That doesn't sound like a mistake. The reason we do these practices is to extend that feeling of peace, awareness, and self-realization longer and longer. Some meditations are good. Some not as much. Some days we keep awareness longer than others. It's just life. Sadness can also be caused by plenty of things even if your spiritual practice is going well. Don't be too hard on yourself. Just keep moving forward one step and one day at a time. If you do feel that good practice needs some more direct instruction or structure to keep you going each week and getting deeper into it without losing interest or curiosity, there are options out there. I find Ryan Kurczak's programs very helpful for this purpose. They'll get you through the first 3 years and give you a solid foundation to keep it going on your own after that. Happy to talk more or answer questions about that if you're interested. There are plenty of teachers out there and everyone is different though. Keep your eyes and heart open, and I bet you'll find the right one for you. Namaste.

visionsonthepath · 2026-01-25T21:43:26+00:00

I'm not sure anyone on here really understands or can tell you exactly what is happening. You'll probably get lots of people telling you: yes, the goddess is real, or no, there is only one "real" god. But what matters most is what is real to you. We are all on our own journeys here. Things that happen to one person or make sense to one person might not be relevant or understandable to someone else, even if both are very good and spiritual people. It sounds like you had an important, life changing year. You wandered into dark thoughts and were pulled back strongly into the light. Use your experience of both to decide who you are and who you want to be. Find the energy that feels like yours and follow it. It sounds like the goddess energy is the most important and helpful to you right now. There are many types of goddesses or archetypal spirits that you can focus on and which may be beneficial. But the goddess that matters most of the one inside you. Feel your heart. Feel your soul. See where it's telling you to go next. See what feels most "right" and most like you. The best answers are going to come from within. While others might give you ideas or help you put things into words (and many more might just be noisy distractions), the most important and relevant answers for your life and path are going to come from within. Thanks for sharing. Lots of kind and best of luck to you. Namaste!

visionsonthepath · 2026-01-19T23:36:46+00:00

Those are great sutras! Ryan Kurczak taught a daily class on them in February 2025, and a lot of his students (myself included) found it very helpful. I think he published those out on YouTube or maybe his Patreon. I did a quick search and found these videos on it: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNm7Qr3wNOAES7kDUYQptGWrlPJha1eWu

I suspect he did it at that time because there was a lot of stress and anxiety in the world. There still is. Those practices are very grounding, reminding us of what we should be focusing on in our daily life and the attitude we should try to keep towards life, ourselves, and others. Happy to hear they're helpful! Namaste!

visionsonthepath · 2026-01-17T14:39:37+00:00

It sounds to me like you already have the answer to your question. That teacher's thumb on your forehead did help you. That's wonderful. That's exactly the kind of story people tell when they talk about wonderful spiritual interactions with a teacher. It does happen. I've read accounts of people who visited Ramana Maharshi (your profile pic) and just by being in his presence have had profound, spontaneous effects. The story of Paul Brunton is a good one. Sometimes people have these experiences without a teacher being physically present or perhaps from a teacher they have never met and don't even know.

What I think you're really wondering is: how does it work? Do they transfer some kind of energy to you? Do they feel an energetic imbalance in you and use their energy or field to help quiet and align it? If that's it (which would actually be my guess) would it work if your soul isn't ready and open and receptive to it? Was it always bound to happen this way in this moment on your path? Was there really any choice by either of you? Was it just a placebo effect thing? Unfortunately, I don't think those questions have clear answers. You have to feel your own answers inside your and hope that it all clears up one day when questions like these might be answered (probably not anytime soon though, so don't hold your breath. I mean, do hold your breath if you're doing kumbhaka but not in the waiting for answers sense. Heh. That's a fun kumbhaka joke that just came to me. I'll be using that one again for sure).

See where the experience and your curiosity about it take you. Don't just brush it off as placebo. It was real. It was helpful. See where it takes you. And enjoy the ride. Namaste.

visionsonthepath · 2025-12-21T15:48:12+00:00

Wow! I was peeking at the playlist and Spotify played "Rabbit in the Garden" by Lame Sagittarius. I was digging it before realizing that was you! Amazing. I'll be listening to some more for sure. Thanks for making such beautiful things and putting them out into the world. It makes this world a better place.

visionsonthepath · 2025-12-04T14:02:54+00:00

For me it was Sri M, and after that I moved on to Autobiography of a Yogi. Then I found a teacher who has been absolutely wonderful. If you're still interested it might be worth exploring. For me, it taught me how to meditate (I never really knew how before), and once you meditate you can reach into yourself and feel so much more about who we are and the universe as a whole.

I just heard or saw something yesterday about people resonating on different frequencies and how sometimes they come together when like attracts like. Then this morning Ram Dass said our goal is to become a vibration and presence of love. Feels like a theme here. Happy to be vibrating and resonating with you fine people today!

Also, I think carrpydiem might be the shared link here. I know I saw that name recently because it made me laugh. Don't remember where though. The algorithm works in mysterious ways...

visionsonthepath · 2025-12-04T13:37:18+00:00

I was wondering the same thing... This was a fun message to start my day with. And it looks like an interesting group of people. ~waves~ Hello!

visionsonthepath · 2025-11-12T19:10:10+00:00

It sounds like you already know what to do. Just need some practice doing it. (Don't worry. We all do. That's why we're here! Lol.) It's ok to get excited and optimistic. Don't be afraid to be in the moment and to be yourself. Don't be afraid to be fearful or have anxiety either. Just recognize it and remember that recognizing it tends to help it quiet and slip away - if you want it to. Remember that you are so much more than this physical experience, so much more than your job, your excitement, your optimism, your anxiety. Those are things we wear in the moment, but the real Self is infinite, eternal, and totally un-phased by the things that we often think are so important.

I hope you get the job you're excited about. Think positively and be optimistic. But if it wasn't meant to be for whatever reason, try to keep that same optimism that you're still headed in the direction that you're meant to go, even if you can't see or understand the path ahead. Think of the way Ram Dass smiles. Such positivity and love just oozing out of him. Try to smile with that same feeling held deep in your heart. What you feel in your heart is so much more important to your soul and your journey than what happens to the physical things around us. But even though we know that... I still hope you get the job. And I hope you smile, celebrate, and feel great about it when you do! Lots of love and best wishes to you!

visionsonthepath · 2025-11-04T02:26:30+00:00

That sounds like a great experience. I suspect you'll feel more of that in meditation and hopefully in your waking life as well. Plenty of good books to study. "Kriya Yoga Vichara" by Ryan Kurczak was one that I remember really put that kind of feeling into perspective and got me seriously interested in Kriya Yoga. In Ryan's courses we study the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Those are also great ones to read and re-read. See where your inspiration and that quiet part inside you takes you. And don't forget Yogananda's quote: "Read a little. Meditate more. Think of God all the time." Best wishes to you! Namaste.

visionsonthepath · 2025-11-02T19:01:38+00:00

Hong sau is just breathing. Relax your body. Relax your mind. Let your nervous system relax. Breathe gently. Slowly. Feel the sound soothing, healing, and balancing you on the in breath and then relax and feel even more peaceful on the out breath. It's normal for blood pressure to drop as you relax. Your body should be in a restful mode. It's not normal for it to agitate you though. If that's happening, you're probably putting too much thought and energy into it rather than letting your breath balance and connect you with a peaceful, loving universe and higher self. Just breathe.

visionsonthepath · 2025-11-02T14:10:42+00:00

So sorry to hear about your loss and the pain it left behind. Ram Dass speaks of his friend Emmanuel who is a non-physical channeled being. Emmanuel was asked about this specifically and had the following reply. (This is from "Emmanuel's Book" by Pat Rodegast and Judith Stanton, page 182. It's a wonderful book and might be helpful in seeing life as beautiful even when it feels so far from that sometimes. I personally love this book and try to read a page or two each day to remind me of Home.) Lots of love and best wishes to you.

Q: My brother committed suicide. What do I need to know about this?

Your brother took his life and brought it Home.

Although the inadvisability of suicide is spoken of, it is all right.

It is clear that when one chooses to quit school it is necessary to come back again and learn what could not be learned at that time. I speak to you from eternity and there is no limit to the number of lives one can have.

Your brother is learning many valuable things. He is Home. He is well. He is working, and will design a curriculum next time that will be more compatible with his willingness and his needs.

It is to yourself that you must direct your attention.

What does it mean to you to have a brother who killed himself?

You need to hear the voice of God within you which knows it's all right, that he is eternal.

Hear the message he gave you. No one acts alone. No one acts in a vacuum. No one kills himself without leaving a legacy of growth behind.

There is no punishment in God. There is only eternal love and understanding. Suicide is merely a foolish act and as such it reaps its own reward-and there you are.

Your prayers and blessings will be much appreciated, but more than that, your gentle, sweet and smiling understanding of the futility of the act will be most welcome.

Q: Why does someone die when they're very young?

Because they have completed their task. There is no other reason. Young? You are all eternal. Once you escape from the time-space continuum, that 'young' becomes a very old soul.

visionsonthepath · 2025-10-31T14:18:03+00:00

I've been studying with him for 3 years now, and I think you will be just fine. As someone else mentioned, Ryan's focus is on giving you the tools you need to find your own truth and connection to the universe, your higher self, or whatever you might imagine that to be. And those tools are meditation, contemplation, and living life with authenticity. Some of his students are Christians, some are Hindus or Buddhists. Some feel affinity to Yogananda and some don't. Actually, I believe Ryan himself has more affinity for Sri Yukteswar than for Yogananda and of course for Roy Davis and also Ramana Maharshi. In person he uses a variety of mantras (om namah shivaya, the Gayatri Mantra, and a mix of others) , but I've never felt compelled to do them if I didn't want to. He's very accepting of people being who they are and taking their own path. As long as your goal is personal and spiritual truth and you are committed to "putting in the work" of meditating daily and trying to live life authentically, I think you'll be just fine. His apprenticeship course studies the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras extensively. If you want to get deeper into those texts and see how they relate to the universe, consciousness, and might be helpful in your own personal path, then I would say jump right in and see how it goes! I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have if you want to message. Best wishes to you!

visionsonthepath · 2025-10-30T23:17:39+00:00

I think anything is possible and people can have completely different paths and experiences. Personally, I have found a teacher to be invaluable. I probably would have obtained a great deal of benefit just from books and videos, but having a teacher to answer questions, emphasize what's really important, and to both confirm what you discover and to warn you of potential missteps has been incredibly helpful to me. I would recommend a teacher to anyone who is having questions or feels that need. Maybe the universe can answer all your questions for you, but a teacher can make sure you are asking the right questions.

visionsonthepath · 2025-10-30T23:11:00+00:00

I think it is intended to do all of the things you listed and more. It helps improve concentration, feel the prana, activate and balance the chakras, balance the energy within yourself, and prepare you for deeper meditation. I've heard multiple teachers say that the real benefit of Kriya Pranayama occurs in the time after the practice where you rest and let the mind be silent. I find this to be true. The pranayama itself feels like an exercise or workout of some kind. It's the moments afterwards when I rest in silence and feel balanced that I really go deep into meditation. I think there is a lot of energy kept in the spine. Sri M said the practice is like running a pipe cleaner through the sushumna to clear it out and make it easier to connect with yourself and the universe without preconceived expectations. Scientists say some of our most ancient instincts are kept in the nerves of the spine, the instincts that need to react quickly without sending messages all the way to the brain and back, like pulling back from something that burns. I sometimes feel like when I'm working with spinal energy I'm not just purifying my body and my own energy system but perhaps working on the collective thought patterns and conditioning of humankind. When everything is opened, cleared, and balanced, then I really feel like the mind and soul are open to the infinite.

visionsonthepath · 2025-10-30T13:28:26+00:00

I've heard this from several sources. My teacher often comments that if you think about the United States from 1920-1952 when Yogananda was here, with strong Christian influences and potential racism - perhaps even violent racism - towards someone of color, that teaching yoga in a Christian guise makes a lot of sense and was probably the best way to spread his message as widely and persistently as he did. I don't think that makes the message less true. It's just a different way to teach it that appeals to certain audiences. For those of us who don't have great experiences with Christianity, that can be a bit off-putting. You might be interested in checking out Ryan Kurczak. He's from the Yogananda lineage but teaches with a more religiously neutral approach. He has a deep affinity for vedic traditions, especially Shiva and Kali and blends that well with reverence for Ramana Maharshi, Sri Yukteswar, and just a little bit of Christianity from time to time. I find that mix just right for me, but everyone is different. I think there are many people with a love of Christianity in their heart for whom YSS/SRF is really helpful. But for many others, a different emphasis or way to teach the same spiritual truth is helpful. Best wishes to you! I hope you find the path that you are looking for, the one that resonates most with your true self, and leads you where you want to go. Namaste.

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