LINEAGE
The tradition of Kriya Yoga has been preserved through its lineage. It has maintained its relevance through the lives of the Kriya teachers: Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, Paramahansa Yogananda, Roy Eugene Davis, and their successors. Below is a brief introduction to the Kriya Yoga teachers of this lineage. For a more detailed account of their lives, please see the books "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda and "Paramahansa Yogananda: As I Knew Him" by Roy Eugene Davis.
Mahavatar Babaji
Babaji is considered the fountainhead of our Kriya Yoga tradition. He is not limited to this enlightenment tradition and works with all seekers, teachers, and ministers who share the goal of nurturing the spiritual awareness of the planet. In his book, Life Surrendered in God, Roy Eugene Davis writes of Babaji, "He is fully illumined, with no karmic ties to the world, and embodied only to be a conduit through which enlivening forces can express to cleanse planetary consciousness."
The age of Babaji is unknown. It is said that he is an "immortal yogi," capable of manifesting and dematerializing his body at will. Some have said Babaji is an incarnation of Krishna. He was said to have initiated Shankara (8th Century) and the poet-saint Kabir (15th Century) into Kriya Yoga.
Lahiri Mahasaya (below) and other teachers within the Kriya Yoga lineage met Babaji. The presence of this great saint touched both Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda’s lives. For more details about Sri Yukteswar and Yogananda’s experiences with Babaji, please see the book Autobiography of a Yogi.
Source: The Kriya Yoga Podcast about Mahavatar Babaji – https://kriyayoga.podbean.com/e/mahavatar-babaji-kriya-yoga-podcast-episode-1/
Lahiri Mahasaya
Lahiri Mahasaya, born Shyama Charan Lahiri, was considered a householder, which meant that he was married, had a family, and worked in a secular job while also attending to his spiritual practices. Lahiri Mahasaya was also an enlightened spiritual teacher to an estimated 5,000 people.
Lahiri Mahasaya worked during the day and attended to his family duties. At night, he met with Kriya Yoga students, teaching them and guiding them in the practices of Kriya Yoga. Speaking of his family, it was not until after he met Babaji and began teaching that he and his wife, Kashimoni Devi, had five children: two sons and three daughters. The title "Mahasaya" means "One who is broad-minded" or "Cosmic Conscious." This title was given to him by his devotees.
Lahiri Mahasaya was not only spiritually broad-minded, but he also had an open and accepting attitude towards all religions. During his time as a spiritual teacher, he initiated men and women of various spiritual traditions into Kriya Yoga. He believed it did not matter if one was a Hindu, Christian, Muslim, etc. If one followed any religion sincerely while living a noble life and practicing Kriya Yoga, one could "wake up spiritually" in this lifetime.
Source: The Kriya Yoga Podcast about Lahiri Mahasaya – https://kriyayoga.podbean.com/e/lahiri-mahasaya-kriya-yoga-podcast-episode-1/
Sri Yukteswar Giri
Born Priya Nath Karar, Swami Sri Yukteswar was a devoted student of Lahiri Mahasaya and the teacher of Paramahansa Yogananda. Yogananda often referred to Swami Sri Yukteswar as a "Jnanavatar." This title is made up of two words: "jnana" and "avatar." Jnana is a word that indicates higher wisdom, and the term avatar signifies that one is a divine representative. To be a Jnanavatar means one is a divine representative of higher wisdom. The name Yukteswar means that one is "One with the aspect of God as a benefic ruling/guiding principle of nature."
Sri Yukteswar was known as an advanced astrologer with a profound grasp of Ayurveda. Many stories have been told of his healing powers and ability to properly intuit the needs of his students, thereby helping them. He was known for his insightful capacity to prescribe gemstones and bangles, as it related to his practice of astrology.
He had a penetrating mind and was a student, not only of the Bible, but also of the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, astronomy, and medicine. He had a keen interest in education and founded the Satsanga Sabha, an organization devoted to the study of spirituality.
Source: The Kriya Yoga Podcast about Swami Sri Yukteswar – https://kriyayoga.podbean.com/e/swami-sri-yukteswar-the-kriya-yoga-podcast-episode-1
Paramahansa Yogananda
Yogananda is best known for his book, Autobiography of a Yogi. In this book, he recounts his time in India and shares numerous stories of his encounters with yogis, saints, and holy individuals. While the book contains many fantastic stories, the beauty of the text lies in the profound philosophy it subtly conveys with each story. When read with a discerning mind, one can find a wellspring of inspiration and guidance related to walking the spiritual path. His writing, Autobiography of a Yogi, has been translated into over 50 languages and is considered one of the most important books of the twentieth century.
In his early adult years, much of his time was devoted to helping his guru’s organizational work thrive. Yogananda also had a keen interest in improving the educational system. With the blessing of his guru and the assistance of his brother's disciples, he was able to establish a school in Ranchi, steeped in the wisdom of Vedic philosophy and Yoga.
When Yogananda became aware of his purpose in bringing the teachings of Kriya Yoga to the Western world, he directed his energies toward that goal with the same zeal he approached every aspect of his life. Strengthened by his guru’s training, Yogananda embarked on this mission to the West.
Source: The Kriya Yoga Podcast about Paramahansa Yogananda –
Roy Eugene Davis
Roy Eugene Davis met Paramahansa Yogananda on December 23rd, 1949, at Self-Realization Headquarters. When speaking at retreats, Mr. Davis would always describe his experience vividly, as if he were seeing it again for the first time. He said that after he arrived at SRF Headquarters, he met Donald Walters (Kriyananada), who asked him how he had heard of SRF and Yogananda. During this meeting, Yogananda emerged from a nearby elevator, accompanied by Faye and Virginia Wright. Yogananda approached Mr. Davis and, with a gentle handshake, asked him how old he was and if his parents knew he was there. After Mr. Davis assured him, Yogananda shared a gesture of blessing and said, “That’s good. I’ll talk to you again.
After settling into his new quarters, the next day, Mr. Davis attended a 6-hour holy season meditation with Yogananda and several hundred people. Mr. Davis then waited to meet with Paramahansa Yogananda. During this visit, he told Yogananda that he wanted to be his disciple. Yogananda accepted Mr. Davis and told him he could stay. Yogananda ended the visit by saying to Mr. Davis, “Read a little. Meditate more. Think of God all the time."
Mr. Davis lovingly and fondly shared stories about his time with Paramahansa Yogananda. They were often the main content of his talks while presenting at the Center for Spiritual Awareness retreats. As mentioned previously, the book Paramahansa Yogananda: As I Knew Him by Roy Eugene Davis contains all the essential stories of Mr. Davis’s time with Yogananda.
The Kriya Yoga Podcast about Roy Eugene Davis –
All excerpts are from An Essential Guide to Kriya Yoga Practice, Chapter 2.
Swami Nirvanananda
In 1949, in Trieste, a port city in northern Italy, Swami Nirvanananda (Giorgio Kriegsch) was born to devout parents: a Catholic mother and a Lutheran father. His father moved his young family to Berlin for work, then returned to Trieste four years later. At the age of twelve, young Georgio began playing the guitar, a pursuit he continues to this day. He later taught himself piano. After graduating from high school, Giorgio worked for insurance giant Lloyd's of London, primarily in shipping goods to and from India—his first connection to India. At the University of Bologna, he studied agriculture and music, specializing in rock and folk music.
In 1975, Giorgio read Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. This book transformed his life, and he began his spiritual journey in earnest. Giorgio was initiated into Transcendental Meditation and later received Kriya Yoga initiation in Holland from a visiting monk, Swami Hariharananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda's guru, Swami Sri Yukteshwar Giri. Giorgio first traveled to India in 1986. There, he volunteered with Mother Teresa's Sisters of Charity to help care for the destitute people of Calcutta. He worked massaging their extremities to provide comfort and hand-feeding those too weak to feed themselves. This caused him to become ill, and he was forced to quit this work. He eventually resumed his travels in India, visiting many temples and sacred sites. Swami Nirvanananda has since traveled to India more than twenty times.
Isha Das
Isha Das (Craig Bullock) is the Spiritual Director of The Assisi Institute in Rochester, New York, where he guides students on their spiritual transformation journey through the integration of mystical Christianity and Kriya Yoga practices. With advanced degrees from the University of Notre Dame (Religious Studies) and the University of Duquesne (Clinical Psychology), Isha Das brings a unique blend of academic depth and practical spiritual wisdom to his teaching.
As an authorized Kriya Yoga teacher trained by Roy Eugene Davis (a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda) and a former pastoral administrator, Isha Das bridges Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. His spiritual name, bestowed by Swami Nirvanananda in 2016, means "servant of Christ" and reflects his dedication to revealing the universal truths that connect the teachings of Jesus Christ and Yogananda.
Through his books, speaking engagements, podcast, and teaching at the Assisi Institute, Isha Das helps students discover the transformative power of contemplative practices. His latest book, Open Wider The Door: The Integration of Kriya Yoga And Mystical Christianity, exemplifies his mission to present Jesus's teachings in a fresh light while demonstrating the profound harmony between Christian mysticism and yoga philosophy. His new book will be released in 2025.
Drawing from his extensive background in psychology, spirituality, mysticism, and world religions—and enriched by his friendship with influential spiritual teachers like Richard Rohr—Isha Das offers practical guidance for those seeking to deepen their spiritual practice and understanding.
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