LINEAGE
The tradition of Kriya Yoga has been preserved through its lineage and has maintained its relevance through the lives of the Kriya teachers: Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, Paramahansa Yogananda, Roy Eugene Davis, Ryan Kurczak, 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," able to manifest and dematerialize 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. Both Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda’s lives were touched by the presence of this great saint. 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 married, had a family, and worked in a secular job while tending 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 broad-minded in a spiritual sense, but he was also broad-minded with 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 indicating higher wisdom, and the term avatar indicates 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 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 describes his time in India and shares many stories of his encounters with yogis, saints, and holy people. 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 as it relates 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 help of his brother's disciples, he was able to found a school in Ranchi steeped in the wisdom of Vedic philosophy and Yoga.
When Yogananda became aware of his purpose to bring the teachings of Kriya Yoga to the Western world, he directed his energies to 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 was 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 appeared out of a nearby elevator attended 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 getting settled into his new quarters, the next day, Mr. Davis attended the 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 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’ time with Yogananda.
The Kriya Yoga Podcast about Roy Eugene Davis –
All excerpts are from An Essential Guide to Kriya Yoga Practice, Chapter 2.
My Teacher, Ryan Kurczak
Ryan Kurczak was first introduced to Kriya Yoga through the book "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda. He had developed an interest in meditation in his late teens. After reading the book, a local hatha yoga instructor directed him to the Center for Spiritual Awareness, where he met his teacher, Roy Eugene Davis. Roy was a direct student of Paramahansa Yogananda, and he initiated Ryan into Kriya Yoga in 2000, and then later ordained him to teach in 2005.
Since his ordination in Kriya Yoga, Ryan served as a Vedic astrologer and a natural health consultant, while continuing to travel and give lectures and workshops on Kriya Yoga. Six weeks before Mr. Davis’ mahasamadhi, Ryan met with Mr. Davis and explained that his life was so arranged that he was now inspired to let go of his astrology practice and dedicate his time to the teaching and sharing of the philosophy and practices of Kriya Yoga, fully. For many years, Ryan had mentioned this idea to Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis’ practicality shone through, as he always told Ryan it was good to have a vocation that was able to generate sufficient income for one’s living expenses. However, at this last meeting, Mr. Davis did not give the same response. Instead, he said, “That sounds like a good idea.” This was 18 years after practicing Kriya Yoga under Mr. Davis’ guidance.
Ryan now serves full-time as an independent representative of the Kriya Yoga Lineage as taught through Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, Paramahansa Yogananda, and Roy Eugene Davis. He is one of many students authorized by Mr. Davis to teach and share this Kriya Yoga tradition. Ryan works with students through the Journal of a Kriya Yoga Teacher Patreon community and more intensively with students of the Kriya Yoga Apprenticeship Program offered through this site. He is the host of The Kriya Yoga Podcast and also the author of several books.
Ryan serves as a representative and teacher of the philosophy and practices of Kriya Yoga as he was taught by his teacher, Roy Eugene Davis. Ryan is able to share Kriya Yoga meditation techniques with prepared students and offers the insights and philosophical understanding he has gained from his own experience. It is with enthusiasm and great reverence that he serves in this role, as he is able, and as he was consistently encouraged by his own Kriya Yoga teacher.
