The Kriya Yoga Podcast

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast we talked about Merchant to Mystic, Isha Das’ powerful re-telling of the life of Francis of Assisi—not as a distant saint, but as a true hero whose journey mirrors our own. We explored how this young, privileged pleasure-seeker from medieval Assisi transformed into one of history’s most beloved spiritual figures, and how failure, mission, community, meditation, lifestyle change, and surrend...

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast I speak with David McGrath, author and Kriya Yoga teacher. David and I discuss his most excellent and engaging commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Pada 1.  David has written one of the most lucid and helpful modern commentaries on Patanjali's work. It is well worth the read for any serious student of yogic meditation. 

You can find David's new book, Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali: Book One...

On the spiritual path, enthusiasm often gives way to what one teacher called “the icky middle”—that in-between place where the excitement of beginning meets the challenge of transformation. It’s here that we learn: awakening isn’t just about peace or bliss. It’s about endurance, sincerity, and courage to live in the truth of the present moment.

To experience what’s real, we must let go of the small, famil...

This episode of the Kriya Yoga Podcast features an in-depth conversation with Asha Nayaswami, a spiritual director from Ananda Palo Alto and a longtime disciple of Swami Kriyananda since 1969.

Asha shares her early quest for truth, her transformative encounter with Kriyananda, and her subsequent journey in the Ananda community.

She discusses the importan...

Experiencing and understanding Chitta, what Chitta is, how to know it, and its relevance to your yoga meditation practice is necessary for the promise of yoga to give its final fruits. 

In this episode, we continue on from episode 7 and explore the nature of Chitta.

Advised Reference Material Can be Found:

Free Class on Chapter 1 (Pada 1) of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The American Sanskrit Institute

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🌟 Stay Connected & Deep...

One of the most fascinating ideas in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is the subtle inner transformation that happens as the mind becomes still.

What Is Nirodha?

Patanjali defines yoga as:

“Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ” (Yoga Sutra 1.2) Yoga is the cessation (nirodha) of the fluctuations of the mind.

But how do we actually reach that state? It doesn’t happen all at once — it’s a gradual...

This episode of the Kriya Yoga Podcast is recording from our annual June Kriya Yoga Solstice Retreat.  Kriya Yoga teacher Ryan Kurczak explores ways to access the mystical state and what it is like to function and experience that state.

Topics include:

• Imagining the Mystical Experience
• Allowing Yourself to Experience a Mystical State
• Losing Yourself in Mystical Experience
• Extreme Techniques Don't work for Real Mysticism
• The Ps...

This episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast is an excerpt from a talk given during the 2025 summer annual Kriya Yoga week-long retreat in Rochester, NY. In this discussion we explore the power of Sattva as grace and an essential component of our enlightenment practice. 

For a full explanation of this topic, please see Ryan Kurczak's book,

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🌟 Stay Conn...

This episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast is an excerpt from a talk given by Kriya Yoga Teacher Ryan Kurczak during the 2025 Kriya Yoga Online Solstice Retreat.

The Discussion includes:

Patanjali offers auxiliary methods to stabilize the mind in Sutras I.33–I.39, forming a meditative ladder:

• I.33 – Cultivating attitudes of friendliness (toward the happy), compassion (toward ...

This episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, When You Know Samadhi explores the philosophical and practical aspects of meditation within the framework of Kriya Yoga and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The main topics include:

1. The Purpose of Meditation Meditation is presented not as a relaxation technique but as a means to access one's true, timeless essence. The goal is the cessation of mental fluctuations to recognize the stillness...

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast Ryan reflects on a conversation with yoga retreat attendees struggling to understand or experience what is "sacred." This sparks a broader exploration of how modern life—especially overthinking, distractions, and unresolved inner conflicts—prevents many from recognizing sacredness in daily life.

Key Points:

1. Invitation to Reflect: Listeners are asked to consider what "sacred" means to ...

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, we explore the Foundations of Authentic Spiritual Realization.

In this insightful episode of the Kriya Yoga Podcast, host Ryan Kurczak welcomes Isha Das, the spiritual director of the Assisi Institute, for a profound conversation on the vital connection between mental health and the deeper practice of Kriya Yoga.

Together, they explore why cultivating a balanced psychological state is not ...

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, we explore the power of Kriya Yoga.

Kriya Yoga is a profound spiritual discipline that seeks to bridge the gap between the human experience and transcendence. This podcast delves into the reflections shared in a comprehensive lecture on the power of Kriya Yoga, touching on its transformative potential, philosophi...

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, we explore:

The ultimate goal of meditation, according to authentic spiritual traditions, is to foster clarity, wisdom, and a deep connection with the divine. However, many practitioners unwittingly use meditation as a means of escapism. Instead of addressing psychological or emotional wounds, they employ meditation to suppress these issues, akin to putting a temporary bandage over a wound...

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, I interview Edwin Bryant of Rutgers University. (https://edwinbryant.org/)

Mr. Bryant has written several books, including a commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and its sequel Bhakti Yoga.  Along with being a prolific writer and teacher, Edwin Bryant has been a practitioner of Bhakti Yoga for over 45 years.

Since we don’t spend enough time speaking about Bhakti on this podcast, I f...

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, we explore the reasons why one might abandon their spiritual path. We consider the necessity of letting go from traditions that might have once been a profound source of inspiration, and if there is any way to avoid an unnecessary break with an authentic tradition. 

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If you would like to participate in future live sessions consider becoming a member of The Kriya Yoga Online Patreon Commu...

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, we speak with Chelynn Tetreault, AyD, LMT. (https://www.chelynnt.com/) Ryan and Chelynn discuss her new book:

This is a wonderful discussion to understand the feminine energy in spiritual practice and for men to understand the divine expression of the women in their lives.

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Your host, Ryan Kurczak, is a Kriya Yoga me...

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, we speak with Roy Thibodeau, a student of Kriya Yoga teacher, Oliver Black. https://www.yogacharyaoliver.com/

Ryan Kurczak and Roy Thibodeau talk about the book "My Dear Oliver", a limited edition book, which is a collection of the letters that Paramahansa Yogananda sent to Oliver Black.

About our guest Roy Thibodeau

Golden Lotus Yoga for Spiritual Awareness (GLYSA) was founded by Roy E. T...

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, we explore a simple pathway to mystical experience. Beyond relaxation and enhanced well-being, the Kriya Yoga Meditation processes create a foundation for mystical communion. This is one reason that the Kriya Yoga Meditation techniques can be implemented by anyone, no matter the religion they follow. In this episode, Ryan Kurczak describes an exercise to encourage an authentic revelation o...