About Me
In 2022, I began practicing Kriya Yoga, and it has been life changing. Under the instruction of Ryan Kurczak at Kriya Yoga Online, I learned meditative and contemplative practices that have allowed me to connect with the Truth of myself and this world. In the years that followed, I cultivated an inner peace and contentment I had never before experienced. I have found a depth and firmness in my philosophy and wordview that I had only glimpsed before. I sincerely and heartfully hope that everyone finds what they are looking for. Perhaps the things I have found along my way will be helpful to others in search of that same peace.
Prior to this, I had spent most of my life in a mix of Christian-Buddhist-Zen philosophy that saw the connection between all things but didn't know how to really feel it, to embody it, or to live in a way that aligned with it. I still struggled with depression, existential despair, and confusion over why we are here living this life and what we are supposed to do with that. I'm forever thankful to have found a teacher and a practice that helped me bring the various threads of my life together into a cohesive whole. I now explore the universe and myself in a manner that goes beyond words, beyond the experience of an individual life, and one which I believe is purifying my heart, my consciousness, and a small bit of the universal soul and consciousness as well. If that sounds kind of crazy, well... maybe it is. That's probably what I would have said just a few years ago. But today it is a large part of me that I can't imagine living without.
Visions on the Path
When I was about 20, I had three "visions" that felt like they literally saved my life. They involved the unity of space and time and the limits of the mind. As I began Kriya Yoga meditation, I started to have new "visions" and insights along the way. I thought early on that "Visions on the Path" would be a good way to collect these visions and thoughts into a book or diary of sorts. The full title was going to be "Visions on the Path (Towards Enlightenment)." I don't know if I'm actually going to find enlightenment in this life, but I feel like I am at least wandering in that direction. This is my humble way to share what has helped me in the hopes that it might help others. Each of walks a different path though. So take what is useful and leave the rest behind. I hope you find what you are looking for.
Gurus and Lineage
I have been influenced and learned from many teachers. For Kriya Yoga, my primary teacher/guru is Ryan Kurczak. In order to give a better sense of the lineage and teachers that have influenced me, I created a "Guru Board" that lists the teachers and lineages that have influenced me. You can read more about it in this article: Article About My "Guru Board"
Namaste
Ram Dass explains the word "namaste" in a way that shines light upon our soul and the purpose of spiritual life and study:
"In India when we meet and part we often say, “Namasté,” which means: I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides; I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where, if you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us. Namasté"