Kriya Yoga: Continuing the Lineage of Enlightenment

Okay, let's address those (very few) bad reviews showing up here, and then I'll say why I am giving this five stars. Some folks feel that this is 'not about Kriya Yoga'. They are thinking of a specific form of yoga called Kriya that was practiced by Yogananda and those in his lineage. It's true that this book does not talk about Yogananda (though Ryan is in the lineage, himself), or the yogic practices associated with being a kriyaban in that particular tradition. So, if you are buying it for meditation techniques, you will possibly be disappointed and angry enough to write a bad review. However, I doubt you will be completely disappointed because of the good stuff in this book (more on that in a minute). I'm mentioning this so you can discern that kind of book you are looking for, and so you can decide if you want this one. There are books on very specific methods of practice within the Kriya tradition: how to sit, how to breathe, how energy flows, etc. Those are indeed very useful. Know what? use the "Look Inside" feature on these books to see the table of contents, which usually spell out what the book is all about. This book, though, is focused on Kriya yoga as more universally defined as overall spiritual practices that lead to enlightenment. This is not a made-up designation. It's quite valid, but the problem is that many people see Kriya and the interpret it to mean specifically what I think as our "toolbox" of practices and concepts. This book plus a toolbox book would be a great combination. I encourage you to get one of those (or more, if you are seeking to find out which particular method works for you). But Ryan's book is about the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali .... something no kriyaban would consider remaining in ignorance about. The Sutras are the supreme guide for seekers. And the commentary in this book is quite concise and pithy. There is so much to unpack in what appears to be a few simple paragraphs for each passage of the sutras, that any serious student of Patanjali can find value in rereading over and over. If you try to read it all at once you cannot absorb it all (but that is true of any commentary on this subject). I've read it through to get a grip on its scope, and will now continue to refer back on it for a long time as I advance my studies. I'll likely have another commentary or two on the side. But, I'm giving this five stars because I think it speaks quite plainly about what we have to do in our lives to arrive at the stages and development described in that ancient work. So, no, it's not specifically about the practices taught by Lahiri Mahasaya. It is the profoundly about the (largely non-theistic) spirituality and state of consciousness that kriya practices help you arrive at. Ryan includes some helpful tips on meditation and beneficial life practices. I particularly enjoyed the Ayurvedic lifestyle chapter where I learned about the Gunas.

Easy to follow and understand basics for meditation and how to seek for those who are seriously wanting to. I always find a new way to see something everytime I read it. The information is what I am looking for, to know how to grow and where to focus on making it incorporated in my daily life .You can do any meditation practice perfectly for any length of time, but if you never figure out how that flows into your everyday awareness of God being everywhere and everyone ,how to let go and embrace all that comes to you with love and acceptence , then you have greatly missed the point! The teaching here are very good explanations of the greatest and most important things to know. I have studied christian teaching with Hebrew and Greek writings, Buddhism, and others , if you can not see God in any these but only how you want to define Him, this will not work for you. We must all be willing to see Him as He presents Himself to us and that is in everything everywhere .it is alot to assimilate when we r stuck in our ideas

I own many translations and commentaries of the Yoga Sutras. Ryan’s commentary is clear, useful, and informative for any level of practitioner. Grab a copy. You won’t be disappointed!

This is a wonderful exposition of the basic tenets of yoga and many secrets of the cosmos. It’s a description of how things work in meditation and self-realization but not so much of a practical roadmap of how to do it. Yes, there steps and terms and definitions and broad ideas of the elements of getting there, but for most of us the devil is in the details. That said, I fully believe this is a great primer (to not say “required reading”) in how to approach the whole idea of self-realization and the bliss of it all.

Worth reading if you are interested in meditation, seriously interested

“ Kriya Yoga Continuing the Lineage of Enlightenment " has been highly effective in increasing my understanding of self awareness as well as helping me identify strategies that support my goal to live life with an open mind and embody the higher principles of life one day at a time. It is amazing how Ryan breaks down the esoteric concepts of the Self and the Unified Field in simple and concise language - a great framework for anyone seeking to embark on the path of learning the nature of reality. Ryan succeeds in delivering the message of dissolving all concepts and immersing our awareness in the field of being as best as words could possibly do. I gain greater understanding every time I re-read it , true to Ryan’s claim that our subconscious is constantly enhancing our learning process and bringing depth and perception to things beyond the reach of our sensual realm. Writing this review is both a pleasure and privilege as it is a token of my sincere appreciation for Ryan’s genuine attempt in trying to help others, in as many ways as he can - the big takeaway for me is to live in harmony with the evolving nature of external and internal states of Consciousness.

I recently started learning about Kriya yoga. Ryan is an excellent teacher. I appreciate Ryan's devotion to his teacher and lineage.

Inspiring. As someone who started practicing Kriya Yoga in the last year, I find in the messages and ideas that Ryan presents in the book invaluable wisdom. Thank you very much for the knowledge you reveal to us. Blessings on the spiritual path

Really impressive explanation of Yogic Spirituality. Very approachable. Incredibly well written to be clear and extremely concise. It's a short book but has a wealth of knowledge. Note this book is not about Asana although it mentions it in brief. This book is about how to look at life from a spiritual perspective, which can be an excellent tool to guide your contemplations regardless of your spiritual inclinations. I would recommend this as almost a Yogic analog to Buddhist Satipatthana contemplations... Quite different but both excellent.

Words of an initiate … Not a garbage. The text will put anyone interested in the Kriya Yoga straight in it

Brilliant factual approach to the practice of Kriya Yoga by a very perceptive and gifted teacher with the emphasis on 'an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory'.A great intro to begin a solid daily practice in the art of Kriya Yoga.Thoroughly recommended!

Nice work and very practical........... Yoga simplified .... Thoughts from an experienced kriya yoga follower summarized in a great way

This is a nice and clear approach to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.