Ryan Kurczak - Kriya Yoga Vichara: Integrated Techniques and Philosophy of Ramana Maharshi and Paramahansa Yogananda

Foreword

The sudden wealth of books, media and upsurge of interest inKriya Yoga and Vedanta has had both a positive and negative effect on thespirituality of humankind. Positively, we have seen more individuals taking aninterest in techniques and traditions that will one day unify the world andallow its people to live in harmony with one another. Eventually, it will alsoallow us to realize our direct connection to the infinite abstract intelligencewithin, which most of us call Divinity. Negatively, we have seen profoundphilosophies and potent methods for internal enlightenment denigrated toidolatry in the form of mindless guru worship and watered down throughexcessive focus on mechanical application.

Uncommon are the books that reveal the magnitude of the taskof the process we call enlightenment. Uncommon are the teachings that explainthe subtle nature of the process, which requires both intelligently applieddevotion, artistic practice of techniques and a lifestyle that supports thewhole endeavor.

Within these pages is my humble attempt at filling thisvoid. Much more could be said, and this book itself needs to be taken for whatit is, limitations and all. These pages are an attempt to give a baselineunderstanding of the profound philosophy and practices of Kriya Yoga andSelf-inquiry.

The practices and philosophies outlined need to bepersonally applied and contemplated until direct realization dawns. They also,most likely, need to be supplemented by working with a coach or mentor skilledin the approach to spiritual growth described herein. This book is not thefinal say in the matter. It is simply a record of the fundamental skills andphilosophy required to awaken.

After completing the rough drafts, I had first consideredtitling this work, The Most Unpopular Book on Kriya Yoga and Vichara. Why youmight ask? Because those souls for whom this book is written are rare, andthose who may think they want to read this book probably will not like it. Solet us clear up for whom this book is written and for whom it is not.

This book is not for people who need a churchlike communalexperience and are averse to engaging the solitary path required for authenticinner transformation. It is not for those who feel that there isone-true-rocket-ship-technique that will magically elevate their consciousnessto blissful realms. It is not for those looking for an escape from the world orfor those seeking a relationship with a long dead savior-guru figure.

Now do you see why I thought of calling this work, The MostUnpopular Book on Kriya Yoga and Vichara? The majority who are typically drawnto the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and Paramahansa Yogananda most often fallinto the ranks of those for whom this book is not written. However, over themany years in this field, I have seen that this is not always the case. Asmentioned previously, there are those rare gems of people who long forsomething other than the sensationalized fantastic propaganda dished out ingigantic spoonfuls by our skillful spiritual marketers. They long for a solid,realistic, down-to-earth process of inner awakening that works.

This book is written for those people who understand thatany endeavor in life requires hard work, personal sacrifice, dedication andcommitment. It is written for those who understand that the Herculean path ofSelf-realization requires a reasonable and logical approach supported, but notcompulsively ruled by, emotional zeal. Essentially, this book is written formature individuals who are ready to take responsibility and regain mastery oftheir states of consciousness. It is written for those who are ready to do whatis necessary to realize that omniscient abstract intelligence is their verySelf, while living their normal unassuming lives.

Some might wonder why I have chosen to merge Kriya Yoga andVichara. They may think it best to keep each path pure and separate. However, asyou will see, the works of both Paramahansa Yogananda and Ramana Maharshi weaveflawlessly together. Where Yoganandas work ends, Ramanas begins. Although, inreality, there is no separation. Yogananda himself sought counsel from Ramanaand spoke of the encounter in Autobiography of a Yogi. Many statements in theprime Kriya Yoga text, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, speak to the same methodsas taught by Ramana Maharshi. Kriya Yoga lays the foundation for effective Self-inquiry. With a calm mind andbalanced nervous system, one can very effectively contemplate ones own truenature, and accept with greater certainty the truth which is revealed in theprocess.

Kriya Yoga and Vichara serve as a powerful combination forinner realization. This will be made clear to you in the pages that follow, solong as you diligently attempt to understand and attentively practice what isshared. But, before you invest your time and resources into what is offeredherein, be sure you are one of the few for whom this book is written.

Sincerely,

Ryan Kurczak

Winter Solstice 2015

Chapter One

WORK AND KNOWLEDGE

The devotion and love of my spiritual life has been rightlyshared between the practice of Kriya Yoga in the tradition of ParamahansaYogananda and study of the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Kriya created thefoundation for deeper exploration and direct experience of yogic principles.The methods of Vichara brought the realization of these principles vividly intomy awareness. Ultimately, I have found that one cannot be practiced without theother for complete awakening to occur.

The marriage of these methods of Kriya and Ramanasteachings on Vichara (Self-inquiry) always brought to my mind the openingpassage of that august text, Vasisthas Yoga. Verily, birds are able to flywith their two wings: even so both work and knowledge together lead to thesupreme goal of liberation. Not indeed work alone nor indeed knowledge alonecan lead to liberation: but, both of them together form the means toliberation.