Welcome to the Kriya Yoga Discipleship Course.

In this course we will learn what it means to participate in a student teacher relationship, or a guru/disciple relationship.

It will be important to remember the definitions of the following terms.

Disciple - "One who engages in learning through instruction from another, pupil, apprentice."

Guru - "A spiritual teacher, especially one who imparts initiation; a teacher and especially intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern; a person with knowledge or expertise."

"A guru is also one's spiritual guide, who helps one to discover the same potentialities that the guru has already realized."

This course is taught in the Kriya Yoga Lineage of Mavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, Paramahansa Yogananda, Roy Eugene Davis and their successors.

Course Goals

The goals of this course are:

• To explore the responsibilities of both the teacher and the student.
• To consider expectations and how to manage those expectations.
• To learn what the actual role of the guru is for the student.
• To consider healthy ways of assisting a teacher with their teaching ministry.
• To share my own personal experience with my time with Roy Eugene Davis.
• To consider what I have observed in other authentic and inauthentic guru/disciple relationships.
• To recognize why the guru's role is so important.
• To reconcile the intentions to thrive in the world or to thrive spiritually, and if there is a way to do both.
• To consider the example that Paramahansa Yogananda gave to Roy Eugene Davis as his teacher.
• To consider the stories we have of Yogananda’s experiences with Sri Yukteswar.
• To review how to have a respectful relationship with a teacher and how to avoid putting your preconceptions on the teacher, instead of observing and respecting the teacher’s guidance.
• How to deal with the stress that can occur when a teacher encourages you to change and grow, but you are unwilling or unable to understand what it is of value.
• Ways to recognize and appreciate an authentic meaningful guru/disciple relationship when it is available.
• How to prepare to participate in such a relationship if that is needed.

This course is to serve as a manual of study and guide to conscious spiritual practice in the light of a guru-disciple relationship.

There are no expectations that one will have to participate in a guru-disciple relationship in order to grow spiritually. The information provided here is for those who may feel that cultivating good report with a mentor or teacher could assist them on the awakening path. Also, it is important to remember that this course is intended to provide points of contemplation when considering such a relationship. At the end of this short course of study, it is my intention that seekers on the spiritual path will have been given the information needed to cultivate the discernment required to successfully and consciously participate in a guru-disciple relationship.

Course Fees

This course is provided on a donation basis. A small monthly fee is asked to assist maintenance and support of this learning platform. This is the Teachable subscription fee. Should participants feel inspired to make additional donations to support this course, that is most welcome but not expected. Donations can be made through the Paypal buttons at the bottom of the course videos, when and if one is inspired.

Additional Preparation

This course does not focus on instruction in meditation or spiritual techniques. There is an assumption that one already has begun practicing or learning meditation. Kriya meditation can be learned from my books or other valid sources in the Kriya Yoga tradition. You can also review the following playlists for instruction and practice in meditation, if that is what you need.

The Kriya Yoga Meditation Beginner's Guide

Guided Kriya Yoga Meditations

Both of these free online courses share the basics of meditation, as well as provide practice sessions to develop your skill with the practice.

Recommended Reading

The following books are a wonderful resource to supplement your studies of this course. Should you have the intention to participate in The Kriya Yoga Apprenticeship Program, a few of these books are required for that program. In general, they are good to have on hand.

Autobiography of a Yogi - Paramahansa Yogananda

Kriya Yoga Vichara - Ryan Kurczak

Kriya Yoga: Continuing the Lineage of Enlightenment - Ryan Kurczak

Paramahansa Yogananda: As I Knew Him - Roy Eugene Davis

Program Delivery

This course is setup so that you will receive one new video lesson every week. The course will remain available for the duration that your Teachable subscription is maintained. The course can also be reviewed at a later time by restarting one's Teachable subscription, and using the same login information (email and password) when the course was initially taken.