Isha Das
The Assisi Institute Spiritual Director
Biography
Craig Bullock (Isha Das) is an accomplished teacher, writer, lecturer, practicing psychotherapist, and spiritual director of The Assisi Institute in Rochester, New York. A former pastoral administrator at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Rochester, Isha Das earned graduate degrees in Religious Studies from the University of Notre Dame and Clinical Psychology from the University of Duquesne. His education includes extensive study in psychology, spirituality, mysticism, world religions, and yoga. He counts Richard Rohr among his life-long friends and mentors. Isha Das was made a minister and official Kriya Yoga teacher by Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda. His latest book is Open Wider The Door: The Integration of Kriya Yoga And Mystical Christianity.
In 2016, Swami Nirvanananda gave Craig Bullock his spiritual name, Isha Das, meaning, “servant of Christ.” Swami Nirvanananda chose this name to capture the essence of Isha Das’ mission, which is to present the teachings of Jesus in a fresh spirit and to show the underlying unity between Jesus Christ and Paramahansa Yogananda.
“Isha Das has been a very dear friend and a spiritual brother to me for over ten years. I appreciate him deeply as a spiritual director and an inspirational writer. In fact, all his spiritual work is completely in tune with my spiritual search as a Swami who was born in the land of St. Francis and absorbed in the path of Yoga.” ~ Swami Nirvanananda Saraswati
“Craig Bullock (Isha Das) has been a spiritual son to me for many years. His work provides an authentic itinerary for the spiritual life. His teaching is a perfect example of Jesus’ words, “The student will do much greater things than the teacher.” ~ Richard Rohr
Inspiring Videos and Podcasts
Living Grace:
Daily Inspiration for Meditation and Contemplation
Since 2014, Isha Das has been writing daily reflections 365 days per year.
His writings include such diverse topics as Karma, The Present Moment, Facing Our Pain, The Twelve Steps, Heaven and Hell, Holy Simplicity, Healing, Meditation, and many more. Each day, readers can expect to be filled with the practical and loving wisdom of Jesus and the Kriya Gurus.
A grateful reader recently wrote:
“This letter is long overdue. I have been reading your Living Grace daily inspirations for years. I read them just before my daily meditations and they always put me in a calm, clear, peaceful space and are often just what I need to hear. You are an extremely gifted spiritual writer, and you are doing the most important work on the planet to help awaken humanity. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your writings. They have helped me in countless ways.”
Tender Mercy
One of the most powerful expressions of love is mercy. Properly understood, mercy is not a dry, legal decree of innocence handed down from the heavenly courts. Rather, mercy is a river of divine energy that liberates us from the guilt of past sins. Thus, mercy trumps...
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Study With Isha Das
Friday Class
Isha Das leads small groups in an intimate setting for two 12-week sessions each calendar year. The group studies Yogananda’s Lessons. Each session includes a time of silent meditation, study, and discussion.
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Spiritual Direction
Isha Das is available for spiritual direction in person and online for those who want to understand their spiritual journey, improve their meditation practice, and deepen their relationship with God. His years of practice as a psychotherapist allow him a deep understanding of life challenges and transitions. Sessions may include moments of silence, dialogue, and direct guidance which is both spiritual and practical. Additionally, Isha Das provides training and supervision for a team of spiritual directors at The Assisi Institute.
Online Courses
The Art of Enlightened Living: The Path of Kriya Yoga and Mystical Christianity In this 40-day online course, Isha Das will introduce you to a mystical path to union with the Divine. Your understanding of the spiritual life will grow, and more importantly, your...
Publications
Open Wider the Door
Our understanding of God impacts every facet of our lives because we ultimately become what we worship and what we love.
Living Grace
Extravagant Love
Catholicism introduced me to God’s love in many wonderful ways, yet I still longed to go deeper into the experience of God-union. My longing led me to know Paramahansa Yogananda, who taught me how to immerse myself deeply in the very heart of Christ. This is my story.
Speaking Engagements
Isha Das is a versatile speaker on topics of Eastern and Western Spirituality, Kriya Yoga, Franciscan spirituality, meditation, masculine psychology and spirituality, and contemplative Christianity. He also presents a dramatic program entitled, A Life Transformed: Brother Bernardo Meets Francis of Assisi.
His speaking engagements have included Kriya Yoga conferences in Genoa and Milan, Italy, retreats in Assisi, Italy, the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose, California, and Unity Churches in Rochester, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. He has conducted numerous missions in Catholic parishes and also spoken at St. Bonaventure University, Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, Nazareth College of Rochester, and the India Center of Rochester.
Isha Das is the father of two boys, a step-father, and a grandfather. His other work experience includes his time as a clinical supervisor at an in-patient chemical dependency unit and graduate school jobs as a taxi driver and bouncer. He frequently travels to Assisi, Italy, and he is currently writing a book about St. Francis. He lives in Rochester with his wife, Vickijo.
He is available to speak at conferences, workshops, retreats, churches, and other venues.