From Shifting Sands to Sacred Ground: The Path of Kriya Yoga and Mystical Christianity
With each new wave of current events, we feel the sand shifting beneath our feet. Our institutions no longer seem trustworthy, and our traditional religious structures can leave us feeling hollow. Yet the Divine has not left us helpless. The ancient traditions of Kriya Yoga and mystical Christianity offer an unshakeable rock upon which to build our lives — empowering us to draw on the wisdom and strength of God percolating in the depths of our souls, so that we may live with peace, joy, and love.
You are warmly invited to join us for our summer immersion retreat, July 20–24. This year, we will also be integrating teaching from the mystical Christian tradition. Over these five days, we will meditate together, learn from our spiritual leaders, and experience the grace of sacred community. There will be inspired talks, group meditation, chanting, yoga, and a joyous kirtan. Kriya Yoga initiation will also be offered during the retreat. Please join us for what promises to be a week of healing, growth, and transformation.
Date: July 20 - 24, 2026
Location: The Assisi Institute in Rochester, NY
Cost: This retreat is offered on a donation basis. Donations will be accepted at the time of the retreat.
Registration: Registration is open. To reserve your seat, please fill out this form no later than July 1. More information will be sent when registration has been completed.
Accommodations: We have a limited number of (non-air-conditioned) rooms available at the Assisi Institute. Email retreats@assisi-institute.org if you are interested.
Meals: Coffee, tea, and snacks are available throughout the day. No meals will be provided; participants will be given ample time to find lunches and/or dinners off-campus. For those who stay with us or bring food to the Assisi Institute, please note that we are strictly vegetarian. Refrigerator space and a microwave are available.
Teacher Bios
Isha Das:
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.
Swami Nirvananda:
Internationally-known musical and spiritual recording artist Swami Nirvanananda Saraswati will be joining us virtually (and in-person if possible) to lead devotional chanting. Merging the teachings of Kriya Yoga with the devotional aspect of Bhakti Yoga and the charitable path of Karma Yoga, Swami expresses unity in the diversity of many paths and religions which all lead to the same goal: Universal Love and Oneness With Spirit.
Barbara Zanella:
Barbara is the co-founder of the Centro Kriya Yoga Stella (kriyayogastella.org), which she has been running with her partner Claudio since 2005. She began her journey with Kriya Yoga in 2000 and was initiated in 2004 by Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda. Since 2000, she has been deeply devoted to this path, which has profoundly transformed her life. Passionate about personal growth, she has trained in various fields, including holistic health, communication, and counseling. She integrates these skills into an approach that blends well-being and spirituality within the Center. Together with her partner, she organizes monthly satsangs, meditation sessions, and residential retreats
Christianne Asper-Contant:
Christianne Asper-Contant (CAS, E-RYT 500) is the Director of the Yoga Program at the ACC Institute and a Clinical Ayurveda Specialist who has been studying and teaching the wisdom sister sciences for over 20 years. Her path includes dedicated study and practice in yoga, Ayurveda, and Kriya Yoga, which have profoundly shaped both her personal life and her approach to teaching. Rooted in these traditions, her work integrates spiritual understanding with practical application in daily life. Through her teaching, she offers a practical framework for recognizing the signals of the body and responding with simple, embodied shifts that support balance, clarity, and a deeper connection to the body’s natural rhythm.She leads classes, workshops, and programs that support this process of reconnection.
