My Story

What has changed in my life? Everything. I found what everyone is looking for in life, and I help others find it as well. This is my life’s journey.

At first, I was a seeker like you, in search of answers. I recognized my awareness, then maintained it continuously. I sought the source of insight and became one with it. Years of practice resulted in realizing True Self, and I remained That. Having found the answers for living, I became limitless; now, I am That.

Since early childhood, my inquisitive nature has been prominent, and I inherited an engineering mindset from my grandfather. I was fascinated by the growth of trees and plants and the inner workings of things. I had many questions like: Who am I? What am I doing in this place? I needed answers, and it became important to undergo an internal metamorphosis. I began investigating the human condition.

I practiced pranayama at age seven based on a description in a Soviet magazine. At the time, I reached a state more profound than ordinary consciousness, which I later discovered was the turiya state. I met my first teacher in the army and started practicing intensively in 1981. I visited many spiritual teachers and practiced traditions and methods in multiple countries. I received initiations from Dzogchen Master Namkhai Norbu, Chetsang Kyabgon Rinpoche, head lama of the Drigung Kagyu School, and Buddhist teachers Chime Rigdzin Rinpoche and Drubwang Rinpoche. But I did not find complete answers to my questions.

In 1992, I began teaching yoga, and in 1993, we established the Lilleoru center. Along with my students, I practiced multiple approaches, including the path of opening the heart, mystical experiences, and more. These experiences were powerful and filled with discoveries, but didn’t produce deep transformation in daily life. I dug deeper to comprehend this stumbling block. That is when I realized how subconscious processes shape our lives.

In 2000, a friend gave me the book Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition by M. Govindan Satchidananda. It had a five-sentence description of the human yogic five-body system. I had previously encountered the five-body concept, but with these lines, my knowledge and experience all fell into place. I recognized the source of knowledge. I contacted the book’s author and invited him to Estonia to teach Babaji’s Kriya Yoga.

In addition to the power and holy places in Lilleoru, we added a white temple where visitors can experience the essence of silence. In 2002, Shri Muniraj, then leader of the Haidakhan Babaji ashrams worldwide, initiated me into the Vedic tradition. Since then, we’ve conducted havans in Lilleoru, high-tech Vedic fire ceremonies that strengthen connections with natural forces.

In 2004, Acharya D. Ahlund initiated me into Babaji’s Kriya Yoga, based on the Tamil 18 Siddhar tradition. During a later visit, M. Govindan Satchidananda invited me to begin teaching Kriya Yoga, and in 2007, I became an Acharya (master teacher) of Babaji’s Kriya Yoga with the spiritual name Ishwarananda. As one of the few Acharyas worldwide who can give all levels of initiation, I initiate sincere students into Babaji’s Kriya Yoga (acharya activities currently suspended).

I have practiced numerous teachings in my travels, but none were comprehensive or addressed all of my questions. With the advent of Kriya Yoga, all of my previous knowledge became coherent. Today, my life consists of conscious action: this is kriya.

More and more people came to Lilleoru to learn about conscious cooperation and to practice awareness in their daily activities. We constructed the exterior petals of the Flower of Life Park, which we planted with medicinal plants. I dedicated the Kriya Yantra at the heart of the Flower of Life, and the Kali Gate at the park’s entrance. We began the Lilleoru Open Doors Days, and a number of eminent spiritual teachers have visited us.

I observed that the primary block to human change is the internal autopilot, or subconscious influences. I spent years researching ways for people to disable their autopilot. I started Practical Consciousness (formerly Art of Conscious Change) in 2008 to help people get over their emotional and mental blocks so they can live in the present moment and be more aware.

Starting in 2010, people in other countries invited me to teach Practical Consciousness. After ten years, I trained the first group of Practical Consciousness teachers. By 2021, I have certified almost forty Practical Consciousness teachers from Estonia, the United States, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Russia, Ireland, and North Macedonia. In addition to the training center in Lilleoru, Estonia, we have established Practical Consciousness schools in San Francisco, CA, USA, as well as Ireland and Germany in the first half of 2022. We are launching schools in Denmark, Finland, and North Macedonia in the near future.