He read the book Autobiography of a Yogi when he was 18 and was attracted to kriya yoga and the author, Paramahansa Yogananda, who he "knew was his guru".
Following his military duty, he began his ministry as an independent spiritual teacher, founding New Life Worldwide in St. Petersburg, Florida.
[6][7] Davis's relationship with Self-Realization Fellowship remained cordial,[7][8] but some criticized him over the years, claiming that he did not have the authority to initiate people into the "secret" kriya yoga technique of Yogananda's lineage.
When O'Neal retired from CSA in 1977, Davis took over as the chairman of its board and the head of its publishing house, which was renamed the Center for Spiritual Awareness.
He published the Truth Journal magazine and wrote monthly lessons for the Christian Spiritual Alliance members around the world.