In my role as teacher at the Portland Living Wisdom School, I watch the simple dramas of life enthusiastically played out by the children and, if I pay attention, I learn. Two second grade boys decided to try jumping UP the four steps that lead from one level of the play area to another. One of the boys, who is … Read More
I am inspired to write this blog by the example of one of Ananda Sangha’s dearest spiritual sisters. In her humility, I know that she would prefer not to be named. Our sister has reached the point in this life when God is calling her Home. She lies in her bed at home, close to physical death. She is an … Read More
On the weekend of November 5 – 7, 2010, Nayaswami Anaashini Alzate and I traveled from Ananda Village to Chicago to participate in a weekend of programs at the beautiful Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago. This unusual invitation came about through friends of mine, Elizabeth Davenport and Anne Benvenuti. Anne and Elizabeth are both Episcopal priests. Elizabeth is … Read More
Dear Meditator, Success in meditation is determined by how dynamically we channel our mind and consciousness. In her book Grace, Nancy Mair tells how we can use our minds to attune to the subtle truth of anything we do. Her story below has great implications for everyone who meditates. I first understood the power of the mind and how greatly … Read More
I just finished leading an Education for Life Music Workshop in which I worked with four music teachers from the Living Wisdom Schools in Portland, Seattle, and Palo Alto. For two and a half days we immersed ourselves in the vibration of music and children: a very powerful and uplifting mix! Working with groups of children can be one of … Read More
Our progress here in the Pune community has been steady these past weeks. We hosted two retreats in October: one for future residents, and one to celebrate All Saints Day: “How to Become a Saint.” Ananda Pune residents All the members of Ananda Pune put out a lot of effort to make both retreats wonderful. The weekend for future residents … Read More
Last weekend we went to Los Angeles to spend time with my friends and family and to see Swami Kriyananda. We had a great time! There is an amazing group of people doing a great work there. Swami Kriyananda gave a powerful and compassionate talk to the packed house. Swamiji, since he moved to LA, has been giving talks in … Read More
Greetings friends, There is so much happening in the expanding world of Ananda right now, one can tune into all the energy and enthusiasm or get a bit overwhelmed with trying to keep track of it all. Illustration for affirmation, “God is Everywhere, Within Me and Around Me.” Everyone connected to Ananda, at every level, is sharing light through the … Read More
A few years ago I read a book entitled, The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin. Jyotish Novak, spiritual director of Ananda Worldwide, recommended it and I found it very enlightening and applicable to my own life. Josh Waitzkin is probably most popularly known from the book and movie, Searching for Bobby Fisher. Searching for Bobby Fisher is about Josh’s … Read More
