This past weekend was a very busy and joyful for the folks at Ananda Village. We hosted people from all over to celebrate the 41st Anniversary of Ananda and Independence Day.
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Friends from all over came to help us celebrate, of course, but especially they came to see Swami Kriyananda who has just returned for a 2 month visit to America. This weekend is just one of three major public events scheduled while he is here.
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Swamiji gave three talks: one on Saturday, one at Sunday Service and one at the Ananda Sevaka Order Retreat held at the Meditation Retreat. There was also a talk on Friday given by Jyotish and Devi Novak and Ananta McSweeney. The talks were amazing. All of them are on Ananda.org, so you can listen to them anytime.
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Swamiji was filled to overflowing with inspiration and his talks touched on many aspects of the life of a spiritual seeker. He was quite tired from all his recent travels but came and filled the amphitheater with spiritual strength.
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On Saturday night there was such a beautiful concert in The Expanding Light amphitheater that featured a 90-person choir. A new song was debuted: “Larks Fly High”. Swami wrote it for the new book The Time Tunnel. If you would like to listen to it click here. It is enchanting sung by some of our Ananda children and Karen Gamow and Dambara.
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Also part of the weekend was the annual 4th of July Parade. A classic! Floats! Costumes! Flags! It didn’t last very long, but I saw a lot smiling faces. Then there was picnicking and games.
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Our parade started with Lady Liberty (Marga, from Spain) and Uncle Sam on a motorcycle (Lucien, from South Africa)!
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We had a float highlighting the Ananda goat farm, Yogoata dairy.
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And finally, five different presidents made an appearance, with Andrew Jackson firing a canon with popcorn in it. Fun.

Monday was the day for our annual Ananda Sevaka Order Retreat held at the Meditation Retreat. The retreat center gets more beautiful every time I see it. It is so lush and colorful. The day began with a 3-hour meditation, then a brunch that was attended by Swamiji. sevaka-retreat-2010-2.jpg
The Ananda Sevaka Order members then convened to the temple of trees for brief, but inspiring reports from all the colony leaders. Swamiji spoke for about 35 minutes. It was a beautiful day.

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It is SO nice to have Swamiji back in the village. He will be doing a live webinar June 15th. Check ananda.org for details.
I hope you enjoy the pictures. Blessings to you all.
Love, Barbara

16 Comments

  1. Bless you, Barbara, for your wonderful photos that capture everything so beautifully!

  2. Thank you so much for these fabulous photo’s. It looks like a good time was had by all. Swamiji looks wonderful. Wish I could’ve been there with you all. Much love, Nancy

  3. Thank you ALL for posting these photos and the talks from only a few days ago! It is so wonderful to experience the Love & Joy of our Ananda Family with Swamiji in CA. A few of us from Dallas are coming for summer programs and/or SRW – see you real soon! Together in Divine Joy!

  4. Dear Barbara, thank you once again for your photos.I had the opportunity to watch/listen to two of Swamiji’s presentations on the third and fourth of July.What joy he radiated during those talks.I’ll see you at SRW.In friendship,Jerry.

  5. Hi Barbara. We weren’t able to come to the Village for the 4th. Your photos and captions helped us share the vibrations. In joy, Rambhakta (and I’m sure Ishani shares my appreciation)

  6. Thanks Swami Ji…Thank you Barbara for wonderful photos…

  7. Thank you :) So enjoyable to see the beauty there with all of you and Swamiji.

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