In this section we share the lessons learned over 40 years of integrating spiritual principles into our daily lives.

Finding Happiness: The Movie

Filmed on location at the Ananda communities in California, Italy, and India, Finding Happiness follows fictional reporter Juliet as she talks with Ananda members about their lifestyle.

Organic Farming

By working closely with nature and consciously interacting with her, we have found that we can increase our awareness that we are a part of all that is. This has led Ananda to 43 years of organic agriculture for our communities and neighbors and viewing plant growing as one of our spiritual practices.

Swami SatsangSpiritual Friendship

Very often, success or failure on the spiritual path is determined by the company one keeps. To attract friends who support our highest aspirations is vitally important, as is learning to practice the presence of God when one is alone.

Schools

Education For Life is the system developed at Ananda to ensure a balanced approach to child development. It emphasizes a learning process based on the child’s interests and abilities, as opposed to imposing a rigid program of prearranged lessons.

Matlock FamilyFamily Life

One of the unique aspects of Ananda is the fulfillment of Yogananda’s dream of spiritual communities where people of all walks of life, including families, can seek and find God.

Music and the Arts

All forms of art — visual, literary and performing — have a direct impact on our consciousness. In addition to the daily spiritual practices, we regard music and the arts to be vital expressions of life at Ananda.

Health and Healing

Ananda members practice the common sense approach to health advocated by Paramhansa Yogananda. His teachings emphasize an integration of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of human nature.

Assisi, ItalyPilgrimages

Every religion teaches that in certain places on Earth there are holy vibrations. When visiting holy places, we should tune in sensitively to their vibrations, with a deeply prayerful attitude. If our hearts’ feelings are uplifted calmly to receive the divine blessings, the benefits we gain will be enduring.

Prosperity

Money represents, quite simply, a flow of energy. As spiritual seekers, our task is to learn how to attract what we need when we need it, and to share our wealth with all.

Ananda Yoga

These days, most yoga studios emphasize the health benefits of yoga postures. Ananda Yoga, on the other hand, returns hatha yoga to its original purpose: a tool for spiritual growth.