What Is
Ananda?
Ananda is dedicated to the belief, born of experience, that you can live in joy. We teach effective techniques for expanding your sense of self, such as meditation, Kriya Yoga, spiritual Hatha Yoga, and divine friendship.
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Our Inspiration
Paramhansa Yogananda has been called the father of yoga and meditation in the West. His Autobiography helped spark and inspire a spiritual revolution across the world. Among the over three-hundred (influential spiritual voices) I interviewed about their key spiritual influences, a high percentage named a book, and by far the book most often mentioned was Yogananda’s unique memoir.Phil Goldberg, American Veda
At the request of Yogananda, Swami Kriyananda dedicated his life to lecturing and writing, and has also produced hundreds of pieces of music, to help others to find joy within. More
With the passing of Swami Kriyananda in 2013, Nayaswami Jyotish was named by Kriyananda as his spiritual successor. Jyotishji met Swami Kriyananda in 1966, working closely with him and his wife, Devi (who came to Ananda in 1969), to build Ananda’s work around the world. Both Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi were named kriyacharyas by Swami Kriyananda, and disseminate the liberating and ancient Kriya Yoga technique of Paramhansa Yogananda’s lineage. More
Meditation & Kriya Yoga
Learn to Meditate
Meditation is a technique for personal growth that has been practiced for thousands of years around the world with repeatable results. There is no aspect of your life that cannot be improved by meditation, whether it be in business, relationships, or health. The highest purpose of meditation, however, is to discover your Highest Self.
We offer a free, five-day email series for a basic overview of how to meditate, specifying posture options, where and when to meditate, and a simple, effective technique. It also includes a subscription to our weekly newsletter of inspiration and events.
Online Course: Lessons in Meditation
Whether or not you are new to meditation, this course will help you develop a deep and consistent practice. With ample feedback from meditators with decades of experience and your own persistence, you will awaken your true nature: a pure reflection of divine peace, joy, and love.
Ananda is known for its expertise in meditation, and for almost 50 years has trained teachers in techniques grounded in the highest yogic practices of India, as brought to the West by Paramhansa Yogananda.
Next Session:
April 15, 2021 – June 24, 2021
Tuition: $99.95
Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga is an ancient meditation technique of energy and breath control, or pranayama. It is also a comprehensive spiritual path, which includes additional meditation practices and guidance for living.
The Kriya technique is given through personal initiation by one of our Kriya Yoga teachers. Initiation requires preparation which includes the practice of other meditation techniques and study of Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings.
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Community
Let us join together in this wave of social transformation, and through our practice of meditation create a spirit of global unity that can lead to lasting peace.Nayaswami Devi
Connect Online
Ananda is very active online: Live events, satsangs, group guided meditations, and personal support through email and chat. Learn More
Find a Local Center
Ananda has over 150 centers and meditation groups in over 45 countries which offer group meditations and classes. Learn More
Experience Community
Ananda has developed eight communities in the US, Europe, and India. Many offer internships where you can stay and experience community firsthand. Learn More
Be a Warrior for the Light
“God’s light is within me and around me. With the sword of faith in my hand, with the love of God in my heart, I am a warrior of light. I join my brothers and sisters everywhere to overcome fear with faith, hatred with love, and disease with health. We all are warriors of light. We fill the world with God’s light.”
A Call to Action
Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi share about the need for positive action in this time of turmoil and crisis.
Join the Campaign for World Healing
Every Thursday at 8:00 am PDT / 5:00 pm CEST / 8:30 pm IST, Ananda centers in the U.S., India, and Italy host a gathering to meditate, affirm, and visualize light and harmony in the world.
What’s New
Recent Posts and Videos
Where Is the Soul in the Body?
Dear Jacob, It is easy to conclude that Yogananda spoke of the soul as residing at the spiritual eye because of his emphasis on that area as the positive pole of the sixth chakra. But, in fact, he taught that, ... Read More
What Does a Broken Light Bulb Mean?
Dear Angela, Yes, if we have that conversation opened (if we are sensitive to it), the universe talks to us through events, which we can understand symbolically. Special events become messages. So what could that broken light bulb mean for ... Read More
How to Heal Family Strife
Dear Friend, I am so sorry to hear of this family discord, and so soon after your father’s passing. You seem to be a natural peacemaker among your quarreling family members. You don’t indicate that you have any other options ... Read More
Meditating for God, Not for Yourself
Dear DK, An important way to approach meditation is as a self-offering. In meditation offer all that you are to God. The Bhagavad-Gita states that ‘Whatever action you perform with dispassion, O Arjuna, whether eating or performing spiritual rites, or ... Read More
Does Yoga Work on Bodies with a Physical Challenge?
Dear Prabhu, Yes indeed, yoga practices do work well even for people with physical challenges. Yoga techniques work primarily with the energy body. Most people, especially as they get older, will have some physical limitations. It is important to adjust ... Read More
I Saw a Huge Red Ring Appear in The Sky. What Was It?
Dear Alex, With that kind of experience, we must always remain very cool-headed, scientific, applying strong discrimination. “Is this an optical phenomenon? Or is it a projection from within? Or is it truly an astral occurrence?” Otherwise the spiritual world ... Read More
What Is the Soul?
Dear Friend, In general terms, yes, “higher Self” refers to the individual soul and the “lower self’ is the ego and personality identified with the body. While different schools of thought may place different emphases on specific words, like “atman” ... Read More
Am I as Special as Jesus?
Dear John, It sounds like you had an inner energetic awakening. That voice you heard is true, but you have to be very careful. Yes, you are unique, beautiful, special, just as Jesus, but only on a soul level. His ... Read More
Did Our Bad Karma Cause Us to Lose a Loved One?
Dear Sathya, I am sorry for your loss. Please see the loving arms of Divine Mother embracing you and your family, filling you with comfort, surrounding you in Light. Know that your sister is in Divine Mother’s loving care now, ... Read More
Shall I Write Letters to a Saint?
Dear Nityaa! Yes, of course: do write letters. I love to write letters. (In the case of saints, what’s the address?!) Rather than run a monologue through your mind throughout the day, run a dialogue with God and the gurus! ... Read More
Online Events
“Whispers from Eternity” — a Daily Broadcast of Inspiration
Apr 20 12:00 pm PDT • Apr 20 19:00 GMT • Apr 21 00:30 IST
Ananda Yoga & Meditation Sadhana
Apr 20 3:00 pm PDT • Apr 20 22:00 GMT • Apr 21 03:30 IST
Conversations with Yogananda
Apr 20 7:30 pm PDT • Apr 21 02:30 GMT • Apr 21 08:00 IST
Weekly Guided Kriya Meditation
Apr 21 5:30 am PDT • Apr 21 12:30 GMT • Apr 21 18:00 IST
Whispers From Eternity: An Exploration of Prayer and Poetry
Apr 21 8:15 am PDT • Apr 21 15:15 GMT • Apr 21 20:45 IST
Healing Prayers for the World
Apr 21 10:00 am PDT • Apr 21 17:00 GMT • Apr 21 22:30 IST
“Whispers from Eternity” — a Daily Broadcast of Inspiration
Apr 21 12:00 pm PDT • Apr 21 19:00 GMT • Apr 22 00:30 IST
“Whispers from Eternity” — a Daily Broadcast of Inspiration
Apr 22 12:00 pm PDT • Apr 22 19:00 GMT • Apr 23 00:30 IST
Ananda Yoga & Meditation Sadhana
Apr 22 3:00 pm PDT • Apr 22 22:00 GMT • Apr 23 03:30 IST
“Whispers from Eternity” — a Daily Broadcast of Inspiration
Apr 23 12:00 pm PDT • Apr 23 19:00 GMT • Apr 24 00:30 IST
Friday Night “Happy Hour” Kirtan!
Apr 23 5:00 pm PDT • Apr 24 00:00 GMT • Apr 24 05:30 IST
Saturday Morning Yoga with Lynn
Apr 24 7:00 am PDT • Apr 24 14:00 GMT • Apr 24 19:30 IST
Sunday Service at Ananda Washington
Apr 25 2:30 am PDT • Apr 25 09:30 GMT • Apr 25 15:00 IST
Featured
Ananda Spiritual Counseling® Training Online
Be a channel of higher consciousness for those in need
Join Nayaswami Diksha for this one of a kind course exploring the art of Spiritual Counseling. Spiritual counseling is different from psychological counseling. It’s about counseling others from a space of uplifted consciousness in order to help them find deep, personal understanding and direction.
This training will enhance your interpersonal skills as you learn to listen actively, respond with clarity, and open the doorway for superconscious understanding and solutions. You’ll explore spiritual skills and effective communication principles that will help you guide others to find their own solutions.
Supported Silent Retreat
Spring dates: April 22-25, May 13-16, June 3-6
Still your mind and rejuvenate your spirit in a COVID-safe group environment. Our meditation gardens and serene forest setting provide the perfect backdrop for you to go deep into silence and re-connect with your true Self.
Thank You, God – Tithing as a Spiritual Practice
Tithing is a spiritual practice, a conscious expression of gratitude given without condition to the source of your inspiration– God. We invite you to try it. Hear the stories of others, but test this teaching in your own life and see what transpires.
Your support is a blessing for all
Ananda is a beacon of light, breaking through the darkness of this world with the universal teachings of Self-realization.
Thank you for being a part of this community of souls who support each other on our path to God.
