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We were sitting with two dear friends at a retreat house in the foothills of the Himalayas, where we take a yearly seclusion. One of them asked me if I felt a special power here and if my meditations were any deeper. I told her that for me personally, this is one of the two…
“Greater can no love be than this: From a life of infinite joy and freedom in God Willingly to embrace limitation, pain, and death For the salvation of mankind. Such, ever, has been the sacrifice Of the great masters for the world.” Such is the divine gift to mankind of Christ, of our Masters, of…
“You don’t have to try” played on the speakers as I sat in the dentist’s chair recently. Although in all fairness the song was about not trying to be someone else, it concerned me to hear those words. Because “You don’t have to try” was the repeated refrain of the song, it seemed to me that these words would be the ones to stick in the mind of the listener and possibly exert a negative influence. I thought to myself how important it is to try — even to try very hard.
Upcoming Yogananda Fest: Los Angeles
Saturday, April 28
Yogananda Fest is an inspiring day-long festival celebrating and sharing the teachings of the great Master, Paramhansa Yogananda. Join us for a series of inspiring classes, guided meditations, yoga, vegetarian food, devotional music, spiritual community, and special keynote speakers, Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi on Be the Change. The festival will include:
- Be the Change panel with Nayaswamis Jyotish & Devi 7pm-9pm
- Guided meditation & yoga
- Classes on The Path of Kriya Yoga
- Devotional chanting
- Satsang (good company) through Spiritual community
- Yummy Vegetarian food
- Handmade jewelry and other crafts
- Divine Will Healing
- Scientific Healing Affirmations
- Hablamos Espanol (Spanish classes include: Como Meditar, Como vivir con más energía, Que es kriya yoga)
Who is Yogananda?
Paramhansa Yogananda was the first yoga master of India who lived and taught in the West. Yogananda took the U.S. by storm. In the 1920s, enthusiastic audiences filled the largest halls in America to hear him speak. His initial impact was truly impressive. But his lasting influence is greater still. He was a spiritual revolutionary – a messenger of Joy. His spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi continues to inspire truth-seekers everywhere:
- He was an early catalyst for the now widespread interest in yoga and meditation
- He championed the practice of a universal, yet personal, non-sectarian science of religion
- He introduced in the West the timeless technique of Kriya Yoga
- He showed that science and religion are not in conflict
- He made the experience of authentic, transformative Joy accessible to everyone by bringing ancient teachings out of the monastery and into the home
- He showed how to use the inward awareness of Joy to bring high energy, creativity, success, and love into all of life’s pursuits
In the late 1990s, we had a lovely conversation with Catherine Kairavi, who for many years served as director of fundraising activities of Ananda Sangha worldwide. Q: Non‑profit businesses are proliferating nowadays, and donations may continue to provide an important part of the funding for cooperative communities in the future. Can you share your thoughts…
Overcoming Addiction through Addiction to God
by Nayaswami Narayan
In Yogananda’s beautiful poem "When I Am Only a Dream", he says: When you are able no longer to talk to me, Read my Whispers from Eternity. Eternally through that I will talk to you.
There are many kinds of people in the world — good and evil, restless and meditative, ignorant and wise, happy and sad. Tell the evil person to be good, and the restless person to be meditative, and they will make you feel that they do not want to follow your instructions, or that they cannot…
Question from Linas: Because of my physical conditions now I can not sit and meditate in that position. Are there any other ways…
Relaxing During Meditation
Answered by Hassi Bazan
Question from Edward: When I do meditate I yawn a lot and feel tired. Am I over exerting myself?
India: trends in consciousness
Answered by Nayaswami Hriman
Question from Rush: Hi, I was just reading Indian news of the horrific rape/murder of an 8 year old Muslim girl. It seems…
Blind Faith and Skepticism
Answered by Nayaswami Maria
Question from A0: Is blind faith a good or a bad thing? Is it better to be sceptical or should you believe everything…
Feeling Bad About Another’s Suffering
Answered by Nayaswami Mukti
Question from Preksha: How to not let empathy make you excessively concerned about others? Deeply thankful for the last answer. There is this…
Daily Inspiration
April 24, 2018
Strive to be a healing influence always, on both yourself and others.
Be the Change You Want to See in the World
“I pledge to meditate daily, to open my heart and to radiate peace and harmony to all the world.”Take the Pledge
Crystal Hermitage Selected as One of 14 Gorgeous Gardens
April 17, 2018
Crystal Hermitage at Ananda Village is one of 14 Gorgeous Gardens in the West according to Viamagazine.com by AAA. Read Article
The Union, a newspaper for the Grass Valley and Nevada City area, recently posted two articles about Springtime at Ananda, an annual event at Ananda Village where thousands of tulips bloom at the Crystal Hermitage.
In bloom: Springtime at Ananda: Tulips at Crystal Hermitage Gardens
Just up Highway 49, situated between Tahoe National Forest and the middle fork of the Yuba River, lies the Crystal Hermitage Gardens. Read More
Springtime at Ananda, 17,000 tulips on display
The sun is shining and the tulips are blooming at Ananda Village on the San Juan Ridge, which means it's that time of year again for volunteers to open the doors of the Crystal Hermitage to the public to take in the peaceful views and take part in the yearly tradition. Read More
We are part of a great tide of loving, joyful energy that wants to give and give as long as people are happy to receive it.
—Swami Kriyananda
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