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

Paramhansa Yogananda

Paramhansa Yogananda (1893 – 1952), best known as the author of Autobiography of a Yogi, was the first guru from India to make his home permanently in the United States.Paramhansa Yogananda showed how everyone, by means of meditation, can realize God in their daily lives as a tangible, loving reality. He taught an ancient meditation technique known as Kriya Yoga, by which one can quickly attain Self-realization. More

Swami Kriyananda

Swami Kriyananda (1926–2013), is a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda and the founder of Ananda’s worldwide movement. 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

Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi

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

2021 Worldwide Appeal • Living in Faith

Ananda Outreach Ministries

The work of Ananda Outreach Ministries is to help every truth seeker gain a deeper experience of God’s presence within. Millions have been blessed through their relationship with Ananda.

Your financial support enables Ananda to continue to share Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings, inspiration, and practical guidance.

Every gift offered ripples out to serve the world and awaken ever-deepening faith. Please make your gift today.

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. Signup includes a subscription to our weekly newsletter of inspiration and events.

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.

Recorded Broadcasts

You are invited to continue to affirm and share light and harmony for the healing of our globe.

Online Course: Ananda Course 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 50 years has trained teachers in techniques grounded in the highest yogic practices of India, as brought to the West by Paramhansa Yogananda.

Kriya Yoga

Kriya Yoga is an ancient meditation technique of energy and breath control, or pranayama. It is also a comprehensive spiritual path of additional meditation practices and guidance for living.

The Kriya technique is given through personal initiation by one of our Kriya Yogacharyas. Initiation requires preparation through practice of other meditation techniques and study of Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings.

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

What's New

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“The Wonders Man Craved” by Swami Kriyananda – Christ Lives – An Illustrated Oratorio

December 7, 2021

43:45

Consideration for Others: Inspiration for the Week

December 6, 2021

1:54

Ananda Music, Christ Lives - An Illustrated Oratorio

“Chartres Cathedral” by Swami Kriyananda – Christ Lives – An Illustrated Oratorio

December 6, 2021

Thank You, God

Joy

December 5, 2021