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.
More about Ananda
Stay in Touch
Receive uplifting articles, videos, news updates, and advice to enliven your spiritual life, including opportunities to support and connect with Ananda.
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, which includes posture, where and when to meditate, and a simple effective technique. It also includes a subscription to our monthly Daily Meditator newsletter and monthly Inner Light newsletter.
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.
Learn More
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
Visit in Person
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
Featured
Upcoming Events
The Yoga Teachings of Jesus
Discover the deep yogic truths hidden in the teachings of Jesus
This online, interactive course is designed to give you an inspiring and in-depth understanding of Paramhansa Yogananda’s stirring interpretation of Jesus’s teachings.
Through nine structured lessons — each addressing a particular facet of Jesus’ yogic teachings through written materials, audio and video recordings, and live video broadcasts — you will make the thrilling discovery that Jesus Christ and the self-realized yogis of the East proclaimed the same eternal truths.
Special course-launch discount until Wednesday, January 29, 2020!
Tuition: $69.95 $49.95
STUDY THE YOGA TEACHINGS OF JESUS
Proof that Jesus talked about the following yogic concepts:
- Law of Karma
- Reincarnation
- Om vibration
- The Single Eye
- Kundalini and the chakras
- Yoga techniques to control the life-force (pranayama)
- How to transcend mortality
- Guru-disciple relationship
- How to reap the harvest of Self-Realization
Insights on:
- Christianity vs. “Churchianity”
- The historical Jesus & the Three Wise Men
- Yogananda’s guidelines for deciphering the Bible
Answers to the following questions, and more:
- What is the meaning of Jesus Christ’s “nativity”?
- Did Jesus die for our sins? Are we thereby saved by merely “believing” in him? Or is self-effort, too, needed?
- Is “eternal hell” possible?
- Was Jesus Christ a special creation? Was he the “only” Son of God?
- Did Jesus Christ incarnate several times? And, if so, who was he in previous lifetimes?
- What did Jesus mean when he said “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life”?
- What was the star of Bethlehem?
- What does “baptism by fire” mean?
- Who is a born-again Christian?
- What does the Holy Trinity signify?
- Did Jesus resurrect himself? What is the true meaning of the second-coming of Christ?
- Can Christ be seen and communed with?
- Is there a deeper meaning behind Peter’s “keys to heaven”?
Recent Posts and Videos
Seeing a Scary Image in Meditation
Dear Swati, Our goal in meditation is to dive into Divine Presence. When entering this level of consciousness we experience stillness, peace, joy, calmness and other divine qualities. We are embraced in a positive, uplifting vibration that can be life-changing. ... Read More
Looking for Spiritual Community
Dear Thomas, You have made an important discovery that spiritual progress is helped greatly by being surrounded by like-minded people. Here at Ananda we live in a spiritual community dedicated to the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Yogananda recommended that spiritually ... Read More
What Is the Use of Performing Mundane Tasks on the Path Toward Enlightenment?
Dear Carolyn, You are right: performing our duties and responsibilities and tasks “just to keep up social connections” doesn’t make any sense from a spiritual point of view. It only makes sense if you give it a spiritual purpose: these ... Read More
Eye Twitching During Meditation
Dear Heather, I think you might be lifting your gaze too high and causing muscle tension in the muscles around the eyes. Try this eye position technique: Hold your thumb upturned, extend your arm directly out in front of you ... Read More
Is It Possible to Become Enlightened on One’s Own?
Dear Friend, Thank you for your heartfelt question. This is a dilemma that many face in these confusing times! When? How soon? Who? Where? What text or scripture to follow? These confusing questions are tests of faith. So it is ... Read More
Posture for Meditation
Dear Kashyap, These points you mention — the hand position on thighs, shoulders drawn back, chest lifted high — are all part of proper meditation position but are not the meditation technique itself. What is best is to adjust your meditation position before ... Read More
How Can I Develop My Astral Sense Perceptions?
Dear Friend, The rishis of yoga have revealed that the physical human body is one of three “bodies.” Like bottles of water encased one inside the next, we (and indeed everything in creation) comes first as an idea (causal body); ... Read More
How to Deal With Pain and Suffering
Dear Aisshvarya, Oh my: there are so many stories of people being told they had but a few months to live and instead have lived for years! Yes, life itself is not just a miracle but full of miracles. However, ... Read More
Solution for Family Harmony
Dear Friend, True happiness among family members has its foundation in understanding and kind words. Remember this as the basis for establishing harmony again with your sister. No matter what the provocation, remain in calm silence or use only genuine ... Read More
In Meditation I Felt a Gravitational Pull. Is This Normal?
Dear Nitesh, In meditation, it is normal to become aware of subtle energy movements. Rarely is such an experience of any concern and generally it carries no special significance. As these experiences have a tendency to distract the meditator, there ... Read More
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.
