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One of the Ananda teachers just sent me an article about the physiological link between the breath and a brain chemical, noradrenaline. Here’s a quote from the article: The research shows for the first time that breathing — a key element of meditation and mindfulness practices — directly affects the levels of a natural chemical messenger in the brain…
Blaise Pascal was an influential French scientist who lived in the 1600s. At age twelve, before he had received any formal training in geometry, Pascal independently discovered and demonstrated Euclid’s thirty-two propositions. It’s not surprising, then, that as an adult Pascal would complete important works on mathematics and experimental physics. He made important contributions to geometry…
“Nothing in the world is so strong as a kind heart, and somehow this kind little heart, though it was only the heart of a child, seemed to clear all the atmosphere of the big gloomy room and make it brighter.” Walking alone into the presence of his grandfather, the formidable Earl of Dorincourt, Cecil…
Live Broadcast: Tribute to Swami Kriyananda
May 19, 7:30 – 9pm PDT
“Mother told me, that throughout her pregnancy she was filled inwardly with joy. ‘Lord,’ she prayed repeatedly, ‘this first child I give to Thee.’ Her blessing may not have borne fruit as early as she had hoped. But bear fruit it did, gradually — one might almost say, relentlessly — over the years. For mine is the story of one who did his best to live without God, but who — thank God — failed in the attempt.” —Swami Kriyananda, The New Path
Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi, Spiritual Directors of Ananda Worldwide, share on the life of Swami Kriyananda and how his discipleship to the great master, Paramhansa Yogananda, has inspired countless devotees to live a life dedicated to God and Guru.
Swami Kriyananda (James Donald Walters) was born on May 19, 1926 in Teleajen, Romania, to American parents. In 1948, Kriyananda came across the book Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda in a bookstore, and hopped on a train to meet him and become his disciple.
After Yogananda’s passing in 1952, Kriyananda gradually moved into a role of greater public service. In 1960 he was appointed First Vice-President of Self-Realization Fellowship, his guru’s organization.
More than any other disciple, Swami Kriyananda tried to fulfill his guru’s vision of spiritual communities. In 1968 he founded the first community, called Ananda Village. He later founded several more communities, and also wrote many books and pieces of music.
Swami Kriyananda passed away on April 21, 2013, surrounded by his spiritual family. His body was laid to rest at the Moksha Mandir at Ananda Village.
In his will, he named Nayaswami Jyotish as his spiritual successor. Nayaswami Jyotish and his wife Nayaswami Devi currently serve as Ananda’s spiritual directors and have carried on Swami Kriyananda’s work of traveling, lecturing, and helping to guide Ananda’s communities worldwide
Recently a fellow-disciple asked me, “What should we do when we feel restless, spiritually ‘dry,’ out of tune, or when we feel strongly drawn back into worldly desires?’ I will discuss in this blog what I did when these kinds of feelings first “ambushed” me, and also, what others have done when finding themselves in…
When Paramhansa Yogananda came to America in 1920, he spent fifteen years working extremely hard to get his mission started, while facing many difficult tests along the way. When he felt that it was on a firm foundation, he returned to India to see his guru, Sri Yukteswar, and his many Indian friends, disciples, and […]
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Memory is that faculty of the conscious mind which, through the help of the subconscious mind, can recall any past conscious experience. Always awake, the subconscious mind is buried beneath the conscious mind, working during sleep, and constantly memorizing experiences during the state of wakefulness. In order to perform important duties, recall valuable experiences for…
Question from anupam krishna das: I noticed Yogananda recommended eating nuts many times. Was there a particular amount he suggested? Thank you, om
Meditating with Tinnitus
Answered by Nayaswami Gyandev
Question from Sreedhar: I have a medical condition called "TINNITUS' meaning ringing in the ears 24X7. How do I concentrate on meditation when…
Question from Andreas: How does one learn how (techniques, focus, practice) to leave life consciously? I am very sick and will not survive…
Should I Read People’s Minds?
Answered by Nayaswami Savitri
Question from Shaili: I feel that I am sometimes able to understand what’s going on in other people’s mind. I don’t understand that…
Loss of a Loved One
Answered by Hassi Bazan
Question from Ravi Rebbapragada: My mother aged 86 had a fall on Dec 31. She had surgery on Jan 12 , was released from…
Daily Inspiration
May 20, 2018
Laugh with your whole being, not only with your vocal cords.
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
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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