What IsAnanda?
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.
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.
Start a New Meditation Practice or Inspire Your Current One
Why Keep the Needle of My Attention, Through Meditation, Ever Pointing Toward Thee
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
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 PST / 5:00 pm CEST / 9:30 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
How Can I Unblock My Self-Love?
Dear Nadia, Let us first ask whether “self-love” is ego-love or divine-love? How can we love the ego which has its unending ups and downs of positive and not so lovable thoughts and actions? To truly establish “self-love” we must ... Read More
I Think My Nervous System Is Damaged From My Lifestyle. Can Meditation Help Me?
Dear Walter, I turn 70 years old next week, though I still do a little yoga (postures) everyday — but I especially enjoy the Energization Exercises. They make the body feel alive and happy, even when there are aches and ... Read More
What Is Yogananda’s Technique for Learning Super-Concentration?
Dear Sunkoju, You are right, Yogananda used the term “Super-concentration,” just as he used “Super-relaxation” and “Super-living.” He explained the technique you are mentioning in the following way: HOW TO DEVELOP THE POWER OF SUPER-CONCENTRATION SPECIAL EXERCISE In the morning, ... Read More
Can Meditation Cure Bodily Diseases?
Dear Venkateswararao, The short answer is: yes, meditation can cure bodily disease. But how does this happen? Meditation helps us to consciously open to God’s presence. The more open we are, the more freely God’s healing energy can flow into ... Read More
While Meditating I Saw a Spirit and a Headache Started. Why?
Dear Raja, It is not easy to know if that headache came from an inner tension in you, or if you actually perceived something disharmonious outside in that temple. In other words it could be that what you felt there, ... Read More
I See the Spiritual Eye When My Brain Is in an Alpha State. I Don’t Want to See It Anymore.
Dear Crystal, I wonder if you are seeing the true spiritual eye which appears when we have tuned deeply into Divine consciousness. You might be instead seeing something that is actually part of a subconscious state. The state that you ... Read More
I Struggle With Both Worldly and Spiritual Life. I’m Also Having Trouble Committing to One Path.
Dear Sean, So many choices! Yours is an instance where the practice, “Chop wood and carry water,” comes in handy. As Lahiri Mahasaya put it long ago, “Banat, banat, ban jai!” [Doing, doing, soon done!] To use another example: It ... Read More
How Do I Find Direction in My Life?
Dear Luisa, I am guessing you might be a young person nearing or just entering adulthood who is seeking to live life from higher consciousness and looking for spiritual guidance. Since you have addressed your question to representatives of Ananda ... Read More
Do Medications Interfere with Meditation?
Dear Patrick, What I have learned about medications such as these is that they remain very experimental and their results vary widely, and not necessarily consistently, over periods of years. This is not a criticism, because I know of numerous ... Read More
How Can I Be Selfless, But Not Overdo It?
Dear Leah, As so many others have shared (including the famous prayer by St. Francis), we can’t control the reactions and responses of others. Our duty is to ourselves and our own reactions. Examine yourself inwardly, asking, “Why do I ... Read More
Online Events
Saturday Morning Yoga with Lynn
Nov 28 7:00 am PST • Nov 28 15:00 GMT • Nov 28 20:30 IST
Corona Cooking Foodies Fundraiser
Nov 28 2:00 pm PST • Nov 28 22:00 GMT • Nov 29 03:30 IST
Satsang with a guest minister
Nov 28 1:30 pm PST • Nov 28 21:30 GMT • Nov 29 03:00 IST
Chanting Worldwide with Ananda
Nov 28 8:00 pm PST • Nov 29 04:00 GMT • Nov 29 09:30 IST
Sunday Service at Ananda Washington
Nov 29 1:30 am PST • Nov 29 09:30 GMT • Nov 29 15:00 IST
Fire Ceremony and Purification Ceremony
Nov 29 10:00 am PST • Nov 29 18:00 GMT • Nov 29 23:30 IST
Sunday Service
Nov 29 10:00 am PST • Nov 29 18:00 GMT • Nov 29 23:30 IST
Sunday Worship Service
Nov 29 10:00 am PST • Nov 29 18:00 GMT • Nov 29 23:30 IST
“Warriors of Light” Meditation
Nov 30 6:00 am PST • Nov 30 14:00 GMT • Nov 30 19:30 IST
Featured
The Inner Journey: Conference for Self-Transformation
Experience the 8 steps that lead to great spiritual awareness
The path to enlightenment embraces eight stages. In one form or another, all spiritual traditions follow this ascent into higher consciousness. Throughout this program, we’ll offer classes, workshops, and experiential yoga sessions that will focus on one or more of these universal steps, shining light on how we all can live more from our highest potential, making the most of this life.
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.
