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.
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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
Recent Posts and Videos
Do Astral Beings Eat and Discharge Waste?
Dear Frank, Yes, Sri Yukteswar explains in the Autobiography Of A Yogi that the astral body is the “exact counterpart” of the physical body. He also says that the astral beings eat “luminous raylike vegetables”. The waste from it must, ... Read More
What Is Right Action?
Dear Ashutosh, I think the implications of your reference to the Gita are not correct. Lord Krishna, in fact, states in the Gita that He (and all who are wise) should continue to perform right action because lesser beings will ... Read More
In a Special Meditation Experience, Was I on the Verge of Death?
Dear Karen, No, you weren’t on the verge of passing away. You just touched a bit of the other world, the world of light. The images you have seen might be real, or your mind created them, expressing in picture ... Read More
Is Life as a Student and Yogi Compatible? (Managing Stress)
Dear Ashutosh, Ironic though it might seem, nothing could be more practical and useful to a busy person (yes, even a student under pressure; indeed especially a student or anyone under pressure), than to remain calm and unflustered. The time ... Read More
How to Avoid Pain When Concentrating at the Spiritual Eye
Dear Sara, Concentrating at the spiritual eye during meditation is very important, and it sounds like you are helped by trying to visualize the spiritual eye. But we must learn to put our concentration there without physical tension. The spiritual ... Read More
How Can I Love God More?
Dear Friend, A Christian saint in France (St. Jean Vianney, the Cure d’Ars) once said, “If you only knew how much God loves you, you would die for joy!” Swami Kriyananda, the founder of the worldwide communities of Ananda and ... Read More
How Do I Conquer Leftover Karma and Live a Life of Joy?
Dear Pooja, Thank you for your heartfelt question on how to remain strong in daily life. It is wonderful that you have the desire to hold to God. You are already creating a blessed life. Drawing upon inner strength and ... Read More
Does God Help Reduce Our Suffering?
Dear Niraj, Yogananda-ji said he would sometimes argue with Divine Mother saying, in effect: “You (Mother) have created this illusion that tricks us into thinking it is real (and as a result, we suffer), you must free us!” But as ... Read More
How Do Yogis Consciously Leave Their Bodies?
Dear Peter, To leave one’s body consciously one most have learned the art of consciously stopping the breath. The breath is the cord that binds the soul to the body. Breathlessness is learned by avanced pranayama techniques such as Kriya ... Read More
How to Control Subconscious Impulses and Outbursts
Dear Carolyn, In the human mind there exists a large reservoir, a giant lake, wherein is hidden impressions, memories, the trace residue of countless impressions caused by one’s actions, emotions, thoughts and sense impressions. Compared to it, the conscious mind ... Read More
Featured
Upcoming Events
Ananda Village Internship 2020
Are you interested in having a transformative summer experience of spiritual growth, selfless service, community living, self-discovery and adventure?
Swami Kriyananda says that “Cooperative communities are a highly practical solution for everyone seeking true meaning in life.”
Come join the Ananda Village Internship Program 2020 and experience what it is like to live the teachings!
March 9: The Conscious Passing of Sri Yukteswar, Incarnation of Wisdom
On March 9, Sri Yukteswar left his body in a mahasamadhi — a great yogi’s experience of union with God at the time of death.
Paramhansa Yogananda recounts the last days of his guru, and Sri Yukteswar’s premonition of his own death, in this excerpt from Autobiography of a Yogi.
Yogananda 100
Celebrating 100 Years of Yogananda’s world mission uniting East and West. Learn more.
Next Major Event
March 7: Yogananda Fest in Los Angeles — attend online or in person
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.
