I was 22 when I found the spiritual path, and it was great despair and disillusionment that compelled me to embrace it. Like many of the great souls I have known in this life, I came to a point where the anguishing monotony of “normal” human existence was too much to bear. My cries for help led me to Paramhansa … Read More
In today’s Western culture, there are so many teachings about how to use spirituality to become materially wealthy. One cannot deny that man has basic needs: food, health, shelter, etc. However, it seems that many, at least occasionally, define their needs according to their desires. Would having enough money to fulfill all our desires really be the great boon that … Read More
On March 7th, 1952, Paramhansa Yogananda consciously left his body before hundreds of people in a dramatic display of yogic mastery. We all know the memorable story in which he read his poem “My India,” expanding into the Infinite on the very last word, his untenanted body slumping to the floor to be left in a state of absolute incorruptibility … Read More
Every so often, Divine Mother blesses our lives with something that opens wide the door of our hearts. My earliest memories of awakening in Love are with my mother. Though I knew nothing of higher states of consciousness, the love that was poured into me through my mother seemed to bring me into an immensely enjoyable and secure state of … Read More
I moved to Ananda Village without the necessary funds to pay for the membership training programs that are a prerequisite for living here. I had already spent much time working and saving and I just couldn’t wait any longer. I felt I was following God’s will in this, so I said to Him, “I’ve done my best. You’ll just have … Read More
It was last August when we watched our dear friend Andy Lyon make his transition into the world beyond this one. I have seen death in this life only from a distance in the way of great grandparents, family friends, bygone pets, and jaded celebrities. But what a powerful and enlightening experience it can be when the soul is one … Read More
I’d like to take this opportunity to commend those who had the courage to be involved in the first Joymasters experiment. Nobody knew if our hypothesis would prove a fruitful one. We were sure it would bear some kind of fruit but we all hoped it wouldn’t be one of those strange, astringently bitter, hard seed filled whatchamacallits. Getting together … Read More
Kalidas, a professional skateboarder, father and husband, shares his story of meditation and the art of shifting his consciousness. Transcript Kalidas: Being Bored and Living an Actively Exciting Life In my early days, I used to get into a lot of trouble. And I think that that trouble was because I was bored with regular consciousness. I was involved with … Read More
It was the Tuesday after Swamiji’s passing and David Eby had organized an evening at Crystal Hermitage for singing and meditation. We gathered around the tulips, which were in full bloom, and sang in gratitude to Swamiji, God’s instrument to bring us such a wealth of inspirational resources. There was a beautiful energy flowing and some peculiar things were happening … Read More
I spent my first winter at Ananda Village serving in the Yogoata dairy with a great devotee named Virani. She is responsible for supplying many of the village residents with nutritious and delicious goat milk products. I would say she has the strength of several grown men. After being with her for about a month, I began to notice that … Read More
