Twenty years ago my husband and I welcomed our firstborn into the world, and the Ananda Portland meditation group became a true Ananda “colony”. There may have been other significant events in 1988, but I don’t remember them. As we plan the 20 year anniversary celebration of Ananda Portland, my memories of those growing up years of the colony are … Read More
Long ago, I began mingling with the people who are part of Ananda and noticed several things: the joy in their eyes, the easy way they spoke of God, and the emphasis they placed on energy. I had not heard the term “energy” used in so many different ways before, and in relation to so many circumstances. It took me … Read More
I haven’t posted for a couple months – life gets very full with a family of five! We all seem to be going separate directions these days, but part of me really enjoys all the activity and seeing three children grow and explore their potential is fun. Many friends my age are watching their children grow up and leave home, … Read More
Christmas is a holy time, a joyful time of remembering Christ’s life and mission and taking those blessings deep within. It is also a fun-filled, busy time for families, which can become frantic and harried, with all feelings of blessing and holiness lost in the hustle. Over the years we have used many different traditions and activities in our home … Read More
I’m a mom, an oldest daughter, a nurse, a teacher, a karma yogi, – any way you look at it, I have “the heart of a servant”, as one friend described me. I am happiest when serving others, I always have been. An attitude of service is helpful when I am in a new situation or I have to speak … Read More
Like most parents, I often ponder how I am doing at my job. I realize that even the most sincere efforts by my husband and myself are not enough to do it all – the list of responsibilities is unimaginably long. So if I had to choose one thing to impart to my children, out of all the important life … Read More
Music touches people on a deeper level than words alone. The music composed by Swami Kriyananda is written to change consciousness; the experience of listening to, playing, or singing such music goes beyond the sensory experience, into the soul. Being part of the choir at the Ananda Center in Portland has become a vital part of my spiritual practice. I … Read More
I found this path twenty-five years ago and immediately felt a kinship with the disciples I met at Ananda Village and elsewhere. I give thanks every day for my gurubhais because I know I am not strong enough to fight the spiritual battle alone.
Living together with two churches in one house is more complicated than respecting one another’s beliefs.
The situation was getting more desperate every day. The entire neighborhood crawled out of bed every morning more tired than the day before.
