People ask me what I see for the future of Ananda. The divine blueprint for Paramhansa Yogananda’s mission is not something that’s fixed. It’s an energy, a direction. For the future I see more of the same spirit as now prevails throughout all of Ananda worldwide; how it expresses itself is secondary. If we have the right spirit, then everything will go right.
At Ananda we are not trying to create beautiful New Age communities. Our goal is to serve God and to create an environment supportive to our devotion, one that will enable us to grow toward the universal goal of all life: Self-realization in God.
The ideal of communities is something that devotees everywhere should seek. Much thought has been devoted in modern times to finding solutions that depend entirely on human effort, without God—and without even such high ideals as love, happiness, and voluntary (as opposed to enforced) cooperation. Is there any hope that a community without such a foundation can succeed?
No, frankly, I see no such hope. If people live selfishly, what hope have they of clambering out of their habit-worn mental ruts? Attempts have been made, and the results always have been disappointing. No mere economic system can possibly create a successful community. No mere decision to live and work together, without a high purpose in life, can possibly bond people in unity during stressful times. No merely social experiment will ever work.
It’s people who make communities, and more than that, it’s people in tune with a state of divine consciousness. This state of consciousness is something given to us by God, and it’s this consciousness that makes Ananda what it is.
In today’s world where people are adrift in a sea without direction or spiritual values, God wants to use Ananda to show others a positive way to guide their lives. It’s not you or me doing it, but God through us, because He has something to say to the world at this time about the need for communities.
We are living in an age when coming together in spiritual communities will bring new understanding, new perspectives. The world needs a focus for this movement, and Ananda provides this focus. In our Ananda communities we have shown that people can live by high ideals, love all, and have communal harmony. Through our example, we can be of practical service to those who feel in harmony with what we’ve done.
Paramhansa Yogananda predicted that, “The day will come when this colony idea will spread through the world like wildfire.” Ultimately, Ananda’s isn’t the story of any community. It’s the story of great waves of consciousness that are needed in our times.
21 Comments
Dear friends, many blessings to you in this time of transition. I look forward to many years of involvement with my Ananda family. In Master’s love, Jerry.
I continue to look here for inspiration each day. Ananda will thrive.
Thank you Jyotish and Devi for this most important note to us all. My very being knows Swamiji’s blessed inspirations will continue through you both. Thank you for your dedication to this path, to Master, to Swamiji and to seeing us all move ever closer to the Divine. You are both in my daily prayers that this transition will strengthen your devotion and determination to find God. Aummmmmmmmm
I join you in grief and joy and in your direction for Ananda.Even though my health keeps me from returning to the Village; I would be happy to assist the growth of Ananda in anyway I can. I am onlilne and have lots of time on my hands. Thank you for your wonderful online presence to boost me up and bring me some satsang. My best wishes.
This loving transparency is so inspiring and refreshing to me! I stand by to assist with Ananda’s mission in any way of which I am capable.
The more we remember those two principles – “People are more important than things” and “Where there is dharma, there is victory” the better for each one of us. I so appreciate that you identified them as chief among the values that Swamiji learned from Master, and wanted us to practice.
…We were so used to Swamiji’s physical presence and his loving proximity ….,we acted like innocent ,naive children ,basking in the love and glory of our evercaring parent…….leaving all our responsibilities on Him !
…. that it was hard for us to understand that Swamiji has actually expanded His Horizon of LOVE AND GUIDANCE manyfolds to enclose all of us together under His Blissful Umbrella…..
And has come even closer to all His children….
.. now it is our duty to expand our consciousness higher and higher so as to tap that Guidance within and move forward in the Divine Path !
Jai Gurudev !
kalpna and arun
I was not well, but now wish to send a message of love and blessings to everyone at Ananda Village and to Ananda Worldwide at this time for love and support to each one of you, and enormous gratitude for all you have done and continue to do. Blessings of Joy now and forever.
The leaders of Ananda are beautiful reflections of Master’s teachings and Swamiji’s guidance. I’m honored to follow in these footsteps. Thank you, friends :)
Reverend Swamiji,
whoever works for Ananda Sangha which is of Swami Yogaananda, are blessed, selected one to serve for the spiritual purpose. Remembrance of Swami yogananda itself a great joy and fulfillment. Let god give all strength to guide us through you.
Thank you both for your Divine Friendship and unconditional love! I too look forward with enthusiasm to being able to be of service to our Beloved Gurus Work through this Ray! As we continue to better attune ourselves to Swamijis Vibration through the Great Ones now in Spirit form as Swamiji once wrote to me “He will be able to manifest through us in ways we can not imagine”!
With the Deepest Gratitude,
Brahmacharini Brindey
I wish you all the best in this transition, and am gratified by the way everything has been handled. Regarding the future of Ananda, one thing I’d like to see is facilitating the formation of world brotherhood intentional communities. By this I don’t mean more Anandas, where the teachings are promulgated, but more ordinary places where people have normal jobs, but live and practice together. Maintaining a central database where a person can voluntarily leave their contact info for people of like mind would be a great start.
Many blessings on you both! Swamiji indeed left an amazing legacy of humble leaders who serve others!
“What comes of itself, let it come.” – our Premavatar Guru –
Ananda has been a great inspiration for me! I have experienced love and great healing! Swamiji will always live in my heart! Thank you for your lovely note!
At this transitional time, may Ananda continue to put into practice Master’s words, “When I am gone, only Love can take my place.”
What a beautiful blessing it was for me to have known Swamiji, and simply to have been in his presence. We are all allotted only such a brief time in this incarnation, and Swami has done a wonderful thing with his life and time. A “Thank You” cannot suffice, but I am so grateful.
Ommm, Shanti, Love,
Mac of South Carolina
Thank you!
It Was Beautiful To Celebrate Swami’s Life and To be Included In Jyotish Accepting His Leadership Position Through This Vow Of Continued Service This Was A Delightful Blessing To Us All. I Have Appreciated How Giving Everyone Has Been With Their Love, Honor And Devotion To Master’s Work.
Swami Kriananda left a large body of work that I refer to regularly to keep myself on the path, he is an inspiration to me. Thank you for this note and for continuing his work.
Dennis Murphy
Bryans Road MD
like very much