Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi are accompanying Swami Kriyananda in Los Angeles, where he and the Ananda team launch the new expansion of our work.
This is the first installment of their Ananda LA blog series. Stay tuned for more!
Dear Friends,
Greetings to you from Los Angeles!
We will try to send regular news about Swami Kriyananda and Ananda team’s activities here, because we know your thoughts and prayers are with us now especially.
Most of you probably saw or heard Swamiji’s talk at the Ford Amphitheater on Sunday night (see sidebar).
Swami Kriyananda and the choir at the Ford Theater
As Jyotish brought Swamiji back stage in his wheelchair before the program, people seated in the audience could see Swamiji being wheeled in, and they gave him a standing ovation to honor the effort he made to come.
(Editor’s note: Swami Kriyananda took a fall a few days earlier, and his health was precarious for that period of time).
Swamiji received two more standing ovations: one at the end of his main talk, and one at the end of the evening.
It was a beautiful evening, with the Ford filled to capacity. The choir sang beautifully, Neale Donald Walsh spoke well, and Catherine Kairavi gave a great introduction to her new book Two Souls: Four Lives, The Lives and Former Lives of Paramhansa Yogananda and his disciple, Swami Kriyananda (see sidebar).
Swamiji filled the hearts of all present with devotion for God and Guru, great inspiration, and peace.
We left directly after the event with Swamiji, but Ananda people who were at the book tables said that many of those attending stayed for hours talking and getting information about how they can stay involved with Ananda. It was a great launching for the next phase of Ananda’s work in LA.
It truly was a miracle that Swamiji could travel to LA from Ananda Village, and give the speech with such strength and power. Now he’s been relaxing, resting, and visibly improving. He is getting his energy back, and is able to use his legs more all the time, making the transition from the wheelchair to using the walker. Miriam (Swamiji’s nurse) was able to get him a beautiful nayaswami blue walker and matching cane, so we’re ready for the future.
Bharavi and her twin daughters Gracie and Lexie, are being welcoming and gracious beyond anything we can describe.
Bharavi and her children
(Editor’s note: Bharavi is one of Ananda’s core members in Los Angeles. She made her house available for Swamiji and his staff).
Swamiji’s apartment that Bharavi created from her business office is beautiful and comfortable. The rest of us are also getting settled in, and it’s really going to be a wonderful time.
Swamiji relaxing in his new home
The first week in Los Angeles has been a busy one. In spite of recuperating from his fall on August 17, Swamiji has been launching many projects here. The Monday after the Ford talk, he was mainly staying at home. Then several large boxes arrived filled with fun and amazing gadgets from a catalog order he’d placed while still at Ananda Village. He kept all of us busy trying to figure out how they worked, and entertained the 8-year old twins with al the electronic wonders.
That evening he had a long discussion with Sean Meshorer, Director of Ananda LA, about next steps for the work here.
Sean and Brook, Directors of Ananda Los Angeles
He also met with Nandini, our publicist from Ananda Assisi, and her new co-worker, Collin, who just received Kriya Initiation during Spiritual Renewal Week at Ananda Village. They are heading up the effort to manifest Swamiji’s movie The Answer about his life. Collin lived in LA for a number of years and has produced several movies. Nandini and Collin are following up with leads for investors and contacts to help move the project forward.
Swami Kriyananda, Nandini, and Collin
(Editor’s note: Swami Kriyananda has written scripts for two films. The Wayshower is about Yogananda’s life, and The Answer is about his own, as Yogananda’s disciple. The scripts are based on the books Autobiography of a Yogi and The New Path. Both films are in pre-production stages.)
Yesterday, August 25, was busy throughout the day. In the morning Swamiji met with Sean, Bharavi, and Jonathon, the team for The Wayshower, to discuss next steps for the film about Master’s life. Jonathon is also a disciple of Master and Kriyaban with impressive film credentials.
After the meeting, we went to a small film studio where Swamiji recorded an hour-long interview about why the movie is important in the world today, what was Master’s message, and why Swamiji wants to make a film about his guru’s life.
It was an inspiring interview which will be edited down and used for the pre-production website to draw investors. We’ll probably use the entire interview for other purposes as well.
We also met to plan future events here:
- On September 12 we will have an all-day celebration of Swamiji’s spiritual anniversary of meeting Yogananda (details to follow soon).
- On September 19 Swamiji will begin his regular free weekly Sunday satsangs, or informal talks (see sidebar).
- We will be setting up a teaching schedule with Ananda teachers who came from Ananda Village and other Ananda Colonies.
- We are exploring the possibility of teaching a Meditation Teacher Training Course to enable local devotees to teach basic meditation.
Finally last night, Jyotish and I were planning to go to a small Open House for the West Hollywood Meditation Group. They were expecting maybe 20 people.
At about 5 pm, Swamiji asked us what the event was in the evening and would it be helpful if he came. We quickly called Sean who got the word out through Facebook and text messages.
When we arrived at the venue at 7:30 pm there were about 50 people seated in a small, rather warm room, and by 8:00 there were nearly 100, many of whom were first-timers. Swamiji gave an enthralling satsang for 90 minutes sharing about Master, the nature of bliss, and much more.
I think those present had their lives changed. Bryan McSweeny (Ananda LA’s “official” videographer) recorded it, so we’ll post it soon.
Swami Kriyananda at the West Hollywood Meditation Center
We will keep you posted as often as we can. We send our love and friendship in God and Guru.
New temporary home for Swami Kriyananda and the team
Jyotish and Devi
48 Comments
Thank you dear friends for this short update from LA. I did listen to Swamiji’s talk and it was wonderful.My prayers are with all of you.In Master’s love, Jerry Champagne, Ashland,OR.
thank you so much for the news.
it is heartwarming.
to be connected this way is to have my true family with me. Though I be way out here in the world, i feel comforted and renewed.
God bless you for sharing .
The little details are the dearest.
I pray for Swamijis speedy recovery
Tej Mohan Aggarwal
Hi Devi &Jyotish,
namaste ….. this will be a voice from way back ….. Feel I must tell you (and dearly hope that you will pass it on to Swami-ji) that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his talk on Master, and his own life’s search for truth that led him to the Guru. Swami really has done a
“great work.” Being out here in the quote “real world” now for 25 years, I am more aware than ever of how difficult it is to make a true difference — spiritually — in a world saturated with materialistic leanings. Master’s vision of World Brotherhood Colonies may have not even got off the ground were it not for Swami’s dedication and unswerving commitment.
It was very touching for me to see how he’s serving Master right to the very end, even as his body loses its strength — It brought the tears (and the lump in the throat!)
Thanks again for keeping this blog up — I am actually on retreat myself (here in Hawaii about 10 minutes from Polestar where I am a member) but I had to go online and I’m very glad I did as I saw your email and thus, got great inspiration from this video.
It’s funny but just recently I was thinking of how much I would have loved getting to Spiritual Renewal Week this Summer (almost came with Michael G.) and now, I really want to make that next year and also come for a Higher Kriya Weekend.
OK, I’ll stop here …….
Much love and aloha to you & Swamiji ……
(please do give him my regards; I think / hope he’ll remember me)
In Master,
Robert (Bob) Kelaghan
Polestar Community
Pahoa, Hawaii
P.S. Please pass along best wishes also to Sean Meshorer; how exciting for him to be heading up the LA Ananda Center! Go Sean!
Ji Gurudeva,
I very happy such step you are taken to keep the house follower of Guru in that area.We want to know the branch at Hyderabad,India,
and kindly provide me address I will be join happily to serve the Gurus.
Namaskarams,
inampudisivaprasad
Dear Jyotish & Devi,
Thank you so much for this posting so that we know how Swamiji is doing and can follow the events. It’s so wonderful that so many could attend the first impromptu satsang with Swamiji and kudos to Sean and Brook for getting the word out instantly!
Blessings to you, all the staff and the many LA devotees who help in so many ways. This is all part of what Master said, was a ‘great work to do.’
Joy,
krishna
Thank you! Reading of the day-to-day activities of Swamiji and team is wonderful. Your sharing allows us all to feel like we’re a part of this great work. Please write whenever you can! Blessings to you all.
Thank you so much for the updates, and for all the recordings. What a blessing!
The life-changing vibration seems to come right through the computer. Thank you so much for posting all of the uplifting photos and information.
Thanks so much, Jyotish and Devi, for keeping us posted on details of Swamiji, and the new work in LA. Thanks, too, for the wonderful photos – we feel like we’re there with you.
In Him, Daya and Keshava
It is so uplifting to hear the day to day details of Swamiji in LA. I am so thrilled that he is here in So. CA He is in my prayers for healing in body, mind, and soul. What a wonderful turnout for his first satsang in LA. I live about an hour and a half away, but I plan on getting to at least one or more of his future satsangs. Thanks for the great pictures of his home and satsang.
It was deeply thrilling to listen to Swamiji’s talk and to know from all the communications the previous week, what he went through to get there. His focused energy and unswerving dedication to Master brought tears to my eyes–several times. And to all those who have put forth heroic efforts and energy to create the work in LA and all over the world, many blessings! Your examples of selfless service continue to make a huge difference in my life.
Joy
As always SwamiJi is in my prayers as is this new effort to spread Masters work. Thank you for the news, updates and wonderful pictures.
How wonderful!
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
God Bless!
Thanks.. for the impressive news! We welcome Ananda in Los Angeles area.Keep us posted.
Willie
Thank you for all the inspiration and spiritual insight — it teaches us to be better human beings.God bless you Jyotish and Devi for all the good work and I thank Swamiji for guiding us along the right path.
Your article is a shower of blessings to all of us in the field, very nice,a gold star for everyone
28th august2010
thank you much for the news. i pray god for the speedy recovery of swami kriyananda.
Namaste and Blessings to all of you for doing this important work.
Do you think it would be possible to include meditation in the films being produced and on the net (utube and ananda websites)?
It seems it would be great inspiration to tune into Master and Swamiji’s energy with others and it would be a great help for those who are beginning and or can not get to group meditation.
Thank you for considering this request.
OM Guru OM.
So very grateful you are sharing online the happenings in Southern California…the energy of Dwapara Yuga is enabling us to keep in closer contact with our gurubhai’s work and inviting new devotees to join us, and celebrate Master’s teachings with us…thrilling indeed !! Our daily prayers and gratitude for Swamiji and all that is taking place by the tireless, dedicated efforts by all of you. In Master’s Joy…joycee
Dear Jyotish and Devi,
Thank you for bringing us the news of what beautiful happenings, are being shown in LA. I am praying for Swammi, .health and would like to say , Blessed be the tree that Binds our Hearts in these wonderous times. Auntie White Dove
I PRAY GOD FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY OF SWAMI KRIYANAND JI.
thanks Swamij i can feel the blessings of your presence in our life , they are infinite. thanks for your work and devotion to Yoganandaj ,
thanks .
I’ve been reading this blog for a very good although. Keep up the magnificent job you are doing here.