Swami Kriyananda passed away just over three months ago. He left an amazing legacy.
First, there was the sheer volume of his accomplishments. He wrote 150 books, many of which clarified spiritual teachings in ways never done before. He not only started the nine existing Ananda communities, but also defined the whole modern spiritual community movement. Then, there is the beautiful music he created, again not just the 450 pieces, but he showed how music can be a carrier wave to uplift the consciousness.
Few of us can emulate all the things he did, but there is also a legacy of consciousness that Swamiji left us. These are attitudes and practices that can guide each of us. Here are some that are guideposts in my life:
1) Constant attunement with Paramhansa Yogananda, and a constant practice of being guided, even defined, by discipleship.
2) Daily practice of dharmic living. Sometimes Swamiji would go to great lengths to be truthful even in small ways. I remember once when he made a trip to Assisi to buy a newspaper simply because he had said that morning that he was going to do so. The two-hour trip had become unnecessary because someone had been to town and brought him one. Nevertheless, Swamiji made the journey in order to keep his promise. By acting dharmically in small ways, he prepared himself to keep his commitment to right action, even when a decision brought serious difficulties.
3) Kindness and understanding. He was a living example of one of his basic principles: “People are more important than things.” In the days before his passing he made a farewell visit to many of the merchants in Assisi who had become his friends. In making decisions for Ananda, he always put the spiritual welfare of the individual ahead of organizational needs.
4) Great energy and laser-like concentration. When engaged in a book or project, his commitment and concentration brought a flow of grace that allowed him to work very quickly and at a very high level. Even toward the end of his life, he was writing books in a month or less.
These qualities — attunement, dharma, kindness, and concentration — are things we can all emulate ourselves. Thus, Swamiji’s beautiful legacy will continue to live and spread throughout the world.
Joy to you,
Nayaswami Jyotish
30 Comments
Very inspiring. Made me feel Swamiji is with me.
Yes, Swamiji’s presence can be felt when we sincerely reach out to him inwardly.
May you be blessed always by God and Guru,
Jyotish and Devi
Wonderful message, and everlasting legacy of Swamiji. Thanks for sharing.
The painting is wonderful, as well; a sweet tribute to the divine love between Master and Swamiji.
Yes, Swamiji showed us the power and true meaning of discipleship, and he showed us how to follow the path so that we, too, could find God.
I am glad I was able to read the letter. I like it very much.
I have not been in touch with many institutions. Been alone and on my own since I took Kria. Been a bit disillusioned with the Self realisation centre. A reason why I decided to remain alone.
We are glad that you enjoyed the blog. Under Swamiji’s wise guidance, Ananda is not about an institution but about souls joining together to seek God.
Thank you and congratulations for everything you are doing . Seven years ago looking for books about meditation, here in Romania , I discovered Swami Kryananda and Yogananda who are changing my life since .I bought all the books available here ,then ordered from Ananda and now I am reading kindle versions from Amazon . I attended the meeting which took place two months ago in Bucharest and which gave all the participants a clear and high image about what Kriyananda and Yogananda ‘s messages and actions ,their diciples ‘ and the spirit of Ananda .Crystal Clarity Magazine is my favorite source of wisdom and I am trying tokeep as close as possible to you .
Thank you1
So glad that you were able to go to the conference in Bucharest. Hope you were able to see the film “Finding Happiness.”
Dears Jyotish and Devi,
thank you so much for this beautifull initiative. What a marvellous idea! We are so happy to read your weekly letters. Through you and your service Swamiji will be ever with all of us.
In Master’s and Swamiji’s love.
Medhavati and Dayalan-Roma Italy
How nice to hear from you. Hope you continue to enjoy the blog. We’ll be seeing you in Italy in Sept.
Dear friends, thank you for this inspiring letter. I look forward to future letters. I feel as though I’ve lost a good friend but Swamiji’s present is ever with me. In friendship, Jerry.
We are all grieving for Swamiji’s passing, but as Master said, “To those who think me near, I will be near.”
Thank you for the light touch!
You are most welcome, Anandi.
Dear Jyotish and Devi,
Thank you for bringing inspiration to our lives! A touch of light is needed in our busy lives, to remember to go back again and again to the purpose of our destiny! Thank you for all the blessings you are giving us in spreading Swamiji’s and Master’s teachings and legacy!
You are very welcome. Don’t know we didn’t start this sooner.
Thank you for this new blog. It is a very good idea. It will keep the message of love alive and moving.
The painting is beautiful and very moving. Blessings to you both.
Johanne
Glad you like the idea of the new blog. Read the comment above about the painting.
Beautiful, very moving painting.
… defined by discipleship ….
Thank you
Glad you liked the painting. Jyotish started it weeks before Swamiji passed and finished it after we returned from Assisi for his memorial service.
We are so happy to receive your letters and will share them on our Facebook page! The blog is a great idea, and we look forward to more inspiration. Yoganananda’s spirit is alive in Swami’s legacy, and also through his divine friends and teachers who trained with him. Thank your for your continued guidance. We love and support you!
Dear Tracey,
Wonderful to hear from you. We will have fun sharing with everyone.
In Master’s love,
Jyotish and Devi
Wonderful that you’re doing this, Jyotish & Devi! And wonderful to hear your thoughts. Very helpful! This is like a “virtual community attunement” exercise, with many readers reflecting on the same uplifting things together.
Thank you dears Jyotish and Devi for implementing this blog for everyone’s benefit. It was a blessing to read today and I will look forward to reading it weekly. Much love to you both. In Master’s & Swamiji’s Joy, La Vonda.
We’re glad you like the concept, and we are looking forward to staying in touch.
In Master’s love,
devi
What an excellent idea, that Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi should create a monthly blog for the Ananda family!
The loss of Swami Kriyananda is felt by so many still, and I would imagine even by newer members such as myself, who had just begun to know him through online videos, etc. So it is good to find that there is one more source of Ananda “community energy” reaching out through this blog, enfolding and uplifting so many.
Swami Kriyananda laid such a firm foundation for Ananda Sangha, and that is evident by the way in which those directing Ananda are now moving forward with Master Yogananda’s teachings…expressed through many works of Swami Kriyananda.
Blessings to all.
Yes, Swamiji had a clear vision of how Ananda would continue to grow and expand after his passing. We are all watching it unfold with amazement.
Thank you for this, Jyotish.
The thought of having your guidance, and that of the other great souls of Ananda that Swamiji invested so much of himself in, has contributed in great measure to ameliorating the tremendous sense of being orphaned that most of us experienced when he passed.
Pranaam!
Priti
Dear Priti,
Thank you so much for your kind words. We look forward to seeing you in India this fall.
In Master’s love,
Jyotish and Devi
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish,
I like that you are painting Master. As he stands between us and God, he will ask us instead Him “Do you love me?” We can love him like a true beloved.