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Ananda in the Midwest, USA

Nayaswami Pranaba

Question from Peter: I follow this site and the colony sites very closely and love the support and resources available. I am curious — why does Ananda primarily exist on the West Coast? I am in the Midwest and there are many followers of Yogananda here that could benefit from the teachings in person. Are there any plans to expand? In Master’s blessings,…

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Ananda and Political Views

Nayaswami Hriman

Question from James: Are the political views at Ananda very diverse? What is the general economic preference: communism, free-market capitalism, socialism, anarchism?

A Place Called Ananda, Meditation, Spiritual Growth

When Your Spiritual Progress Seems Too Slow…

by Nayaswami Rambhakta

About 45 years ago, I spent two and a half years paralyzed from the chest down. The neurosurgeons tried unsuccessfully to remove a cyst that was compressing my spinal cord, and a year of physical therapy brought no improvement, but a second surgery succeeded, and I gradually recovered the use of my legs. I’ve had a wonderful life, so don’t…

A Place Called Ananda, Divine Love, Spiritual Growth

Catching the “Bug” of Service

by Nayaswami Rambhakta

I was working at the publications building at Ananda Village one day in the summer of 1976, when Swami Kriyananda stopped by. He asked for my help with photographing some art for a project he was working on. I followed Swamiji and several members of the publications staff outdoors where the light was better for photography. Swamiji described the pink…

A Place Called Ananda, Music and the Arts, Spiritual Growth

Learning to Sing Ananda’s Music

by Nayaswami Rambhakta

When I moved to Ananda Village in 1976, I was offered a job at “Pubble,” the department where Swami Kriyananda’s books were published. Not long after I arrived, Swamiji invited the staff to his home to discuss some projects. Swami’s house was on the other side of the ridge from the main part of the Village. I hiked over the…

A Place Called Ananda, Divine Love, Spiritual Growth

Learning to Love

by Nayaswami Rambhakta

How can we love? I’m grateful to Swami Kriyananda for helping me deepen my understanding of this essential point of the spiritual path. For years, after I moved to Ananda in 1976, I felt painfully self-conscious at group gatherings. I wanted to fit in, but I didn’t know how. The place where I felt most uncomfortable was at “Swamiji’s” –…

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Personal Beliefs and Ananda

Nayaswami Anandi

Question from Christopher Gray: I have been interested in Ananda. But I have a concern. On your website it talks about becoming one with God and different references to Jesus and the bible. Now I do not hate Christianity but my spiritual belief is based on Goddess worship. Will this interfere with me being part of Ananda?

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Living at Ananda Village

Nayaswami Pranaba

Question from Geoff: Namaste, I am looking for a spiritual community to live in, and Ananda is at the top of my list of prospective communities. Are all residents at Ananda Village in Nevada City brahmacharis or sannyasis? i.e., have they taken vows of celibacy? Is this a requirement to live there, or do couples live there as well, cohabiting and raising children…

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Are There Pets at Ananda Village?

Nayaswami Pranaba

Question from tyler: are there pets at ananda village? i ask because master had a pet deer at his ranchi school and i have always found my kitty to be a great meditation companion. i would like to come and live at ananda; would i have to leave my kitty behind?