Yogananda’s City of Angels Pilgrimage

Join us, July 3 – 12, 2022 for a profound pilgrimage immersed in the holiness of the sacred places where Paramhansa Yogananda lived, wrote, and blessed the world with his love for God.
Click here to find out about the 7 and 9 day options and more…
Ananda Village Internship 2021
One of the Most Successful Cooperative Spiritual Communities in the World
- Join us for a summer of adventure and service at Ananda Village, where devotees and disciples of Paramhansa Yogananda live his vision of intentional spiritual communities.
- In this one- to four-month program, immerse yourself in an environment supportive of prioritizing your spiritual life. If you are between 18 and 40, apply for one of 20 positions available. Summer 2021 cohorts are forming now!
- Apprentice with long-time Kriya yogis in organic farming and permaculture, construction, forestry, communications, and more. Dive deep into Yogananda’s teachings of Hong Sau, Energization Exercises, Raja Yoga, and spiritual Hatha Yoga. Through selfless, joyful service, immersion in nature, community living, and daily meditation, you will experience how full-hearted commitment to Yogananda’s teachings can uplift your consciousness and awaken your highest potential.
Spiritual Q&A
Coping with Family Disharmony
Dear Friend, What a sad situation, indeed. Let’s start with the admission that we can’t, by will power, change another person if he or she doesn’t wish to change. Right? Those of us who subscribe to the perennial wisdom of
How Do I Reach Self-Realization
Dear Vivek, Indeed that metaphor is valid because our nature is “Tat twam asi.” “Thou art THAT.” We and all people and things are manifestations of God. It has been said that God is with us as much now as
Why Are Spiritual Practices Necessary? Isn’t Asking God from the Heart Enough?
Dear Vivekji, For ages this question has been discussed. Bhaktas (devotional people) often say that grace alone saves you, that there is only a need for prayer, devotion, self-surrender — “asking”, as you say, and all will be given —
Can I Experience the Highest Spiritual Attainment Now? Or Are Many Years Necessary?
Dear Seeker, You are quite right. It could indeed happen in this very moment. Samadhi, the highest state, is yours already. The trouble is, there are mental and karmic cross-currents which tell you “I am not yet there,” “reality is
Can I Achieve My Spiritual Goals?
Dear Reddy, Lahiri Mahasaya of Benares would say to students: “Banat, banat ban jai!” Doing, doing, soon…done! Think of body building or sports training: you just have to keep up the routine and not try to second guess the consequences.
Advaita and Yoga
Dear Surya, You ask a very important question. I know what you mean about the response to Advaita (non-dual) philosophy. What inevitably happens, though, is that minutes after our reading is finished, we revert to dualistic actions. It is a
How Can the Astral Body Heal the Physical Body?
Dear Michelle, I too had Lyme disease and dealt with it. Of course, ask a physician what you should do, it’s no joke. But indeed a strong astral body heals the physical body. What you need to do is recharge
Awakening Kundalina with Asanas
Dear Vivek, Kundalini is not primarily physical, so Kundalini is only indirectly affected by asanas. Kundalini is prana in the locked form. It is true that aggressive application of asanas can sometimes awaken Kundalini energy, but to do so is
Yoga for Autism, ADD, ADHD
Dear Friend, It seems so hurtful that children should be so afflicted. In some ways, our entire world is afflicted with aspects of ADD, ADHD, and Autism. I think the birth of children with these challenges reflects the karma and
Is It Okay to Pray for Our Needs? Or Should We Just Surrender and Accept Whatever God Gives Us?
Dear Nandhini, Yogananda answers your question in this way: “It is all right to pray to God for things. It is better still, however, to ask that His will be done in your life. He knows what you need, and
Correct Posture for Deep Breathing
Dear Victor, Thank you for your note. Isn’t it odd that something like breathing which we do generally without thought or awareness should have to be re-learned! Indeed: breath is life and we have much to learn in living, so
I Need Spiritual Help Coping with My Mother-in-Law
Dear AL, Let me make a few assumptions before I respond: your mother-in-law lives with you and your husband in the same house? You do research but can’t leave the house? So I assume you have a paid job doing
Were Jesus and Krishna Avatars or Spiritual Masters?
Dear Sam, Ramakrishna and Yogananda are saying exactly the same thing. It just appears to be different. Both explained that Krishna and Jesus were incarnations of God, or avatars. An avatar is a soul like you and me, who, after
Do the Masters Differ in Their Teachings?
Dear Sam, The quotes you have offered give us an excellent example of how differences can appear to arise between gurus or between different scriptural authorities. Any time we utter a sentence, a noun, verb, and object is required! This,
Law of Success
Dear LA, There is a story in the annals of life with Paramhansa Yogananda where he de-jinxed a relative of a disciple so that the relative could finally be successful in business. Another story involves a person who found that
The Love I Give to My Family and Friends Is Being Taken for Granted
Dear Pavithra, These issues are always a question of: “Honestly speaking, where am I right now, how far can I go with where am? And where does it become too much and is counter-productive?” Most of us mortals have limits
Where Do Souls Come From?
Dear Philippe, Many have pondered this question. While the answer, if any, won’t change our lives in any meaningful way, it is a curious one nonetheless. Paramhansa Yogananda commented, as others have in various ways, that the universe is peopled
Is Even-Mindedness Possible?
Dear SS, It is true that emotional reactivity causes karma because emotional reactivity is a function of the ego. The ego is the soul attached to the body. We need an ego to act in this world, to work out
Is the Process of Kriya Yoga a Decompressing of Compressed Energy?
DearAasheesh, Yes, Yogananda emphasized that through Kriya Yoga you can reach liberation in this lifetime. Your question is an interesting way of looking at the process of Kriya Yoga. Our inner energy is compressed, so to speak, by countless small
What Is Spiritual Pride?
Dear SS, The spiritual path is a long road that requires deep attunement with God and the guru to avoid wandering into the ego’s traps and reach Self-realization. There are many pitfalls along the way, one of which is spiritual
Recent Posts
Upcoming Events
Saturday 3-Hour Meditation
June 26, 7:00 am PST
Ananda Village Sunday Service
June 26, 11:00 am PST
Monday Morning Meditation
June 27, 6:30 am PST
Treasures Along the Path Study Group
June 27, 5:30 pm PST
Guided Healing Prayers with Mary Kretzmann
June 29, 12:00 pm PST
The Expanding Light Retreat
Sharing the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda – Learn How to Live!
Relax, Rejuvenate and Restore!
August 5 – 7
Kriyaban Retreat
September 29 – October 2
Advanced Pranayama
August 28 – September 4
Camino Spiritual Pilgrimage
October 4 – 24
News
Support Ananda
We are part of a great tide of loving, joyful energy that wants to give and give as long as people are happy to receive it.
Swami Kriyananda
Ananda Sangha Worldwide is a vehicle through which Paramhansa Yogananda’s important mission is being fulfilled today. By supporting this ministry, you become a part of Yogananda’s mission in the world.