Ananda Sangha – “fellowship of divine joyâ€â€”is a worldwide group of individuals who share the search for higher consciousness and the ideal of service to others by following the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. These teachings emphasize “Self-realisation†as direct inner experience of God. Non-sectarian, they are based on’s timeless universal truths and offer practical solutions to the challenges of modern life.
Ananda was founded in the USA in 1968 to support people in search of spiritual growth. In countries on six continents, Ananda Sangha provides classes, events, satsangs, study materials, and other resources around the world, through a network of individual devotees, communities, teaching centres, and meditation groups.
The Ananda Joy Logo (seen above in the Ananda Sangha web logo), represents the soul’s aspiration upward toward God and outward to embrace all beings in its quest for enlightenment. The downward curve shows the corresponding descent of divine grace.
Ananda Sangha
Everyn is familiar with the basic truths of Paramhansa Yogananda’s teaching. Still, his message of Self-realisation and Kriya Yoga is a new expression of these truths. It is a spiritual revolution for just as in the West.
“There are so many receptive souls inâ€, Swami Kriyananda said, “that in time the work here will dwarf everything else Ananda is doing.â€With a small international group of Ananda devotees, he moved to in 2003, his 78th year, that he might dedicate his remaining life to make his guru’s teachings better known in the land of his birth.
Soon after, Swami Kriyananda began a nightly TV show, A Way to Awakening (AASTHA), reaching millions in as well as many nearby southeastern Asian countries and the USA. Ananda Sangha Publications was set up to print and distribute many of Yogananda’s and Kriyananda’s writings and musical recordings.
Swami Kriyananda’s 1st publication in was a correspondence course, Success and Happiness Through Yoga Principles, on applying dharmic principles to’s rising economic opportunities. It is now also available for group study and corporate seminars, and in both print and audio format. In turn came several more books, including what is often considered his crowning achievement, The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita.
Having long encouraged Ananda communities to develop economic means of support in areas compatible with spiritual focus, Kriyananda inspired several such enterprises in. The first was a boutique, Kalyana Kalpataru—The Wishing Tree—in Gurgaon’s Metropolitan Mall, carrying spiritual books, music, gifts, and yoga and meditation aids.
What is Ananda?
A worldwide spiritual movement to help you find joy within yourself, inspired by Paramhansa Yogananda and founded by his disciple, Swami Kriyananda.Ananda Sangha – “fellowship of divine joyâ€â€”is a worldwide group of individuals who share the search for higher consciousness and the ideal of service to others by following the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. These teachings emphasize “Self-realisation†as direct inner experience of God. Non-sectarian, they are based on’s timeless universal truths and offer practical solutions to the challenges of modern life.
This step is a two-class series that introduces you to meditation, offering techniques and tips to relax the body and calm the mind.
This step is a four-class series that introduces you to deeper yoga philosophy with practical activities that are life-changing. Also shared is a powerful yoga pranayam, known as Paramhansa Yogananda’s Energization Exercises, that teach us how to draw infinite energy from the cosmos at will and is over a 100 years old.
This step is a six-class series with emphasis on the Guru-Disciple relationship and its importance on the path. This step involves initiation into the path as a disciple. Also shared as part of the initiation is a technique for communing with the Aum vibration.
This step is a four-class series that works with increasing the flow of energy in the spine, in preparation for Kriya initiation. After adequate study, preparation, and practice, the student is initiated into the path of Kriya Yoga. More classes and retreats are offered from time-to-time on meditation. Kindly check the event calendar on the site for the latest updates.
Step One: Lessons in Meditation Learn techniques in the path of Kriya Yoga including: Yoganandaji’s Hong-Sau technique of concentration, which he called the “baby Kriya” Yoganandaji’s Energization Exercises, a unique system of exercises for controlling and increasing your energy level and overcoming fatigue Developing a daily, consistent habit of meditation Step Two: The Art & Science of Raja Yoga The Art and Science of Raja Yoga contains fourteen lessons in which the original yoga science emerges in all of its glory — as a proven system for realizing one’s spiritual destiny. This book gives a profound and intimate understanding of how to apply these age-old teachings, on a practical, as well as spiritual, day-to-day level in this modern age. Paramhansa YoganandaStep Three: A Handbook on Discipleship The following subjects are covered in depth: Does one need a living guru? The role of divine grace in spiritual progress How to follow a guru Becoming a disciple of Paramhansa Yoganandaji and the Ananda Sangha line of Gurus Step Four: Preparation for Kriya Yoga This is the final step of preparation toward initiation into the technique of Kriya. This step can only be taken after completing the first three steps. Contact us to receive individualized personal guidance on taking the Kriya Yoga Home Study Course.
A comprehensive curriculum designed by Nayaswami Gyandev McCord (Cofounder of Yoga Alliance) in a simple yet impactful way. The four week, 200 hour long course is put together keeping in mind the needs of professional Yoga teachers and the international standards of Yoga Alliance. Clear instructions, practical experience through co-teaching and group teaching practicals, reading assignments, philosophy and discussions combined with a yogic lifestyle makes this program a restorative and transformative experience for you.
Ananda Yoga Retreat is an integral part of the Ananda Community Worldwide. It provides a place for guests from all over the world to come and experience the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda. Our meditation and yoga retreat in Pune (about 1 hour outside the city) is situated in the serene countryside on the beautiful Sahyadri foothills. Come enjoy fellowship with like-minded people while awakening the divine potential within you.