Paramhansa Yogananda Ananda A place of awakening May the Divine Light awaken and purify my heart and bring enlightenment to all beings. D Swami Kriyananda Meditation a Yoga a Sunday Service Classes a Music a Community The teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda
Welcome to Ananda Are you seeking more peace in your life? Perhaps you have had questions about God, or are seeking a deeper connection with the Divine. We offer support and friendship for your spiritual journey. Drawing from the timeless traditions of both East and West, Ananda focuses on the individual quest for Self-realization, the unifying reality behind all spiritual paths. Ananda is one of the oldest and largest centers for meditation in the Bay Area, and has trained thousands of students over the past 40 years. Everyone is welcome to Sunday worship services, classes, and special events offered year-round. See our online calendar for complete details:. What you ll find here e a haven of peace e accepting, supportive friendships e respect for the underlying truths that unite the world s religions e practical spirituality relevant to real life e thoughtful answers to serious questions e music, laughter, and fellowship e inspiration and personal renewal e strength to meet life s challenges e peace of mind e wisdom from ancient teachings, passed down from teacher to student in an unbroken lineage e techniques of meditation and yoga to help you grow in peace, health, and spiritual awareness Swami Kriyananda is a direct disciple of Yogananda since 1948. The founder of Ananda, he serves as a friend and guide on our spiritual journey. Ananda is a center for the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda (above), author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi. e long-time meditators and mentors to offer help and support along the way e respect for each person s unique path to awakening Ananda A place of awakening 2171 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 323-3363 connect@anandapaloalto.org
Sunday Worship Sunday worship for the heart and mind 10 am Sunday service 10 am Sunday school for children, ages 3-7 9 9:45 Meditation and fire ceremony Each of us has a calm joyful center, deep within. It may get lost in the hectic pace of life today, but it is there, waiting patiently for us. Sunday worship at Ananda helps us get back in touch with that center again, whether it be called the soul, the Self, or God. We honor the truths that underlie and unite the world s great religions. Our hearts and our sanctuary are open to people of all faiths, races, and orientations. Sunday service at Ananda is drawn from the ancient meditation tradition of the East and the teachings of mystical Christianity, with scriptural readings from both the Bible and India s scripture, The Bhagavad Gita. Service includes music, chanting, a brief period of meditation, an inspirational talk, and a beautiful ceremony called A Festival of Light. This is the first concept of God that I can fully embrace. Exactly what I needed to hear, in a way that I could hear it. L. Miller, Scientist, Palo Alto From my heart, I want to thank you. Despite all my previous resistance to religion, your wisdom has been the doorway through which I was finally able to access my real, spiritual home. I am forever grateful to you for leading me back to the real purpose of life. Joycee Wong, Museum Assistant, Alameda For years I have been searching for a place of worship, a place where I could express my spirit. Here, I am finding answers to questions I have been asking for decades. D. B. Palo Alto Asha Praver speaks most Sundays with her characteristic clarity, wisdom, and humor. (650) 323-3363 connect@anandapaloalto.org
Visiting Ananda Yoga Center entrance El Camino Real p to Stanford B Sunday Service entrance A Ananda parking A B C Class entrance D Temple Yoga Center & Fellowship Hall Teaching Center Class registration Book/gift store Living Wisdom School Pre-K through 8th grade We look forward to welcoming you. Ananda is at 2171 El Camino in Palo Alto, two blocks north of California Avenue. You ll find plenty of free parking nearby. College Avenue Class entrance C Class entrance D Watch a Sunday Service talk online p Free City parking on all streets, and also in the lot at Cambridge and El Camino, off Cambridge. School entrance Calendar of classes at
Meditation Learn to Meditate classes Each month we offer: e a series of 3 to 4 classes on Thursday evenings e a single three-hour class on Saturday morning Meditation is one of the most natural and rewarding of all human activities, giving direct, intuitive experience of higher realities. It brings balance, rest, and a growing sense of inner peace. Practiced on a daily basis, meditation produces profound results on all levels of your being. While its highest and original purpose is to awaken our inner, spiritual nature, the benefits to body and mind are also well-established by medical research. What you ll learn in these classes is the heart of an ancient tradition that has been passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years. Our instructors are life-long meditators themselves, and have helped thousands learn to meditate over the past forty years. Meditation can help you: e Feel happier, more relaxed, and at peace e Improve your health, mental clarity, and vitality e Relieve tension, stress, and pain e Develop a more intuitive, heart-centered life e Discover and explore your inner spiritual nature Daily meditation will lead you to the peace you ve been seeking for so long. The peace of your soul awaits you at the center of your own being. Swami Kriyananda This is the most scientific, profound, and effective meditation workshop that I have ever come across. Amalendu Haldar, Programmer, Burlington MA You may join a group meditation nearly every day of the week. Call us or search our website for group meditation. See our online Calendar of classes (650) 323-3363 connect@anandapaloalto.org
Advanced Meditation Advanced Meditation Training Month-long classes meet on Thursday evenings. Ananda offers increasingly advanced classes which you may take after completing the introductory Learn to Meditate class. Each month-long class is a prerequisite for the next. Ananda offers a series of advanced meditation classes and techniques that will take you deeper in your practice, including class time devoted to meditating with others in a supportive environment. Advanced meditation classes include training in Yogananda s Energization Exercises, a complete system that gives you increasing control over your physical and mental energy. Advanced meditation training will help you: e Develop increasing calmness and clarity of mind e Increase your powers of concentration e Overcome obstacles to meditation e Explore the esoteric aspects of meditation, including the chakras and kundalini e Learn and practice advanced techniques for greater self-mastery and spiritual awareness e Experience devotional practices which help to open the heart and mind Even great outward hardship cannot touch you, once you have learned to dwell always in the Self within. Paramhansa Yogananda Kriya Yoga Yogananda wrote that Kriya is the most effective device of salvation...in man s search for the Infinite. Those who have taken the complete series of monthlong meditation classes as well as discipleship may apply for initiation into Kriya Yoga. (Yogananda writes about this technique in Autobiography of a Yogi.) I d meditated on and off for years. When I was meditating, I felt a deep connection with myself and the world around me. But I didn t stay with it. One day, I learned that Ananda was offering classes, not only for beginners, but ongoing meditation classes that would take me much deeper. I was able to meditate regularly with others. The personal training I received from long-time meditators was such a big help. I feel connected now with a part of myself that I had lost for years. Elizabeth O., Administrator, Palo Alto 7 Calendar of classes at
Music Kirtan (Group Chanting) Alternate Fridays each month, 7:30 pm See our online calendar for details Join us in an evening of sacred chanting. Chanting has the power to transform and uplift the soul, and to open the heart. Most chants are easy to learn, so you ll be able to join in easily. We ll sing many of Yogananda and Kriyananda s beautiful chants in English, as well as simple traditional Indian chants in Sanskrit, accompanied by harmonium and guitar. Music at Ananda Chanting and vocal music are a part of every Ananda service and special event. Swami Kriyananda has composed 400 pieces of music for instrumentalists, choral singers, and soloists. He describes the music as coming through him from a higher Source rather than being created by him. Music can help to uplift consciousness, both in the listener and the performer. Many at Ananda experience the performances as an integral part of their spiritual practice. The music blew me away. The chanting is beautiful. I heard about the Friday night kirtans, and now I try to go whenever I can. I d practiced Buddhism before, and found the joy and devotion at Ananda have taken me to a new place, spiritually. Barbara C., Family Therapist, Half Moon Bay There is something that touches the heart deeply with this music. It is simple, lyric, poetic yet powerful beyond words to express. Even after hearing it for many years, the meaning reveals itself gradually, like a slowly opening flower, or like true scripture. Karen G., Corporate Trainer, Mountain View Listen to Ananda music online (650) 323-3363 connect@anandapaloalto.org
Raja Yoga With a strong lens the sun s rays, focused through it, can ignite wood. Yoga practice, similarly, so concentrates the mind that the curtain of doubt and uncertainty is burned away, and the light of inner truth becomes manifest. Paramhansa Yogananda Raja Yoga Ancient Teachings for Spiritual Development & Self-Mastery Most people think of yoga postures when they hear the word yoga. But postures are only a small part of Raja Yoga, a comprehensive approach to life that helps still the mind and expands our awareness of spiritual realities. Raja Yoga offers techniques for self-mastery in every aspect of life, from calming turbulent emotions to awakening deep compassion and love for others. Its practice brings awareness not only of the underlying unity of all things, but of our own essential identity with this greater reality. You may immerse in a 12-week intensive (see below), or in one-day and four-week classes in aspects of Raja Yoga. Classes include: How to Know God Karma and Reincarnation: What Are We Here to Learn? Chakras: Key to Personal and Spiritual Growth Personal and Planetary Evolution The Law of Miracles Divine Mother: God as the Feminine Principle The Eight Manifestations of Spirit Raising Kundalini Death, Dying, and What Lies Beyond The Meaning of Aum: the Inner Sound The Raja Yoga series is an enriching life experience and comprehensive overview of the science of Yoga. It s also a wonderful bonding experience to be with the same group of people over 12 weeks. The three instructors are phenomenal. My only regret was that it was too short. Brenda LaCosse, Tutor, Fremont The Art & Science of Raja Yoga One of Ananda s most popular classes is this 12-week intensive, including philosophy, meditation, health, postures, and the science of spiritual awakening. It s also an opportunity to connect more deeply with others. Usually offered once a year, from January to March. Calendar of classes at
Practical Spirituality Practical Spirituality Making It Real Spiritual practice doesn t end when one leaves the silence of the church, temple, or meditation room. Ideally, no separation exists between spiritual priorities and the practical demands of everyday life. Rightly understood, every situation, no matter how ordinary or how difficult, is another opportunity for offering devotion and a spirit of service to God. Swami Kriyananda Classes include: How to Know and Trust Your Inner Guidance Learning How to Love Achieving True Success: Health, Wealth, and Happiness The Art of Supportive Leadership How to be Happy Expansive Marriage Crises and Crossroads: Coping with Change Grief, Death, and Dying The Art of Living Superconsciously At Ananda I found not only the tools and techniques I yearned for, but also met real people who are living these teachings in real lives, just like mine. I ve come away with teachings that I can apply in my busy life as a corporate employee and mother of active teenagers. S.B., Technology Program Manager, Cupertino Healing Divine Will Healing In his early years in America, Yogananda often publicly performed miraculous healings. He wrote extensively about how such miracles could be done, not only by him, but by anyone willing to study and practice what he taught. His little-known writings form the basis for these classes. You can use these techniques as powerful healing tools in themselves or to magnify the power of any healing modality you offer or receive. Classes include: Principles and Practices of Divine Will Healing Conscious Control and Direction of Cosmic Energy Heal by the Power of Prayer Healing with Light and Sound Balance the Chakras to Cure Subtle Causes of Disease Taking Care of the Body Temple Transitions with Grace: End of Life Care Overcome Fatigue, Insomnia, Headache, or Depression (650) 323-3363 connect@anandapaloalto.org 10
Ananda Yoga Ananda Yoga Yoga Postures for Higher Awareness Ananda Yoga is a gentle, inward practice that brings not only strength and flexibility, but deep states of inner peace. The Ananda Yoga system uses classic Hatha Yoga postures to redirect the body s energy inward for the development of higher awareness and as a preparation for meditation. While the health benefits of yoga are well-known, you can explore the spiritual aspect as well, in an Ananda Yoga class. Classes include: Drop-In Yoga (see Calendar online for schedule) Ananda Yoga & Meditation Heal Yourself Through Ananda Yoga Yoga to Open Your Chakras Principles and Practices of Ananda Yoga Yoga to Open Your Heart Ananda also offers a 4-week certified Ananda Yoga Teacher Training program at the Expanding Light Retreat in Nevada City, CA, www.expandinglight.org. This is the workout I have been looking for. It gives strength and balance. But what I enjoy most is the feeling afterwards a powerful sense of being deeply at peace within myself. Jeffrey P., San Carlos Healing Prayers As I radiate love and goodwill to others, I will open the channel for God s love to come to me. Divine love is the magnet that draws to me all good. Paramhansa Yogananda, Scientific Healing Affirmations Complete calendar of classes 11 Prayers for you and loved ones If you or someone you know is in need of healing prayers to uplift any condition of body, mind, or spirit, or if you would like to pray for others, please contact us. We offer on-going prayers as well as an active prayer hotline for emergencies or times of great need. My brother returned home after an absence of seven years. He has been off drugs for a year but was too ashamed to face the family, until you prayed for him. B.C.
Connections Friendship: Celebrating the Divine in One Another You have to walk with your own strength, but you don t have to walk alone. The companionship of supportive, accepting, understanding friends is a blessing and help along the way. People at Ananda are deeply respectful of others need to grow spiritually in their own way, at their own pace. Here you will meet intelligent, open people who are serious about the spiritual life: Silicon Valley professionals, musicians and artists, families, retirees, business owners people from every walk of life. Activities and resources for deepening spiritual friendships and connections: Holiday services and banquets Performing arts plays and music Weddings, baby blessings, bereavement ceremonies Ananda Residential Community Living Wisdom School for Children East West Bookstore As I walked into the Temple, I knew I was home for the first time, like a weary traveler after many years. I cannot fully express the depth of my gratitude. Michael B. Teacher Ananda is a community of angels. Being part of it invites a deep sharing of the subtle realities of life, and has been a great blessing and healing for me. It is a shared reality of daily miracles, transformation of the ego, and sincere acts of kindness. Can such a way of life really exist? I have found that it does, here at Ananda. Sabina C., Caregiver, Mountain View (650) 323-3363 connect@anandapaloalto.org 12
Ananda Ideals What we believe May the Divine Light awaken and purify my heart, and bring enlightenment to all beings. 1 We believe in a single, blissful, eternal consciousness, which pervades the entire universe, unifying it and all creatures in a bond of mutual service. 2 We believe that man s highest duty is to realize himself as an expression of this all-pervading consciousness (in Sanskrit, Satchidanandam: Ever-Existing, Ever-Conscious, Ever-New Bliss). e We embrace the way to Self-realization through the inner silence, above all, of daily communion with the infinite Self. e We embrace the need to embody this realization in our own lives by daily performing at least one specific, conscious, personally selected act of service to our fellow beings. e We honor all as our brothers and sisters in that Supreme Consciousness which is variously called God, Ishwara, Allah, or Jehovah. We recognize all names for the Supreme Being as designating the same one Consciousness. e We embrace the need to give back to our Supreme Source by offering up every egoattachment and self-limiting identity in daily acts of service to others. e We seek as our primary goal in life the state of actual, conscious union with Satchidanandam. e We aspire to make our own lives works of art, whether through music, through the visual arts, or through the simple deeds of our daily existence, with a view to expressing the bliss that is latent in our deeper selves. e We seek to make our every thought and action a radiation outward from the center of our being, and not to allow ourselves to become superficial reflections of the thoughts and actions of others. 3 We seek never to convert anyone to our specific cause except, in love, to inspire all with the desire to reclaim the bliss of their own being. 4 We seek fellowship with others willing to join hands with us in this loving labor for universal upliftment. 5 We recognize that all human beings, each one individually, serve the Eternal Purpose. We condemn no one for ideas he may hold that are different from our own, but embrace all as fellow seekers. 13
More resources Living Wisdom School Pre-K through 8th grade Living Wisdom School offers an academically challenging curriculum, experiential learning, and training in character development: honesty, courage, creativity, compassion, conflict resolution, teamwork, and many other skills essential for success in life. Living Wisdom School also helps children to develop a direct, personal experience of universal spiritual truths. Children of all faiths feel at home in Living Wisdom School. www.livingwisdomschool.org e (650) 462-8150 Live in a Spiritual Community Ananda Community in Mountain View is home to many disciples and students of Yogananda. It provides a supportive environment for the practice of meditation and yoga ideals. Residents may share meals and participate in group meditations in the community temple. Apartments are available for rent periodically; inquiries welcome. www.yoganandacommunity.org e (650) 941-9507 East West Bookstore East West Bookstore in Mountain View is one of the largest spiritual/metaphysical bookstores in the world. It would take a lifetime to explore even a part of its extensive book offerings. Walking into the front door brings you to another world a serenity that is deeply calming to the soul. Managed and staffed by long-time Ananda members, it s a Bay Area destination for meditation and yoga supplies, inspirational gifts, clothing, art, and daily in-store talks by well-known authors and speakers. 324 Castro Street e www.eastwest.com e (650) 988-9800 The Expanding Light Retreat Be our guest at the largest retreat in North America devoted to the teachings of Yogananda. Enjoy the uplifting beauty of nature, organic vegetarian meals, comfortable accommodations and a gracious staff. The Expanding Light offers workshops, twice daily guided yoga postures and meditations, expert teacher training certifications, and personal retreats. The retreat is also the home of Ananda Village, the largest Ananda community in the world, and is 3 1 2 hours northeast of San Francisco in the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills. www.expandinglight.org e (800) 346-5350 San Francisco Bay Area Ananda Centers and Meditation Groups Berkeley (510) 540-6267 Concord (925) 682-7887 Half Moon Bay (650) 726-0199 Scotts Valley & Boulder Creek (831) 461-9642 Call Ananda for information: (650) 323-3363 14
Support for your journey Paramhansa Yogananda Yogananda is perhaps best known for his spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. Written in 1946, it has been translated into 19 languages and has inspired the spiritual awakening of millions. Yogananda was the first Yoga master to make his home in the West. He emphasized the underlying unity of all religions and brought a new understanding of the mystic, original teachings of Christ. He brought to the West the sacred technique of Kriya Yoga meditation. Swami Kriyananda Swami Kriyananda became Yogananda s disciple in 1948. At his guru s request, he has devoted his life to teaching and writing. His books are available in 100 counties and thirty languages. Inspired by his guru s dream of establishing spiritual communities, in 1968 he founded the first of what are now eight Ananda communities worldwide. They provide a supportive environment for simple living and high thinking where 1,000 people live, work, and practice the ideals of Self-realization. Now in his 80 s, Swami Kriyananda continues an active life sharing Yogananda s teachings with the public, dividing his time between Ananda communities in America, Europe, and India. His talks may be heard at www.ananda.org. e Nayaswamis David & Asha David and Asha Praver, long-time ministers and spiritual directors of Ananda Palo Alto, received their spiritual training from Swami Kriyananda. Asha is one of Ananda s principal teachers and author of Swami Kriyananda As We Have Known Him. David is a longtime advanced meditation teacher, has directed many of Ananda s businesses, and has guided the development of Ananda Palo Alto since 1987. David and Asha and a team of experienced teachers (see back) offer a full calendar of classes and events, year-round. 15 Ananda Palo Alto Online e All classes and events can be found on both the Calendar and Classes pages, and are searchable by date or topic e Register easily online for classes and events, and receive a 10% discount when you prepay e Sunday service talks are posted to the web each week. You can watch streaming video or listen to audio MP3 files e Many classes are also available as MP3 downloads e Listen to beautiful music and chanting e Watch or listen to talks by Swami Kriyananda and Ananda ministers from around the world Thank you for all of the inspiring talks available on your website. It s really a joy to listen to your Sunday services, and I m now listening over and over again to the audio classes online. The spiritual teachings are explained so clearly. God bless you. Gregor L., IT Professor, Slovenia Free MP3 class downloads Friends along the way (Photo on back cover) Back row left: Chidambar Bonin, Nirmoha Gladen, Gary McSweeney, Surendra Conti, Manisha Holm, Pavani Mahoney, Chaitanya Mahoney, Santosh LaMarche Middle row left: Lauri Moschini, Amara Fiesterman, Dambara Begley, Padmini Schuet, Connie Hernandez, Tushti Conti, Anandaprem Diane Front row left: Helen Purcell, David Praver, Shanti Rubenstone, Asha Praver, Stephen Manus, Saranya LaCosse, Ron Cantoni Calendar of classes at
Ananda A place of awakening Ananda Church of Self-Realization of Palo Alto 2171 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 323-3363 connect@anandapaloalto.org CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Palo Alto, CA Permit No. 101 Friends along the way Ananda s instructors and staff are dedicated to sharing the teachings and way of life that have been so helpful to each of them. All are long-time meditators; some for thirty years or more. Consider them friends and mentors for your spiritual journey. 16 I have found a great spiritual family here a wonderful conglomeration of seekers who are interesting, friendly, and focused on devotion to God. It is something my heart has longed for. I have found a home with these people, with this incredible community of like-minded spirits. Supriya G., School Teacher, Mountain View