runbei Nitai: founded the Living Wisdom Schools in 1971 with six students, ages four to eight. The school grew gradually and by 1986 had ninety students in preschool through eighth grades. There are now Education for Life schools in America, India, Italy, and Slovenia. Q: Can you talk about your early experiences with Ananda, and how … Read more
Jaya has lived in the Ananda communities almost since the beginning. (The original community was started in 1968.) He managed the day‑to‑day operations and planning aspects of Ananda Village for many years, and now he and his wife, Nayaswami Sadhana Devi, serve as leaders of Ananda’s work in India. (Photo: 1990s) Q: This is the … Read more
We talked earlier with Jyotish about the beginnings of Ananda. Here, he shares his thoughts on work and the spiritual life. Q: Is it possible to do business in a spiritual way in the modern world? Jyotish: Paramhansa Yogananda came to this country to introduce an approach to the spiritual path that would be very … Read more
Q: The prerequisite for starting a spiritual cooperative community such as Ananda seems to be that a group of people must share high ideals. It therefore seems unlikely that the average urban neighborhood could become a successful community, because if there’s a single characteristic that stands out in modern life, it’s everybody’s willingness to argue … Read more
Vidura Smallen comes from a background in construction. At the time of our conversation he served as co‑general manager of the Ananda community in Nevada City, California, together with his wife, Durga. Vidura’s boundless energy and dedication to the spiritual values of kindness and service mark him as a “boss who never bosses,” and one … Read more
Although this talk by Vidura isn’t strictly about service, it’s included for its relevance to the spiritually relevant subject of staying inwardly centered while performing our outward roles. (Photo: 2010s – Vidura in India with friend Anil) About two months ago, I traveled to India to make some adjustments to the itinerary for our … Read more
Padma managed Crystal Clarity Publishers, the company that publishes books by Swami Kriyananda. Padma and her husband, Nayaswami Hriman, now serve as directors of the Ananda community and church in Seattle. Q: Can you tell us how you came on the spiritual path? Did you have a lifelong interest in spirituality, or did it come … Read more
Haridas came to Ananda Village in 1970, shortly after the community was founded. His good humor and enthusiasm brought smiles to countless visitors at The Expanding Light, Ananda’s guest retreat, during the years he served there. Haridas and his wife Roma now help guide Ananda’s growing work in India. Q: You’ve worn many hats … Read more
Shivani came to Ananda in the early years of the community. A whirlwind of energy, she naturally assumed positions of responsibility, first in the Ananda Village biodynamic organic garden, then as director of Ananda Publications, and finally in the outreach programs of the Ananda Europa community in Assisi, Italy. Q: Tell us about your life … Read more
Asha, whose name in Sanskrit means “Hope,” met Swami Kriyananda in 1969, soon after the Ananda community was started. She now serves as Ananda’s global ambassador, traveling in the U.S., Europe, and Asia to share Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings. Q: You served as Swami Kriyananda’s secretary for six years, and for several years you managed … Read more