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Ananda India now had a resident staff of twenty-three people, living in two rented houses in Gurgaon. Ananda Sangha Publications had released ten of Swamiji’s books and two new music CDs: I’ve Passed My Life as a Stranger, Lord, a solo album by Swamiji; and Philosophy in Song, recorded by the five singers. In addition … Read more

When news went out that Swamiji was moving to India, devotees in Europe and America sent generous donations. Many Ananda members, born in the West, have strong Indian samskars—subtle impressions left on one’s consciousness by experiences in past lives—and were eager to help build Ananda in the country they felt to be their spiritual homeland. … Read more

Just in time for the New Year, Swamiji’s persistent cough became full-blown pneumonia. One of his publishers in India had arranged a lecture tour for him in January, but now it was out of the question. He had also planned a vacation in Goa afterward. Perhaps he would recover in time for that. “Swamiji’s energy … Read more

 “Nothing is more important than our quest for God,” Swamiji said in a recorded message sent to all the communities on New Year’s Day. “Even when you are working, feel that God is working through you, using your hands, guiding your feet, directing your thoughts and feelings. Ask God, ‘What do You want from me? … Read more

Divine Light Dawning on New Horizons was the theme for this year’s Annual Appeal. Dwapara Yuga in general, and the internet in particular, had revolutionized the way Ananda could serve. No matter where you lived, or how limited your resources, if you could get to a computer, Ananda was there. We put whole books online … Read more

Before the SRF lawsuit, any advertisement that included Master—his name, picture, even Autobiography of a Yogi—was either from SRF or Ananda. You could tell by the spelling—Paramhansa (Ananda) or Paramahansa (SRF)—who it was. Now, in every new age or yoga magazine, there were advertisements featuring not only Master, but all our line of Gurus. You … Read more

 “You don’t need rules, if your self-definition is clear,” Swamiji said. His paper, Ananda’s Directions, settled any confusion that might still linger: There is no Ananda without Swami Kriyananda. The most vocal critics had already left. Now there was another smaller wave of departures by those who couldn’t embrace Swamiji’s role as he defined it. … Read more

The Bertolucci trial started in November 1997 and went on until the end of February 1998, with a few weeks off for Christmas. “It is a grim situation,” Swamiji said at the beginning, “but why be touched by it? We aren’t in this world very long, and when we leave, good and bad are all … Read more

Now that he was in the mood to make existing works better, Swamiji started revising Education for Life, which was about to be reprinted. “I’d been uncomfortable with this book, not for what I’d said, but for what I’d like to add.” It turned into a major rewrite which he finished in February. Then he … Read more

  In a recent talk, Swamiji had said we must learn to love heroically. At his open house on New Year’s Day, he was asked to elaborate.  “When suffering comes, the temptation is to withdraw from the world, and shrink in on oneself. If, at such a time, you reach out to help others, that … Read more