(Told by Gyandev) I was one of fifty people from Ananda on a pilgrimage with Swamiji to Israel in 1985. One day we went to Nazareth and, after visiting the holy sites, we were moving through the lively street scene. Swamiji was enjoying the passing show when suddenly a young Arab man, apparently a Christian, … Read more
The Crystal Hermitage grounds are a delight. In the summer months, Swamiji would often invite the community members to the hermitage for a “garden party.” There’s a lovely, curved swimming pool that follows the contours of a grassy terrace. It has a blue-tinted bottom that gives the water a cool, refreshing look. At a garden … Read more
1. Age Difference Swamiji is 21 years older than I. When I became his secretary, I was just 25. Despite my youth and inexperience, I held strong views on many subjects and didn’t easily give in, even if it was Swamiji who disagreed with me. Decades later, when I began to work with strong-minded young … Read more
My former wife and I were at Swami Kriyananda’s to talk informally about our relationship. Swamiji gave us his wise counsel, then he began talking enthusiastically about how he had fasted for ten days, and how wonderful it had left him feeling. We listened politely, but in the back of my mind I wondered, “Why … Read more
(Told by Peter Kretzmann) I was born at Ananda and have lived here all my life. When I was six years old, Swamiji was in the dining room at the Retreat, and for some reason all the children started going up and hugging him. At first, I held back—I didn’t want to do it just … Read more
When people enter the spiritual path, they tend to take one of two approaches to their health. Some arrive at a comfortable accommodation with Paramhansa Yogananda’s common-sense advice: “Find a diet that agrees with you and forget about it.” Others search endlessly. At the Village, it seemed that a new health craze would sweep the … Read more
(Told by Sara Cryer) I have always appreciated the way Swamiji relates to children. He doesn’t patronize them, as some adults do. The soul is ageless, even if the body is young. But the consciousness of a child is different. Swamiji recognizes that and takes it into account. My son Rama was nine when we … Read more
From the day I first set eyes on Swamiji, I sensed that he knew me better than I knew myself. When I sought his advice, his answers were always directed toward the liberation of my soul. It was always a heartfelt reply that would plunge me into silent reflection. It could be disconcerting, because he … Read more
(Told by Helen Purcell) With no job, and two children to support, I felt all alone and in desperate need of spiritual guidance and inspiration. A friend had recently moved to Ananda and she suggested I come there for Spiritual Renewal Week. I knew nothing about Master, and had never met Swami Kriyananda, but I … Read more
The thought occurs that a more accurate title for this book might be The Countless Mistakes of a Clueless Disciple. But then I reflect that the stories that most reliably move us tell how a person has erred, and through difficult life experiences has grown wiser. We see our lives in those stories. They tell … Read more