{"id":248,"date":"2021-08-14T16:42:07","date_gmt":"2021-08-14T16:42:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yoganandafortheworld.com\/story\/?page_id=248"},"modified":"2021-08-14T16:42:07","modified_gmt":"2021-08-14T16:42:07","slug":"1982-defining-anandas-mission","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.yoganandafortheworld.com\/story\/1982-defining-anandas-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"1982: Defining Ananda’s Mission"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ananda Village,, early 1980s: Ram Smith leads the younger school children in an energizing song. In the background is the publications building, now Hansa Temple.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The question of our incorporation<\/strong> would be decided by the eight members of the Local Area Formation Commission\u2014LAFCO. One member was a county supervisor, the rest were private citizens. When the draft environmental impact report was done, a public hearing was scheduled. The EIR closely followed the master plan, which had recently been approved, so there was little of substance to comment on, except the fact that a religious group was trying to become a secular entity.<\/p>\n

LAFCO asked the Legal Advisory Board for the California State Legislature to rule on the question of whether Ananda\u2019s incorporation would violate the principle of separation of church and state. The Board concluded that not only did it not<\/em> violate that principle, but that Ananda\u2019s<\/em> freedom of religion would be violated if the incorporation were denied on that basis. Religion must be strictly excluded from the decision-making process.<\/p>\n

Still, at the public hearing for the EIR, there were three and a half hours of testimony\u2014almost all of it about our spiritual practices and Swamiji\u2019s role as the spiritual leader. The consultant was supposed to incorporate public input into the final report, but the county attorney told him to leave it all<\/em> out.<\/p>\n

Many times over the years Swamiji had referred to Daya Mata and other of the direct disciples as great souls, and praised them for their dedication to Master. At the public hearing, in letters to the editor, and letters to many people in the community, ex-members of Ananda who were now loyal to SRF said, \u201cEvery direct disciple, all those great souls, <\/em>are on one side. On the other side, only<\/em> Kriyananda. How could he alone<\/em> know Master\u2019s will?\u201d Swamiji may not have been affected by the opinions of others, but many in the community were.<\/p>\n

Persecution is a test of faith\u2014not faith in Swamiji vs Daya Mata, but faith in one\u2019s own experience<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Ananda has always been a series of concentric circles of attunement to Master as he flows through Swamiji. The circles are not static; no one\u2019s position is fixed. It has nothing to do with position, longevity, or proximity to Swamiji. It is a matter of vibration. When the vibration at the center accelerates, either you rise with it, or you spin out.<\/p>\n

Every so often, some external event changes the vibration so dramatically that everyone is affected. Early on, it was Swamiji\u2019s decision about the publications building. Then came the fire. Now it was Swamiji\u2019s change from monk to householder and the incorporation.<\/p>\n

In the outer circles, people come and go. The inmost circle, though, has been remarkably stable, steadily expanding year by year. Swamiji resided at the center of it all, but he never defined himself as essentially different from us. We are all equal in God\u2014if not yet in realization or accomplishment, then in our divine potential. As Jesus says in the Bible, \u201cThat which I do, ye shall do, and greater things.\u201d<\/p>\n

People condemned us for not being a democracy. But what is the value of majority rule when most people vote only their opinions or their self-interest? Eventually we coined the word dharmacracy<\/em>: decisions made on the basis of dharma, <\/em>arrived at by attunement to the highest principles to which we are all committed. It is too subtle to comprehend from the outside. There is no point of reference. Ananda is unique.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are always trying to \u2018figure me out,\u2019\u201d Swamiji said. \u201cBy that, they mean to discover my hidden motive. It never works, because I don\u2019t have a motive. I am here to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

In January, Swamiji wrote a pamphlet called A New Dispensation. <\/em>The inspiration he received in Rome to make discipleship separate from Kriya Initiation, he now opened to everyone. The pamphlet was also a response to the unsettled energy in the community, although nowhere does Swamiji refer to himself or his position. What he offers are principles of discipleship, leaving the reader free to draw his own conclusions.<\/p>\n

When teaching outside of Ananda, Swamiji said, he would often ask the audience, \u201cHow many of you have read Autobiography of a Yogi<\/em>?\u201d In every group, in every country, the majority would raise their hands. Many told him afterward that their spiritual life began with Autobiography of a Yogi,<\/em> and that it was the most influential book they had ever read.<\/p>\n

But of all those vast numbers, only a tiny percentage follow this path. Of course, some are not suited for it; but many who are suited continue to look hither and yon, when what they seek is right in front of them. They don\u2019t understand what they have in Master, and the ray of grace he brought.<\/p>\n

Swamiji wrote, \u201cMaster told us that from time to time in the great storm of maya <\/em>[cosmic delusion], an area of calm appears. There, it is much easier for souls to escape delusion, and find God. \u2018You are not connected with a mere organization,\u2019 Master often said, \u2018but with the divine power flowing through a line of Self-realized masters. This work is a special dispensation, sent from God. By the power of this ray, millions will find God.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Disciples of Master do him a great disservice, though, when they personalize the power of his mission, defining it in terms of his personality and teaching, just as the disciples of Jesus have done in their misunderstanding of what it means to be \u201cthe only Son of God.\u201d When Jesus said \u201cI and my Father are one,\u201d the \u201cI\u201d he referred to was not the physical body of Jesus, but the Christ Consciousness he expressed. \u201cTruth cannot be personalized,\u201d Swamiji wrote. \u201cIt exists even if no individuals appear to declare it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Or as Swamiji said humorously about himself, \u201cTo thank me for what comes through me, is like thanking the radio for the program!\u201d<\/p>\n

Master\u2019s message was not his own\u2014it came from God. At the same time, Master was<\/em> the messenger. He was a perfect instrument, bringing the energy to a focus in his own consciousness. It is important for us as devotees, and for the future of Master\u2019s work also, to appreciate that, through him, it is much easier for us to contact the divine ray he expressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have always felt a distaste for sectarianism,\u201d Swamiji wrote. \u201cMaster himself often said that his work was not a sect. But it is not sectarian to point out the clear blessings that are at hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swamiji first began to appreciate the power of this ray, he said, when he was a minister for SRF at their Hollywood Church. \u201cThose who took up this path earnestly came, in time, to manifest a kind of inner radiance that I\u2019d never beheld before in anyone else. What I saw was kindness in their eyes, an inward joy. Everyone they met found it inspiring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Years later, at Ananda, he saw it again. \u201cEven visitors changed in ways that seemed out of proportion to the time they spent in meditation. Sometimes, in hardly a week, traces of tension and worry began to vanish; inner joy to appear. Master often said, \u2018This is a special dispensation.\u2019 More and more over the years, I\u2019ve come to realize what a wealth of divine promise he had packed into that simple statement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swamiji then describes, from his observation of devotees for many years, the factors, other than just meditation, that enable one to receive this special dispensation:<\/p>\n

\u201cThose who serve selflessly are the ones who also gain the most spiritually.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose who share with others the light they receive gain more spiritually than those who keep it to themselves. As Master put it, \u2018The channel is blessed by that which flows through it.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cThey gain the most who seek attunement with others more advanced than they themselves are on the path.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey gain the most, finally, who realize that soul-attunement with this path is more important even than long hours spent in meditation, without the companion effort to establish such inner attunement.\u201d<\/p>\n

All those who follow this ray of divine grace manifest its particular qualities, which Swamiji listed as kindness, joy, openness, trust, and a certain inner radiance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the spread of religious teaching, \u2018transmitting stations\u2019 are necessary. Without people to radiate outward the light they receive in themselves, the light itself dies out in the world. God works through living instruments. This is a teaching that has been insisted on in India.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have seen over the years that those who sought their attunement with Master, but who didn\u2019t also recognize the need for personal contact with living instruments of this ray, have not received nearly so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

He acknowledges that this is no longer the age of institutionalism, but of \u201cindividual, inner commitment, of Self-<\/em>realization.\u201d But there are benefits in outward affiliation, too. Some, though, may wish to join merely on an inward level. \u201cPeople are constituted differently. Much is lost in religion when everyone is pushed and squeezed into the same mold.\u201d<\/p>\n

He suggested that those who feel in tune with Master would do well to align themselves formally with this path. \u201cSelf-Realization Fellowship and Ananda are the two, best known representatives of this family of Self-realization,\u201d he wrote. Then, with perfect fairness, says, \u201cSRF was founded by Master himself, Ananda was founded by a direct disciple\u2014myself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see no conflict between these two organizations.\u00a0 That the ray of divine power flows strongly through both of them is, by now, after all these years, self-evident\u2026 If there is a difference between the two works, it is only that Ananda offers greater scope for individual service to the divine ray that our line of Gurus represented.\u201d<\/p>\n

He concludes simply, \u201cGo where you feel inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n

He then describes a simple discipleship initiation which not only he, but many at Ananda, would now offer in Master\u2019s name, on behalf of our line of Gurus. Anyone who feels a calling to join this family can be immediately accepted, just as Swamiji himself was accepted when he first met Master. The decision is made not by an institution or its appointed authorities, but by each disciple for himself.<\/p>\n

The initiation is consecrated by these simple words: \u201cReceive me into your family of Self-realization. And bless me with ever-deepening attunement with you, with your representatives on earth, and with God.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

In January, Swamiji spent a few days in Los Angeles. He gave an informal satsang at John Ball\u2019s house. Speaking of Master\u2019s mission to the West, he said: \u201cEvery country, in a sense, has its own soul. People\u2019s spiritual experiences seem to reflect the soul of where they live. We are all following the same path, but what the devotees experience in India, is different from what happens in New Zealand or England. Master was from India, but he didn\u2019t come to \u2018Indianize\u2019 Americans; he came to spiritualize our culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe soul of America loves Nature. Communion with Nature<\/em> is not uniquely American, but it is especially American. We are in tune with our indigenous people, the American Indians. Many of us probably were <\/em>American Indians. Much of their attunement to Nature seems forgotten now, but that is only temporary. What they achieved won\u2019t be lost to this age.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaster\u2019s chant O God Beautiful<\/em> expresses the American soul perfectly: In the forest Thou art green; in the mountain<\/em> Thou art high; in the river Thou art restless; in the ocean Thou art grave.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPracticality<\/em> is also a notable American quality. We are a young country. In order to establish ourselves, we had to be very down-to-earth. This same quality is essential for spiritual life. Faith must be based on experience; our beliefs must be tested in the cold light of day. Americans are very practical in their devotion. Master admired that quality; his most advanced disciple was a self-made millionaire.<\/p>\n

\u201cCooperation<\/em> is the particular genius of America. The pioneers had to work together, and pool their resources and talents to conquer the wilderness. America is the natural starting point for Master\u2019s cooperative communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cCooperation is essential also in our relationship with God. Instead of praying, \u2018God, You do it for me,\u2019 make Him your partner. \u2018Lord, we are in this together. I\u2019ll do my part and you do Yours.\u2019 Master gave us this prayer: \u2018I will reason, I will will, I will act, but guide Thou my reason, will, and activity to the right path in everything.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

On March 24, LAFCO held the final public hearing on the incorporation. The attorney for the county opened the meeting by saying that no testimony would be allowed on Ananda\u2019s religious leadership or practices. The Legal Advisory Board had ruled that religion could not be a factor in deciding the incorporation.<\/p>\n

Immediately an outspoken leader of the opposition made an emotional plea for his right to be heard. The chairman of LAFCO then overruled its own attorney and said the testimony would be allowed, but, if it related to religious issues, \u201cdisregarded when it came time to make a decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ananda\u2019s presentation was disciplined and focused. The opposition was a free-for-all, almost entirely about Swamiji and our spiritual life. The hearing went on until 2:00 a.m., too late for LAFCO to vote. A week later, they gave us their decision: one in favor, seven against. Their reasoning was legally unsound. They voted as human beings who simply couldn\u2019t stand up to all that opposition.<\/p>\n

We did not feel it was dharmic<\/em> for our neighbors to have so much power over our development. They neither understood nor respected our way of life and our mission for Master. LAFCO had violated our rights by allowing so much testimony about religion. After a long discussion we decided to file a lawsuit to have the decision reversed.<\/p>\n

Three days later, a television crew came to interview Swamiji. It was a big national story. By now Swamiji had a telephone, but I didn\u2019t; they were still a rare commodity at Ananda. There was no way to inform me in advance of his intention. Only when the cameras were rolling and he started reading his prepared statement, did I find out we were going to drop the project.<\/p>\n

Later he explained. \u201cWhen I asked Master in meditation this morning if we should continue, the clear guidance was, \u2018No, you\u2019ve done enough.\u2019 Then I saw all the reasons why.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t Master tell me?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you ask him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I just assumed he would agree.\u201d Fatal error on my part\u2014good lesson.<\/p>\n

Swamiji then wrote a letter to the county. We couldn\u2019t depend on the editor to print it all so we took a paid advertisement. \u201cWithin the limited context of what Ananda\u2019s needs are, and of our contribution to Nevada County, past and future, we were right,\u201d Swamiji said. But reading the national press reporting on the LAFCO decision, Swamiji saw the issue in the broader context of America as a whole. \u201cOur constitution was written with a clear eye to history and to the evils that have occurred in the past when any group of people whose interests draw them together for one reason allowed those interests to dictate their decisions in other matters. One of the saddest days in the history of Christianity, in my opinion, was when Christian teachings became widely enough accepted to become mixed up in politics.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe strongly that what Ananda stands for in a sociological sense\u2014namely, cooperative effort at a time when our nation is becoming all too fragmented\u2014needs to be encouraged, not discouraged.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut this very fragmentation that I see taking place in our nation might also be strengthened <\/em>if religious groups like ours were permitted the status of legal entities. I foresee a time of great stress in this country, when groups will be pitted against one another in an ideological struggle. At such a time, I feel, religion will need, if it is to be effective for the truth, to speak out on religious<\/em>, not political grounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the broader context of America\u2019s history and future directions, I think the LAFCO decision not to grant us corporate status was a wise one. This does not mean I think we were wrong, for what we wanted was valid. This does not mean I think LAFCO\u2019s reasons <\/em>were necessarily right. But it does mean I think there were higher forces at work here, and that the truths that our neighbors intuited were valid, and a valid reason for concern.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though we failed to achieve our objective, the effort benefited Ananda in the long run. The county was impressed by the quality and dignity of our presentation, and by the great lengths we were willing to go to stand up for our principles.<\/p>\n

Once the dust settled, many of our neighbors were embarrassed, even appalled by the viciousness of the campaign waged against Ananda. Some were sensitive enough to realize that their valid objections had been used to support a cause that was not their own: ex-Ananda members pushing SRF\u2019s agenda.<\/p>\n

We didn\u2019t get the freedom we hoped for, but by \u201cdrawing their fire,\u201d as Swamiji put it, the long-smoldering opposition was brought into the light of day. From then on, we were more effective in our response to it.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Some of the most virulent attacks against Swamiji during the incorporation effort came from Jim, in a transparent effort to justify his own failure at Ananda and to ingratiate himself with SRF. In response to one of his letters to the editor, a group of us wrote a letter in return, describing, from our own experience, his true character and motives. We started by saying, \u201cJim is our spiritual brother, and in that way, still dear to us. But our continued silence may seem an endorsement of his lies.\u201d When Jim lived in the community, it was obvious to everyone that he wanted power. Swamiji would never give a position of leadership to someone with that attitude. Ananda leaders are there to serve<\/em>, not to rule.<\/em><\/p>\n

In response to our letter, Jim justified himself by saying, \u201cI am in touch with Daya Mata about everything I say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swamiji decided to write directly to her. \u201cThe issue of \u2018Kriyananda\u2019 cannot simply be wished away. Tara told me in New York, \u2018From now on we want to forget that you ever lived!\u2019 But that hasn\u2019t worked, has it? So what next? There is a limit, surely, to how angry SRF can get. And anger hasn\u2019t worked, either. It not only hurts the innocent devotees on whom it is vented; it also hurts those who do the venting.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy reason for wanting to see you in recent years was the thought that you <\/em>must be suffering, too\u2014not only for what is happening to the work, but for the great wrong you have done to this brother of yours. I\u2019ve wanted to give you a chance to undo that wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be so easy. I love you already. I\u2019m ready to forgive you anything\u2014not only for Master\u2019s sake, but for the deep love I bear you. I no longer care personally. I do <\/em>care for Master\u2019s work, but then I\u2019m doing everything I can to serve him in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daya Mata did not respond. A month later, Swamiji wrote again, telling her about a letter he had received from a woman who had been with SRF for twenty-five years, most of that time serving as a volunteer Sunday school teacher. She occasionally came to our Retreat, loved being there, and had written to Daya Mata asking, \u201cWhy is SRF so opposed to Ananda?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0In response, a nun from Mount Washington telephoned with an ultimatum: \u201cCut off all<\/em> contact with Ananda, or you will never be allowed to teach SRF Sunday school again.\u201d In her letter to Swamiji, the woman described the incident, then asked, \u201cMay I come live at Ananda?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems to me that in SRF anything <\/em>bad about me gets a sympathetic hearing,\u201d Swamiji wrote to Daya Mata, \u201cand anything good gets discounted, probably as impossible. Thus the \u2018evidence\u2019 against me over the years becomes overwhelmingly damning. That doesn\u2019t, however, make a word of it true.\u201d<\/p>\n

SRF gives the impression that the \u201cblueprint\u201d Master said he \u201cleft in the ether\u201d is a detailed two hundred-year plan. \u201cThat isn\u2019t how Master worked,\u201d Swamiji said. \u201cHe responded to opportunities as they presented themselves. The \u2018blueprint\u2019 is not a fixed plan; it is a vibration of energy. \u2018Following the blueprint\u2019 means to follow those opportunities that have the right vibration.\u201d Swamiji often reminded us that the primary consideration was not, \u201c\u2018What did<\/em> Master do?\u2019 but \u2018What would<\/em> Master do, if he faced what we are now <\/em>facing?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Talking to a group of Ananda community leaders, Swamiji said, \u201cI\u2019m trying to find an attitude toward SRF that is sincere and genuine, yet also charitable and supportive. One way is to be silent. That is what SRF would prefer. If I were the only one involved, silence would be appropriate.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut many others have given their lives to Ananda for Master\u2019s sake. <\/em>I have an obligation to them, to give them the facts, so they can decide for themselves whether their loyalty is misplaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, there are many important lessons to be learned for the future development of Ananda in comparing the two organizations. SRF shows us the inevitable consequences of certain ways of thinking. Ananda has a role to play in Master\u2019s work. I don\u2019t feel it is in the best interests of that work to squelch discussion merely in the name of being charitable to SRF.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know the leaders of SRF in a way none of you do. This has nothing to do with their love and dedication to God and Guru. These are entirely practical matters. Even deeply spiritual people may still not be skilled at organizational matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Soon after his birthday in May, Swamiji went to Europe for a six-week, lecture tour to Austria, Germany, Italy, and England. We had meditation groups starting in London, Vienna, and Frankfurt, and an established group in Rome. There were enough serious devotees that in several cities Swamiji gave Kriya Initiations. The two Americans that had been living in Rome were now back at the Village; there wasn\u2019t quite enough happening yet to keep them in Italy. But of all the countries in Europe, Italy was the most promising. Swamiji already spoke German, French, and Spanish; now he was also learning Italian.<\/p>\n

The charismatic Catholic group had invited Swamiji to come to their home town of Sorrento. They hoped to start a community and wanted his advice. They called themselves PEKI, a name intuitively received that meant peace.<\/em><\/p>\n

As soon as Swamiji stepped off the train in Sorrento, one of the leaders, Rosanna Golia, linked her arm with his, and for the rest of his visit, was always by his side. PEKI had their own music, which they sang accompanied by guitars. Swamiji was very moved by their heart-centered spirituality. Their priest, Padre Luigi, was the pastor of the local church. His Mass, supported by PEKI\u2019s music, was a profound expression of devotion to Christ. Perhaps PEKI would be an opening into the Catholic Church for Master\u2019s teachings. Swamiji encouraged PEKI to send some of their group to Ananda Village, to get a feel for how we do things; then we could talk about what we might do together.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Taking care of the children was the one cause the early Farm residents were united in supporting. The schoolhouse was the first public building they constructed. Master started two schools: one in India, one at Mount Washington. The Indian school was an immediate success. In America, Master soon realized that he first had to educate the parents before they would send their children to his school. After a short time, he gave up the school at Mount Washington to concentrate on teaching adults.<\/p>\n

Master wrote only a few articles about his educational methods, but with that little bit of information, and a great deal of intuition, Nitai had spent the previous decade developing the school at the Village. We had some good teachers, but not all of them were committed to Master\u2019s principles. They drew from many sources and used many methods.<\/p>\n

About child-raising in the community, there was no consensus at all. The householders were not receptive to his input, so Swamiji had let others decide all issues relating to children. Now, everything was different.<\/p>\n

When he returned from Europe, Swamiji started a six-week series of classes called Children in the Community. <\/em>It was a collaborative effort. Parents, teachers, and Swamiji all shared the class time. He listened attentively to their ideas and experiences, then started writing a book he called Education for Life. <\/em>It progressed slowly. Writing was not his priority; being with people came first.<\/p>\n

For Retreat classes and Sunday services, Swamiji didn\u2019t select his own topics. Others made up the program. He always spoke extemporaneously. Many times while driving over to the Retreat, he would ask someone in the car, \u201cWhat am I supposed to talk about today?\u201d One Sunday, the sermon topic was Marriage as a Spiritual Path. <\/em>When it was time for him to speak, Swamiji said, \u201cI\u2019m not willing to talk about this subject. Your relationship to your family is integral to your devotion to God, but marriage is not a separate<\/em> path. For everyone<\/em>, the path to God is renunciation<\/em> of the ego, not ego-involvement.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaster\u2019s teachings will someday influence mankind on every level. I have tried to suggest how this influence might express, not only in marriage, but in art, politics, child-raising, education, material success, leadership. It is why I\u2019ve composed music and even wrote a book on astrology. My hope has been that, as Master\u2019s direct disciple, I could point out directions in harmony with his thought, rather than leaving it for others to figure out.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we seek God deeply in meditation, then bring his consciousness into everything else that we do, we shall be Master\u2019s disciples indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

In September, Swamiji returned to Sorrento for two weeks; then again in November, spending time in PEKI\u2019s seclusion house. He came back to Ananda rested and filled with joy.<\/p>\n

Each year, Swamiji\u2019s Christmas present to the community was usually the book he had just finished writing. But Education for Life <\/em>was far from done. When he was in SRF, one of his fellow monks had asked him for the gift of \u201ca letter of spiritual advice.\u201d So this year, his gift to us was \u201csome of the fruits of my meditations\u2014not only in words, but also in silent prayer and blessings. It is for clearer attunement with God that I\u2019ve gone into seclusion\u2014not only for personal gain, but to have more of that attunement to give to all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He described the past year as wonderful. Considering how contentious it had been, he said, \u201cPerhaps you think me \u2018Polyanna-ish\u2019 to call it that!\u201d He said he hadn\u2019t been touched by all the controversy, \u201cuntil, finally, someone came to me in the guise of friendship and spent two hours trying to convince me that my whole life had been a failure, that I\u2019ve only been hurting the work of the Guru to whom my life is dedicated, that I\u2019m hopelessly in delusion, and that SRF obviously had no choice, twenty years ago, but to throw me out on my ear.\u201d<\/p>\n

The \u201cfriend\u201d was a man who had lived at Ananda for twelve years, entirely on his own terms, even refusing to pay the usual monthly fees. Swamiji had allowed it, hoping that he would eventually come around. Finally, with Swamiji\u2019s approval, the community manager issued an ultimatum: either contribute as everyone else does, or find another place to live. The man chose to leave, and on his way out, paid Swamiji a final visit.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is easy to answer criticism that is based on simple factual errors,\u201d Swamiji wrote, \u201cas most of that of our neighbors was. But it is far from easy to answer criticism of this more abstract kind, particularly when it touches all that one holds most dear. Perhaps also coming when it did, on the heels of so much other criticism, made it more difficult to take.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt any rate, I found myself turning to God and Master for reassurance. And that was when I received what I believe is the best song I have ever written, a song that thrills me with gratitude for the inspiration, every time I sing it.\u201d He called it I Live Without Fear:<\/em><\/p>\n

Though green summer fade,<\/em><\/p>\n

And winter draw near,<\/em><\/p>\n

My Lord, in Your presence<\/em><\/p>\n

I live without fear.<\/em><\/p>\n

Through tempest, through snows,<\/em><\/p>\n

Through turbulent tide,<\/em><\/p>\n

The touch of Your hand<\/em><\/p>\n

Is my strength, and my guide.<\/em><\/p>\n

I ask for no riches<\/em><\/p>\n

That death can destroy.<\/em><\/p>\n

I crave only Thee:<\/em><\/p>\n

Your love, and Your joy!<\/em><\/p>\n

The dancers will pass;<\/em><\/p>\n

The singing must end:<\/em><\/p>\n

I welcome the darkness<\/em><\/p>\n

With You for my friend.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that, my dear ones, sums up for me the lessons of this year. Let the storms rage! Just love God the more. That is all He wants of us.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean I haven\u2019t experienced pain. I have<\/em>, of course; sometimes intensely. But somehow I haven\u2019t regretted the pain. Nor for a moment have I wished anything different from what it was and is. The feeling is strangely impersonal. I am happy to find myself free in my heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Ananda, we don\u2019t dream of achieving perfection in a worldly sense. In fact, we see every reason to be grateful for the un<\/em>idyllic nature of the age we live in! The very insecurity and imperfection that haunt it are like goads to man\u2019s spiritual longings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking of Master, Swamiji said, \u201cThe truths he taught, the life he lived, the example he gave, the window onto Infinity that he provided all of mankind by that life and example\u2014these things belong to the whole world. They cannot possibly be monopolized by any organization\u2014whether SRF, Ananda, or even Master himself, were he still alive. As the Bible says, \u2018To all who received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Swamiji ended the letter, \u201cI thank you all, from my soul, for the joy, the privilege, and the blessing of being able to serve you in Divine Mother and Master.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The question of our incorporation would be decided by the eight members of the Local Area Formation Commission\u2014LAFCO. One member was a county supervisor, the rest were private citizens. When the draft environmental impact report was done, a public hearing was scheduled. The EIR closely followed the master plan, which had recently been approved, so … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-248","page","type-page","status-publish"],"yoast_head":"\n1982: Defining Ananda’s Mission - Swami Kriyananda: Lightbearer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A 51-year disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda describes a year of struggle and triumph for Ananda.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yoganandafortheworld.com\/story\/1982-defining-anandas-mission\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"1982: Defining Ananda’s Mission - Swami Kriyananda: Lightbearer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A 51-year disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda describes a year of struggle and triumph for Ananda.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.yoganandafortheworld.com\/story\/1982-defining-anandas-mission\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Swami Kriyananda: Lightbearer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.yoganandafortheworld.com\/story\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ram-smith-children-jumping.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"23 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.yoganandafortheworld.com\\\/story\\\/1982-defining-anandas-mission\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.yoganandafortheworld.com\\\/story\\\/1982-defining-anandas-mission\\\/\",\"name\":\"1982: Defining Ananda’s Mission - 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