Living in Spiritual Community

Experience the joy of living in spiritual community with daily meditation and meaningful service.

“Environment is stronger than willpower”
— Paramhansa Yogananda

Ananda's Karma Yoga Ashram Program functions within a spiritual, cooperative community. Ananda Village is founded on the yoga principles taught by Paramhansa Yogananda and incorporates spiritual practices, fellowship, and devotion into all facets of life. Immersion within this uplifting environment enables you as a karma yogi to experience deeper levels of soul awakening.

Why is living in spiritual community meaningful?

“...Simplicity of living plus high thinking lead to the greatest happiness!”
— Paramhansa Yogananda

Next to daily meditation, one of the most important things a spiritual aspirant can do is to seek out spiritual fellowship with like-minded individuals. The Sanskrit word for this is satsang, which translates as “fellowship in truth”. The principles of spiritual fellowship are very important because we do not live in isolation.

Whenever two or more people gather together, they exchange magnetic vibrations. Therefore, we need to be mindful of the people with whom we spend our time. They are the most influential aspect of our environment. Paramhansa Yogananda counseled his devotees to “mix with the saints”. This further emphasizes the need to surround ourselves with high-minded and devotional souls.

Here at Ananda, we are surrounded by like-minded souls. Some have been at Ananda since 1968, when Swami Kriyananda first purchased land to begin Ananda. The environment here has been created by decades of spiritual practices by these great souls, inspiring guests and residents alike. The devotional support and satsang that residents and guests receive in this spiritualized community life is an invaluable blessing for all!

We are able to share with you this deep spiritual fellowship and devotional support every Sunday, during our weekly Sunday Services!

Special Ananda Community Events

One of the beautiful things about life at Ananda Village is the uplifted consciousness one feels during community events. Family gatherings, village meetings, and community workdays are just a few of the ways we experience spiritual fellowship.

Major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Celebration, and Fourth of July (which happens to be the date of legal ownership of Ananda), all have their own beautiful magnetism that creates close connections with friends and spirit. We celebrate many spiritual events throughout the year as well, expanding our devotion through kirtans (group chanting), healing prayers, Spiritual celebrations, group meditations, and satsangs.