Dear Friends, In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, Tin Man, and Scarecrow tiptoe through a forest, shoring each other up as they fearfully anticipate dangers lurking in the dark. “Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!” This week for me, the lurkers have been: “Elections, Illness, and Apathy, oh my!” “God, save me from all this, from my own head!” … Read More

Dear Ones, Just a friendly reminder that we are indeed meeting tomorrow morning, as every Sunday, for meditation and community! We will carefully consider Yoganandaji’s technique of affirmation using his guide, Scientific Healing Affirmations, and our theme this week is on the affirmation of “Acceptance”. Do join us! The links below are previews of the activities we do in our … Read More

Dear Friends, This week has seen its share of drama, and perhaps you too have been experiencing a sense of disquietude that seems to be in the air. I have heard many saying, including myself, “I feel like everything is chaotic and unorganized,” or “I just don’t feel motivated to do anything.” When these phases occur, it helps to go … Read More

Dear Friends, I hope you are having a blessing-filled week! This is your friendly reminder we meet every Sunday for meditation and preparatory practices, including Energization Exercises. We welcome all levels of experience and guide you in our techniques, as taught by Paramhansa Yogananda. Speaking of which, those who are interested in learning or revitalizing their Energization Exercises might be … Read More

Dear Friends, We all know that water is essential to all life — indeed, a metaphor for life itself. Yogananda often compared the Creator to an ocean, and we, the waves that rise and fall upon its surface. As each incarnation “wave” rises, it imagines itself as a separate entity soaring up to the sky, only to sink back and … Read More

Dear Friends, Two weekends ago, a couple of us went to Houston to help out with a workshop on Aum given by Ananda Dallas. We had a joyful time, flowing in a creative endeavor of teaching, learning, and playing in the sound vibration of AUM. The AUM is in us and all around us, the vibration of the Creator’s consciousness … Read More

Dear Ones, How is your summer going? I hope all stress and worries are melting away in the warm sunshine and washed away with a joyful splash! There has been little response to the callout for interest in meditation classes, so for now, nothing is scheduled. I hope that you all are finding what you need through ananda.org and/or the … Read More

Dear Friends, If you’ve been around Ananda for a while, you probably know that the annual weeklong event called Spiritual Renewal Week is happening right now at Ananda Village in the California Sierra foothills. Hundreds have gathered in person at Ananda Village and hundreds more are attending virtually, as I am doing. We meditate together in the morning (I like … Read More