NCR Current Schedule

Our regular weekly Saturday satsangs in Gurgaon, 4:30–6:00 pm, are a perfect time to visit Ananda India's main headquarters and bring your friends and family. The 1st and 5th Saturdays of the month may include a special ceremony or guest speakers. The 2nd satsang of the month is a kirtan focussing on Paramhansa Yogananda's and Swami Kriyananda's chants. The 3rd is a discourse on the Bhagavad Gita. The 4th, entitled "Living Yoga: Kriya Yoga in Action", applies the sacred science of Kriya Yoga directly to daily life (although this satsang is especially for Kriyabans, it is also open to the general public. Refreshments follow each satsang). These satsangs are usually recorded and later made available online.

Thursday 1 January, 4:30-6:00 pm. B–10/8, DLF Phase I, Gurgaon. Come with your friends and family.

Celebration of Paramhansa Yogananda's
Birth Anniversary IN PUNE

Sunday 4 January—5:00–7:00 pm

Hope for a Better World
Discourse by Swami Kriyananda, direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda

at
Symbiosis Vishwabhavan Auditorium, Senapati Bapat Road

Chief Guest: Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar, Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Pune

Speaker & Honourary Host: Hon. Shri. D. R. Kaarthikeyan, Former Director, CBI; Director General, NHRC; Special Director General, CRPF

Celebration of Paramhansa Yogananda's
Birth Anniversary

Monday 5 January, 7:00–9:00 pm. Chanting, meditation, and a devotional flower ceremony. B–10/8, DLF Phase I, Gurgaon.

Guru Night for Shivaratri

Monday, 23 February 7:30–9:30pm. An evening dedicated to honouring our line of gurus and deepening our attunement with them. B–10/8, DLF Phase I, Gurgaon.

Pune Dedication Weekend with Swami Kriyananda

A special weekend retreat 27 February to 1 March 2009 will bring together spiritual seekers and Ananda members from India, Europe, and America. The retreat, held in past years in Gurgaon (the Kriya Yoga and Mahasamadhi Retreats) will be in Pune to dedicate our 1st Kriya Yoga community in India.

We'll celebrate through group meditations, presentations, and classes led by Ananda acharyas, focussing on the realisation of Yoganandaji's dream for the establishment of "world brotherhood colonies" in all lands. Swami Kriyananda is expected to speak and will lead the dedication ceremony on the site of our new community in the countryside near Pune. You'll be able to visit our newly purchased land and add your blessings to this historic occasion. A tentative schedule with further details is available at www.anandaindia.org/events/pune-community/dedication-announcement.htm.

Interested in being part of the community effort? There are ways you can help bring Yoganandaji's dream of communities based on yogic principles into manifestation here in his homeland detailed at www.anandaindia/sangha/helpananda/cmty-help.htm .

Group Meditation

Deepen your meditation with other devotees. All are welcome.

DELHI: 2 weekly opportunities at this time. Sunday morning meditations will be resumed at a later date.

Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30 pm at the Needu residence, South Delhi. Contact number: 93122 21665.

Thursdays, 6:30–8:00 pm at 10/B Sagar Apartments, 6, Tilak Marg. Contact number: 98100 56320

GURGAON: Meditate with Ananda Sangha every morning. Meditations are led 6:45–8:30 am daily except on Thursdays, 6:30–9:00 am. B–10/8, DLF Phase I.

NOIDA: Wednesdays, 7:30–8:30 pm; Sundays, 9:00–10:00 am, E–18, Sector 52. Contact numbers: 92132 11859 or 98102 33591.

Ananda Yoga

Beginner yoga classes from Tuesday to Friday 1 week each month, 7:00–8:00 pm. The course includes basic asanas, proper breathing, and a short version of Paramhansa Yogananda's Energisation Exercises.

A follow-up programme of open classes is available after the beginner level, using the Ananda Yoga method—a spiritual approach developed by Swami Kriyananda to classical hatha yoga. Call or e-mail the contacts below to receive more information and to pre-register.

GURGAON: Beginner class series 6–9 January & 10–13 February. Open classes Saturdays, 9:00–10:00 am, Wednesdays, 7:00–8:00 pm. B–10/8, DLF Phase I.

A weekend series of programmes based on the spiritual principles and practices
of Self-realisation as taught by Paramhansa Yogananda.
Please call or e-mail to pre-register.

There are 2 workshops, both required for Level I. Depending on location, they will be offered the same day or on consecutive weekends.

Meditation: The basics of meditation with a focus on the Hong-Sau technique taught by Paramhansa Yogananda. Techniques to relax the body and methods to still the restless mind, such as pranayama practices, devotional chanting, and affirmations.

Energisation: The principles of Paramhansa Yogananda's Energisation Exercises. How to work with cosmic conscious energy, gain control over the subtle life force within you, and harness and direct the will to help you deepen your practice of the Hong-Sau technique.

The basic principles behind the practices of this path. Deepened understanding of how to integrate the yogic teachings into your daily life. A practical, experiential approach to meditation, yoga philosophy, Energisation Exercises, yoga postures, affirmations, diet, and healing techniques. Necessary for Kriya initiation. Pre-requisite: Level I. Cost: Rs. 950 for 6 classes or equivalent (discounted price for advance payment for both Levels I and II: Rs. 1,500), plus Rs. 395 for the required book, The Art and Science of Raja Yoga.

The guru-discipleship relationship and the Ananda line of gurus, and the opportunity to take discipleship initiation into this path. New disciples will learn the AUM technique, an advanced meditation practice. Required books: God's Boatman: The Guru Disciple Relationship and Kriya Yoga Preparation, which will continue to be used in the next course level as well. Pre-requisite: Levels I and II. Cost: Rs. 600 for 4 classes or equivalent, which includes the price of the books.

Preparation and guidance for your upcoming Kriya initiation. The history, purpose, and benefits of Kriya Yoga and advanced instruction and practice of meditation through specific Kriya preparation techniques. Pre-requisite: Levels I, II, and III. Cost: Rs. 600 for 4 classes or equivalent, which includes the price of the books.

Swami Kriyananda is on AASTHA TV channel daily, 6:30-6:50 pm (check your local schedule to verify timings). Please help us keep his TV programme on the air by sending a donation or helping us find corporate sponsors. See "Donations to Ananda Sangha" below about how to make monetary contributions.

Join Swami Kriyananda for the Bhoomi Pujan and dedication of Ananda's 1st Kriya Yoga community in India on property purchased near Pune. Devotees from India, Europe, and America will attend Ananda Sangha's annual international retreat in Pune 27 February–1 March, with meditations and presentations by Swamiji and some of Ananda's finest teachers.

A group of Ananda friends in the NCR will travel together for this Pune retreat. If you would like to join this group, contact us soon to make travel and hotel arrangements. Phone Ranjita 0 9899014209; e-mail ananda@anandaindia.org

This pilgrimage, led by Keshava and Daya Taylor, begins in Pune on 2 March and ends in Aurangabad after lunch on Friday, 6 March. You can fly back to Delhi by evening on the 6th. We travel by train to Nasik, then by comfortable bus to Shirdi, Ellora, Ajanta, and Aurangabad. Deluxe 4- and 5-star hotels, with 2 meals provided each day.

Cost: double occupancy, Rs. 22,000 per person. Reserve soon to ensure train tickets.

Yogananda's Kolkata: 7-10 March

Kolkata is the heart of the Autobiography of a Yogi. Immeasurable blessings emanate from the places where Paramhansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar lived and meditated.

Purpose: To present to Ananda's Indian students the scope of a 40-year history of Ananda communities, rural and urban; to bring Yogananda's teachings into daily life; and to inspire future work in India. We'll visit several scenic attractions of California.

This 18-day trip starts in Los Angeles, meditating at Yogananda's tomb and the powerful places where he lived most of his life. We then visit the Ananda city communities of Palo Alto and Sacramento and spend 9 days at Ananda Village.

Ananda Village is the first Ananda community, 250 residents live on 800 acres of meadow and forest. Schools based on Yogananda's principles are from pre-school to university level. A retreat centre offers classes and retreats in all aspects of spiritual life, including training of yoga and meditation teachers. Activities include a publishing house; worldwide outreach through Web sites, a magazine, healing prayer ministry, and courses; a medical clinic; and retail businesses. Ananda leaders give special presentations of all aspects of the community. The trip is led by Keshava and Daya Taylor.

Cost: Approximately Rs. 73,000 plus airfare from India, arriving Los Angeles, departing San Francisco.

A 2-week in-depth visit and exchange with Ananda's headquarters in Europe, founded in 1984, located in the green hills near Assisi. Ananda leaders will present various aspects of Ananda Europe, how it functions, and the essentials of spiritual community living.

This is also a spiritual vacation, including a guided meditation retreat, pilgrimage to sacred places of Saint Francis' life in the charming medieval towns of Assisi and Cortona, walks and drives through the beautiful countryside of Umbria and Tuscany, and 4 days exploring the most beautiful sights of Rome and Florence. An optional extension visits Pisa with its leaning tower, and Siena with its cathedral and St. Catherine.

This trip is for meditators with an active interest in Ananda Sangha. It's also a unique cultural experience for families with older children. Swami Kriyananda plans to be at Ananda Italy during our visit. The trip is led by Claudio and Deborah Gregrorelli.

Please contact us for full written information on these events:
E-mail: pilgrimage@anandaindia.org Phone: 0 9899014209, (0124) 405-9550

Free “How to Meditate” Class in Hindi & English
(Introduction to “Meditation & the Path of Kriya Yoga”)

If you'd like to begin meditating before the next full weekend seminar, Meditation & Kriya Yoga, Level I (described above), this class is offered free of charge as a prelude (but not a substitute). Feel free to invite anyone you know who is interested in learning to meditate. Come as often as you wish.

There are many opportunities for joyful service in Ananda Sangha. Just a few possibilities: help fold and label printed material for mailings; answer phones a few hours each week; do updating of our data base; assist at the welcome table weekdays at our main community house in Gurgaon; and help staff the book table at special events. To find out how you can help, call Sangeeta at 98992 67698 or e-mail ananda@anandaindia.org .

We are happy to announce that Ananda Sangha India is in the process of purchasing land and planning to build our 1st Ananda Kriya Yoga community in India, to help bring Yoganandaji's dream of communities based on yogic principles into manifestation here in his homeland. If you are interested in being a part of this effort, there are many ways you can help; visit www.anandaindia.org/sangha/helpananda/cmty-help.htm .

Donations to help spread Paramhansa Yogananda's teachings throughout India are gratefully received and acknowledged, tax-exempt under Section 80G. Please make cheques payable to Ananda Sangha Donations, or call 98992 67698 for other options. Ananda Sangha India is sustained by your generosity. Thank you.