“The time for knowing God has come” – Paramhansa Yogananda
Ananda was founded in 1968 by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda. Ananda is headquartered at Nevada City, California. Over the last few decades, we have spread across three continents, sharing the teachings of self-realization as given by Paramhansa Yogananda. We have seven spiritual communities world-wide, hundreds of meditation groups and thousands practicing these teachings and experiencing a transformed meaningful life.
Paramhansa Yogananda
1893 – 1952
Yogananda was the first great master of yoga to make his home in the West, coming to the U.S. from India in 1920 and living here until his passing.
Swami Kriyananda
1926 – 2013
Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) was the founder of Ananda. In 1948, at the age of 22, he became a disciple of the Indian yoga master, Paramhansa
Swami Sri Yukteswar
1855 – 1936
Swami Sri Yukteswar of Serampore, India, was the guru of Paramhansa Yogananda. His chief mission was to train Yogananda for his work in the West.
Lahiri Mahasaya
1828 – 1895
Lahiri Mahasaya was instrumental is making the teachings of Kriya Yoga available to all who seek it sincerely. He was a perfect example of a householder Yogi.
Mahavatar Babaji Krishna
It was Babaji, whose name means “revered father”, who re-introduced the ancient science of Kriya Yoga, which had been lost through the dark ages “due to priestly secrecy and man’s indifference” as Yogananda put it.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ was a great Yogi and it was at His calling that Yogananda was sent to the West to spread the ancient sacred teachings of Kriya Yoga.
Someone asked Paramhansa Yogananda – “Is Self-Realization a new religion?” Yoganandaji replied – “No, its a new expression” . Self-realization promotes the goal of seeking one’s highest potential through meditation and daily practise of Kriya Yoga.