Teachings & Lineage of Paramhansa Yogananda
Explore the timeless wisdom that forms the heart of our community. Through stories, teachings, and the legacy of our lineage, we share a path to finding lasting joy within.
An animated story illustrating the deep, reverent love between Paramhansa Yogananda and his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar. This story shows that divine love is without condition, boundary, or change.
A portrait of Swami Sri Yukteswar, whose wisdom guided our Guru. The accompanying story from 'Autobiography of a Yogi' reveals the profound and unconditional love in a true Guru-disciple relationship.
This animated story explains the purpose of spiritual work, or 'seva'. It is not about doing things for God, but about purifying our own hearts by offering every action, no matter how mundane, with love.
A moving account of the last few days of Paramhansa Yogananda's life. This story shows his unwavering focus on God, his love for his disciples, and his dedication to the practice of Kriya Yoga until the very end.
The story behind the "Joy Is Within You" symbol, designed by Swami Kriyananda. It represents the soul's journey of searching for happiness in the outer world, only to eventually turn within and find it has been there all along.
A profound teaching from Swami Kriyananda: "The Secret of Meditation is radiating blessings from your heart outward to all the world." This reminds us that meditation is an active practice of sharing love and peace.
A short talk on finding balance between inner practice and outer service, or 'seva'. We teach that both meditation and selfless service are essential for spiritual growth, and God will guide you to what you need most at any given moment.
We honor the day Swami Kriyananda met Paramhansa Yogananda and became his disciple. This image captures his devotion, holding a small bust of his Guru, a symbol of a life dedicated to serving his master's mission.
A joyful portrait of Swami Kriyananda, who taught that happiness is found in a succession of little decisions to be happy in the moment. His life was a testament to living with joy and devotion.
A teaching from Swami Kriyananda on rising above body-consciousness through deep meditation. The more we meditate, the more we realize our true nature is not the little ego, but the vastness of Spirit.
About Our Spiritual Lineage & Teachings
You will notice in our shared history that we do not just study texts; we live them. Many of our members began by simply reading 'Autobiography of a Yogi' and finding that the resonance of these teachings changed their daily perspective. When you join us for a satsang or workshop, you are not walking into a formal lecture hall, but a gathering of fellow travelers where the emphasis is on practical application—learning how to calm the mind and find that still, happy place within, regardless of what is happening in the world outside.
Rooted in the Kriya Yoga Lineage
Our community follows the path of Kriya Yoga as brought to the world by Paramhansa Yogananda. This lineage includes Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, and Swami Sri Yukteswar. These teachings are not merely historical facts; they are living tools for navigating modern life.
Why Our Teachings Focus on 'Joy Within'
Many seekers come to us looking for peace in a busy city like Bangalore. Swami Kriyananda, our founder, emphasized that happiness is a succession of small, daily decisions to be kind and steady. Our approach includes:
- Practicality: We teach the Hong-Sau technique to help you focus, and energization exercises to manage your energy levels throughout the day.
- Integration: We discuss how to balance work, family, and spiritual practice. You do not have to leave the world to find God; you learn to bring a meditative state into your daily work.
What to Expect at a Gathering
Our clusters, such as the Sunday Satsangs and Kriya retreats, are open to everyone.
- Devotional Chanting (Kirtan): We use music to open the heart.
- Guided Meditation: Silence is the altar of spirit, so we provide guidance on how to sit and relax deeply.
- Community: You will meet fellow gurubhais—people navigating the same questions you are. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn to meditate or an experienced practitioner deepening your sadhana (practice), you are welcome to sit with us.
Ananda Sangha
We are a family of fellow travelers, just a group of gurubhais practicing the path of Kriya Yoga together. We don't claim to be gurus; we are simply sharing the techniques and community that have helped us find balance and happiness in our own lives. Come as you are, and feel at home with us.
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