At talks Swami Kriyananda has given this summer in California, he repeats the warnings Paramhansa Yogananda gave to audiences in the last years of his life that a time was to come when America and the world would face challenges such as had never been experienced before. Now, in our time, it’s not difficult to see what forms those challenges may take.

The solution, fortunately, is equally obvious. The human race must adopt conscious and sustainable lifestyles and attitudes rooted in the recognition that we are all part of a greater Reality. Ananda has formed communities around the world to demonstrate that people of all races, ages, and cultures who share common ideals can live simply and cooperatively. In India, a solar energy company has been established by Ananda members to help improve the quality of life for villagers in the Himalyan foothills. The Ananda Communities in America are increasing the acreage devoted to organic food production and looking to acquire a working farm in the Sacramento Valley, CA.

A revolution has been quietly underway for decades among individuals and small groups who share this understanding, but it is now time for this consciousness to coalesce into more visible form. And it is. We see it happening in American politics right now. But politics is greatly constrained by the responsibilities and burdens of government and its administration. The real solution lies with individual initiative, and especially with individuals who work cooperatively together to make their ideals practical in both personal life and around the world.

But we in the West have too long looked to money, technology, and legislation to solve problems. When prized for their own sake their innate material magnetism can seduce even good intentions toward selfish and destructive ends. To be used for good, their power must be wielded by those with self-control, integrity, and spiritual consciousness.

The popularity of meditation and yoga around the world derives from the intuitive recognition by millions that these practical disciplines offer a window onto the overarching human spirit and the Oneness of all life. As the distant galaxies or fathomless world of quantum physics are convincingly but subtly inferred through equations, computers, sophisticated instruments, and highly skilled scientists, so too does the microscope of intuition (focused laser-like with the tools of meditation) convincingly reveal the human potential for bliss as the underlying reality of life. It is just as reasonable (and far more energizing) that the vastness of the universe hint as much of our potential greatness as to our paling insignificance. The doctrine of meaninglessness that has been the hallmark of Twentieth Century art, culture, and philosophy fails to meet not only the test of logic but the practical need to support life on this planet.

Don’t be caught short, for in this turbulent world, without an inner life, there is no life at all. Consciousness, not dumb matter, is the Mother of us all. There is no bank account so large, no corporate job so secure, no government so powerful or benign, no diet so pure that can shield us from the tests and trials of material existence. Disease, old age, and death silently stalk every person. The time and date for our meeting with them, though certain, cannot be found on any calendar or appointment book. Vitality, inner peace and faith come from the Infinite treasury of divine bliss within us.

Blessings,

Hriman and Padma

Life Begins at 40!

Those were the words spoken by Swami Kriyananda of Ananda’s Forty Year Anniversary, and they resonate with me, at this time in my life. I was just initiated for the first time into Kriya Yoga, along with six other gurubhais from Seattle, during Spiritual Renewal Week at Ananda Village. That week was one of the most profound weeks of my entire life. For me it marks the beginning of my life as a person turning 40 this year, and a beginning of a life long commitment and journey into the depths of a Kriyaban.

What does that mean- to be a Kriyaban? I had no idea, until I went to Ananda Village. The first discovery was made when my fellow sanghis and I went to the Kriya prep class. We heard Dave Warner speak on what it means and what to expect at our initiation. Just being in his presence was enough to get the feeling of what was to come. He has been on the path for over 30 years. His eloquence and calm manner spoke to me of a highly refined soul, which he had not displayed before he was on the path. I would have not even had an inkling about the person he once was. He really set us up for what marked a poignant beginning.

We had all been taking the Kriya prep classes in Seattle since the beginning of the year. We had been preparing, but we really only had clues to the meaning of Kriya. I am sure even now, after being initiated, that it will be a lifelong discovery process.

The level of energy at the Village was so profound that after being home now for a couple of weeks, I have had to adjust to regular life. It is so powerful and uplifting that it has many levels and facets of discovery. I was amazed with the space of the Village, as well as the organic feel of being so connected to the earth. I was particularly fascinated with the history of how things unfolded there. Reading the book, A Place Called Ananda was a good start.

I had the good karma to have been able to reserve a bungalow at the Meditation Retreat Center. It was a most beautiful and exquisite place to stay. I wasn’t there as much as I would have liked to really take it all in. I was up at 5a.m. to get ready to go to the Hansa temple every morning for sadhana practice and didn‘t return until bedtime.

Directly after sadhana, I would go over to the Expanding Light for breakfast in silence. That was most delightful. Sharing meals with my gurubhais in silence was a joy! The beauty of the morning and silence filled me and allowed my spirit to really see, hear and feel the amazing power of the Village and all that was evolving inside me. The connections made with the Seattle sangha were very nice.

Interesting that when we are here, we do not always connect and have time to really get to know each other. Well, being there and being able to relax a bit, as well as share in the company of the Ananda Village sangha, was bonding. We were really able to connect and delight in all that happened there.

Talking about Spiritual Renewal Week without mentioning Swami Kriyananda just isn’t complete. I was able to visit the Crystal Hermitage and go into the dome where Swami used to live and meditate. Being outside by the pool and where he actually lives was an amazing feeling. That place must be what it is like in the astral realm. It really is one of a kind place. All I can say is that having walked foot in there was extremely uplifting and felt like a blessing. I felt like I was amongst the saints there. They must have all been sitting in lotus positions all around there watching and blessing us as we walked by.

All the work that has gone into the Village leaves me speechless. To be a part of this great spiritual family and to hear Swami speak again just touched my heart so that I cannot say in words how I will always remember that day. I was able to sing for him in the choir. To actually sing his songs to him was such an honor. To look and see the glory on his face and the bliss in his eyes filled me to no end. To hear all of the ministers speak, knowing how they all grew from this place called Ananda and were raised by Swami as their spiritual father, just amazes me.

I met a man that had grown up in the village. To hear him speak and be in his presence was refreshing. That is what I want for my son. I can only hope that being part of this big community that he will grow to be like my fellow gurubhais.

I can only imagine what awaits the next 40 years, if life really does begin at 40!

Read a report on Spiritual Renewal Week from Hriman and Jim Freese here.

Hear all the talks from Spiritual Renewal Week online (free!) at http://www.ananda.org/40anniv/multimedia.html.