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Fulfilling Yogananda's Vision of World Brotherhood Colonies

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Living Discipleship Program Application

Step 1 of 10 - Eligibility

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  • Thank you for your interest in the Living Discipleship program! You are opening yourself to a remarkable program and process. Living Discipleship truly begins as soon as you set your intention on participating. Take your time as you prepare for the program. Notice the lessons and listen to the whispers from Master as he speaks through situations and all those around you.

    Before you begin the application, please read and ensure you fully understand the Program Policies, Housing & Costs. Please also confirm the below questions before you may continue to the application.

    At any time feel free to reach out to the Program Coordinator for support or to answer any questions. [email protected]

  • General Information

  • i.e. Spiritual name, or anything else you would like to be called during the program
  • Please indicate the country-code (i.e. +1)
  • As part of the application process, you will complete a face-to-face conversation with the Program Coordinator. Please indicate any communication methods that will work for you.
  • Please indicate phone number for Facetime if different from above Contact Phone Number.
  • Please indicate phone number for WhatsApp if different from above Contact Phone Number.
  • Please provide in MM/DD format (year is not requested).
  • Ananda Minister/Leader

    The application process in Living Discipleship begins with a recommendation to participate from your local Minister/Ananda Leader, Nayaswami Pranaba or Lisa Clark.

    Please provide the name and contact information for the minister/leader who is encouraging your participation. Please also include the nature of to-date conversations with the Minister/Ananda Leader with whom you are currently working regarding any steps you will be taking to prepare for the program. This information will help the Living Discipleship coordinator support you during the 25 days of spiritual immersion.
  • Motivations for Participation

  • Ananda Involvement and Participation

    Please indicate how you are involved with Ananda, whether it be through an Ananda Church or Community, Center, Ashram, Meditation Group, Virtual Community, etc. Please note that this is solely for information purposes, and does not correlate with any sort of eligibility to participate in the program.
  • This could include comments such as "I do weekly meditations with .....", "I have taken .... classes online", "I visit the Expanding Light Retreat Center once a year", "I plug into Ananda Services every Sunday", etc.
  • Spiritual Life

    The goal in this section is to become familiar with your current spiritual practices. This will help us to identify where you may need additional support in preparation for the program.

    Given the nature of the program, there are some recommended conditions for baseline spiritual practices to help ensure that you experience a deep and productive program. Everyone's unique situation is recognized and appreciated. Please take care not to be too critical with yourself, you are after all being recommended to this program. Should you have any questions or concerns, it is encouraged that you speak the Program Coordinators and/or with your Minister/Ananda Leader.
  • Meditation Practices

    On most days, program participants will meditate for 3 total hours (over the course of 2 sessions). During the seclusion periods, the hours of meditation will increase. As such, having a solid meditation habit prior to arrival will greatly serve you and benefit your fellow participants/gurubhais.
  • Select a date as best you can - here, the specific day is not important, but required
    MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Please share the nature of your seclusion(s), including how many times you have secluded, where you (typically) seclude, and if you seclude with any regularity (i.e. once a year for a week, once a month for a weekend, once a week for a day).
  • Core Readings

    Study is an important aspect of the spiritual path. As a disciple we have many books available to us to deepen our understanding of Master's teachings. Swami Kriyananda wrote prolifically!

    Please bring your attention to the list of required reading materials below. If you have not read any of these at the time of filling out this program form, please enjoy reading and studying them prior to the start of your program.
  • Guidelines for Conduct of Members of the Ananda Sevaka Order

    Please read and study the Guidelines for Conduct of Members of the Ananda Sevaka Order (downloadable link) in advance of the program. During Living Discipleship there will be a class on the topic. You will want to have studied the Guidelines that Swamiji has given to us. The Sevaka Order is central to Ananda. Whether a person lives in an Ananda Community or not, the Guidelines point to the principles which are reflected through the Ananda worldwide movement.

    The Guidelines for Conduct was written by Swami Kriyananda as a reflection of the attitudes and practices that were being demonstrated by disciples in the formative years of Ananda. Rather than prescriptive rules, these guidelines emerged from the choices that were made for the harmony and spiritual well-being of the residents and community as a whole and have evolved over the years. These guidelines are foundational to Ananda and Community Living. Swamiji writes in the Introduction, “May these Guidelines for Conduct help to point the way to perfection for those who have accepted the ray of the divine light that was brought to the West by Paramhansa Yogananda, and that is expressed through Ananda World Brotherhood Village and all Ananda World Brotherhood Colonies located throughout the world."
  • Supportive Information

    Please share more about you and your spiritual journey. This information will allow for more tailoring of the program for you and your fellow participants, as well as aid in the design of specific activities. Please note that this is solely for information purposes, and does not correlate with any sort of eligibility to participate in the program.
  • Teaching and Leadership

  • Chanting and Music

  • Yoga Postures

  • Additional

  • Dietary Restrictions


    Please note that our hosts at the Meditation Retreat do their best to accommodate dietary requests. They provide three delicious vegetarian meals per day and regularly accommodate individuals who are gluten-free or dairy-free. They always do their best to provide for everyone. However, they may not be able to accommodate all dietary restrictions, in which case you may need to supplement your diet by bringing some of your own food.
  • Again, while our hosts do their best to accommodate dietary needs, they may not be able to accommodate all restrictions, in which case you may need to supplement your diet by bringing some of your own food.
  • This includes, for example, if you prefer to eat gluten-free or dairy-free, but you occasionally indulge in non-GF or non-DF options. It does take extra effort on the part of the Retreat staff to accommodate varying dietary preferences, and you may be asked for flexibility regarding these preferences.
  • Introductory Statement and Photo


  • EXAMPLE BIO: I have been involved with the Ananda Seattle community for several years and just took Kriya in July of 2017. I originally found the path through my parents, who have been devotees and Ananda sangha members for over a decade. Until recently, I lived and worked in Seattle, but have since left that lifestyle to immerse myself more in my spiritual practices and my Ananda family. I am currently living at Ananda Village, and I am delighted to serve with my spiritual family; I feel very blessed that I am currently in a situation where that is possible.

    A few things about me: I love to dance and travel, and have found great joy in expressing myself creatively through chanting and singing. Music, and attuning myself to Swami’s music in particular, has continued to become more and more important to me as I deepen my path with Ananda. I am very excited to join in on group sadhanas, as I find to be a very key component in strengthening and supporting my own practice. I also look forward to deepening my connection to Swamiji, but through satsang with people who knew him for decades as well as in staying on the land of his original retreat. I look forward to this month as a very significant part of my life - of deep introspection and growth.
  • Headshot

  • This will be used by other participants, retreat staff, and guest teachers, to help everyone learn each other's names.
    Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: jpg, png, jpeg, Max. file size: 1 MB.
    • One-on-One Meeting

      Upon submission of this form, the Program Coordinators will reach out to schedule a one-on-one meeting with you to discuss your application, needs, and where she can support you. This is required before you are approved for the program and may move forward with reserving your space at the Meditation Retreat.
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