Living Discipleship is a 25-day full-immersion program. It is offered exclusively to Ananda Kriyabans who are established in the core teachings, and have made their sadhana and service to Ananda a central part of their daily lives. This immersion offers 25 days of living at Ananda’s original site, the Ananda Meditation Retreat. The Living Discipleship Program includes daily meditation, service opportunities and satsangs focusing on living a dynamic life of discipleship.
This program is an invitation to deepen your discipleship to Paramhansa Yogananda, and to expand yourself as an Ananda Global Citizen. Through this program you are offered the opportunity to step away from day-to-day responsibilities and worldly influences to embark on an inner pilgrimage to God communion. In addition to time in group meditation, study and service, you will also enjoy time for reflection, introspection and time in nature. You will have satsang with founding members of Ananda, participate in classes and satsangs with dynamic and inspiring teachers, and experience the joy of sharing this program with fellow gurubhais.
- Sept. 30 – Oct. 24, 2019
- Mar. 1 – 25, 2020
- Sept. 27 – Oct. 21, 2020
- Feb. 22 – Mar. 18, 2021
- Sept. 27 – Oct. 21, 2021
Program Coordinator
530-478-7577
Niranjana@ananda.org
Nayaswami Susan McGinnis
Meditation Retreat – Housing & Fees
530-478-7557
MeditationRetreat@ananda.org
This time of inner pilgrimage, has forever deepened, uplifted and divinely blessed my relationship with God and Guru.Kamaladevi Beswick, Ananda Palo Alto
Where do I begin?
The process of applying to the Living Discipleship Program begins by speaking directly to Ananda Leadership about your participation in this program. Request some time with your local minister or leadership to sit with you and review the suggested conditions for participation. They will be the ones to recommend you for participation in the program.
- Ananda Seattle: Nayaswamis Hriman or Padma
- Ananda Portland: Surendra
- Ananda Palo Alto: Nayaswami Asha, Shanti, or David
- Ananda Sacramento: Nayaswamis Dharmadas or Nirmala
- Ananda Village: A member of the Membership Committee (Nayaswamis Anandi, Lalita, Maria, Sahaja, Trimurti, Pranaba, or Atman, Catherine, Tim, Sabari, Niranjana)
- Ananda Gurgaon: Nayaswami Dhyana
- Ananda Delhi: Keshava or Daya
- Ananda Pune: Nayaswami Jaya or Nayaswami Devarshi
- Ananda Bangalore: Nayaswamis Haridas or Roma
- Ananda Chennai: Nayaswamis Dharmarajan or Dharmini
- Ananda Noida: Nayaswamis Dhyana or Jaya
Are you ready for a new journey?
Please note, you should have already spoken with your Leader before starting this application
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Seva opportunity
10:30 Morning Satsang
12:00 Meditation
12:30 Lunch
2:30 Afternoon Satsang or Activity
4:30 Afternoon Sadhana with Yoga
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Evening inspiration or free time
I have come to learn that Master has been hiding in plain sight — next to me all the time. I am in the perfect place. Everything is as it should be. All is well with my soul.Glenda Anderson, Ananda Camano Island
- Personal spiritual support offered throughout the duration of the program
- Sadhana 2 times a day: Energization Exercises, postures (afternoon), chanting, meditation
- Classes in Master’s core techniques to deepen and refine: Energization Exercises, Hong Sau, AUM Technique, and Kriya
- Classes and Satsang with many of Ananda’s founding members. Some classes include:
-
- The Promise of Willingness
- Mission of the Masters
- For the Love of the Guru
- The Gift of Tests
- Devotion & Opening Your Heart
-
- Opportunities to dive deeply into selfless service
- Private Kriya Ceremony for the group
- One-on-one Satsang with an Ananda minister who will also check your Kriyas
- Seclusion with longer deeper meditations
- Special outings, meals and teas with gurubhais
- Private group events at Crystal Hermitage and opportunities to meditate in Swami Kriyananda’s apartment & the Moksha Mandir
- Nature experiences and playful activities
- Team building project
The recommendations for participation, identified below, are to help assure that you get the most from the program. If you feel you are falling short of any of these please talk to your local minister (listed above) or Niranjana Kushler, the coordinator for Living Discipleship. All Kriyaban’s spend a period of time preparing for this program. Talking to someone directly can help you better understand your readiness and any steps you might wish to take to prepare. These priming efforts, more often than not, allow a person to feel more relaxed and spiritually ready for the deep immersion of Living Discipleship. As is always the case, Ananda works with people where they are at, in consideration of their life circumstance and personal needs. Prerequisites are set as suggested benchmarks for success, not as dogmatic rules.
The following are the suggested conditions for program participation.
☐ I am a Kriyaban
☐ I have developed the regular habit of practicing the Energization Exercises
☐ I have developed the regular habit of meditating twice daily
Having a solid meditation habit prior to arrival will greatly serve you and benefit your fellow participants/gurubhais
☐ I meditate 1 ½ hours or more a day
☐ If not practicing 108 kriyas daily, I am comfortable doing 108 during longer meditations
☐ I regularly, if not daily, offer myself in service to Master through Ananda
It is also recommended that you have studied or read the following books (required for Living Discipleship). If you have not read any of these books at the time of your application, please enjoy reading and studying them prior to the start of your program.
☐ Autobiography of a Yogi
☐ The New Path (The Path)
☐ Art & Science of Raja Yoga (included in the Ananda Course of Self-realization)
☐ Essence of Self-realization
☐ The Need for Spiritual Communities, How to Start Them and Why
☐ Guidelines for Conduct of Members of the Sevaka Order
Words alone can’t possibly communicate the many deep teachings and blessings that Living Discipleship bestows on its participants. Our month together is one of, if not the most profound experience of this lifetime. It will always hold a special place in my heart. I leave transformed.Mary Dossett, Tuscon Meditation Group Leader
This program has helped me to refine and deepen
my understanding of the teachings. Being around so many uplifted souls, receiving wisdom, love and joy, the setting of the Meditation Retreat, the vibrations of the land, the meditations, classes, among other subtle aspects allowed for unexpected yet welcomed growth opportunities.John Taylor, Ananda Village
Apply Now!
Please note, you should have already spoken with your Leader before starting this application
