Living Discipleship is an immersive, 25-day experience in the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, as shared by his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda. The program is held at the Ananda Meditation Retreat, the original site of Ananda and where the community began. Program participants live, learn and serve together in dynamic discipleship. Long group meditations, deep dives into the teachings, and joyful service are the building blocks of the program. Added to this foundation are opportunities for time in nature, introspection, and spiritual friendship.
This program 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 lives.
Donations to Living Discipleship are greatly appreciated. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help in one of the following ways.
Program Discounts: The tuition for this extraordinary program can be more than some otherwise eligible individuals may be able to afford. Donations may be used to fund a partial discount for someone who, without financial help, might not be able to come. While partial discounts are occasionally offered to individuals demonstrating need, recipients are nonetheless asked to fund a significant portion of the tuition themselves, to ensure they are offering meaningful energy toward their attendance.
Program Costs: Running the program becomes more expensive every year. As the Program Coordinators work to keep costs down for attendees, it becomes ever more challenging. Your donation can help keep the program as dynamic and expansive as possible, serving not only attendees, but also the Ananda community at large.
Thank you for your support of Living Discipleship!
Next Available Program Dates:
- September 11 - October 5th, 2022
- July 2 - 26th, 2023
Program Contact:
Program Leaders: Nayaswami Maria and Nayaswami Sahaja
Email: [email protected]
Meditation Retreat Contact:
Housing and Fees Inquiry: Nayaswami Susan
Phone: 530-478-7557
Email: [email protected]
What are participants saying?
This program helped me to understand what it means to be living a life of discipleship and to be a member of spiritual community. How the inner and outer forms of self offering and service are linked and how to live and be a channel of Master's Ray. This program provided the space to deepen both of these aspects.
It was inspiring to feel the magnetism formed by our group of peers who are dedicating their lives to this path of discipleship. The inspiration, joy, and nourishment of this group will be carried always in my heart to come back to when ever I need to reawaken the inspiration of my soul.
- Allie, Ananda LA
The Living Discipleship program was a transformative experience. It reawakened the roots of my inspiration and devotion to my quest of self realization. I haven't felt this inspired and assured that emancipation is real and possible in this life since I first came to the path and felt God unfolding with in me as my heart and mind expanded.
All of the teachers and activities brought me deeper in my understanding as our group grew closer and more bonded. I'm eternally grateful for this timely experience. I feel more prepared than ever to pursue my own sadhana with zeal and also to share this holy vibration with all.
- Jacob, Ananda Camano Island
The Living Discipleship Program was the most spiritually nourishing time of my life. It allowed me the space to go deep into the teachings, participate in satsangs with founding members of Ananda, to have joyful uplifting time with the gurubhais and an opportunity to make spiritual friendships for a lifetime on the path. I'm carrying back a lot of gratitude for this time and a whole new perspective towards life and the spiritual path.
- Bramachari Vineet, Ananda India
Living discipleship has been a month of the most heart opening, soul-expanding, deepening, and nurturing experiences. It has brought a wellspring of renewal in body, mind and spirit. We have been carried on a journey too profound and beautiful to express. I had no idea what to expect from this program. What I found was an immersion into the depth and breath of masters teachings guided by souls who live and breathe the path they walk. My side in the practice has never been stronger. Practices of affirmation and embodiment of the teachings have come to life. My cellular make up has been rearranged and newly aligned to this ray of the divine. Held so completely, we were able to move unreservedly, to meet our edges, collapse, regroup, reflect, laugh, set new directions, gain new insights, rise higher and soar again.
- Kshama, Ananda Palo Alto
Imagine the most holiest place you can think of where you can stay for 25 days. Each day you are basked in the wonderful holy vibration again and again. Each day you transform, and now imagine saints coming to you and sharing their experience and vibration of God they have manifested in their life. Ah! What a wonderful thing happens to you and you keep transforming to a higher self of yourself.
Now Imagine a group of friends who are with you who want the same things like you. Who want God in their life. Now you are together, friends of past lives and current, who together are transforming and building a deep bonding of friendship in God. This is Living Discipleship in God, Guru and Divine Friends.
- Harish, Ananda India
| 5:30 or 6 am | Morning Sadhana |
| 8:30 am | Breakfast |
| 9 am | Seva Opportunity |
| 10:30 am | Morning Satsang |
| 12 pm | Meditation |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch |
| 2:30 pm | Afternoon Satsang or Activity |
| 4:30 pm | Afternoon Sadhana with Asanas |
| 6:30 pm | Dinner |
| 7:30 pm | Evening Inspiration or Free Time |
Where do I begin?
The process of applying to the Living Discipleship Program begins by speaking directly to your local Ananda Minister, Meditation Center or Group Leader. Please request time with them to review the suggested conditions for participation. They will be the ones to recommend you for participation in the program. If you are not in an area with an Ananda Center or Meditation Group, contact Nayaswami Maria or Nayaswami Sahaja for more information.
