Welcome to Ananda LA
Ananda is dedicated to the belief, born of experience, that everyone can rediscover their joy within.
On our collective path towards Self-Realization, we offer effective techniques for the journey such as meditation, raja yoga, the path of Kriya, as well as divine friendship and community.
The Ananda LA Center in East LA is officially OPEN and offering in-person events and services. Please go to our calendar for more details.
In 1982 Ananda’s founder Swami Kriyananda gave a talk in LA on How to Be a Channel of Light in Challenging Times, which is just as relevant today, as the world undergoes great transformation.
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Our Inspiration
Paramhansa Yogananda was the first yoga master of India to take up permanent residence in the West. Yogananda arrived in America in 1920, and began teaching the universal path of Self-realizaiton. In his words, “Self-realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God’s omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing.” In 1946 he wrote Autobiography of a Yogi which soon became a best-selling spiritual classic. Ananda members base their lives and spiritual practices on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
“Paramhansa Yogananda has been called the father of yoga and meditation in the West. His Autobiography helped spark and inspire a spiritual revolution across the world. Among the over three-hundred (influential spiritual voices) I interviewed about their key spiritual influences, a high percentage named a book, and by far the book most often mentioned was Yogananda’s unique memoir.”
– Phil Goldberg, American Veda
Meditation & Kriya Yoga
Meditation is a technique for personal growth that has been practiced for thousands of years around the world with repeatable results. There is no aspect of your life that cannot be improved by meditation, whether it be in business, relationships, or health. The highest purpose of meditation, however, is to discover your Highest Self.
We offer courses with in-person instruction on topics ranging from Lessons in Meditation to Spiritualizing Your Daily Life. Check out our calendar for upcoming classes and events.
Kriya Yoga is an ancient meditation technique of energy and breath control, or pranayama. It is also a comprehensive spiritual path, which includes additional meditation practices and guidance for living.
The Kriya technique is given through personal initiation by one of our Kriya Yoga teachers. Initiation requires preparation which includes the practice of other meditation techniques and study of Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings.
Our purpose is to help you “improve your knowing” through direct experience and realization. When you clear the spinal highway of traffic and the mind of static, you awaken to your soul nature of joy, peace, transcendence, and love.
We welcome all sincere seekers, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. We are committed to providing an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone to pursue the search for God. You are invited to visit our temple to experience the joy of your own being.
Festival of Light Service
We invite you to join us each Sunday in celebrating and sharing the universal truths taught by Paramhansa Yogananda and expressed by his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda. Ananda services are nonsectarian.
The Festival of Light service includes chanting, meditation, prayers, music, readings from both the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita, and an inspirational talk. The service concludes with the Festival of Light, a universal celebration of the path of inner communion with God and of the divine grace that has come to us in our age.
Together let’s uplift our collective consciousness and awaken our highest aspirations.
