When I visited Ananda Assisi last year, I befriended a young Italian man named Anthony. He never met Swami Kriyananda in person as Swamiji had left the body before Anthony visited Ananda Assisi. He did however have a heart-to-heart meeting with Swamiji’s spirit. During his stay at Ananda Assisi, he meditated in Swami’s bedroom shrine. Swami left the body in the bedroom of his home just outside the Ananda Assisi retreat. As part of their retreat, visitors have the opportunity … Read More
Love is Effortless
Years ago, when Rammurti and I had our bookstore, I used to do the bookkeeping. Each day, after counting the previous day’s cash drawer, I would walk a few blocks to the bank to make a deposit. One day as I stood in line at the bank, I noticed that, as some customers got to the head of the line, they stepped aside allowing the next person to go ahead. It soon became obvious that those customers were waiting for … Read More
The Royal Road of the Cross
Let’s face it, this is an excruciatingly painful time period for the world. We can spout spiritual sayings, but they fall flat in the face of the depression we are now facing. Along with the pandemic, the economic fallout and consequent loss of jobs, confidence, and hope threaten our livelihood just as much if not more than the virus itself. Is it any coincidence we are facing these tests during Holy Week leading up to Easter? What better time to … Read More
Reverential Distance
In response to the global pandemic, Ananda Sangha Worldwide is initiating a “Be a Warrior for the Light” campaign. Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi, our spiritual directors and divine friends, are leading us through this crisis with the “sword of faith in our hand” and “the love of God in our hearts.” Part of the “Be a Warrior for the Light” initiative will include weekly prayers for the world, online meditations, a new online community, and practical resources to help us … Read More
Exponential Self-Realization
We’ve been hearing a lot about exponential growth these days. Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of growth we would like to see. I had a conversation about this kind of growth before the global pandemic erupted. It was of a very different nature – the exponential growth of a particular company’s stock! Mind you, though I am married to a man who worked on Wall Street, I have absolutely no interest in the stock market. I was, however, fascinated by … Read More
Thou Mother of Flames
Dear Friends, For as long as I can remember, my nighttime dreams have been a way for spirit to give me guidance, especially during turbulent times. Last night I had such a dream, which I feel inspired to share with you right now. In my dream, I had just finished running a marathon. After crossing the finish line, I stepped into an elevator in a parking structure with two other women to get back to my car. As the elevator … Read More
Distant Closeness
“Oh, my God! A plane just hit the World Trade Center.” My sales team leader blurted out the shocking news for all to hear. “Shut the (blank) up! And get back to work.” Our regional manager, the big boss, shouted back at him. The date was 9/11/2001. I was working in midtown Manhattan for Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s company, Bloomberg L.P. Along with being a financial data service provider, Bloomberg is a media company. Most people know Bloomberg … Read More
A Smooth Life Is Not A Victorious Life
This past Friday was the launch of Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi’s new book Touch of Love: Living The Teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. This book is a compilation of weekly letters they posted in 2017 and 2018 to their popular blog, A Touch of Light. Many gathered to celebrate the birth of these inspired writings at the Chado Tea Room in Hollywood. The room was alive with divine friendship and very much filled to the brim with love! During tea, Jyotish … Read More
Our Lady Loungewear
A few weeks ago I went shopping with Dharmadevi. We have a silent marital understanding that for the most part it’s best for me not to enter the store with her. Since it was a women’s clothing store, I eagerly utilized my “get out of shopping jail” free card and remained outside. When Dharmadevi came out of the store she said, “I had a funny experience with the store clerk.” “What happened?” I inquired. Dharmadevi told me, “I saw a … Read More
Keep In Touch
My mom, Jackie, always had a strong connection with cardinals, the passerine songbirds. Whenever she’d see one, she said it made her think of God and how much He loves her. When any of her children saw one, it would inevitably remind us of Mom. Every day, being with her on the East Coast during her transition, a cardinal would appear in one form or another. After her passing about three weeks ago, cardinals have been a way my siblings … Read More
