Ananda Portland

Author: Badri Matlock

  • Service Adventure Club

    Service Adventure Club

    Life is nothing if not an adventure. Each new day brings opportunities to explore the vast landscape of life. How we spend our time reveals much about who we are and where we’re going, and our attitudes and approach to life often determine the pace and rhythm at which we get there. Swami Kriyananda wrote “Life is a great adventure. Look around you: There are trails leading off in all directions to new discoveries!” 

    Where will we go and what will we discover? How to know which trail to take? One of the greatest trails is service to others. As long as we limit our life’s experiences to our own little world and life, we curtail the potential for our own expansion and growth. While some exceptional person might achieve great money, fame or success, life will remain somehow empty without a meaningful way to give back in service to others. Not only a principle of life, service or seva is a powerful spiritual practice to expand from ego to Spirit consciousness. Seeing and serving God in others opens the heart and expands the mind. Then helping others enriches our experiences and fosters joyful self discovery.

    At Ananda Portland we are blazing a new trail of discovery with our Service Adventure Club. The inspiration includes working with some of the children in our Sangha to put these principles into practice: seeking adventure and service consciously in our community together. With a little yoga and meditation practice as our foundation, we’ll partner with local non-profits to volunteer our time and energy to help others. We’ll also explore the wonders of the natural world together and foster a sense of joyful discovery and awe. And we’ll do it as a community, a Sangha in the sense of a spiritual family with bonds of kindness, respect and love.

    Our first adventure includes an invitation to our broader Sangha to join us in volunteering at HomePlate Youth Services, our next door neighbors to the Ananda Portland Temple in Beaverton. We’ll be preparing and serving meals for up to 40 youths experiencing instability in their lives–all with a spirit of loving service and joy. Consider supporting this effort by volunteering your time or helping with resources to feed these hungry kids–but only if you feel the call of adventure! Click here to answer the call and serve with us 🙂

    The most meaningful experiences of life are never scripted. They come from an unwritten story of magic and love which interconnects everything in this world. When we expand ourselves in service to others, in a spirit of adventure and self-discovery, our own story gets so much more interesting, fulfilling and fun.

  • Do Trousers Matter?

    Do Trousers Matter?

    Last week on Rise in Freedom, Gita reflected on the covid pandemic and how to find our way through uncertain times. Continuing that theme, the pandemic and times like it may well have be times when, like the brilliant writer PG Wodehouse’s character Bertie Wooster once inquired:

    “There are moments, Jeeves, when one asks oneself, ‘Do trousers matter?’” to which his faithful valet Jeeves’ stoically replied: “The mood will pass, sir.” 

    Beyond the philosophical question of trousers in moments of dejection and difficulty, the world today is a hotbed of rapid change and uncertainty, making the quest for peace a spiritual obligation. But raising our consciousness isn’t just a personal endeavor; it is a collective necessity that can transform society from the ground up.

    In his book Hope for a Better World, Swami Kriyananda emphasized that the solution to humanity’s challenges is not in changing systems but elevating consciousness: “What will raise humanity…is a higher consciousness – something that groups, particularly, can demonstrate.” This collective shift in consciousness can be much more effective and inspiring than isolated individual efforts. The monasteries of the Dark Ages are a classical example where collective spiritual practices helped to preserve and elevate civilization in times of global turmoil.

    Swamiji also describes the disintegration of old, form-bound consciousness and the emergence of a more flowing, intuitive consciousness. He writes: “We are at a time of a greater awakening of the spirit, not just sort of an intuitive flow in our work and in our dealings and so on, but a greater awareness of who we really are.” This shift involves recognizing that energy is the fundamental force behind our actions and thoughts. By becoming more aware of this energy and working with it consciously, we can better navigate the complexities and difficulties of life.

    In times of global instability and change, the greatest reforms will come from small groups made up of dedicated individuals rather than through systemic or political efforts. Ananda is one such group, made up of countless individuals dedicated to sincere practice of yoga, meditation, service and devotion to uplift consciousness. While there are many such groups creating positive change, the majority of humankind only spins the wheels of the world’s problems in place. Again on this subject Swamiji writes: “Human problems have their roots deep in human nature. Their only possible solution lies quite outside the political arena – in a broad shift of consciousness.” And rather than the simple fact of the noble Jeeves’ truth that “the mood will pass”, there lies a far greater opportunity at the heart of it.

    Interestingly, the most dark and difficult times of change can serve as the catalyst for the greatest spiritual awakening and growth. Many saints and mystics have foretold of great suffering, cataclysm and economic disaster. But these objectively negative experiences hold a secret key of transformation for all those who can leverage it. Everyone who is alive during a given period of global challenge shares a common karma, one which earnest spiritual seekers consciously choose to live and grow through.

    Not only can we weather any storms that come, we can each put our trousers on to create tremendous positive change–raising our individual and collective consciousness. The effects will ripple out and bring greater peace and harmony throughout the world, and serve as a beacon of hope in challenging times.

  • The Fearless Heart

    The Fearless Heart

    We recently celebrated a massive, beautiful week of Spiritual Renewal at Ananda Village with over 300 in attendance live, and at least that many tuning in online. The theme of the week resonated deeply with every heart: “The Battle of Life and How to Fight It”. Now is the time to keep our spiritual inspiration high, and to fight life’s battle with strength of heart.


    Looking forward to another inspirational community event closer to home, Ananda Portland will host Asha Nayaswami for a weekend of special events August 23-25. A special highlight will be Saturday, August 24th when Asha shares an inspiring morning workshop entitled Self-realization: The Fearless Heart, and joins us in celebrating the magical evening of Guru Night at our Ananda community together.

    The term “Fearless Heart” is an interesting concept and spiritual quality to contemplate. At some point on the spiritual journey, it becomes necessary to live from the heart increasingly not only by sweetness and love, but courage and fearlessness. The battle of life cannot be fought only with love–or if it can be, then sometimes that love must be fierce and fearsome, like the Hindu goddesses Durga or Kali.

    What does a fearless heart look like? A devotee or spiritual seeker has to be willing to walk the talk, to live and embody the spiritual teachings, even and especially when faced with opposition, challenge and hardship. It takes a developed and sensitive intuition, or calm feeling, to know how to act. Whether fighting the good fight with courage, or taking the path of acceptance and peace, the heart of a spiritual warrior can remain calm and centered like the deep waters of the ocean, whether below a surface of glassy stillness or raging waves.

    The practices of Kriya Yoga and all manner of yoga, meditation and other techniques are instrumental in developing this calm, clear center. But like the soldier who trains for battle, no preparation or simulation can ultimately compare to the actual chaos flying arrows, crashing swords, and deadly din of real battle. So too the yogi prepares diligently, whilst knowing that the most important preparation comes from a creative, unwritten whisper of the heart. That sensitive soul guidance will lead unerringly to smaller victories of right attitude and action, and the one true, everlasting victory of spiritual enlightenment. 

    Paramhansa Yogananda advised: “meet everybody and every circumstance on the battlefield of life with the courage of a hero and the smile of a conqueror.” This is the way of the fearless heart: armed with a brilliant smile of divine love and joy, plunging courageously into the battle of life wherever it leads.

    There is a war constantly waging in this world, and inside every conscious being. The numerous battles taking place are fought on the everyday field of our relationships and habits, thoughts and actions, and in the quiet stillness of yoga-meditation.

    It would be easier to avoid the many conflicts that beset us and the sufferings of life, but an easy life will not bring victory. Conflicts and sufferings are unavoidable, and only by prevailing with a brave heart will we continue to build the strength to win the battle. Then we can help others develop their own fearless hearts, and together win the final fruits of victory: freedom and joy forever. 

     

     

  • Unity Through Community

    Unity Through Community

     

    There is a better way to live in this world, and we are helping to create and share that way together. People everywhere have had enough of selfishness, divisive politics, lack of right living and kindness and respect. While we cannot solve all the world’s complex and difficult problems, we can create a powerful momentum to help support the many necessary changes and solutions. By simplifying our lives, banding together in communities, and establishing universal spiritual ideals we are effecting immense positive change. 

    On July 31, 1949, at a garden party in Beverly Hills, Paramhansa Yogananda emphatically said: “This day marks the beginning of a new era! My spoken words are registered in the ether, in the Spirit of God, and they SHALL MOVE THE WEST! . . . We must go on—not only those who are here, but thousands of youths must go north, south, east, and west to cover the earth with little colonies, demonstrating that simple living plus high thinking produce the greatest happiness.”

    Among the many gathered there that day, perhaps the only person present who truly took these words to heart was Swami Kriyananda. He would go on to dedicate nearly 65 years to this mission of Yogananda’s, founding and supporting successful spiritual communities all over the world. While our Ananda communities continue to thrive, we now have the responsibility to further the creative expression and expansion of spiritual community into the future. Of course there are numerous wonderful examples of community besides Ananda, and all over the world these little “cities of light” form a beautiful tapestry of harmonious living, trailblazing a path of light for the future of this world.

    Today is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year and an auspicious time of change and growth. Our miraculous and life-giving sun is a symbol of the divine Light that shines through all nature, in every heart and mind, and scintillates in every atom of creation. As we celebrate the official beginning of the season of summer, we also continue to tread the path of Light that brings great unity, peace and happiness in a yet confused and troubled world.

    Ananda Portland is celebrating the solstice and community with an Open House, sharing the gifts of music, food and drink, playfulness and friendship with friends old and new. The essence of community is not only the important physical place and proximity we live, but the spirit of cooperation, unity and joy that pervades our relationships and lives. We hope you can join us for this special event, and in this special lifestyle which produces the greatest happiness. 

  • Supreme Devotion

    Supreme Devotion

    Love is the cosmic glue which holds this universe together with its interplay of countless swirling celestial bodies, and multitudes of hearts and minds. Paramhansa Yogananda’s own guru Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri was a stern yoga master who yet knew this wisdom of love. He wrote that “The first and most essential thing on the spiritual path is to uncover the natural love of the heart; without that one cannot take one step on the spiritual path.” 

    What really is the “natural love of the heart”, and how can we cultivate it? This is at the very core of every human experience and the all-pervading reality of this world: seeking universal love. Paramhansa Yogananda identified the simple premise that all beings are striving only to attain happiness, and to avoid suffering and pain. Love then, is the uniting force that brings happiness, and the soothing balm that heals all pain. It is the answer to every question, the key to unlock every door, and the secret ingredient in every recipe of life.

    Here are some all-important ways to cultivate divine love:

    1. Love God.  These two words comprise the summa totalis of all spiritual teaching. Loving God may be a challenge, an mystery, or a trigger for many people who do not understand, struggle with, or reject the very concept of God. And yet if we think of God as the highest potential within our own self, and the unifying consciousness of Spirit pervading and beyond all creation, there is an undeniable, beautiful truth to behold there. Even though we cannot comprehend God with the mind, by choosing to love God with the heart, we expedite our “understanding” and gradually, our oneness with God’s infinite love. We can love God more by directing our devotion to the Christ center at the point between the eyebrows especially in meditation, and by singing and devotional chanting to God.
    1. Love others as expressions of God. This is the natural expansion of love as our hearts enlarge the capacity for love. These two concepts comprise the greatest teaching of Jesus Christ to “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” and “love thy neighbor as thyself” which is feel our oneness with all in the love of God. 
    1. Pray for devotion. It is a strange and mystical truth that only by offering our little love, can we receive the great love of God. Prayer can open our hearts to receive the very love that we long for. Swami Kriyananda said, “Devotion is a gift of God and by your very act of prayer you are putting out the magnetism to draw that gift to you. Pray this simple prayer as often as you remember: ‘Divine Mother, awaken your love in me, and then help me to awaken that love in all.’”
    1. Tune into the Masters. The great masters of yoga and saints of all religions are those who have perfected love. Everything flows through channels in this world, and the perfect love of God is no exception. Focus on the perfect love of God expressed through these awakened masters in meditation, prayer and activity, and increasingly that divine love will fill your own heart and mind.

    Of all the sacred lore of yoga scripture of ancient India, one of the most beautiful scenes depicts the monkey god Hanuman, the most devoted follower of Lord Rama, revealing the secret of his legendary strength and endurance. It is said that even sparring against his lord the great Rama himself, that Hanuman could not be bested. When asked why, Hanuman opened his chest to reveal both Rama and Sita, the perfected masculine and feminine principles of Spirit, residing in his heart. Victory and success in everything comes when the love of God becomes the only focus of the heart.

    The ancient yoga master Patanjali identifies this principle in his famous Ashtanga Yoga, in one of the five Niyamas or observances, as Īśvarapraṇidhāna— supreme devotion, total surrender and commitment to the Lord. Once established in this divine self offering, the infinite Love of the God brings final yoga, or union with Spirit. 

  • I’m Only Human

    I’m Only Human

    To be human is commonly associated with lack, mistakes and failure. Habitual expressions referring to the human condition include “I’m only human”,  “to be human is to err” and excusing any manner of human foible or fault as  “just human nature”. But what if the truth is that being human, in essence, is to be divine?

    Paramhansa Yogananda was a man who was born in India in 1893 and died in California in 1952, but he was (and is) also a divine being, fully awakened in Self-realization. Once, a great disciple found himself in the presence of the Yogananda, contemplating this paradox of his human form and his divine stature. Sensing this student’s deep consideration but inability to comprehend–”how can the little cup hold the whole ocean?”–Yogananda approached the disciple and, smiling, gave him an apple. In a subtle yet playful way, he was imparting the unthinkable wisdom of an enlightened Guru who is one with God: that the highest form of humanity is divinity. Yogananda’s definition of Self-realization explains that within each human form dwells the divine:

    “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.”

    To ‘improve our knowing’ is the only goal of life. Lesser teachings and teachers will convincingly reason that it is sufficient to simply accept and love oneself as one is, or that a little self improvement is enough. But the ultimate, beautiful goal of life is to know God, and the human who recognizes and yearns for this knowledge will be satisfied with nothing less. In the words of the great saint Sister Gyanamata “see nothing, look at nothing, but your goal ever shining before you”.

    There is a little flame of Spirit in every human soul in creation. Many humans remain ignorant or naive, barely acknowledging the divinity so readily apparent within and without. But the human being who fans and feeds the spiritual flame feels its inner warmth and light, gradually spreading everywhere. Meditation and especially Kriya Yoga are the highest forms of art and science available for the little flame to become spirit, for the little soul to know God. The natural expansion of consciousness that follows, hand in glove, leads to loving awareness and perception of, and joyful service to God in everyone, everywhere. But everything starts with the little human being who seeks God, pulling on that thread of seeking tirelessly, lovingly, without end.

    Remarkably, and never revisited enough by the inspired disciple, is the statement by Yogananda that the enlightened state of jivanmukta is attainable in this very lifetime. The illumination of great saints and sages is not the stuff of far off spiritual legends, but the essence of our own lives here and now. Every human heart holds the universal current of Divine Love, beating eternally through the cosmos and in the hearts of all. Every human experience is an invitation to awaken that love. Some humans will pine for the “good ole days” that will never come, because the real good days come each and every day, when no matter what comes we do our best to love God, seeking and serving God, thankful for these countless divine blessings of being human.

  • The Noble Taper

    The Noble Taper

    Meditation is the foundation of spiritual life. Like an engineer designing a structure to withstand certain physical forces, the spiritual seeker engineers himself to withstand certain forces in life. To this end, the single most powerful spiritual tool is a regular, scientific practice of meditation and devotion. 

    In his poetic and divinely inspired ceremony The Festival of Light, Swami Kriyananda tells of a special meeting between two Avatars, enlightened masters destined to guide the spiritual evolution of life on planet earth:

    High in the Himalaya, eyes filled with divine love, Jesus appeared to the great master, Babaji. “The lights on the high altar of my church,” he said, “have been growing dim. Though still lit on lower altars of good works, the noble taper of inner communion with the Lord burns low, and is ill attended. Let us together, united in Christ love, set lights ablaze on that high altar once again!” Thus, a new ray of light was sent to earth through the great masters of this path.

    Babaji’s Cave, by Jonah West

    This noble taper of inner communion is a harmonizing, a restoration of the natural state of the soul and its oneness with Spirit. Paramhansa Yogananda said of the practice:

    “The soul loves to meditate, for in contact with the Spirit lies its greatest joy. If, then, you experience mental resistance during meditation, remember that reluctance to meditate comes from the ego; it doesn’t belong to the soul.”

    All too often we experience the reluctance of the ego before or during meditation, and not enough of the soul’s greatest joy in inner communion. It is important not to give way to discouragement however, but to press on consistently with zeal in the knowledge that our regular, sincere practices of meditation and devotion will yield tremendous benefits. Greater peace of mind and happiness in one’s life can seem intangible, but over time a definite spiritual foundation is established. The inevitable ups and downs of life yield to an increasingly unshakeable sense of deeper fulfilment, calmness and joy. 

    Devotion is the secret ingredient that alone can fully complement meditation. It is the natural love and passion of the human heart, directed to the fullest expression of the soul–God. When meditation or life is difficult, when everything else seems to fail, devotion is the answer. The simple words “Love God” express the highest calling, the greatest and only answer to every question of life. Everything comes back to Love, and the individual soul loving God finds the ultimate answer in Divine Love. So in meditation and in life, when it’s hard and when it’s easy, in the big moments and the countless little ones, Love God.

    Finally, we can take refuge in God, the supreme Spirit, because our aim must be no less than total soul liberation. Like an arrow shaft loosed from a bow, our devoted meditation practice will bring us there with unerring accuracy in the end. Then our part, simply stated, must be to never, ever lose heart. No matter where life takes us, let us keep the noble taper of inner communion alight, day in and day out, and together we will set lights ablaze on the high altar of our hearts forevermore.

  • Brother Bluebell

    Brother Bluebell

    “Hello there brother bluebell, sing me a tune today!” sings the opening line of one of Swami Kriyananda’s many delightful children’s songs, an ode to the joy and beauty of nature. The lyrics go on to welcome and sing praise to the lovely meadowlarks and dewdrops, monarchs and beetles, pebbles and laughing brooks. At the very end Swamiji, a superconscious composer, avoids ending on a traditional “down” note and the song soars upwards in it’s final lines: 

    God made us of his gladness: come, then, and sing.
    To cure the world of sadness: oh, ring, bluebell, ring!

    Indeed, of the countless inspiring pieces of Swami Kriyananda’s music, given to him by God, his children’s music can sometimes pierce the heart most readily. In the beautiful flowers and sunshine, in the play and laughter of children, we can easily relax our hearts and feel God’s joy, bubbling under the surface of our souls. And while it is good to stop and smell the bluebells, it is better when we first center ourselves in the presence of God within. Even the inevitable sorrows and sufferings of life can bring us sweetness, when we cultivate the deeper understanding, or at least the natural love, of the heart. So meditate a little deeper and longer, pray more sincerely in the silence of your soul, and then greet the days of spring with a full and open heart.

    With the traditional celebration of Easter comes the freedom and joy of the soul: the resurrection of Jesus brings a message of spiritual hope for every sincere heart. But the story can also serve as a bittersweet reminder that this world is a nest of troubles. Only by sincerely seeking and loving God can we overcome the trials and troubles of this world, and even then we may not understand, but we will be at peace. Paramhansa Yogananda often emphasized the words of Jesus, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness: then all these things will be added unto you.” This is the real second coming of Christ that was promised, and that the life and spirit of Yogananda continues to inspire and fulfill.

    Join us for our Easter celebrations and many spring activities at Ananda Portland if you can. Next to a true master like Jesus or Yogananda, there is no greater blessing than spiritual fellowship with friends who love God. So while we revel in the singing blossoms and busyness of spring, let us meditate and seek the kingdom of God within above all else, and enjoy the season together despite the passing clouds and wind and rain. Remember: to cure the world of sadness: oh ring, bluebell ring!

  • The Custodians of Religion

    The Custodians of Religion

    In my early life lexicon, the term “custodian” referred only to the janitor at my elementary school. Later, in my early adult life, I read perhaps one of the greatest spiritual books ever written, The New Path by Swami Kriyananda. In Part II, Chapter 33: Original Christianity,  the author emphasizes and expounds an important message from Paramhansa Yogananda:

    “The saints alone are the true custodians of religion. For they draw their understanding from the direct experience of truth and of God, and not from superficial reasoning or book learning. The true saints of one religion bow to the divinity manifested everywhere, including of course to the true saints of other religions.”

    I know that I met at least one great saint in Swami Kriyananda himself. He demonstrated in countless ways, large and small, that his consciousness was elevated far beyond the average human state. He drew little attention to this however, as saints often do, and even obscured it at times. The famous French saint Joan of Arc said “If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.” Furthermore Swamiji and the saints encourage all of us, as fellow spiritual seekers, to consciously acknowledge, identify with, and develop the saintliness in ourselves and in one another. I remember one occasion Swami referred to all of us as “Saintlets”, or little saints. This has been a helpful practice to me spiritually–to look for and encourage the very best in myself and those around me.

    Find peace within, for that is where your true strength lies.
    –Trailanga Swami

    Generally speaking, saints are rare and mystical beings in our world who manifest some higher consciousness which is innate in everyone and everything. They may take expression in the form of any gender, age, race or religion. Their saintliness may be apparent, obscure or even bewildering. Trailanga Swami was an enormous, always naked, 280-year old saint in India who British soldiers would securely imprison, until he would trans-locate from his cell to stroll on the prison rooftop. Certain religions and churches will designate a saint (or not) as if their acknowledgement is necessary to validate their status, when in fact it is the saints who are responsible for keeping the oft-misguided religions on track! 

    Saints are often inconvenient, and do not necessarily care much for religious customs or norms. The A-List of saints (A for Avatars: fully liberated, enlightened divine incarnations) like Buddha, Krishna, Jesus and Yogananda came–and will always come–to re-establish completely “new religions”, commonly disturbing or dismantling the preceding norms. This upsetting of the religious apple cart is a challenging, sometimes fun, and often painful long-rhythm process of keeping humanity on track morally and spiritually on this planet. St. Francis of Assisi stripped naked in public and renounced wealth in his supreme devotion to God, living in extreme poverty while singing joyful praise of the Lord and His natural world. Soon after, he drastically improved the course of Christianity and the history of the world.

    Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. –St Francis of Assisi

    Of course there can never really be an old or a new religion or God. Jesus said “I have not come to abolish them [the Law or the Prophets] but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17) The saints give a fresh expression to the same truth that God is divine love, peace and joy, shining through the natural world and the virtuous qualities of men and women throughout time. When more and more people realize this, they pray and meditate, sing joyfully and live simply for God and become little saintlets on their way. To this end Paramhansa Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda have given us countless spiritual books, talks, communities, music and so much more to support the elevation of consciousness in this age. Even a fraction of sincere practice and participation in these endeavors yields wonderful results. 

    One of my favorite quotes from Swami Kriyananda reduces it all so beautifully and simply: “I have found the more I think of God, and the less I think of me, the more everything somehow works out. And life becomes a song of joy when you live in this way.”

  • The Trumpet Call of Friendship

    The Trumpet Call of Friendship

    The greatest joy and growth, pain and sorrows in this world all relate to our connection with others. And the highest form of connection is friendship. True friendship is a spiritual relationship of love, support and respect. Paramhansa Yogananda wrote “Friendship is God’s trumpet call, bidding the soul to destroy the walls which separate it from other souls, and from Him.”  

    My wife Gita and I will soon be sharing an inspirational workshop at our Ananda Portland Temple on this topic-–Radiant Relationships: A Yogic Approach to Love (join us in-person or online!). The focus is not intended for couples alone, which deserve special emphasis, but for all relationships which have basic and critical elements in common. Naturally we have been thinking of this topic and will share some of the following ingredients, crucial to the success of any relationship: 

    • Take care of yourself. Exercise, appearance, diet, meditation…what do these have to do with your friendships? If you are not in a healthy, balanced state it is hard to be at your best when relating to others. Meditation and spiritual practices, above all, help us relate with friends and loved ones from the highest place within us.
    • Have fun. Be willing to laugh at yourself. Don’t take life too seriously, and maintain a good sense of humor. People are weird–face it, you are weird!–and this world is full of weirdness. The best approach, especially when is to comes to oneself, is to try to have fun and keep it light, without sacrificing your depth—see above re: balance.
    • Learn to behave. Develop attitudes that will nurture your relationships such as thoughtfulness, kindness, and deep respect. Avoid acting or speaking out from an emotional state. Learn to accept and love others as they are. All our problems arise from our expectations of others, and of life. Remember, you are not the Guru of your spouse, friend or acquaintance. Be a good listener, a kind heart, and a thoughtful friend. 
    • Maintain perspective. Nothing is more important than your relationships. Don’t let “stuff” get in the way. As a great husband of many years’ once said: “When I married my wife, I told her I would make all the important decisions in our relationship. Since then there just haven’t been any important decisions to make.” Nothing is more important than our friends!

    Ananda exists to support people in the quest to realize God. The medium for this to happen is first and foremost through meditation and the loving relationship between soul and Spirit. Then it all comes down to our interactions with people—in our homes and families, work and service, play and social spheres. Take note–this is where the bulk of our karma and growth takes place!

    In fifteen years of living and serving at Ananda, far and away the greatest wealth I have acquired is true friendship: with myself, with others, and with God. Not a king’s treasury could compare in worth! There are hundreds of friends around the world who I share this deep connection with. While only a handful can be more personal, intimate friendships, the depth of true, divine friendship is timeless, transcendental and ever-sweet!  

    Prioritize these divine friendships over the less-important things in your life (hint: everything else) and nurture your soul relationships with all. The trumpet call of friendship is sounding! Will you answer the call?