Joy is Within You!

Ananda Worldwide is a global movement dedicated to the realization that joy is within you. The word Ananda means ever-new joy. Ananda is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of one of the bestselling spiritual autobiographies of our time, Autobiography of a Yogi.

Yogananda’s Teachings

Yogananda’s revolutionary teachings emphasize direct, inner experience of the Divine — that every soul must seek inward upliftment and realization of their highest Self—what Yogananda called Self-realization. This path of awakening continues to touch the lives of millions around the world, for it answers the call for a spiritual path with practical applications to daily life, delivered in a way that speaks to the heart and mind.

All faiths and backgrounds are welcome at Ananda, for everyone can live in joy. We share a universal spiritual path to inner awakening, emphasizing the truth that vibrates at the heart of every great religion. Yogananda himself came to show the underlying unity of all religions, bringing a harmonious blend of spirituality from the East and West.

Ananda was founded in 1968 by a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Kriyananda, who is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading spiritual teachers. Ananda first began in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California in what is now known as Ananda Village, a spiritual community soon to celebrate its 50th year. Ananda has now grown to include centers, meditation groups, and spiritual communities throughout the USA, Europe, Asia, and India. Find an Ananda near you.

Today Ananda is led by spiritual directors Nayaswami Jyotish Novak—whom Swami Kriyananda named as spiritual successor—and his wife, Nayaswami Devi.

Principles of Ananda

  • People are more important than things.
  • Where there is dharma (adherence to truth and right action), there is victory.

Any hardship imposed by life will prove in time, to be a blessing when embraced with courage, gratitude, non-attachment, and deep faith in God.

All are welcome

Ananda’s primary goal is to help people achieve Self-realization, a state of consciousness that comes through shedding all outward self-definitions. Ananda has, therefore, created communities and centers that 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.

Ananda is a global movement based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, who showed how everyone can realize God in their daily lives as a tangible, loving reality.

—Swami Kriyananda

Learn more about Ananda Worldwide.