Paramhansa Yogananda
 Paramhansa Yogananda (1893-1952, often misspelled 'Paramahansa' Yogananda) was the first yoga master of India to take up permanent residence in the West. Yogananda arrived in America in 1920, and traveled throughout the United States on what he called his ‘spiritual campaigns’. His enthusiastic audiences filled the largest halls in America. Hundreds of thousands came to see the yogi from India. Yogananda continued to lecture and write up to his passing in 1952.
Yogananda's initial impact was truly impressive. But his lasting impact has been even greater. Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi, first published in 1946, helped launch a spiritual revolution in the West. His message was nonsectarian and universal. Yogananda’s teacher sent him to the West with the admonition, “The West is high in material attainments, but lacking in spiritual understanding. It is God’s will that you play a role in teaching mankind the value of balancing the material with an inner, spiritual life.”
The Path of Self-Realization
“The true basis of religion is not belief, but intuitive experience. Intuition is the soul’s power of knowing God. To know what religion is really all about, one must know God.” — Paramhansa Yogananda from The Essence of Self-Realization
Yogananda brought to the West the path of Self-Realization. He said that “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.” The path of Kriya Yoga, which Yogananda called the ‘jet-airplane’ route to God, consists of ancient yoga techniques to hasten the spiritual evolution of the student. Yogananda's techniques can be learned through the Ananda Kriya Ministry.
Ananda: Fulfilling Yogananda’s Vision
Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda, founded Ananda Village in 1968 to fulfill Yogananda’s vision of "World Brotherhood Colonies," or spiritual cooperative communities. Yogananda envisioned a place where all people, not just monastics, could devote themselves to living a divine life, dedicated to practicing the teachings of yoga in every aspect of their daily life.
Ananda Village has over 300 adult members and children. Ananda Worldwide now includes World Brotherhood Colonies in four American cities, and in Assisi, Italy. All residents practice Yogananda’s teachings of meditation and apply his principles to all facets of life in this world: business, schools, relationships, healing, and much more. Ananda’s Expanding Light Retreat in Nevada City, CA has been sharing these principles for close to 40 years!
| Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters)  A longer biography, as well as online books, music, and videos, are available at the official Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) website. Swami Kriyananda is a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda and the founder of Ananda. Ananda is recognized as the most successful intentional community in the world. Today, over 800 people reside in six Ananda communities throughout the U.S. (Seattle, Palo Alto, Portland, Sacramento and Dallas) and in Europe. The European retreat and community located in Assisi, Italy, also serves Ananda meditation groups in Europe, Croatia, and Russia.
Both the Nevada City and Assisi communities have world-renowned guest retreat facilities where thousands of visitors annually visit for renewal or instruction in many aspects of meditation, yoga, and the spiritual life. Kriyananda has also established "Living Wisdom" schools for grades K-8 in Nevada City, Sacramento, Portland, and Palo Alto.
Swami Kriyananda spent three and a half years living closely with his Guru, Paramhansa Yogananda, the great Indian master and author of Autobiography of a Yogi. He went on to become vice-president of Self-Realization Fellowship, the organization Yogananda founded. After leaving SRF, he founded Ananda in 1968.
Swami Kriyananda and Paramhansa Yogananda
Kriyananda's books and music have sold over 3 million copies worldwide and been translated into 24 languages. He is the author of over 80 books on a variety of topics including leadership, education, creativity, and moral values. His best-selling titles include Meditation for Starters, The Path - A Spiritual Autobiography, Money Magnetism, The Essence of Self-Realization, Affirmations for Self-Healing, Education for Life, and his best-selling Secrets gift books.
A composer since 1964, Kriyananda has written over 400 musical works. His music is soothing, uplifting, and inspiring. Many of his new albums are instrumental works that contain brief affirmations or visualizations. Chuck Dilberto of Awareness Magazine says, "Kriyananda's words and music are full of his life and light. His sole intention is to heal, something we could all use during these chaotic times."
His recent albums include Secrets of Life, Mantra, Life is a Quest for Joy, and I, Omar. As a composer, Walters is best known for the top-selling albums Mystic Harp and Mystic Harp 2, featuring the legendary harpist Derek Bell, of the 5-time Grammy Award-winning group The Chieftains.
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