Nayaswami Maria
Inspirational teacher of Ananda meditation & yoga philosophy; Ananda Minister & Spiritual Counselor. What is a nayaswami?
Nayaswami Maria is a deep soul who rests her life in the Divine Spirit - her service to others as a teacher, spiritual guide, musician, gardener are all roles she plays while centered in her heart. Over more than 40 years she has studied yoga philosophy such as the Bhagavad Gita and teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and then she has lived those teachings through a lifestyle of daily Kriya Yoga meditation and service to others. Maria's grounded and open heart allow her to make new friends easily as she gently meets people wherever they are at in their lives as they seek to grow their spiritual path.
Maria plays acoustic guitar and harmonium, and is an avid bird watcher.
She came to Ananda in 1976 and worked on the Ananda Farm in organic agriculture through 1986. In 1979, she was married to Ananta in a ceremony performed by Swami Kriyananda.
In 1986, Swami Kriyananda asked Maria and Ananta to direct the Ananda community in Sacramento, where they served for 23 years as ministers and community managers.
In 2009, Maria and Ananta were asked to return to Ananda Farm at Ananda Village to restore it to organic production and to direct the Living with Spirit Ashram and summer programs for people between the ages of 18 and 30.
Nayaswami Maria McSweeney was born in Pacific Palisades, California. She attended Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. During college, she was an exchange student in Ecuador for 6 months.
