July 2010 Newsletter

Dear Friend,

Every day, I work to recognize that everything that comes to me is what is meant to come to me. When I can hold onto that awareness for a day it’s a good day! Yogananda said that whatever comes, let it come. Everything that comes to me carries a blessing – and the opportunity for me to fulfill karma and move closer to God.

But some days it does seem harder than others to remember, doesn’t it? How can we do it? Set little reminders for yourself. Don’t just have a picture of a saint on your desk – develop the habit of taking a couple of deep breaths every time you look at it. Bring the love of that saint deep inside.

Here at Ananda we start meetings – well, pretty much everything we do – with a prayer. You probably can’t do that where you work. But you can develop the habit of quieting yourself and internally saying a prayer as you begin each new effort. Keep at it until it becomes a routine.

Recently in a class one of my fellow students said that every time she goes over one of the speed bumps here in Ananda Village she repeats a mantra. I’ve adopted the habit; it’s terrific.

Where is your attention? What are you doing to bring your attention back to where you really want it to be? Set your own little speed bumps to slow you down and remind yourself of what matters.

Blessings,

Timothy

More Accommodations Are Now Available for Spiritual Renewal Week! - some in a nice family-style house; some nice, basic rooms. more...

The Annual Spiritual Renewal Week at Ananda Village
The Age of Energy-Accelerating Planetary and Personal Evolution
August 8 - 15

• 2 talks by Nayaswami Kriyananda
• Talks by Nayaswamis Jyotish & Devi and other Ananda spiritual leaders
• Concert, kirtan, Peace Treaty play and Indian Banquet

Be surrounded by others seeking spiritual growth for a full week!

Inspiration from Yogananda

Suffering is a reminder that this world is not our home. If it were perfect for us, how many people would seek a better one? Even with things as imperfect as they are, see how few people seek God? Out of a thousand, said Krishna, perhaps one.

The law of life is this: The less one lives in harmony with the truth within, the more he suffers; but the more he lives in harmony with that truth, the more he experiences unending happiness. Nothing then can touch him, even though his body waste away with disease and people ridicule and persecute him. Through all the vagaries of life, he remains ever blissfully centered in the indwelling Self.

From Crystal Clarity:   How to Be Happy All the Time
The Wisdom of Paramhansa Yogananda, Volume 1

The Garden of Bliss

AUM is the outpouring of God’s love
flowing to you—and to all creation.
When you commune with AUM,
you enter into, and flow with,
the stream of God’s love.

From a poem by Nayaswami Bharat, Ananda’s Director of Meditation Support. To see the full poem and an article by Bharat Cornell, click on The Garden of Bliss

There is still time to register for the program Bharat will lead July 16th – 18th: Communing with AUM; Advanced Practices.

Spiritual India Pilgrimage
October 3 – 25, 2010
Join for part or all of this pilgrimage - 12 to 22 days

On this one trip you can meditate in some of the most powerful spots in India—from the high Himalayas, to Kolkata in the east, and Pune in the west. more...

Ananda Online Community
A Worldwide Brotherhood Community for Self-Realization

Everything you might be looking for in a spiritual community online - sadhana, satsang, classes, workshops, webinars, Sunday Service, and more!

A sampling of our offerings for July:

• Interactive Webinar with Swami Kriyananda
• Tea & Talk with Jyotish & Devi
• Meditation Group with Melody & Vic Veenhof
• Prayers for the Planet with Mary Kretmann
• Live, Guided Meditations
• Superconscious Cooking Classes

Membership is free for July!

Click here Ananda Community to learn more

New Twists on Energization
Free the Sacred Dogs!

It’s common for some personal—often unintentional—variations to creep into one’s practice....
More…

Register for Ananda’s
Yoga Teacher Training

July 11 - Aug 8

Become a Magnetic Teacher Apply Now

• Practice teaching for groups and one-to-one
• How to assist and adjust students in the asanas
• Guidance on how to refine your teaching, including a video recording session and personal teaching reviews
• How to plan a class: structure and sequence; your own teaching style; marketing