September 2010 Newsletter

Dear Friend,

We recently completed an extraordinary Spiritual Renewal Week. The speakers every day were inspirational, and the concert and play wonderful. We’re blessed to be surrounded by great souls who have been practicing Yogananda’s teachings – and practicing sharing them with others – for decades. To benefit from their talks – and their presence – for a full week of events is truly a rare occasion for spiritual growth.

When Anandi spoke she reminded us that God loves us just as we are. Imagine! With all our shortcomings and failings, when we are doing well and when we aren’t – God loves us. She said (I’m paraphrasing) that God does not love us any less than the great saints. Take heart! You are a child of God. And take that as encouragement to move along your spiritual path until you are home again – fully united with the Creator.

Another opportunity for going deep is Inner Renewal Week starting February 6th. This week is a bit different than our big summer event in a couple of ways. One is that Nayaswamis Jyotish & Devi Novak – the Spiritual Directors of Ananda Worldwide, give a talk each morning – and during the week answer questions. Swami Kriyananda has personally trained them for 4 decades. To spend this much time being with and learning from these great souls is a very special chance to deepen your own spiritual connection.

Another aspect of Inner Renewal Week is that not as many people attend as in summer. This results in a quieter environment that particularly supports inner peace and calmness. Ananda Village goes on retreat during this week – and anyone sincerely interested in sharing in that experience with us is welcome. Consider making plans to join us.

Joy to you,

Timothy
General Manager
The Expanding Light Retreat

Yoga Teacher Training

Oct 24 - Nov 21, 2010

Jan 9 - Feb 6, 2011 for $600 less!

Immerse Yourself in Yoga as a Way of Life

This residential yoga certification is much more than techniques. You'll be a full-time part of Ananda Village in northern California, one of the leading ashrams in the U.S. Be supported by the magnetism of an entire community of long-time yogis.

A Dynamic Professional Training

Ananda's is the only yoga teacher training in the highly regarded yoga tradition of Paramhansa Yogananda. We've spent more than 30 years making it into a first-rate expression of that tradition — a dynamic blend of professional training and personal growth.

Go Deep in Your Practice   Yoga Teacher Training

Inspiration from Yogananda

To a struggling disciple: “Your job, for now, is to get to God. Don’t worry about all the karma you will still have to complete. Let God worry about that!

“First, destroy in yourself the source of karmic involvement. That source is your attachment to the ego. Once the ego is merged in Him, then any actions you perform will no longer revert to yourself. Your actions will be like writing on water: They will leave no trace in the mind. In severing yourself from egoic involvement in any action that you perform, you will have cut the Gordian knot of delusion.

From The Essence of Self-Realization: The Wisdom of Paramhansa Yogananda by Swami Kriyananda
published by Crystal Clarity

Ananda LA News

Swami Kriyananda is in Los Angeles, and plans to remain there for 7 months. This is an initiative to further expand the teachings of Yogananda in L.A. Beginning September 19th, Swamiji will begin a weekly session that will include his responding to questions. Several other great Ananda devotees, teachers and musicians are also in L.A., and will be appearing and teaching around the city. Visit http://www.anandala.org to learn more.

Personal Retreat PLUS Month 20% off

Personal Retreat is always popular – but in September you can get even more with Personal Retreat PLUS.

Click on the link above for a sample of the special offerings during Personal Retreat PLUS.

A sample of the offerings – depending upon when you are here:

• Instruction in meditation
• Instruction in Energization Exercises
• Class on Tuning in to the Chakras
• Healing Prayer Workshop
• Chanting workshop
• Class on the 8 Stages to Self-realization
• Individualized yoga postures class
• And Special Events

Help The Expanding Light grow to serve more and better!

Thursday evening, Sept. 9th, 6:00 PST With Maitri Jones of The Expanding Light