Spiritual Renewal Week
- Jun 25 – Jul 2, 2023
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL WEEK 2023
Please note that the content on this page is from 2022, and will be updated in late fall or early in 2023. We wait until closer to the time in order to intuit what theme will be relevant for the current times. Rest assured it will be more wonderful classes and events and dynamic, uplifting week.
Join friends from around the world
during Spiritual Renewal Week
Come and experience this extraordinary week of inspiration, spiritual upliftment, and connections with friends and other truth seekers, in person, at The Expanding Light in Ananda Village.
If you can’t attend in person, tune in online. The morning classes and many evening events will be live-streamed. See the Online with Ananda website for online viewing opportunities.
Individual effort can be more important than mass karma. One who in every way tries to uplift himself, harmonizing body, mind, and soul with the Divine, creates positive karma not only in his own life, but in his family, neighborhood, country, and world. —Paramhansa Yogananda
SRW SAMPLE OF
Live Events Schedule from last year, 2022
Monday Class: Uplift Yourself—Uplift the World
Keynote talk with Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi
The balance of world consciousness is currently caught in a tug-of-war of upward moving awareness, and downward streams of materialistic thinking. How can we help tip the balance toward a higher world-wide consciousness? Trying to change others is ineffective. We must first uplift ourselves on an individual level. Personal inner transformation is the key to contributing to the upliftment of society as a whole.
Evening event: Kirtan, including a story by Murali
Change your thoughts if you wish to change your circumstances. Since you alone are responsible for your thoughts, only you can change them. You will want to change them when you realize that each thought creates according to its own nature. Remember that the law works at all times and that you are always demonstrating that according to the kind of thoughts which you habitually think. Therefore, start now to think only the kind of thoughts that bring you health, abundance, and happiness. ― Paramhansa Yogananda
Tuesday Class: The Chakras – Portals to Higher Consciousness
with Nayaswami Gyandev, Jitendra, and Brahmachari Sagar
Your chakras influence your consciousness and spiritual growth, the heart center being the most pivotal. Upward, expansive energy from the heart brings solutions for yourself, and the world. Downward, contractive energy produces problems and materialistic thinking, on both personal and global levels. Yogic teachings give systematic ways to delineate the forces that work for, and against you, in the ongoing quest for Self-realization.
Evening event: Concert of Swami Kriyananda's music
Forget the past, and trust more in God. Our fate is not predestined by Him; nor is karma the sole factor, though our lives are influenced by our past thoughts and past activities. If you are not happy with the way life is turning out, change the pattern. I don't like to hear men sigh and ascribe present failure to past-life errors; to do so is spiritual laziness. Get busy and weed the garden of your life. —Paramhansa Yogananda
Wednesday Class: Seeing Daily Life with Uplifted Consciousness
with Nayaswami Padma, Nayaswami Narayan, Nayaswami Nirmala, and Sundara.
How do we consistently live and face life’s challenges with uplifted energy? Masters, saints and sages throughout time have given numerous lives, solely dedicated to showing mankind how this is done. They translated spiritual principles into practical application. To quote an affirmation from Swami Kriyananda, “Though my spirit soars in the skies of consciousness, my feet and hands labor here on earth to make truth real to all.”
Evening event: Questions and Answers with Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi
To love those that love you is easy. To love those that love you not is not so simple. If you want to change anyone, set a better example. Show more kindness, more understanding, more love. That has a sure effect. To those who are not kind, show kindness. To those who are mean, show bigness of heart. —Paramhansa Yogananda
Thursday Class: Attunement with the guru—Key to Higher Consciousness
with Nayaswami Asha, Nayaswami Dharmadas and Brahmachari Aditya
What is the most important thing we can do as disciples? Be in tune, and when things get difficult, get more in tune. —Swami Kriyananda
Swami Kriyananda remembered: “All the time when Master was with us, he would say, “Be in tune, be in tune.” He talked about it as the most important thing he could give to us, because through that attunement he is able to inspire us with the right decisions, the right understanding, in every situation.” Through attunement we can learn how to view life from a master’s consciousness.
Evening event: Dinners in Community members homes
It is a blessing to yourself and to others if you are happy. If you possess happiness you possess everything; To be happy is to be in tune with God. —Paramhansa Yogananda
Friday Class: Meditation and Kriya Yoga: Tools for Upliftment
with Nayaswami Pranaba, Nayaswami Hriman, and Nayaswami Jaya. Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi will conclude these topics with a few words at the end.
The wisdom of the East and the creative spirit of the West come together in Yogananda’s teachings to give us tools to use every day of our lives.
Evening event: Kriya Initiation Ceremonies (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) Contact Devalila, kriyayoga@ananda.org, to reserve your place. First Kriya will be live-streamed
Kriya, controlling the mind directly through the life force, is the easiest, most effective, and most scientific avenue of approach to the Infinite.
—Paramhansa Yogananda
Saturday Class: How I Keep Uplifted and Share with Others
with Tyagi Shanti, Badri, Erin, Brahmacharini Lakshmi, Tyagi Dhyan
On this last day of classes, relax and enjoy hearing how disciples personally practice keeping spiritually uplifted. This morning's speakers have all been conscientiously living and practicing Yogananda's teachings. As they share how they keep their inspiration strong, you will no doubt gain insights for uplifting your own spiritual life.
Evening event: Indian Banquet followed by The Peace Treaty play by Swami Kriyananda (this will be a condensed performance of the complete play)
A strong determination to be happy will help you. Do not wait for circumstances to change, mistakenly believing that in them lie the difficulties. Do not make unhappiness a chronic habit. —Paramhansa Yogananda
Sunday Service: with Nayaswami jyotish and Nayaswami Devi
Evening Events:
- Mon: Kirtan with Story by Murali
- Tues: Concert of Swami Kriyananda's Music
- Wed: Questions and Answers with Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi
- Thurs: Dinners in Community Members Homes
- Fri: Kriya Initiation Ceremonies (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) Contact Devalila: kriyayoga@ananda.org, to reserve your place. First Kriya will be live-streamed
- Sat: Indian Banquet followed by The Peace Treaty play by Swami Kriyananda (this will be a condensed performance of the complete play)
Throughout the Week:
-
Morning Meditations and Ananda Yoga® sadhanas
- Afternoon classes on various aspects of Yogananda's teachings
- Lunches with Ananda Ministers
- Online discussion breakout rooms
- Tours of Crystal Hermitage, Ananda Village and Ananda Meditation Retreat
- Ananda World Market - a Faire
- Seva Yoga opportunities
About The Peace Treaty performance on Saturday Evening:
One of the highlights for this year’s SRW is an adaptation of Swami Kriyananda’s play, The Peace Treaty. Nayaswami Devaki, long time minister, director and actor for The Peace Treaty, and other Ananda plays, has edited and shortened Swami Kriyananda’s spiritual classic, specifically for this year’s SRW event. Through humor and the clever use of metaphor, Swami Kriyananda presents spiritual and practical solutions to complex issues, that are both refreshing, innocent and uncomplicated. Many of you will remember and delight in the return of some of your favorite characters and actors. You’ll see some new faces as well. Some of the actors will include: Vajra Johnson, (Ananda Village), Jivani Girla, (Ananda Village); Lewis Howard, (Ananda Village); Ganesha Kieran, (Ananda Village); Aaron Atwell, (Ananda Sacramento); Alan Ross (Ananda Sacramento); Keshava Betts (Ananda Palo Alto), and Rose Atwell, (Ananda Palo Alto). As you can see, this is a multi-colony performance! In the words of Lord Crystar “So does every clan depend on every other” Very pertinent to our times. You won’t want to miss this event!
Spiritual Renewal Week does exactly as the name says: You will leave feeling spiritually renewed in body, mind, and spirit.
For more information, please Contact Us
At the end of Spiritual Renewal Week, guests made these comments:
"After 37 years of attending Spiritual Renewal Weeks, I am always uplifted by the fact that there is a true blessing in the whole event.... There are moments that are so pure and perfect that you instantly know that being there is right for the body, mind, and soul. The morning practices start the day with active self-connection....many different instructors with unique skills lead the way into the morning. The classes are more than educational - they offer a joyful challenge to the mind to act and think in a more wise and expansive way. The afternoon programs deepen the knowledge, and the evening concerts, plays, and chanting all serve as frosting on the cake, as days pass and calmness grows. At the end, I felt blessed and grateful for another week of renewal. I look forward to life and to my next Spiritual Renewal Week with you all. May God bless and keep you." Jeff K., Madison, WI
“Incredible. I received quite a lot of clarity on issues that have been on my mind for some time.”
“The feeling of openness and the welcoming nature of the Ananda environment and people made my experience so beautiful! ALL the classes and talks were helpful and inspiring.I felt great love and support from all of the staff and community members.”
“It proved to be more than I ever expected. The atmosphere, people, and power of the Divine were life transforming. Will definitely be back.”
“Fantastic. Deeply inspiring. Life-changing.”
For more information, please send us a Question or Comment:
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Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi
Spiritual Directors of Ananda Worldwide, Kriyacharyas, and Ananda Ministers
What is a nayaswami?
Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi Novak are the Spiritual Directors of Ananda Worldwide. Longtime devotees of Yogananda, Jyotish and Devi have worked closely with Swami Kriyananda since 1969 and before.
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi.
Nayaswamis Dharmadas and Nirmala
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Nayaswamis Dharmadas and Nirmala.
Asha Nayaswami
Asha Nayaswami, serves as Ananda's global ambassador at the request of her lifelong teacher, Swami Kriyananda. With her unusual insight and clarity, warmth and wisdom, she helps us see how spiritual teaching can be woven into daily, ordinary life. She offers practical, real-life examples to guide, encourage, and support. She shares universal truths that unite the great religions.
Nayaswami Jaya
Co-Spiritual Director of Ananda India
Nayaswami Jaya Helin and his wife Nayaswami Sadhana Devi are founding members of Ananda.
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.
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Nayaswami Maria.
Nayaswami Gyandev
Co-Director of the Ananda Meditation® Teacher Training, Director of Ananda Yoga®, Level 2 Ananda Yoga teacher, E-RYT 500, Raja Yoga Teacher, Spiritual Travel Host, Writer and Lecturer, Ananda Minister
What is a nayaswami?
Combining a fun-loving spirit, keen insight into the spiritual life, and genuine warmth, Nayaswami Gyandev makes the inner quest seem both natural and doable. Since 1983 he has taught Ananda Yoga to thousands of students and trained hundreds of teachers around the world, often forging deep and lasting bonds of friendship and inspiration.
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Nayaswami Gyandev.
Jitendra Guindon
Ananda Yoga® Instructor. Ananda Meditation Instructor.
Brahmachari Jitendra Guindon is a certified Ananda Yoga® teacher with Yoga Alliance. He is also a certified and experienced Ananda Meditation teacher.
Jitendra Guidon, Director of Online with Ananda’s Online Outreach ministry, is a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda living at Ananda Village in Northern California. While serving with Ananda, he enjoys spreading the ancient teachings of Yoga to all truth seekers around the world and look forward to connecting with new friends from different backgrounds and affiliations.
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Jitendra Guindon.
Erin Vinacco
Erin Vinacco lives and serves at Ananda Village as family minister and founding director of Conscious Families. She is a certified Education for Life (EFL) teacher, Ananda minister, certified yoga teacher and long-time educator. She loves to find new, creative ways to share the teachings and support people of all ages in achieving their highest potential in life. In her role as family minister she supports the parents and families residing at Ananda Village, as well as visiting families who are curious to learn more about family life in our spiritual community.
Brahmachari Sagar
Sagar led Ananda’s work in Mumbai for about five years and has served Ananda’s work in India and the US as a teacher and counselor to students and as a meditation and stress-relief workshop facilitator for corporates.
Sagar currently serves in Ananda’s Online Ministry. He is one of the principal instructors for the Ananda Course in Meditation and has helped create several such online offerings and webinars.
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Brahmachari Sagar.
Sundara
Inspirational teacher and retreat leader
International Director, Sharing Nature Worldwide
Gardener, Crystal Hermitage Gardens at Ananda Village
Sundara (Greg) Traymar is the International Director of Sharing Nature Worldwide and has been personally trained by world renowned author Joseph Bharat Cornell. Sundara is a gifted and inspiring teacher and wins friends wherever he travels. He has spent the last 12 years traveling the world, helping others deepen their love for nature.
Badri Matlock
Ananda Meditation Teacher, Ananda Yoga Instructor, E-RYT 500'
Ananda Yoga Instructor, E-RYT 500
Ananda Meditation Teacher
Badri Matlock is a dynamic young teacher and program leader. His dedicated practice of yoga and meditation began at age 17, and he has lived and taught at Ananda since 2009. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Kinesiology from California State Long Beach.
Nayaswami Jyotish
Spiritual Directors of Ananda Worldwide, Kriyacharyas, and Ananda Ministers
What is a nayaswami?
Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi Novak are the Spiritual Directors of Ananda Worldwide. Longtime devotees of Yogananda, Jyotish and Devi have worked closely with Swami Kriyananda since 1969 and before. They have been personally trained by him to guide Ananda's work worldwide and have taught and lectured around the United States, and in Europe, Russia, and India. Jyotish and Devi are both also Kriyacharyas, designated by Swami to initiate people into Kriya Yoga.
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Nayaswami Jyotish.
Dhyan Garcia-Davis
Tyagi Dhyan lives at Ananda Village and serves with the Online Ministry, enthusiastically sharing the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda with others. With clear insight and joy, Dhyan extends loving support to truth seekers everywhere.
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Dhyan Garcia-Davis.
Shanti Rubenstone, M.D.
Loving, enthusiastic, energy personified — Shanti is a minister and co-spiritual director of Ananda Palo as well as a Stanford trained M.D. Her classes encompass all aspects of the spiritual path with a particular bent toward devotion, wellness, and healing. Her talks are rich with stories from her life as a physician and her many years on the path. With her warmth and wisdom, she is a much-loved counselor and teacher.
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Shanti Rubenstone, M.D..
Nayaswami Pranaba
Nayaswami Pranaba has helped to create and direct Ananda centers in America and Italy, managed the Ananda YTT program, directed Ananda Village’s membership program and coordinated Ananda's Meditation Groups. He now manages Ananda Sangha Worldwide, Ananda's outreach ministry. An excellent teacher, he is known for his unfailing kindness and gentle approach.
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Nayaswami Pranaba.
Lakshmi LaPine
Lakshmi is an Ananda lightbearer and minister; she is one of the co-managers of Ananda Palo Alto. A decade-long mediator, she is a thoughtful and delightfully engaging teacher of yogic philosophy and the teachings of Self-realization. She also serves part-time as an English teacher at a local high school, dedicated to fostering an academic setting that promotes individuality, inner self-growth, and contemplative philosophies.
or e-mail or call us at 1-800-346-5350
Costs (SRW)
Costs are on a per person basis.
- Jun 25 – Jul 2, 2023
| Shared Rooms only | ||
| Tent RV |
Standard Shared |
Deluxe Shared |
|---|---|---|
| $987 | $1288 | $1631 |
Prices are all-inclusive and cover accommodations, meals, classes or activities, and course materials.
Spiritual Renewal Week starts the afternoon of the first date listed and ends with lunch on the last date listed. Check-in is anytime between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at our Front Desk. Your room will be available by 3:00 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30. The first gathering of your group is after dinner.
Please see:
You can add extra personal retreat days before and/or after your program. Check availability and costs for the days and accommodations that you require.
Spiritual Renewal Week starts the afternoon of the first date listed. It’s ideal to arrive before 4 pm, if you are able to. That way, you can join in the afternoon session of yoga and meditation, which begins at 4:45 pm. Dinner is at 6:30. The first real gathering of your group is at 7:30 pm. If you need to arrive here after 5 pm, that’s fine, but it helps us if you let us know at 800-346-5350. We can also put aside a dinner for you if you need to arrive after 7 pm. The program ends with lunch on the last date. Please see our Daily Schedule.
See Transportation and Directions whether you are coming by plane, car, bus or train. Our Frequent Questions page answers many of the questions you might have about How to Go on Retreat.
