Art of Living Classes

Yoga, both physical and mental (meditation), is not a religion. Yoga is a practical science that awakens intuitive intelligence and creativity. This latent intelligence, when awakened, benefits all aspects of our life from our mental attitude, to health and vitality, and creativity. These attributes in turn infuse daily life — our relationships, sports, arts, parenting, education, and career — with the vitality that leads to success and true happiness. Cooking, dieting, starting a new business or career, and overcoming illness are activities that are demonstrably benefited by the power of yoga. 

The fundamental purpose of yoga is to help people find an ever expanding horizon of happiness, and, to learn how to cope and then transcend what we normally define as suffering. No part of our lives is too small or insignificant to apply the universal principles of yoga to achieve success and fulfillment. The “proof of the pudding” is the transformed lives of its practitioners.

The classes below are just a sampling of the subjects we offer. Some are offered regularly, others occasionally.

Current Classes: 

Harmonium Chanting for Beginners

Presented by Vajra Madden in Bothell and Steve Bonnell in Seattle

in Seattle: Sunday, June 2, 1-4 pm

in Bothell: Saturday, July 20, 9:30 – 11:30am

Learn the basics of how to play the harmonium and receive a starting repertoire of simple, devotional chants by Paramhansa Yogananda and from India. Bring your harmonium or learn on one of ours. Class size is limited so register early. Read more / Register..

---

AKASH: The Ultimate Self Mastery Program by Swami Kriyananda

Presented by Nayaswami Jamuna Snitkin

6 Thursdays, May 9-June 13, 7:30-9 pm in Bothell

Swami Kriyananda’s AKASH (Ancient Keys to Attaining Success and Happiness) Lessons gives us principles to incorporate into our consciousness, which will open the door to success and happiness. Join Nayaswami Jamuna Snitkin in these six weeks of guided living. We will uncover the very real energies and subtle effects of high-mindedness and soul-centered living, as we experiment with our attitudes and behavior each day. Read more / Register…

---

Metaphysical Meditations – A Guide to Higher Consciousness

Presented by Nayaswami Hriman McGilloway

4 Tuesdays, June 25-July 16, 7-8:30 pm in Seattle

Meditation is not an escape FROM reality. It is an escape TO reality. Success, inspiration, creativity, health and genius flow from our level of consciousness. When we direct our attention to a higher level of vibration and attunement we can draw extraordinary insights, energy and awakening. We will explore different approaches to meditation such as creative visualization, chanting at the chakras, and watching the breath. Read more / Register…

---

The Hindu Way of Awakening

Presented by Murali Venkatrao

4 Thursdays, July 18-Aug 8, 7:30-9 pm in Bothell

Making sense of Hinduism’s exuberant plethora of deities, gurus, sacred texts, rituals, and myths can be frustrating and confusing. Murali Venkatrao, who was born into the Brahmin caste and raised in India, is one of Ananda’s lead teachers and directs the Yoga Teacher Training course at the Ananda Institute of Living Yoga in Bothell. He brings to us the best of east and west through the insights and wisdom of Paramhansa Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda. Murali follows the time-honored Indian tradition of teaching through the medium of stories. The stories are picked from Vedas and Puranas. Read more / Register…

---

Art in Community

Presented by Nayaswami Jamuna Snitkin

Saturday, July 13, 10 am-3 pm in Lynnwood

You are invited to gather at Ananda Lynnwood community room to share a morning of art. This is a time for all who are interested in the visual arts to join others and play together in creative joy, harmony and friendship. Read more / Register…

---

Art of Spiritual Counseling – Helping Others Find Their Way

Presented by Nayaswami Jamuna Snitkin

Tuesdays, July 23 & 30, 7-8:30 pm in Seattle

Understanding what others really want when they ask for help goes a long way toward providing counsel. Advice is rarely followed; inner insight brings understanding and growth. Learn how to be a mirror to another’s own inner guide. Read more / Register…

---

Path of Kriya Yoga

Presented by Nayaswamis Padma & Hriman McGilloway

Tuesday, August 27, 7-8:30 pm in Seattle OR Thursday, August 29, 7:30-9 pm in Bothell. Free!

Paramhansa Yogananda brought the ancient technique of Kriya Yoga meditation to the West from India. His life story, “Autobiography of a Yogi” has inspired millions to learn this powerful and life transforming technique. If you would like to know more about kriya yoga, we invite you to attend these free talks with Kriyacharyas Hriman and Padma McGilloway. You will learn about the history of Kriya, its powerfully uplifting psycho-physiological effects, and the opportunities for learning kriya and its related precepts and practices. Read more / Register…

 

Sunday Services

Sunday mornings are the best time to visit Ananda and see “who” we are! Each Sunday, one of the Lightbearers (ordained ministers) gives a keynote talk, blending timeless wisdom with practical insights and offered with humor and personal reflections. A weekly reading, inspired by the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita, sets the theme for the talk. Each week we conduct the inspiring, poetic, musical, and ceremonial Festival of Light which recounts ancient themes of creation, the purpose of life, and the way to soul freedom. 10 a.m. each Sunday!

---

 

Courses that are offered from time to time:

Superconscious Living  Presented by Krysta Gibson or Michelle Marshall. This foundational course shows us the practical value of positive attitudes. It is “hands-on” and provides weekly exercises in the “art of living” by which we can test and accelerate our progress toward true happiness. Learn how to transform challenges in marriage, home, parenting, relationships, money or career into priceless opportunities for self-understanding and expansion of sympathy to find a greater and lasting satisfaction.

Love Without Fear: How to Have Healthy Relationships Presented by Nayaswami Jamuna Snitkin. Relationships are a source of high expectation, but all too often end in crushing disappointment. What is going on? We will explore the spiritual meaning of relationships of all kinds. Discover the principles of courageous engagement, and understand the inner changes that bring deep fulfillment and joy.

Practicing the Presence of God Separating our meditation practice from our daily life simply doesn’t work! All of the joy that we have ever sought lies in our souls. Why should we ignore it during a large slice of our waking lives? That inner connection needs to be consciously nourished and strengthened. Join Nayaswamis Jamuna and Susan as we find inspiration in the example of the Great Ones, and discover time-tested ways to nurture a dynamic inner connection with God. 

Looking to the Saints Swami Kriyananda says, “The true custodians of religion are the saints.” The saints are those who have walked much farther on the path to ultimate fulfillment than most. Thus, they alone – not books or dogmas – can show us how to change our lives and uplift our consciousness into ever-greater happiness and success. The saints draw our attention to God. We will walk with St. John of the Cross (spiritual director of Teresa of Avila), Brother Lawrence (author of the spiritual classic, Practicing the Presence of God), Clare of Assisi (“spiritual sister” of St. Francis), Giri Bala (the “non-eating saint” whose life is described in Autobiography of a Yogi), and Master Mahasaya (a disciple of the great 19^th-century saint Sri Ramakrishna, chronicled in the Autobiography). 

Spiritual Parenting Presented by Nayaswami Padma McGilloway & Tyagi Chandi Holliman.We all want our children to be happy and successful. Education for life, as taught in the Ananda Living Wisdom Schools, employs proven methods that help children achieve these goals. You will discover proven applications for using these skills as a parent. We’ll encourage discussion to tailor the information to each participant’s needs.

Scriptures of East and West From time to time, we offer classes in the yoga teachings of the Bible, and on the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras (of Patanjali). Taught by Nayaswami Hriman, these may be offered at either location: East West Bookshop, or, Ananda Meditation Temple.