Serving the Ananda Washington Sangha
Editor’s note: Welcome to the first edition of the Ananda Enlightener. In years past, various Ananda communities, including Lynnwood and the Village, had newspapers that would keep members informed of local happenings. Consider this the 2026 reboot for Lynnwood and Bothell!
If you would like to contribute photos, an article, a comment, a column, or throw a tomato, email ethan@anandawashington.org, subject: ENLIGHTENER
Main Event: Jyotish & Devi Come to Seattle
Lunch presented by Van and Milyn
When the leaders come, we feast
Ananda Worldwide Leaders Jyotish and Devi made their annual visit to Seattle. As part of their usual rounds, they held meetings with all of the staff, ministers, and leadership team members at all of Ananda Washington’s campuses: the temple, the community, East West Books, and Heart Song Retreat. Jyotish and Devi were welcomed by 100 devotees at the Blue Lotus Temple for their Saturday keynote talk, on the subject “What Do We Do Now? Finding Inner Peace in Uncertain Times.”
Jyotish and Devi each took a turn speaking on Saturday. Jyotish emphasized that waiting for the world to calm down for us “Has not worked in the past 18,000 years,” noting that the world operates with “wave-like motions” that evade permanent happiness. He continued his talk discussing the importance of meditation, and concluded with the importance of being of service to our fellow man, saying that moving our own energy in an upward direction will help others also move their energy in an upward direction.
Devi spoke about Ananda and Kriyananda, and how, after they lost everything in a fire, Swami Kriyananda told them, “Whatever God gives, we take,” pointing out that everything that comes to us comes from God. She also discussed the Yugas, saying that we are in an ascending age, and we can be sure that whatever is coming is better than where we have been. She concluded that it is our own inner strength which will allow ourselves to attune to this inevitable and upward change in consciousness, and not get caught up in short term change and conflict.
Happy Birthday to Swami Kriyananda – Born May 19, 1926
Although I did not spend one-on-one time with Swami Kriyananda, I cannot imagine what my life would have been without him. Swamiji brought me to Master through music.
Forty years ago, when I was trying to figure out the point of life, I attended a midweek group at Unity Church. They started their evening program with the chant, “Lord, I Am Thine.” It awoke something deep within me.
“Where does that come from?” I asked the minister.
He said it was from the Joy Singers from Ananda, and that they had just opened a little center on Aurora. So I searched it out and slipped in one Sunday morning … and I was home.
Swami’s life work of creating Ananda, and thereby making Yogananda and his teachings so accessible, is a real lifeline for many. I am deeply blessed to be one of them.
In joy,
Seva
From Heart Song Retreat
Badri and Gita Matlock, visiting Lightbearer ministers from Ananda Portland, led a Spirit in Nature Retreat at Heart Song on May 9.
Ordination Season at Ananda
As Jyotish and Devi were preparing to leave for the airport, they, along with Hriman and Padma, blessed me with the spiritual name of Seva. What an honor and blessing.
Seva was a saintly soul, a founding member of Ananda, and a friend to all. It is a name that inspires me and one I hope to grow into.
Service is a gift. It helps me move beyond my “little self” and draw from a deeper source of energy, joy, and divine consciousness.
Receiving the name Seva is a reminder of the path I aspire to walk each day.
-Nayaswami Seva (Carole)
Ask a Yogi
Did you know? Our own co-spiritual director Nayaswami Hriman has been answering spiritual questions from seekers around the world. He is also accepting questions locally! If you would like to ask a spiritual question or watch his answers to previous questions, visit anandawashington.org/ask-a-yogi
Museum Display Case
Over the years, our senior ministers and members have collected items previously belonging to Swami Kriyananda and Paramhansa Yogananda. Some of those items are now on display just inside the temple sanctuary. Among these items are: Swami’s slippers, his mother’s Bible, and a piece of Yogananda’s monastic robe.
Facility Maintenance
The Blue Lotus Temple in Bothell is being repainted for the first time since its construction.
Newest Residents of 2026
Welcome to our newest residents, Tony, Priyanka, and Bob.
IN PERSON MEDITATION SCHEDULES
At Blue Lotus Temple in Bothell
Tuesday – Friday, 12:00p – 12:30p
Sunday, 9:15a – 9:45a
At Hansa Temple in Lynnwood
Monday – Friday, 6:30a – 7:30a
Monday – Friday, 12:00p – 12:30p
Saturday, 7:00a – 9:00a
Dinner Every Friday at Lynnwood Community starting at 6pm. 8$.
Birthdays
There were many birthdays in May, most notably for our founder Swami Kriyananda, who would have turned 100. Other birthdays included Van, Jamuna, and Murali.
Read online: anandawashington.org/category/enlightener