What is Ananda?
Ananda is a worldwide spiritual movement founded by Swami Kriyananda. Ananda follows the spiritual teachings of Kriyananda’s guru, Paramhansa Yogananda. Paramhansa Yogananda taught the similarities between Eastern and Western religions, and emphasized service and meditation. As an organization, Ananda has temples around the world, and also intentional communities, where members live and serve together.
Read more about Ananda.
Who is Paramhansa Yogananda?
Paramhansa Yogananda (1893-1952) was an Indian guru who came from India to live and teach in the US in 1920. He is famous for his book, Autobiography of a Yogi, and for sharing a meditation technique called Kriya Yoga. Yogananda followed a lineage of gurus that include Jesus Christ, Babaji Krishna, Lahiri Mahasaya, and Swami Sri Yukteswar. Ananda was founded to share Yogananda’s teachings.
Who is Swami Kriyananda?
Born James Donald Walters (May 19, 1926 – April 21, 2013), Swami Kriyananda is the founder of Ananda. He was a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda who instructed him to initiate people into Kriya Yoga. In addition to starting a worldwide spiritual movement, Kriyananda wrote hundreds of books and songs, as well as several plays and screenplays.
Read more about Swami Kriyananda.
When and how can I visit?
The Blue Lotus Temple in Bothell is open Tuesday-Saturday, from 11am-4pm. Visitors are welcome to drop by during these hours, but the best time to come is during the daily meditations, hosted from 12-12:30pm. Alternatively, there is meditation on Sundays at 9:15am, followed by Sunday Service at 10, with lunch to follow at 11:30. The temple is closed on Mondays except for scheduled yoga classes.
Blue Lotus Temple
23305 Bothell Everett Hwy, Bothell, WA 98021
(425) 806-3700
friends@anandawashington.org
People looking to visit the Ananda Community in Lynnwood can visit on Fridays at 6:00pm, when dinner is served for $8. Alternatively, a tour can be scheduled with the property manager, Christy: communityliving@anandawa.org.
Ananda Community
20715 Larch Way
Lynnwood, WA 98036
If you are not in the Seattle area, you may be able to find an Ananda center near you.
What Happens at Sunday Service?
Sunday Service begins at 10am every Sunday. All are welcome to join. We also meditate together before service at 9:15am.
The service itself consists of chanting, meditation, music (choir and instruments), prayer, affirmation, reading, and a talk, followed by a ceremony called the Festival of Light, written by Swami Kriyananda. As part of this festival, attendees may optionally approach the altar, where a minister will lightly touch your forehead in blessing.
No knowledge or belief is required to attend, and Ananda accepts everyone of any gender or sexual identity, race, social status, or religious background.
What are Ananda's beliefs?
Ananda follows the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda as presented by Swami Kriyananda. Yogananda brought to the West the teaching of Self-Realization. He said that “Self-Realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God’s omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing.”
Central to our spiritual path are service, community, and meditation. The meditation technique we practice is called Kriya Yoga.
If you are interested, the best place to start would be with Yogananda’s book, Autobiography of a Yogi.
What is a Guru?
A guru is like a teacher, but does much more than teach. A true guru is one who has attained spiritual mastery and has come to show others how they can have the same mastery. At Ananda our guru is Paramhansa Yogananda, and the spiritual attainment we are seeking is Yoga, or union with the divine. This is a big subject, and has been answer many times in many ways. The best resource is Yogananda’s book, Autobiography of a Yogi. For a shorter read, check out this article, which is an excerpt from Swami Kriyananda’s Handbook on Discipleship.