Our humble and beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, is once again making national news with politics and controversy in the headlines. The state military has been federalized, and protestors are taking to the streets—yes, in chicken costumes, clown makeup, and more (after all, it is Portland)—to exercise their rights. This is not to make light of current events, the horrors … Read More
But WHY?!
Recently while I was coming to grips with the difficult situation facing our community, I was trying to understand things better by talking to a long-time resident. I slowly started to ask her “Why…” then paused to properly formulate my question, to which she responded “Ahh yes, the best kind of question.” And in that moment I had a profound … Read More
Life Is a Stream Dream
One of the oldest pieces of American music, which is still sung today, is a simple littleditty that every American child learns. It is actually a nursery rhyme that was written inthe 1850s and was later put to music. If you grew up in the USA, it is one of those songsyou never forget, even if not having sung it … Read More
Community, Inspiration, Meditation, Paramhansa Yogananda, Spiritual Teachings, Swami Kriyananda
Eyes on the Prize
We live in a world that celebrates multi-tasking. Getting hired for any management position seems to make this a priority skill. The presumption is that it facilitates productivity. As any parent or teacher of small children knows very well, situations often arise that interrupt one’s focus. But is multi-tasking an optimal design for attentive living, for managing stress, for … Read More
The Power of Aum
Aum Christ, Amen; Aum Christ Aum. Aum Christ, Amen, Aum Christ Aum. —Festival of Light blessing song by Swami Kriyananda It was 2004 and my life was busy and full. I had a great job as a Tech Support manager, I sang in the choir, practiced Aikido 5-6 days a week and enjoyed all the Ananda events. Life was good … Read More
How to Prepare for Losing Your Mind
“Learn to behave,” Sri Yukteswar admonished. I picture his stern countenancepunctuating his words. We don’t know if “Learn to relax” is something he also said, butthat would have been another key piece of advice, an unsung part of learning tobehave. He might even have said it with a smile. That last part is important for another reason, too. Relaxation helps … Read More
Your True Self
“This above all: to thine own self be true,And it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man.” This well-known phrase from Act I of Shakespeare’s Hamlet is spoken by the king’s minister, Polonius, as part of a blessing and advice to his son departing for university. But what does it mean to … Read More
Who Knows?
“Knowledge is power,” said Napoleon. Was he right? Well, that depends on what you know, as opposed to what you think you know, and whether you use it wisely. Worldly power is acquired mainly of influential position and forceful personality. There is no guarantee, however, that a person of power has the will or capacity to see things correctly or … Read More
Community, Inspiration, Meditation, Paramhansa Yogananda, Spiritual Teachings
The Great Pool of Consciousness
I don’t remember much from my childhood, but I have a clear memory of being a young, starry-eyed boy of about 7 or 8 years old, thinking that the age of 40 was a really mature and grown-up age where adults really have everything all figured out. I know that I retained this memory because when I turned 40 myself … Read More
Community, Inspiration, Paramhansa Yogananda, Spiritual Teachings, Swami Kriyananda
The Gifts and Growth of Community Living at Ananda
At Ananda, we often speak of the blessings that come from living in intentional communities rooted in high ideals and simple living. Paramhansa Yogananda envisioned these “world brotherhood colonies” as models for sustainable living in Dwapara Yuga. As he prophesied, “World brotherhood colonies will spread like wildfire!” Community creates social connections that have a measurable impact on our health and … Read More
