Easter Sunday Service & Brunch

Margery Lambert on April 12, 2020

Christ Has Come!

On this day, Jesus was resurrected. “Command my Soul to arise from the sepulcher of littleness into Thy vastness.” Resurrection means to live again, as stated by Yogananda. It is our opportunity to change every and any aspects of our lives.

I have resurrected my little love into the Christ love in which all beings exist. I am the Cosmic Spirit of love. —Paramhansa Yogananda

Sunday Services

Ananda services are nonsectarian and open to all. We invite you to join us in celebrating and sharing the universal truths taught by Paramhansa Yogananda and expressed by his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda.

The Festival of Light is an allegorical story of the soul’s journey away from its home in God and back to union and complete freedom in spirit. At the end of the festival, you are invited to receive a blessing.

Sunday School for this week TBA. For children younger than 4, there is a family playroom with audio and video feed of the service. Older children are invited to attend service with their parents.

Easter Sunday Brunch

Following Sunday service, we will set up the sanctuary for our vegetarian potluck Easter Sunday Brunch. The meal will start at 11:45am; we encourage all to come and enjoy the satsang (fellowship) of Easter Sunday.

Please bring your favorite savory vegetarian dish to share.

Dessert Houses

The dessert houses, held in the Ananda Portland Community and always a favorite, will start at 1:30pm. The dessert houses will be boldly marked for easy locating.

Deepening Your Connection with Christ-Consciousness

Margery Lambert on April 11, 2020

A Special Easter Retreat for You

Our mini Easter retreat will be a time of exploration and relaxation. We will explore some amazing things that Yogananda said about resurrection and look at why Easter is a holy time. We will relax our bodies and minds with gentle Ananda Yoga and guided meditation. Come join us for three hours and share in the spirit and truth of Easter with great souls who love God.

What you will do in this Retreat

  • Gentle Ananda Yoga with guided meditation.
  • Look at the Easter story through the teachings of Yogananda.
  • Share with peers your thoughts and experiences of this special time.
  • Feel the spirit of Easter deepening within.

Important Tips & Information

  • This retreat is led by Lorna Knox and Laurie Chadwick.
  • Starts promptly at 10am.
  • Wear comfortable clothes for yoga postures.
  • Bring a bagged lunch and water in a closed water bottle.
  • Bring your journal and pen.

In the Garden of Gethsemane

Madhavi Eby on April 10, 2017

A Deep Stillness in the Garden

The walls are lit up at night. They are brightly illuminated, throwing the rest of the city into relief. The gardens, dark and silent at near dawn. Such a beautiful site. It was a blessing to be a part of that pilgrimage, walking in all those places Jesus walked. Such a blessing.

Sitting in the Garden of Gethsemane, looking out onto the walls of the Ancient City of Jerusalem, I realized—a bit more deeply—why Jesus came.

On the way back to the hotel, my hubby commented on a thought/feeling he had after our meditation in those gardens. David had imagined that the gardens would hold a vibration of sadness due to the betrayal of Jesus, by Judas. Instead, it held a strong vibration of strength and clarity.

Our meditation that early morning, was deep with meaning and joy! The sacredness of that space pouring into our souls. The blessings continued.

Christ Has Risen this Easter Morning

Easter is not just a time of death, Jesus went to His crucifixion knowing. He asked His Divine Father to release Him from this karma. His release came, not from the actions that needed to take place, but entirely in His heart and soul. His blessings for all of us are so deep and pure. Filled with strength and clarity!

Joy! Yes, even in the garden of betrayal, joy.

Jesus came to this world in answer to a “call of aspiring love” and need, to show us, not how great He was, but to show us how great we can be.