Events

Christmas Services and Potluck Brunch

December 27, 2020 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every year that begins at 9:00am on day fourth of December, repeating indefinitely
Purification at 9 am; Festival of Light Service at 10 am; Brunch at 12 pm

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.

Fire Ceremony

Fire has historically symbolized purification and transformation. All ceremonies are as meaningful and powerful as our faith and sincerity when we participate in them. In this ancient and revered vedic ceremony we light the fire and chant two sacred mantras together, each one repeated seven times.  more information

Purification

In this ceremony we offer ourselves to God and ask for help and guidance in areas of challenge.  Ask God to help change those traits and behaviors that are obstacles to spiritual growth. Deep, simple and heart opening, the Purification Ceremony can bring profound peace and lasting change to our troubled hearts and lives. A brief period of meditation follows.

The Festival of Light Service

Included in the Festival of Light service are many elements that uplift our consciousness and awaken our highest aspirations.

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.

After service, join us for a vegetarian potluck brunch held at the Ananda Portland Temple & Teaching Center. Bring your favorite vegetarian dish to share.

Ananda Portland Christmas Holiday Season events & offerings
Events

Annual All-Day Christmas Meditation

December 26, 2020 @ 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
All-day Meditation

An Annual Tradition Started by Paramhansa Yogananda

Every Christmas season, Ananda centers around the globe hold an all-day meditation on or near the 23rd of December (on Dec. 22 this year), just as Yogananda did years ago. Keeping the tradition alive with devotees around the world, we have an 8-hour meditation to inspire a deep sense of Christ-Consciousness, to hold the light, and to open our hearts to the beauty and joy of this season.

Meditation Details

Times for the All-Day Meditation: 8am–4pm, come earlier for Yoga Postures
Location: Ananda Temple Sanctuary

General Schedule of the Day

7:30–8am   Energization Excercises (on your own) & settling in
8am            Opening Prayer, Reading, Chant, Meditation
9–11am      Chants & Reading, Meditation
11am–12pm Chants & Reading, Meditation
12–1pm     Chants & Reading, Meditation
12:15–1     Meditation
1–1:15       Brief Break (1-1:15)
1:15–2:45pm Chants & Reading, Meditation
2:45–3:50 Chants, Reading, Music, Silence, Meditation
3:50–4pm Healing Prayers and Closing

Things to Be Mindful of:
  • During Chanting people can come and go from the Sanctuary.
  • The Sanctuary Doors will be closed at meditation times.
  • If you need to leave the sanctuary at anytime, that’s fine, but you’ll need to wait until next break to re-enter.
  • If you come late, you can meditate in Clarity room until next break, then you can enter the Sanctuary.
  • Please don’t wear any clothing that makes noise.
  • Please feel free to use your own meditation gear. If you borrow from the Yoga/Clarity Room, please return it as you found it.
  • Please bring water in water bottles.
Ananda Meditation for clarity, relaxation and courage
Events

3-Hour Monthly Meditation

December 25, 2020 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every month that begins at 6:00pm on day Last of the month, repeating indefinitely

A Longer Group Meditation to Deepen Your Experience

Join us at the Ananda Temple and Teaching Center

This special evening drop-in meditation, on the 4th Friday of the month, is open to all. Join in the powerful dynamic of group meditations in a longer 3-hour meditation.

Make this monthly commitment to take this special opportunity to go deeper into your practices once a month. Bring your gear, or borrow a chair. Come and add your light to the group.

Meditation Schedule

6pm  Opening prayer, chanting (15 min.)
6:15pm  Meditation (20 min.)
6:35pm  Chanting break—good time to enter or leave (10 min.)
6:45pm  Meditation (90 min.)
8:15pm  Chanting break (15 min.)
8:30pm Meditation (20 min.)
8:50pm  Chant & Healing Prayers

Events

Alternate All-Day Christmas Meditation

December 19, 2020 @ 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every year that begins at 8:00am on day third of December, repeating indefinitely

Keeping the tradition alive with Devotees around the world, we have an 8-hour meditation to inspire a deep sense of Christ-Consciousness to hold the light and open our hearts to the beauty and joy of this season.

For those unable to be with us for the traditional All-Day Christmas Meditation (on Dec. 22 this year), you are invited to join us on this alternate date.

Meditation Details

Times for the All-Day Meditation: 8am–4pm, come earlier for Yoga Postures
Location: Ananda Temple Sanctuary

General Schedule of the Day

7:30–8am      Energization Excercises (on your own) & settling in
8am                Opening Prayer, Reading, Chant, Meditation
9–11am          Chants & Reading, Meditation
11am–12pm   Chants & Reading, Meditation
12–1pm          Chants & Reading, Meditation
12:15–1pm      Meditation
1–1:15pm        Brief Break (1-1:15)
1:15–2:45pm  Chants & Reading, Meditation
2:45–3:50pm Chants, Reading, Music, Silence, Meditation
3:50–4pm      Healing Prayers and Closing

Things to Be Mindful of:
  • During Chanting people can come and go from the Sanctuary.
  • The Sanctuary Doors will be closed at meditation times.
  • If you need to leave the sanctuary at anytime, that’s fine, but you’ll need to wait until next break to re-enter.
  • If you come late, you can meditate in Clarity room until next break, then you can enter the Sanctuary.
  • Please don’t wear any clothing that makes noise.
  • Please feel free to use your own meditation gear. If you borrow from the Yoga/Clarity Room, please return it as you found it.
  • Please bring water in water bottles.
Ananda Meditation for clarity, relaxation and courage
Events

3-Hour Monthly Meditation

November 27, 2020 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every month that begins at 6:00pm on day Last of the month, repeating indefinitely

A Longer Group Meditation to Deepen Your Experience

Join us at the Ananda Temple and Teaching Center

This special evening drop-in meditation, on the 4th Friday of the month, is open to all. Join in the powerful dynamic of group meditations in a longer 3-hour meditation.

Make this monthly commitment to take this special opportunity to go deeper into your practices once a month. Bring your gear, or borrow a chair. Come and add your light to the group.

Meditation Schedule

6pm  Opening prayer, chanting (15 min.)
6:15pm  Meditation (20 min.)
6:35pm  Chanting break—good time to enter or leave (10 min.)
6:45pm  Meditation (90 min.)
8:15pm  Chanting break (15 min.)
8:30pm Meditation (20 min.)
8:50pm  Chant & Healing Prayers