Explore classes & events by subject Nov. 08–Jan. 09
Special events & holidays
Women's Retreat
Saturday, November 22, 9 am–1 pm, Cost: $30 Register
We have so few opportunities to really get away from all our responsibilities and concerns and dive deeply into meditation and prayer. In a group, there is a power and a focus we can’t often achieve on our own.
This retreat will take place in the Ananda temple sanctuary. You'll practice centering yourself through yoga and meditation and draw upon Yogananda’s scientific affirmations and prayer techniques for personal and general healing.
Bring a vegetarian potluck dish to share at lunchtime with the group.
Retreat leaders: Barbara Fiesterman, Tyagini Clark, and Linda Diane.
Thanksgiving Meditation & Service
“The path to God is not a matter of plodding wearily over some barren desert in the hope of finding an oasis. Every step of the way becomes more beautiful: verdant, flowered, infinitely varied.”
Thursday, November 27
Meditation & Service 10 am– noon
Vegetarian Banquet 1 pm, at the Temple
Cost: $12/adults advance, $15 at the door, $6/children 6-12, under six free
The cooks thank you for buying your tickets before November 21.
Reserve and/or Pay
The early Thanksgiving was a day of fasting by the pilgrims to thank God for sustaining them. We don’t go that far, but we do maintain the true spirit of the holiday by starting the day with chanting, meditation, and individual offerings of gratitude at the altar. Then we feast (vegetarian, of course).
Revelations of Christ
Tuesdays, December 2–16, 7:30 pm, $45 Register
Christmas is a time to make great spiritual progress. The veil between the material and the spiritual world is reduced to gossamer by the outpouring of grace from God, Christ, and Gurus. A natural time to study the words of Christ and tune into the mystical meaning too often obscured by sectarian dogma. Jesus was not a “fundamentalist,” he was a Self-realizationist, a guru in the same lineage as Yogananda and Babaji. Attune to the living Christ. Transform your experience of Christmas and your everyday life. Based on the newly published book of the same title by Swami Kriyananda.
Instructor: Asha Praver
Second Annual Fall Crafts Faire Fundraiser
Sunday, December 7, after Sunday Service
Shop for Christmas gifts and support the Ananda Yoga/Healing Center remodel project. Fifty percent of all sales will be donated by the sellers. These and many more beautiful gifts to choose from:
Hand-crafted jewelry, painted silk scarves, wood altars, nature collage altar art, hand-tied malas, Chai tea mix, visual art, and more.
A Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 14, 1:00 pm, donation
Sandwich bar beforehand from noon to 1 pm; everyone welcome
Each year, we perform a concert that marks the beginning of Spiritual Christmas. This year our concert will perform the deeply inspiring collection of Swami Kriyananda's Christmas music we don't often have the opportunity to enjoy. Our concert will also works of other great composers that celebrate the this joyful and sacred season.
All Day Meditation
“Go deep, completely forgetting yourself, praying and singing to Christ as never before.”
Saturday, December 20, 10 am–6 pm, free
The heart of Ananda Christmas. Even beginners, in the inspired atmosphere of this meditation, will find it surprisingly easy to sit far longer and more calmly than ever before. Come for all or any part. Periods of silence alternate with music, chanting, and inspirational words. Chairs provided or bring what you need to sit comfortably on the floor, including a shawl or sweater. Call for a schedule of when you can enter or leave.
A Caroling Party
Sunday, December 21, 7 pm–9 pm, free
Location: Chela Bhavan, Ananda Community
An old-fashioned holiday tradition, alive and well at Ananda. A magical evening under the stars, bringing Christmas cheer to the neighbors of the Ananda community. Afterwards, refreshments in front of a warm fire. Bring your children. Dress warmly.
Christmas Eve Midnight Service
“Open a new portal of sublime devotion. Christ is
coming in answer to your inner call.”
Wednesday, December 24
Meditation 8 pm–9:45 pm
Service 10 pm–midnight
The holy hour of the coming of Christ consciousness in the form of the baby Jesus, celebrated in grand style with pageantry and music, and bright candlelight in a darkened temple.
Christmas Day Family Service
Thursday, December 25, noon–1 pm, free
A dramatic retelling of the story of Christmas, subtly interwoven with the deeper mystical meaning behind these events, starting when the child Mary gives her life to God, ending when the Christ child is born in a humble manger. Enlivened with music and dance, illustrated by costumed children and adults. Children should bring a simple gift to offer to the baby Jesus.
Christmas Vegetarian Banquet
Thursday, December 25, 1:30 pm,
Cost: $12/adults advance, $15 at the door
$6/children 6-12, under six free The cooks thank you for buying your tickets before December 19th. Reserve and/or Pay
Christ within, and Christ in one another. This is the spirit of Ananda Christmas. Being together as a spiritual family, sharing a holiday dinner, plus music and entertainment. The perfect close to the Christmas season.
New Year's Eve—Meditation, Service & Fire Ceremony
“In the Temple of the New Year, renew your reverence for the unlimited hidden power of God within you.”
Wednesday, December 31,
Meditation: 8 pm– 9:45 pm,
Service: 10 pm– midnight
Seize the moment. Begin the year at a point of highest inspiration. Celebrate your accomplishments. Burn up and release whatever holds you back. Declare to yourself and to the universe your intention to make the coming year one of ever-deepening joy and fulfillment in God.
Celebrating Paramhansa Yogananda; Guru Retreat
Saturday, January 3, 2009, 10 am–4 pm,
Experience the truth of Paramhansa Yogananda’s divine promise: “To those who think me near, I will be near.” A day dedicated to attuning ourselves to the transforming presence of a God-Realized Master through meditation, music, and the inspirational words of the Master.
Yogananda Birthday Celebration
Monday, January 5, 2009
Meditation: 5:30 pm–7:15 pm
Service: 7:30 pm
Yogananda incarnated for one reason: to bring others to Self-realization. The one “gift” he craves is that we give ourselves to God, as he has done. The “theme” of our birthday party is “Re-Dedication.” Everyone is invited to place a flower on the altar, and with that offering, to affirm the heart’s
commitment to seeking truth.
How to find us:
Nearly all of our classes and events take place at the Temple in Palo Alto, except for a very few which take place at the Ananda Community in Mountain View (those are specially noted, so you’ll know).
Directions to Ananda Temple in Palo Alto.
Directions to Ananda Community in Mountain View.
When you come to a class or event at the Temple, even if you registered ahead of time, please sign in at the gift shop so we can greet you and direct you to the right classroom. The gift shop is located in a one-story building just behind the main sanctuary (enter through the sliding-glass door). Map of Ananda Temple grounds (PDF).
You may pay and/or register for classes and events. Payments are processed In a secure manner through PayPal. Fees shown are for an entire series unless indicated otherwise. If you need to miss a class in a series, an audio recording is available.
