Advanced meditation classes

There is a vast universe of consciousness to explore within us, say both saints and scientists. After you have completed the beginning meditation class with Ananda, you may wish to study further. Ananda offers a series of classes that will take you deeper into your practice, with time to meditate weekly with others in a supportive environment. There are 7 steps that lead to Kriya Yoga initiation beginning with Meditation 1: Learn to Meditate.


Meditation techniques Meditation 2: Energy

Instructor: David Praver

January 8–29, 2009 (4-week series)
March 5–26, 2009 (4-week series)
May 7–28, 2009 (4-week series)
July, 9–30, 2009 (4-week series)
September 3–24, 2009 (4-week series)
November 5–19, 2009 (4-week series)
Register on-line (10% discount)
Pre-requisite: Learn to Meditate (Meditation 1)

November 6–20, 2008 (3-week series)
Register on-line (10% discount)
Pre-requisite: Learn to Meditate (Meditation 1)

The secret of success in life, and in meditation practice, is to be able generate energy at will and direct it where you wish. Yogananda developed the Energization Exercises, which you will learn as an integral part of this 4-week series.

Yogananda said that if he were stranded on a desert island and could have only one yogic technique, he would choose this one, because through it one can eventually discover the entire science of yoga. The Energization Exercises are a powerful tool for recharging the body with energy at will, thereby driving away fatigue and disease. More importantly, it is an invaluable tool for developing divine awareness in its most subtle aspects.

Have you ever noticed how your practice of meditation reflects your energy level? When you’re tired or sleepy, the mind is likely to wander, or you may even find yourself in a drowsy fog. It takes energy to meditate effectively. Our level of awareness is determined by the amount of energy we have at our command.

Both science and yoga tell us that our physical bodies are made of energy, so potentially, we have vast reserves of energy we can draw on. Yogananda said, “There is enough energy in one gram of flesh to keep the city of Chicago supplied with electricity for a week.” Through your practice of the Energization Exercises, you will learn to become aware of the flow energy within you, and how to direct that flow.

“The more aware you are of the flow of energy, the more you can direct that energy by will power not only to the body, but toward anything that you do—toward your work, toward creative inspiration, toward God in meditation, and in every aspect of your life. All success depends ultimately on energy. These exercises are much more than just physical. They’re the cornerstone of Yogananda’s whole system of teaching, and, in fact, of all spiritual progress.”
—Swami Kriyananda, The Art and Science of Raja Yoga


Meditation 3: Devotion

Instructor: David Praver

October 9–30, 2008 (4-week series)
February 5–26, 2009 (4-week series)
June 4–25, 2009 (4-week series)
October 8–29, 2009 (4-week series)
Register on-line (10% discount).
Pre-requisite: Energy (Meditation 2)

TBD   (3-week series)
Register on-line (10% discount).
Pre-requisite: Energy (Meditation 2)

As meditation deepens, we begin to experience something greater than ourselves. Whether it is called the higher self, the soul, or God, it is another dimension of awareness. How do we relate to it? What is its role in our lives? Explore meditation as a means of inner communion, the awakening of the heart, and the beginning of what Yogananda calls the “divine romance”. Topics include:

The subtle nuances of meditation practice, especially the breathing techniques and the techniques of increasing the flow of energy, into and throughout the body.


Discipleship Initiation

Instructor: David Praver

If a student wishes, he may become a disciple of Yogananda. In a simple ceremony, a vow is taken asking the help of the guru in finding our way to inner freedom. Says Yogananda, “The purpose of a guru is not to weaken your will. It is to teach you secrets of developing your inner power, until you can stand unshaken amidst the crash of breaking worlds.” The practice of discipleship is a central part of most spiritual traditions, including early Christianity.

Inquire for the next scheduled initiation: (650) 323-3363.


Meditation 5: Expanding Your Awareness

Instructor: Raghu Clark

November 6–20, 2008 (3-week series)
November 5–19, 2009 (3-week series)
Register on-line (10% discount).
Pre-requisite: Devotion (Meditation 3)

March 5–26, 2009 (4-week series)
July 9–30, 2009 (4-week series)
Register on-line (10% discount).
Pre-requisite: Devotion (Meditation 3)

Meditation has often been called “the listening part of prayer.” After we have done our share of talking, meditation leaves an opening for the Divine to respond. Learn how to expand your awareness to embrace much more than you thought possible, with techniques especially designed to cultivate devotion and heart qualities.


Meditation 6: Chakras and Preparation for Kriya Initiation

Instructors: Rick Bonin and Greg Dyal

October 9–30, 2008 (4-week series)
February 5–26, 2009 (4-week series)
June 4–25, 2009 (4-week series)
October 8–29, 2009 (4-week series)
Register on-line (10% discount).
Pre-requisite: Expanding Your Awareness (Meditation 5)

Babaji declared that Kriya should be given to “all who humbly ask for help.” Some preparation is necessary, to make the body and mind ready to receive the power created by the practice of this technique. At Babaji’s request, Yogananda brought the Kriya meditation technique to the West as “an instrument through which human evolution can be quickened.” Yogananda wrote that Kriya is “the most effective device of salvation through self-effort ever to be evolved in man’s search for the Infinite.” Yogananda writes more about this technique in “The Science of Kriya Yoga,” in Autobiography of a Yogi.


Kriya Initiation

A Kriya initiation ceremony takes place monthly at Ananda Village in Nevada City, CA. For those already practicing Kriya, a Kriya renewal ceremony is offered once a year in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kriyabans may also attend the monthly initiations at Ananda Village. For more information about initiation or ongoing support for our Kriya practice, contact Rick Bonin at (650) 941-9507.

“Kriya, controlling the mind directly through the life force, is the easiest, most effective, and most scientific avenue of approach to the Infinite. It may justly be called the ‘airplane route’ to God.”
—Paramhansa Yogananda

Deepen Your Kriya Practice

Wednesdays, date TBD, 5 weeks,
7:30 pm– 9:15 pm, $50  Register on-line (10% discount)
This class is open to all kriyabans.

“Practice Kriya Yoga so deeply that breath becomes mind. For the breath is only a gross dream, from which you will awake someday in superconsciousness.”
—Paramhansa Yogananda

Those who have Kriya initiation with Ananda are invited to meditate and meet together for support and satsang. Each week includes time for energization, group meditation, and a period for questions and discussion about the kriya technique. The class will be led by Rick Bonin, a lifelong meditator and a gifted meditation and Kriya coach in Palo Alto for 17 years.