Meet the congregation
Ananda in Palo Alto is a friendly-sized church—big enough to be dynamic and lively on Sundays, and small enough to easily meet people. Some 300 people are part of the congregation here in the Bay Area. More are part of the extended family of friends from around the world who listen to our sermons online.
Meet a few congregation members below, who share what they have found at Ananda:
“My original intent was to take meditation classes at Ananda in hopes of dealing with stressors in a more relaxed way.
What I found was so much more. I found my spiritual family. It has now been more than three years that I have participated in classes, events, volunteering and going to Sunday Service.
The people I have met at Ananda are warm, kind, gracious and very smart. There is no way to adequately say how much Ananda has contributed to my life. All areas of my life have improved—and yes, meditation has helped me deal with those life stressors.”
—K.S., Cupertino
Marriage and Family Therapist
Favorite hobby: hiking
My passion in life: spiritual seeking
Marital status: Married, one grandchild
“The day I found Ananda, I knew I had found my true home. That was many years ago when I was living in Italy. Then I moved thousands of miles away and came here to California. Those who travel know how different and challenging a foreign land and culture can be. However, when I met the Ananda people here in Palo Alto, I felt like I had never left home.
I have felt welcome and received with the same generosity, kindness, purity and openness of the heart that I had found in Italy. Wherever Ananda may be found, it is my home.”
—Luca M., Mountain View
Acupressure Therapist
33 years old
Hobbies: Reading and energizing (Yogananda's Energization Exercises)
My passion in life: meditation and acupressure
Married
“My experience with Ananda started more than 25 years ago with a simple meditation class. I learned for the first time what “spirituality” meant, and experienced it without the conflicts organized religions had always presented. Within a few months, my life changed forever.
It is impossible to say what Ananda has meant to me over the years. Since the beginning, it has been sadhana, or practices, which instill a measure of discipline and stillness into my life. At other times, it was spiritual lessons, sometimes very hard won. Always, it has meant understanding life, people, ‘God,’ my Self, in a very different way, all of which give proper perspective to life experience. And always, it puts into sharp focus the lessons I struggle with, with clear sites on ‘the goal.’
In times of deep joy or earthly sadness, Ananda’s music has filled me and comforted me. And throughout the years, satsanga (fellowship) has been constant and reliable. I have models, teachers, and friends along the path. As I have grown, Ananda has been there to support my growth towards ultimate Reality. Ananda is a ‘coming home’ to who I really am.”
—Rani F., Cupertino
Global Sales Compensation Manager
Favorite hobby: Photography, travel, Indian chanting
Passion in life: I used to think it was to live in an ashram in India; I think it truly is to live every moment knowing God is the doer, and to live in joy!
“I’ve lived in the Ananda communities for nearly half my 66 years. From my very first day, Ananda has always touched me inside, where I truly live.
When I find my life wandering off into side tracks of too much busy-ness and distractions, I know that I can attend a talk by Asha Praver and sit quietly meditating while I listen, or go for a long drive and sing the chants of Paramhansa Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda, or meditate with my girlfriend—and I will be able to come back to the inner core where I feel my connection with God’s joy—His love, His compassionate inner guidance.
After, altogether, 40 years on this path, I simply don’t know how people can live without God. My gratitude to Swami Kriyananda and my fellow devotees of Ananda is unbounded.”
—Rambhakta B., Mountain View
Writer and editor in Silicon Valley
Author of Fitness Intuition: The Wisdom of the Heart in Exercise and Sports Training
Hobbies: Chanting, practicing yoga techniques for harmonizing the heart while I run
Passion in life: finding ways to help people through writing.
“At Ananda I have found a place that has given me the answers to the questions we all have about life. What is meaningful, what is truth, what is the future of human destiny, what is my purpose? How can I be content with my life and be at peace with those around me? Is self-mastery possible? Inspired by Yogananda, these gentle teachings are taught with kindness and deep insight. Once we realize that the acceptance and love we are all seeking is already within us, we find life's true purpose.”
—Jay P., San Jose
High Tech Project Manager
Age: 57
Hobbies: Woodworking, spiritual studies
My passion in life: creating something beautiful from raw materials
Married for 20 years
1 child and 1 grandchild
“I hardly remember the person I was before I began meditating and drinking in the love and philosophy of Kriyananda on his tapes as I drive everywhere. Yogananda rescued me from depression and from the addiction of trying to get eternal bliss from relationships. I have learned not only to read and listen to Master's philosophy, but to experience it deeply through Ananda's beautiful music. I have been a part of Ananda for 24 years.”
—S.N.
Retired yoga teacher
Passion in life: gardening, walking my dog, and singing Ananda music
Three grandchildren
“Since I first encountered Ananda 15 years ago, my life has not only changed for the good, but my perspective and spiritual outlook has continued to progress positively and very beneficially. I love my daily meditation practice. I feel such joy and bliss with each day. But most importunately, the Ananda experience is the people. The people I have met through Ananda come from heart.”
—Gail La Mar
Ananda Yoga teacher
65 years young, and I do mean that...
Hobbies:
daily walking, skiing, swimming, nature, and travel
Married with 1 son and 2 grandchildren, both boys 12 and 13
“Many of those from a scientific background like myself have a deep desire to understand universal truths. That desire also applies to understanding the profound teachings of metaphysics and religions. Unfortunately, many of those teachings are covered with layers of irrationality and misunderstanding, which are abhorrent to any scientific thinker.
Just as Newton and Einstein were those rare souls who could pluck the gems of understanding from the bewildering mud of confusion, the teachings of the great Indian master, Paramhansa Yogananda, and his disciple, Swami Kriyananda, clarify in a rational and logical manner the universal truths found in all religions.
For those like myself who are seriously seeking an understanding of the universal truths behind religion and science, I would encourage you to study the teachings of Yogananda through Ananda.”
—John Petrula, Ph.D., Los Altos, CA
“I’ve been coming to Ananda for 8 years. It’s a place that focuses on inner communion and fostering a direct experience of God. It's about self-realization and one's personal spiritual journey to bliss. I appreciate that when I come to the Temple, I can be with people who are here for no other reason than to be with God and feel God's presence. I like the positive energy and sincerity of the ministers, and the calmness and peace I feel here.”
—Theresa Lo, Mountain View
Preschool teacher
Favorite hobby: International travel
Passion in life: wonderful food
“My first Ananda experience was coming to Sunday service and hearing Asha speak. I was totally ‘wowed’! I asked myself, ‘Who IS that woman!?’ She had such sweetness, yet power and poignancy in her words. She spoke in a way that was so practical and so meaningful for me personally; so relevant to my life and what I needed to hear.
Besides her words, there was the energy of the temple. It, too, was palpable, with a great, light feeling that uplifted my heart. There was no question that I had to return!
The more involved I became, the happier and lighter I felt inside. I have found a great spiritual family at Ananda—a wonderful conglomeration of seekers who are interesting, friendly, and focused on devotion to God. It is something my heart has wanted, something I have longed for as well. I have found a home with these people, this incredible community of like-minded spirits.
Ananda is a haven, a wonderful respite away from the frantic pace and madness of a world that measures success in terms of sensual pleasures and acquisitions. That is not me, even though I admittedly get caught up in it more that I would like. It is so clear that such a way of life does not bring peace. Only spiritual practices, such as those done at Ananda, bring me true peace and happiness.”
—Sheri G., Mountain View
Physical education teacher
Age: 49
Favorite hobby: hiking, backpacking, swimming, dancing
My passion in life: singing and chanting
