Home is where my Lord's sweet presence is.
Bless me that I hear Your songs.
from the song, I've Passed My Life as a Stranger
—Swami Kriyananda
Music at Ananda
Music is the heart of the Ananda experience. Every service, every event is touched by beautiful melodies, poetic truths, songs that inspire, songs that make you laugh, songs that remind us we are all children of God.
Experience the Inspiration of Ananda Music
Why does Ananda music touch people’s hearts so deeply?
This music is an expression of the joy of Ananda, and the joy of spiritual living. It’s often the case that if people are feeling down, after just a few minutes of hearing or singing this music, they feel inexplicably joyful. It’s a perfect antidote for moods or sadness. Nearly everything you’ll hear is an original composition by Kriyananda. But he doesn’t feel he is the composer; he often says he could never compose these pieces himself. Rather, he feels the music coming through him, from God. Those of us who sing the music each week feel that power as well, and it’s why we never tire of it; in fact some of us have been singing this music for over 30 years. It helps to inspire our audiences, and it uplifts us as well.
Music to listen to
Here are some samples of Ananda music to listen to.
Music at Sunday Service
Service begins at 10 am with a prayer followed by 15 minutes of music and chanting. You may join in—words are projected so you can easily sing along—or you can simply listen and enjoy. There are periods of singing throughout service, as well as two songs of Swami Kriyananda’s music performed by a 30-voice choir, small vocal ensemble, or soloist. You’ll also experience original Ananda music at special events and concerts throughout the year.
Friday Night Chanting (Kirtan)
Most Fridays, 7:30-9:30 pm, free, guided by Ananda kirtan musicians.
If you like music, either singing yourself, or sitting quietly while others make music around you, come take part in Ananda's weekly Friday evening chanting sessions (kirtan in the Sanskrit language). The sacred sounds of chants penetrate deeply into the consciousness. They have the power to transform and uplift the soul, and to open the heart. Chanting is an excellent, easy way to lift your spirits, and revitalize yourself after a long week of work.
Yogananda and Kriyananda have written many beautiful chants in English. We also sing some traditional chants of India in Sanskrit. Melodies are simple, and usually repetitious so you can easily join in. The chants are usually accompanied by guitar and harmonium.
Kirtans are held at the Ananda Community and (starting in January 2008) at the Temple. Check the calendar for schedule and location.
Ananda Temple: 2171 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Directions
Ananda Community Temple: Chela Bhavan house, 240 Monroe Drive, Mountain View Directions Join us for dinner at the Ananda Community at 6:15 pm prior to the kirtan. Cost is $7.
Listen to a chant. Purchase CD's of live recordings at our on-line store.
Testimonials
“Sublimely sweet melodies, enchanting harmonies. Music that speaks directly to your soul.”
—Marco Ciannella, Choral Director, Naples, Italy
“Impossible to describe how moved I was. The music is tremendously compelling.”
—Reverend Judy Sherman, Unity of Seattle
“…ultra-professional. Their blending, integration, presentation, and conducting all are superb.”
—Salvatore D’Aura, retired choirmaster, Vatican
Join the choir
Choir meets several times a month, usually soon after Sunday Service. For more information, contact Dambara Begley at dambara@anandapaloalto.org or (650) 323-3363.
Play an instrument
If you play guitar, harmonium, or piano and would like play during Friday night or Sunday chanting, contact Raghu Clark at raghu@anandapaloalto.org or (650) 323-3363, x203.
If you play an orchestral instrument, or even if you played way back in high school and would like to renew your love for ensemble music, you may enjoy joining our newly forming orchestra. The goal: to have fun together, and experiment with new orchestral versions of Kriyananda’s music. For more information, contact Raghu Clark at raghu@anandapaloalto.org or (650) 323-3363, x203.
Take it with you: music on cassette tape or CD
The music of Ananda is available on a wide variety of tapes and CDs, from instrumentals to full choir performances, as well as a number of chanting audios (Listen to a chant). Stop by our bookshop at 2171 El Camino Real in Palo Alto. You can listen to tapes or CDs before you purchase, or ask a staff person for a recommendation.
Song and music books are available in our Gift Shop. The music for Christ Lives – An Oratorio by Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda) is available. Music books for harmonium and guitar are listed on the harmonium web page.
Harmoniums
We offer harmoniums for purchase at our bookshop and instruction is available if needed.The harmoniums are imported from Bina Company in India, and will provide a lifetime of chanting enjoyment to accompany your personal devotional practices. Instructional literature or personal lessons are also available. (Harmoniums are an organ-like instrument is played by squeezing a small bellows to produce the sound. Notes are played on a shortened keyboard. The instrument was first brought to India by Indian Christian missionaries, and is now manufactured primarily in India for use in devotional chanting).
Yogananda writes about music
Read what Yogananda said about devotional singing and music in India.
Kriyananda writes about music
Read what Swami Kriyananda says about melody and harmony, and about chanting.
Why Music Affects Us
Why does music have this influence on us, this ability to affect our state of mind? Science has ascertained that everything in manifestation—every rock and tree, every animal, bird, and human being—has a vibration at the core of its being. Music, and sound in general, is pure vibration uncluttered by matter, and as such, resonates with us at the fundamental core of our being, affecting us for good or ill.
