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The first time I visited the community - during a 1998 Open
House - I heard a little voice say, "I could live here!"
and a year later I was. I've been a part of Ananda for years
now, and not only have I never regretted becoming part of Ananda,
but I actually love it more with each passing day. I love knowing
all my neighbors. I love having soul friends who live thirty
seconds away. I love dinners together with friends. I love interacting
on a daily basis with others who share my commitment to finding
God. I love experiencing and witnessing so much joyful service.
And most of all I love feeling nestled in the loving, joyous,
peaceful presence of the Masters, right where I live.
When my husband and I were living in a large home on the east
coast, I never dreamed that living in a yoga community was even
possible. We had friends in the usual sense of the word, but
meaningful connections with others were rare. By the early 1980s,
we inwardly committed to the spiritual life, and left our careers
in search of something - but we didn't yet know what. A few months
later, we found out. We discovered Ananda in a miraculous way
- like so many others, we later discovered - and made it our
new home. I can't begin to describe the meaning and adventure
that Ananda has given our lives, but being part of a cooperative
community has been the most important part of it. Ananda is a
rare environment that fosters real spiritual and personal growth.
Perhaps most touching, it offers profound, life-changing friendships
with many, many people - even one of whom would have been a priceless
treasure in our lives before Ananda.
I purchased Autobiography of a Yogi in 1984. I will
never forget the feeling of appreciation, calmness and joy that
came that week. I discovered Ananda in Palo Alto and began attending.
The rest, as they say, is history...A few years later when my
son was born, it was at our home in the community after 30 hours
of labor. An unending stream of friends were coming in and out
to help take care of me, feed me, and even stand guard at the
door and decide who could come in for visits. Asha [one of Ananda's
ministers] came over Saturday evening, and stayed with me continuously,
all the way through until Sunday morning, which just happened
to be Easter Sunday. She left just in time to change her clothes,
and dashed off to give the biggest service of the year. As soon
as it was over, she came right back to my bedside, and stayed
the rest of the day and evening until I gave birth in the middle
of the night. When all was said and done, when I finally delivered,
there were 17 people at my birth. Now, that's community!
It's the day-to-day blessings that keep me energized and grateful,
whether it's working with fellow devotees), hearing one of Asha's
sermons, or living in a community setting which proves to me
again and again that "environment is stronger than will."
There's nowhere I'd rather be to raise a family and grow closer
to God.
At Ananda, I've discovered the joy and practical wisdom of
living in a small, close-knit fellowship. Yogananda's vision
of world brotherhood colonies works, I think, because they're
places where devotees have both privacy and community, yet constantly
cross paths in a very loving, supportive way.
I finally felt I had found my spiritual home when I moved
Ananda. Living in community is wonderful but not always easy.
When we move into community we don't make some instant 180 degree
shift from who we were and suddenly become a saint (I wish!).
It is extremely helpful living with fellow devotees who support
us spiritually. We are often, however, required to face ourselves
more than before because of the bright light that shines through
ourselves and those around us. This can illuminate the things
we would rather hide. "Yikes!" might describe it at
times. However, we have a wonderful opportunity to learn compassion
for ourselves and others through the experiences here. Most of
all there is a predominance of profound joy as well as fun in
our community. |
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