Facing the Challenges of the Future

Facing the Challenges of the Future

As life becomes more complicated and less stable, we begin to reflect on what our real needs are and how we can simplify our lives. Rather than being fearful of the changes and situations the future might bring, we can develop inner strength and use our divine intelligence to prepare ourselves on psychological, spiritual and physical levels.

This workshop offers practical advice, the fruit of 40 years of living in cooperative communities.

In this course we will look at:

• Yogananda’s prophecies and visions for the future
• How we can simplify and streamline our lives and our desires
• Developing cooperative situations for living, eating and working
• How to develop the inner strength to deal with changes and challenges
• The importance of Cities of Light for the future of the world
• Learning which foods are high-energy, high-nutrition, and low cost
• Alternative energy technologies which are currently being used in urban and rural areas

Creating Communities Training Program

5-12 August 2012 - Week 1 (in Italian or English, with translation) (A deposit of € 50.00 is required to confirm your reservation.)
12-19 August 2012 - Week 2 (in English with Italian translation) (A deposit of € 50.00 is required to confirm your reservation.)

This course has been created to respond to a deep need of our times to find an alternative to ways of living that are no longer satisfying the human need for spirituality and community. The great spiritual master and avatar, Paramhansa Yogananda, spoke thrillingly during his lifetime of the need for World Brotherhood Colonies where like-minded people could live a life based on simple living and high thinking.

Swami Kriyananda, one of only 5 direct disciples of Yogananda still living, has founded 8 World Brotherhood Colonies [called Ananda], in the U.S., Europe (Italy) and India, where devotees live and work, play and meditate together, putting into practice the principles that Yogananda taught. With over 40 years of practical experience in spiritual community living, Ananda is highly qualified to share both the spiritual principles and their practical applications which have made Ananda communities so successful. There are over 1000 residents in the various Ananda communities throughout the world. If you are looking for a new way of life, if you are trying to live your ideals, if you are seeking a more supportive environment, or if you are ready to create a community and are seeking guidance and answers, join us for this exciting adventure of Creating Community!

Three of the Ananda communities are rural (land-based) communities (Nevada City in California, Ananda Europe in Italy, nearby Assisi, and Ananda Pune in India). The others are communities-within-a-city, a concept that grew out of the needs of city-dwellers who couldn't leave their home, job and family and move to the country. The same principles can be applied no matter where your community will be located, no matter what the focus of your community is. A community can be built around a service to humanity: organic farming, alternative energy, education of children and/or adults. It can be based on a desire to create a new economic or social system. A community can be focused on living and teaching spiritual truth, similar to monastic communities like the Essenes in the time of Christ.

Swami Kriyananda has said that in order to have a successful community, there needs to be a higher purpose to which all of its members are dedicated, a purpose which guides the direction of the community and the actions of the members, and helps to keep the energy and magnetism of the group high. Otherwise the community can flounder amidst the clash of individual egos.

The schedule of the Creating Community Training Program will include classes and workshops, daily spiritual practices, and opportunities for hands-on experience with members of the Ananda Assisi community. There will be other special activities, including a tour of nearby Assisi for those who are interested.

Among the topics shared will be:

• World Brotherhood Colonies, their history and principles
• The all-important attitudes for success in community
• How to build the spirit of community
• Spiritual practices - their role in community
• What is true Karma Yoga?
• Harmonious relationships
• Leadership
• Sharing your experience with the community
• Project development
• Economic foundation, finances
• Land acquisition; community planning
• Dealing with public officials
• Preparing for hard times

You will receive inspiration and motivation that will move you to action, instruction and insight that will give you support and encouragement, and materials for reference that will help you on your way.

See also:

“The Road Ahead” by Swami Kriyananda

Energization Exercises: How to Live Without Fatigue

Crises and Crossroads

Meditation and Self-Realization