Holidays and Festivals
Sacred and Joyful Celebrations

Canticle of Ecstasy!
A play on the life of St. Francis with music by Swami Kriyananda.

Join us this summer as we bring St. Francis to life! August 18 & 20 the Academy will present an inspiring theatrical performance dramatizing the extraordinary story of St. Francis – Yogananda’s patron saint. Last year the audience was visibly moved by the poignant moments of spiritual transformation depicted in riveting performances by Antoine Musitelli as Francis, and a supporting cast played by residents of Ananda Assisi. Written and directed by Dana Lynne Andersen, the play is a part of the new Academy of Art, Creativity and Consciousness. This spectacular production will be a highlight of summer at Ananda – don’t miss it!

This energetic and creative production expresses the ideals of “Awakening arts”, highlighting the natural unfoldment of inborn creativity inside of each individual. To know more about the process, take a look at this article written about last year’s play.

“Behind the Scenes”

An article about “Canticle of Ecstasy” performed August 2010 by Mihai Huber

Ananda is a worldwide spiritual community founded by Swami Kriyananda and based on the universal Yoga principles taught by Paramahansa Yogananda. Ananda Europa, now in its 30th year, is in Italy, in the wonderful region of Umbria, near Assisi the birthplace of Saint Francis. Members of the community were engaged by Dana Lynne Andersen, artist, playwright and director, in the project of putting up a play based on the life of Saint Francis. One of the main ideas behind the play was to try to spread the wonderful message of simplicity and love of the great saint through theatre, and to remind people of the basic spiritual values of life from which we have distanced ourselves in all the rush and difficulties of daily existence. People from the nearest cities came to see the play and gave a wonderful feedback at the end.

This was a very courageous project for the community. The play was to be an expression of 'awakening art', a new approach to the arts that is at the core of the emerging Academy. The process of creation focuses not merely on the production and consumption of art, but on the awakening and healing of the soul through our inborn creativity and receptivity. The Arts, such as theater, can awaken and heal the artists' soul by triggering their creativity; and it can do this for the audience by touching the chords of their receptivity.

The performance of the play was only the final result of this inner process of unfolding of creativity, which brought personal transformation to the majority of the people involved. In Taoist philosophy it is said, "The way is the goal". The same is valid here: the goal of the art is not necessarily the final product, but more the path towards it, a path that gives life to the creative process. Art itself becomes only a proper medium for the expression of creativity that is an intrinsic part of each human being, whether or not they are aware of it. It is not only confined to the world of artists. By paraphrasing a Buddhist saying, we could add: "there is no way to creativity, creativity is the way". We cannot prepare ourselves, or study to become creative; we just have to start being it, flowing with it, because we all have that power inside of us.

One special aspect of acting in this play had to do with the text. Usually the actors have to learn their lines by heart and reproduce them exactly during the rehearsals and performances. The approach was different this time: the text of the script represented only a guide line for the actors which were free to change its form, sometimes even its content, according to what their intuition and feeling was telling them to do given the specific context of each scene. The director gave a lot of freedom here to the actors who could in this way better express their unique nature and their special creativity. The idea behind this unique approach is that 'awakening art' focuses no longer on the form, but on the energy and movement. The text represents the form and is like a base framework that has to be modified, extended or deepened by the creative power of the actor. This new approach also took away the huge pressure that actors usually have regarding the exactness in the reproduction of their lines: this time they had only to remember the meaning of the line and could improvise the words to some extent, giving to the lines the special colour of their unique nature. This lack of tension regarding the memorization of the lines gave way to a lot of lightness and joy during the rehearsals.

There were various difficulties in the creation of this event. Participants in the play could work only in their free time, so rehearsals, set creation and costume design had to be reduced to a minimum of time. Apart from the director of the play, Dana Andersen, and the lead actor, Antoine Musitelli, all the others were beginners without any knowledge of how to act or produce a play. Moreover, the play was performed in Italian, a language that the director, being American, did not speak. In fact, the entire project seemed to be from the onset a very courageous one, almost impossible to do. Dana Lynne Andersen, nevertheless, managed to help people discover their own creative potential, and the play was a great success despite the difficulties of a short rehearsal period and low budget. In the end it worked, because doing art in this fluid and open way creates an enthusiasm that is contagious and breaks every barrier. The audience could witness only the final result, not the incredible amount of joyous creative energy behind it- but perhaps they could feel it.

Since the budget was low, set creation and costume design had to be improvised from the few materials available. Instead of becoming an obstacle, this was once again a challenge for the creativity of the people involved. The set crew had a lot of fun creating the sets and props- we could say - out of nothing. Even here the director had an important role: she showed the set designers how to abandon themselves to the flow of creativity and how to be able to create things using the power of this flow. In the end, sets that are extremely difficult to design, for example the castle of the duke of Perugia, or the chapel of San Damiano, materialized for the performance. Seemingly from nothing, we ended up with an abundance of set objects. The subtle effects between the lights and objects enhanced the beauty of the set and gave it a mysterious touch.

Another important element of the play was the music. The concept of awakening arts involves all the various forms of Arts. Music is one of the most important modalities because it is the most direct and pure form of vibration, strongly connected to the astral realms of our soul. In fact, in her painting courses, Dana Lynne Andersen uses music as the first input for triggering and stimulating the process of creativity in her course participants. Music was a constant part of this theatre event, with live music before the play and during the intermission. Most of the music was written by Swami Kriyananda, the founder of the Ananda community, who has written extensively on the power of music to effect consciousness. Music accompanied almost all the scenes and emphasized certain crucial moments of the play. Music was also used when passing from one scene to another in order to fill up the inevitable gaps. The style of the music was mostly medieval and renaissance helping the audience to imagine themselves more easily in those times. Apart from instrumental music, there were also various choir pieces throughout the play, lending the production a touch of a musical. These moments when the actors were singing together were especially beautiful because they gave a certain lightness and merriness to the dramatic life story of Saint Francis.

The play and all the effort behind the scenes also strengthened and increased the bond between the community members involved. All of us- whether actors, musicians or costume designers, enjoyed sharing this experience together. Even if there were sometimes difficult moments, there was an increasing joy of working together to create the event, a joy that culminated with the two nights of performance. Up until the last day, because of the lack of time, the play could not be refined completely, so there were certain small gaps and little errors here and there. Amazingly, the incredible flow of energy, triggered by the creativity and enthusiasm of the community members involved, helped to correct all inadequacies in the two nights of performance. All went incredibly well and the play was a great success. In the end, we all experienced an irrepressible energy flow.

An especially interesting aspect of this theatre event was the inner transformation that took place inside some of the actors. One actor, in particular, entered so deeply in his character that he impressively changed inside: from being a person that could be called "in the clouds", he became noticeably more present and available.

As an actor in this play I am grateful to have shared this beautiful experience and recommend all of you to join in such projects. So many of us are not aware of the creative potential that lies inside of us and when this potential is awakened, a deep inner transformation starts. As a result, life changes somehow: everything becomes easier, more playful and more joyous. The inner child that has been suppressed for so long time awakens and wants to play, and this is maybe one of the most beautiful moment in our life. We should always let that child play, no matter what the others think about it, because it's probably the most authentic and hence spiritual part of us.

NEW! Spiritual Renewal Week: Colors and Textures of India
A “Spiritual Renewal” for your heart and soul

Have you ever visited India and long to recapture her mystery and beauty?

Have you not yet been there and wish to experience her sights, sounds, tastes and spirituality?

Are you planning to go there and would like an introduction to her wonders?

Or are you simply seeking a new and enriching experience?

Immerse yourself in this virtual journey to India, during the summer’s most special time, “Spiritual Renewal Week.”

India’s is the oldest living spiritual tradition and continuous culture on earth, active today as it has been through millennia. This week’s journey will take you to many ports of inspiration, including:

• yoga and meditation techniques, a spiritual treasure to take with you when you  return home
• sankirtan – group singing of devotional chants
• stories from the Indian epics
• the colors and costumes of India – bring your own Indian clothes or see what’s available in our boutique
• Indian culinary delights: enjoy a variety of appetizers, main dishes, breads, sweets, drinks made by experienced cooks
• a workshop about the yogic approach to diet
• Indian music and mantras, perhaps also dance
• Indian face painting.

All Saints
Inner Freedom: Free Yourself from the Habits which Block Your Happiness and Success

Yogananda said “A saint is a sinner who never gave up.” The greatest obstacle to realizing our innate saintly nature is the ego, and the mental and emotional habits that it has created over many lifetimes.

In this course you will discover the habits which are blocking your energy, your creativity, and holding you back in your spiritual progress. You will then discover how to create the positive patterns which will strengthen your free will and lead you to inner freedom.

Prelude to Christmas

This long weekend, dedicated to the Divine Mother, is a perfect time to come to Ananda, especially if you have plans for Christmas that won’t permit you to come at that time. Join us as we begin to enter into the spirit of Christmas (you might even get to help decorate the Christmas tree!)

The weekend will include all the elements of Christmas at Ananda including:

• Classes on Thursday and Friday that will help prepare the cradle of our consciousness to receive the infinite Christ Consciousness
• Kirtan (devotional chanting) dedicated to Christ
• Five-hour meditation on Saturday morning in which we can go deep into inner communion with the Christ Consciousness
• Christmas concert by the Ananda choir Saturday evening
• Purification ceremony and the Festival of Light on Sunday morning

Inner Christmas

All-day Christmas Meditation, Sunday

During the weekend that precedes Christmas, we will prepare ourselves for the birth of Christ Consciousness through periods of meditation, prayer, devotional songs, and silence.

Sunday is the traditional all-day meditation, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., during which periods of silent meditation alternate with chanting, inspirational music, and readings.

The Christ Consciousness in all things is coming to be born
in the little hamlet of my consciousness.
With His arrival,
I shall behold myself in all things, existing in His light.
—Paramhansa Yogananda, East-West, 1932

Long Christmas Meditation

Sunday is the traditional all-day meditation, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., during which periods of silent meditation alternate with chanting, inspirational music, and readings.

Paramhansa Yogananda started this beautiful tradition of eight hours of meditation, chanting, musical pieces and readings to prepare our hearts and minds for the arrival of the Christ Consciousness.

Oriental Christ
The Gospels According to Yogananda

From Yogananda’s commentaries on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, we will come to a deeper understanding of the Oriental origins of Christianity. During the weeks before Christmas and Easter we will explore the mystical meaning of:

• Jesus, son of man or Son of God?
• the temptation of Jesus: Satan and Maya
• steps to attain Christ Consciousness
• the Law of Miracles and how Jesus healed
• Why was Jesus crucified and how did He rise from the dead?
• What is salvation and who can be saved?

That is the real reason why we celebrate His birthday – in order to remind ourselves of the divine qualities of Jesus and to awaken ourselves to a realization of the enlightening, loving Christ Presence in our own consciousness.
—Paramhansa Yogananda, Inner Culture, 1936

Christmas with Your Spiritual Family

Reserve well in advance. Deposit required: €50.00.

Christmas at Ananda is unlike any you have ever experienced: inspiring, simple, meaningful, where you are part of a spiritual family rejoicing in the birth of Christ Consciousness.

Ananda has returned me to my truth, to my path home, to my center. The peace of the surrounding hills, the light emanating from the temple and from the people, the silence and clarity in my heart—for these I am eternally grateful. — Monica, Canada

A New Tomorrow: Reflections 2011 — Resolutions 2012
With Shivani Lucki

Reserve well in advance.

Ananda is the ideal place to conclude the past year — with love, wisdom, and appreciation for the people, places, and circumstances we have experienced — and to begin a “new tomorrow” with joy and hope in the company of spiritual friends.

You will be guided in reviewing the past year and in drawing from it many important lessons and messages for the future. Based on Yogananda’s techniques for introspection and self-analysis, this program will give you a greater understanding of yourself and a deeper awareness of how your life’s events are guiding you forward in your evolution.

Shivani Lucki

Shivani has been teaching this course every year for the past thirty-five years.

Using an “introspection workbook,” she guides each person in the discovery and understanding of the experiences which the past year has brought, helping each person to honor their past experiences, learn from them, and move on with more awareness, understanding and compassion.

“The SELF-ANALYSIS work Shivani guided us through was a very deep experience from all points of view. From the RELATIONSHIP viewpoint: the attunement and the closeness (both physical and spiritual) of the other participants, the feeling of brotherhood and communion, the intensity of people’s eyes, the understanding, the renunciation of judgment. From an INNER viewpoint: the discovery of a deep source of love inside my heart, a source that awaits only to be fully recognized by myself... From the point of view of EVOLUTION, because it was as if I was able to see a stairway before me that could take me a bit higher...
Again, I was the one who had to CHOOSE to climb that stairway or to wait.
I choose to climb these steps! I choose to welcome every gift, every message that will come to me. I know now I am never alone and, even though I’ll have to face new difficulties and challenges, I now feel within me a core of strength and of LOVE!”  ~ Gabriella,  Milano

This is Ananda’s most popular program; you are encouraged to reserve early. Precedence is given to those who wish to participate in the entire seven-day program.

The New Year has come to greet you with new hopes, new determination, new will-to-achieve, new activities. …The trails of trials and the yawning chasms of woe have been left behind in the dark night of the past—now you are entering the daylight of a new-born hope of the New Year. Cast off the coil of the decayed thoughts of the past years; be reincarnated into vital living of the New Year. … Every day in the New Year must become an altar for the God of new living, new achievements in wisdom, and new joy. —Paramhansa Yogananda, Inner Culture, 1937

Paramhansa Yogananda: God’s Boatman

If Yogananda has touched your life in some mysterious, meaningful way, then come to Ananda during these days and let him touch you once again. Fifty years after his passing, Yogananda and his teachings remain vibrantly alive. And his boat is waiting to take all thirsty souls to the shores of Cosmic Consciousness.

God’s Boatman Whispers From Eternity, 1929 by Paramhansa Yogananda

I want to ply my boat, many times, Across the gulf-after-death, And return to earth’s shores From my home in heaven. I want to load my boat With those waiting, thirsty ones Who are left behind: And carry them by the opal pool Of iridescent joy — Where my Father distributes His all-desire-quenching liquid peace. Oh! I will come again and again! Crossing a million crags of suffering, With bleeding feet, I will come — If need be, a trillion times — As long as I know One stray brother is left behind.

I want Thee, O God, That I may give Thee to all! I want salvation, That I may give it to all! Free me, then, O God From the bondage of the body — That I may show others How they can free themselves! I want Thine everlasting happiness, Only that I may share it with others — That I may show all my brothers The way to happiness, Forever and forever, in Thee.

Discipleship
Weekend Dedicated to Paramhansa Yogananda

This special weekend is a continuation of the celebration of Paramhansa Yogananda's birthday (5 January), and focuses on the guru-disciple relationship. We'll explore how a Self-realized master can guide us to the peaks of spiritual realization, and what it means to be a "good" disciple.

We'll share inspiring stories from the life of Yogananda and his relationship with his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar, and also stories of Swami Kriyananda's life with Yogananda.

There will be a devotional ceremony and kirtan Saturday evening, and the opportunity to take discipleship initiation, for those who wish.

Mahashivaratri
Indian Celebration of Lord Shiva

Traditional all-night celebration, kirtan and meditation (from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.) honoring Lord Shiva.

If you can’t go to India, then make a weekend pilgrimage to Ananda to participate in the celebration dedicated to Shiva, the “Mahayogi.” Activities include kirtan, stories, Indian dances, meditations, mantras, ceremonies and celebrations throughout the night (for the brave). Bring your Indian clothes and prepare to receive the grace of Maheswara, Lord of Purification and Transformation.

Commemoration of Paramhansa Yogananda’s Mahasamadhi

2-4 March 2012 (in Italian or English with translation)

During this joyful weekend we will celebrate the life and work of Yogananda as he guides our steps towards the Christ/Krishna light within us.

Holy Week: Oriental Christ
The Gospels According to Yogananda

1-6 April 2012 (in Italian or English with translation) (A deposit of € 50.00 is required to confirm your reservation.)

A deposit of € 50.00 is required to confirm your reservation.

From Yogananda’s commentaries on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, we will come to a deeper understanding of the Oriental origins of Christianity. During the weeks before Christmas and Easter we will explore the mystical meaning of:

• Jesus, son of man or Son of God?
• the temptation of Jesus: Satan and Maya
• steps to attain Christ Consciousness
• the Law of Miracles and how Jesus healed
• Why was Jesus crucified and how did He rise from the dead?
• What is salvation and who can be saved?

Easter Weekend and Celebration of Ananda Assisi’s 25th Anniversary

6-9 April 2012 (in Italian or English with translation) (A deposit of € 50.00 is required to confirm your reservation.)

Course description coming soon.

Swami Kriyananda’s Birthday Celebration

Swami Kriyananda has dedicated his entire life to serving his Master and to sharing the life-transforming teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. He has written over 100 books that present the Master's teachings in a way that is clear and, at the same time, very deep. He has composed over 400 pieces of music that have brought joy and inspiration to thousands of people. He has created 8 communities that give people the opportunity to live together with other devotees who wish to live in harmony with their highest spiritual ideals. And simply by always acting according to his deepest principles, he has given us an unparalleled example of what it means to be a disciple. 

In this weekend program, we will honor this great soul, celebrating together his 85th birthday. We will share stories from his life with Yogananda, experience the beauty of his music, and offer him our appreciation for what he has done for us all. We will most likely share a video-recorded greeting from him, as he is presently in California. Come and celebrate with your Ananda spiritual family!

Celebration of Ananda Assisi’s 25th Anniversary

4-6 May 2012 (in Italian or English with translation)
3-5 August 2012 (in Italian or English with translation) (A deposit of € 50.00 is required to confirm your reservation.)

Course description coming soon.

See also:

For Kriyabans and Disciples