Service is Joy!

This new programme is especially designed for those who would like to experience life inside the Ananda community. Ananda communities combine an inner life of meditation and an outer life of service (Karma Yoga) to God and others. Together these form a dynamic and powerful vehicle for spiritual growth. Community living is a vibrant journey of self-discovery, working through self-limitations, to find harmony, grace and joy in everyday life.

What is Karma Yoga? Very simply, it means dedicating your daily work, (including all your thoughts and activities), as a spiritual offering to the Divine. One of the fundamental principles behind the successful practice of Karma Yoga is that, what you do in life is not as important as the attitude with which you do it. All honest work can be spiritually beneficial and provide us with numerous opportunities for spiritual growth and joy, if we have the right attitude.

This new residential course will help you to develop, in a practical way, the right attitude towards your work in life, your colleagues and all aspects of your spiritual life in a supportive community environment.

In the uplifting spiritual environment of the Ananda Center, situated in the Umbrian mountains, you will also have an opportunity to learn and put into practice the other main yogic paths.

• Raja Yoga – the path of Self-realization - with daily practices of meditation, Ananda Yoga postures, and Yogananda’s “Energization Exercises”;
• Gyana Yoga – the practice of discrimination and self awareness - through classes and practical discussions;
• Bhakti Yoga – devotional chanting, practicing the presence and techniques for cultivating awareness of the Divine in daily life.

All combined, you will learn a balanced approach, to developing a service orientated approach to life. These practices will help you experience the joy behind these inspiring words of Paramhansa Yogananda, “Life should be chiefly service.”

Daily Routine