with Shanti & Chidambar
Services at Ananda are joyful, music-filled, and thoughtful. They explore meaningful answers to challenging questions about life. There is often laughter, and sometimes heartfelt tears.
Service is inspired by the spiritual teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda (Autobiography of a Yogi) and his lifelong disciple, Swami Kriyananda. It begins with a short period of chanting and meditation, followed by readings from the Bhagavad Gita and Bible, a 30-minute sermon, and a ceremony afterward, called the Festival of Light.
Sunday School for children, ages 6-12 — 10-11:30 am
Children, like all of us, are hungry for meaning and understanding. Children join together in worship and joy with an experienced facilitator. Includes chanting, yoga postures, meditation, stories of inspiration, devotion, art, and song. At 11:20 am, the children come into the Temple for the closing Service blessing. Learn more
Child care, ages 3-5 — 10-11:30 am
Child care is available during service, and gives children the opportunity to meet other children and engage in supervised play on the grounds. There is a small playground as well as areas for basketball and other sports.
Parents with babies may watch service on a closed-circuit TV in a classroom in the Yoga Center (right near the Temple). Babies and Sunday school children are welcome in the Temple during a blessing ceremony that takes place in the last 10 minutes of service (about 11:20-11:30 am).
Meditation and Fire Ceremony — 9-9:45 am
Before service begins at 10 am, you are welcome to a period of silent meditation from 9 to 9:45 am. Those who wish can also participate in a ceremony of individual prayer for freedom or clarity about a personal challenge, called the Purification Ceremony. You may offer that prayer at the altar and receive a blessing from one of the ministers.