David has been the foundation and steady hand guiding Ananda Palo Alto since 1987. He has long experience and patience working with a wide range of personalities (a rare skill, indeed). Under his guidance, Ananda has grown in many areas, expanding East West Bookshop, developing the Living Wisdom School, acquiring a large residential community (Ananda Community in Mountain View), and most recently magnetizing the rather miraculous Ananda Valley Farm that is giving so much joy (and food!) to so many. Before Ananda, David developed and managed many enterprises, including an alternative high school, a restaurant, Ananda’s publishing company, and Ananda’s guest retreat (now the Expanding Light near Nevada City, CA). He has been meditating for over 35 years; he specializes in teaching advanced meditation, kriya preparation, and Yogananda’s Energization Exercises.