Ananda Sangha

So I took a meditation class (1 of 4 in a series) at Ananda. My review is for this class.
Here was my experience:
— The powerpoint was faulty — the animations were screwed up in a number of places. I understand that some people are not comfortable with technology, but a quick 2 minute run through of the ppt is all it takes.
— on numerous times he simply read the slides out to us.
— in one instance he even remarked how he didnt know what the slide meant
— Less than 1 hour of the class was spent on actual meditation techniques.
I tired to keep a positive attitude. But I came out of the class feeling like I did not want to come back, and now that it is closer in the week to the 2^nd session in the series, I know I’m definitely not going. I subconsciously even made plans for around that time.
I feel like I made excuses for them initially — ‘they’re much older and unfamiliar with technology’. Or they must not be ‘in this world’ and are ‘too enlightened to bother with these things’. But on the other hand I simply cannot excuse people who are not conscientious, especially when you know people are paying for something.
Maybe you would be able to relate to them. But I don’t relate to ‘kooky’ or ‘out there’ people who take it too easy. I appreciate diligence because I think it shows respect of your work and the people coming to you for help.
I really think Ananda needs to audit this class. I think I’ll just read a book on the subject instead or find another meditation class outside of Ananda.
This does not in anyway prevent me from going to Ananda for other things. I’m considering taking yoga lessons and to some extent I did enjoy their Sunday service.

Go hear for practical spiritual teachings, East meets West style. Yogananda is a wonderful guide towards God. I love being surrounded by the warm and intelligent souls at Ananda.

The meditation techniques taught at Ananda have proven to be the most effective for me.
In my 20s and early 30s, I studied and practiced several different styles of meditation, but while I experienced some good results and some fleeting deep inspirations, I could never keep a practice going. I gave up on all of them.
Finally 20 years ago in my early 30s, I took a meditation class at Ananda, to see if they had the «meditation technique that worked long term».
As an engineer by training, I was downright impressed with the 1^st level meditation technique taught. It used similar elements to the previous techniques I learned, but it put them together in a way that worked for me. It was actually quite simple and elegant. Best of all it made practicing meditation over years & decades doable for me.
If you are interested in learning meditation, take the 1^st level class at Ananda. And also take other classes so you can compare. For myself, if I’d taken the Ananda class first I probably would not have appreciated it as much as I did.
After being at Ananda though for more than a decade, with my meditation practice in place, I finally began to learn that the practice of love & devotion for others, for God is equally important. And like meditation, you need to practice devotion and not just take it for granted as I had been doing. (Ananda teaches this clearly, just I didn’t get it right away!)
Once I started practicing devotion along with meditation and serving others, my spiritual life deepened and a wonderful joy expanded in my life. It’s been so much more than I could have ever imagined 20 years ago.
Ananda is a spiritually loving God based group with highly effective meditation practices and a strong service ethic. Just right ingredients for cultivating deep inner joy.

To their credit, when they found out, they got in touch to apologize and didn’t just offer a refund, they simply sent it through.
That being said, the fundamental issue remains — they are advertising it as more meditation than spiritual, when the class is the other way around. If that’s what you’re looking for, then go for it; if you’re not (as I wasn’t) then you should at least be aware of this fact.

Five stars because I’ve learned that if you aren’t going to take initiative to create change in an organization that you are a part of, don’t complain about it!

I was really skeptical about this place for a while but after a short visit to one of their Sunday services I decided to give it a try. This is not a cult and nobody wants you to join and trap you. You can even just go and sit and just absorb the peaceful energy in their main temple. Their mediation classes are great, the instructors are kind guides, non-​judgemental but above all smart and normal.
They have also just added a yoga studio and it is the best space I have ever done yoga in. Clean, light and most importantly not crowded. The yoga practice is more spiritual than your regular ashtanga class but it is a great complement to the meditation practice I am trying to establish. The intructors are super friendly and really knowledgeable.
Just a very peaceful place to spend a little time to find yourself and reestablish a sense of balance.

These are hard times. People need Ananda more than ever: for inspiration, for true friendship, for a real sense of community. Ananda is hustle-​free and free of dogma too. Just a lot of great people and universal teachings that resonate with heart, mind and soul. I can’t say enough about it.

It’s been over 20 years since I first started attending the Ananda church and I can honestly say, it’s changed my life in so many wonderful ways. The Sunday Services are inspiring. Asha Praver is a wonderful speaker and often times, it seems as she’s speaking to me personally through her sermons. The classes are taught by sincere people who have dedicated themselves to be an instrument of God. The quality of music alone is enough of a reason to attend any event. If you truly want to find peace, love, joy, wisdom, you should experience this place.

I read Paramhansa Yogananda’s Autobiography in 2004 and felt transformed. Seeking a place to learn more about meditation and Yogananda’s teachings, and to deepen this new found bliss I was experiencing, I found Ananda in Palo Alto. My life has never been the same since! I learned how to meditate effectively, made wonderful friends and joined the choir.
The music at Ananda is like listening to a flock of Angels. The music alone has transformed many a seeker. Classes that teach meditation, stress reduction, healthful living through higher awareness, yoga and much, much more.
You will find me there every Sunday at 10 AM for service.
Ananda has become my 2^nd home.

I have been coming to Ananda for a number of years. As time has passed I have had the chance to spend time with many of the congregation members. I have come to deeply appreciate their kindness and positive joy. These qualities, and many others, are an integral part of what Ananda is all about. If I feel restless or moody or down, I can count on a visit to Ananda to be the starting point for turning that energy around. Quite simply put, they practice what they preach, and it shows in their smiling eyes and warm hearts. My life would not be the same without the blessing that is Ananda.

I’ve been coming to Ananda in Palo Alto for many years — mostly to Sunday service, but also to many of the classes they offer. It’s hard to describe it simply, but it’s a place where people really love God, and want to experience God more authentically in their lives. Meditation is a big part of that, as well as devotional practices like chanting and prayer. The music is very beautiful and uplifting. But, especially for a new person walking in the door, what really strikes one is how genuine and intelligent the people are. It’s a very fine bunch of folks. The spiritual tradition is Yogananda’s teachings (author of Autobiography of a Yogi), which include both ancient Yoga tradition as well as what he calls original Christianity, or the mystic teachings of Jesus.
Also, Asha Praver, the main minister, is probably the best public speaker I’ve ever heard. And I do public speaking for a living. She gives most of the services, and she has a profound, honest sort of delivery that is unusual and refreshing.

Ananda, Ananda! Yonanda! Bonanza? This church of Self realization made me self-​realize… get it? To attend this church more often, you can find me at the local Ananda, singing gospel songs and fighting the good fight… against poverty, racism and all things NOT Ananda, such as gender boundaries. If you do your research, you’ll find that Ananda is the leading nanda on culturally diversified places to diversify your interests, got not but one anda, bring ‘er ‘ere. I love this place!