Weekly In-Person & Online Programs

Ongoing Programs with Krishna Devi

By Open Donation to Ananda Ashram
Offered In-Person

MONDAY NOONTIME MEDITATION
Every Monday, 12:00-12:20 PM
A twenty-minute guided meditation, mainly using the methods taught by Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati.
Note: This may be streamed via Ananda Ashram Live on Facebook.

SATURDAY EVENING KIRTAN
Saturdays 8:00 PM (except when superseded by other, specially scheduled events or celebrations)
With her Kirtan, Krishna Devi wants to convey a message of peace and healing through devotional sound waves. With musical accompaniment.

SUNDAY EVENING OPEN KIRTAN
Every 1st & 3rd Sunday of the Month, 8:00 PM (except when superseded by other, specially scheduled events or celebrations)
You are welcome to contribute a Kirtan or song and bring your own instrument. Facilitated by Krishna Devi.

Krishna Devi is a Kirtan musician and Bhakti Yogini. She was initiated into the spiritual practice of Sanskrit chanting and meditation by her Guru Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, who taught the Sanskrit language as the “science of vibration” and as meditation. Krishna Devi regards chanting as a gateway into meditation and believes that chanting the sacred sounds allows an opening of one’s heart. She is also a published author of the book Kirtan Angels and has recorded and produced several albums.

Self Inquiry: The Source of Peace and Happiness with Yehnemsah

Every Thursday and Sunday, 4:00 -5:00 PM (Eastern Time) | By Open Donation to Ananda Ashram

Offered In-Person and on Zoom
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Are you aware? We’ll explore together how overlooking the obvious leads to suffering. These sessions offer a guided meditation and sharing of insights relevant to our current experience as awareness.

Yehnemsah Oneha has felt a subtle presence throughout her life, which led her to search for what this presence is and to experience “That” as our true nature in a totally intimate and yet totally impersonal way. During a period of deep introspection, while living in nature, she came to a Satsang gathering of Robert Adams, a devotee of Ramana Maharshi, the Sage of Arunachala. When she saw a photo of Ramana Maharshi, not even knowing who he was, there was a timeless moment of recognition that “this is my own self”.... This moment has never left and continues to express itself in this recognition of our timeless nature, which is inherent peace and happiness.

Glimpsing into Gita through Gyaneshwar's Gaze with Naren Budhakar

Every Thursday, 8:00-8:45 PM (Eastern Time) | By Open Donation to Ananda Ashram

Note: Sessions are expected to resume in March 2024.

Offered In-Person and on Zoom
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Naren chants the original Sanskrit Bhagavad Gita verses, followed by verses from Gyaneshwari in medieval Marathi language, and English commentary.

Saint Gyaneshwar was born in the 13th century in India and was initiated into the Nath-Vaishnava lineage. His most celebrated work, the poetic song-sermon Gyaneshwari, is a treatise on the Bhagavad Gita and is full of philosophical insights. The composing of the text in the vernacular enabled common folk to recite this profound wisdom of the highest non-dualistic philosophy, a miracle that can be witnessed even today. At the tender age of 21, Gyaneshwar transcended his body by entering into a deep meditative state.

Naren Budhakar was born in India into a family rooted in Sanskrit and Indian classical music. He has performed with the finest musicians of India and of other music genres, including with Bobby McFerrin and Alicia Keys. He is co-director of the East-West School of Music at Ananda Ashram. Before taking up music full time, Naren trained in biological sciences and worked as a researcher. In his talks, he illuminates traditional Eastern philosophy by juxtaposing it with scientific pragmatism, provoking thoughtful reflection.

Guruji's Kundalini Breathing Exercises with Tara Federman

Sundays 11:00-11:30 AM | By Open Donation to Ananda Ashram

Offered In-Person and on Zoom.
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Tara teaches a set of simple and powerful breathing exercises, first taught by Guruji Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in 1971, which provide a bridge to one’s meditation practice. They are especially important at this time of crisis and social isolation, to help us transcend fears and anxieties and move in the direction of union with Supreme Consciousness.

The session will include a short reading and a guided meditation by Guruji.

Tara Devi (Tara Federman) received training in meditation, natural healing, Sanskrit and Yoga-Vedanta philosophy from Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati from 1971 on. Professionally she is an educator of children with special needs. Tara has been a staff teacher at Ananda Ashram for many years, offering a weekly evening program with emphasis on meditation and breathing exercises, as well as a weekly Beginners’ Sanskrit class.