Service is Joy - Level 1
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This two-level program was created specifically for those who want to experience "living" Ananda.
The lifestyle at Ananda is based on meditation and service. This combination makes the community experience a true path to spiritual growth, giving you the chance to work on your strengths and limitations, and find joy and harmony every day of your life. What is Karma Yoga? We can define it as "dedicating your daily work, including thoughts and activities, as a spiritual offering to the Divine."
One of the basic principles for success in the practice of karma yoga is to realize that it is not so important what you do, but how you do it. In fact, any work can be of spiritual benefit, bringing us personal growth and joy, if it's done with the right attitude.
Namasya and Sanjaya, the teachers of this course, will help you to develop, in a practical way, the right approach towards work, colleagues, family and all aspects of spiritual life. In addition to Karma Yoga, living in this spiritually uplifting environment, you can learn and put into practice the other main paths of yoga:
Raja Yoga—the path of Self-realization —through the daily practice of meditation, Ananda Yoga, and the Energization Exercises created by Paramhansa Yogananda;
Gyana Yoga—the path of wisdom, achieved through the practice of discrimination and self-awareness, taught during lessons and moments of group sharing;
Bhakti Yoga —the path of devotion —through chanting and practicing the presence of God in daily actions.
There will also be lessons and group sharing on subjects of mutual interest. In addition, four days a week you will begin your day with a satsang, (a joyful and inspiring informal meeting) with your coordinators. Additional meetings may be scheduled according to the needs of the group.
The lessons will be fun and practical! This combination of practices, lessons, and satsangs will help you joyfully to experience the principle behind these inspiring words by Yogananda: "Life should be understood primarily as service."
Service is Joy - Level 1
Useful information
Requirements for participating in the program:
Everyone is welcome to participate in this course, but it is fair to inform you that “Service is Joy” is a very involved and challenging program! Please include your phone number on the registration form, and you will be contacted by Durgadas or Namasya, coordinators of the program. They will explain the guidelines of the program, and will answer your questions. They can help you to determine if this course, which focuses deeply on the practice of the presence of God through service, is right for you. Otherwise, they can suggest other courses that could be more useful to your personal and spiritual growth.
Where will you serve?
Your practice will be centered mostly in the kitchen, helping with meal preparation and / or in cleaning the kitchen. You could also help prepare the guest rooms or serve in the garden. If you have special skills as a translator, using computers (graphics), or in the field of maintenance, you may carry out a part of your service specifically that area (you can include these skills in your application form).
How will you serve?
This program includes 4 hours per day of karma yoga, distributed over 5 and a half days, for a total of 22 hours of service per week.
The first time you sign up for “Service is Joy Level 1”, the minimum period is 2 weeks and the maximum is 3 months, depending on a monthly evaluation of the program coordinators. After that, you can book for shorter periods, of 5 days or more.
The lessons and meditations are an essential part of the program, and participation in these activities is obligatory. During holidays or special events, your daily or weekly schedule may vary.
Schedule of activities
Wednesday's schedule is special, because it is dedicated to a group work day:
7:00-8:45 Meditation in the Temple of Light
8:50-9:30 Breakfast with your coordinators
9:30-13:00 Special karma yoga project with coordinators
13:00-13:30 Meditation
13:30-14:30 Lunch with the coordinators
16:30-19: 00 Energization Exercises, Ananda Yoga and meditation together
19.00-19:30 Sharing the day's experiences
Every other Saturday there will be a pilgrimage to the shrines of St. Francis.
The following is your approximate routine during the other days of the week; remember you will have a day and a half free of service.
|
Time |
Activity |
Notes |
|
6:00 – 7:00 (optional) |
Energization and Ananda Yoga |
Certain mornings (see weekly guest program) |
|
7:00 – 8:45 |
Long meditation, or lesson for beginners in the temple. |
Every day |
|
8:45 – 9:15 |
Breakfast |
Every day |
|
9:20 – 10:00 |
Group meeting and sharing |
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday |
|
10:00 – 13:00 |
Period of karma yoga |
|
|
13:00 – 13:30 |
Meditation |
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday |
|
13:30 – 14:30 |
Lunch |
Every day |
|
14:30 – 17:30 |
Period of karma yoga |
|
|
16:15 – 17:30 (optional) |
Ananda Yoga |
Every day except Friday and Sunday |
|
17:30 – 19:30 |
Energization, yoga, and guided brief meditation |
Friday and Sunday
|
|
17:45 – 19:30 |
Long meditation or lessons for beginners in the practices, in the temple |
All other days of the week |
|
19:30 – 20:00 |
Dinner |
Every day |
|
20:00 – 21:30 |
Period of karma yoga |
|
|
20:30 – 21:30 |
Film or kirtan |
Every other Saturday |
Where you will stay
Since we ask all participants in this program to stay at Ananda, we recently inaugurated a new home for “Service is Joy”: Seva Loka! It is located just a few steps from the Centre of Ananda and has a beautiful view! Even in the off season, space in Seva Loka is limited, so you might be lodged in the dormitory of Villa Gioia, instead. In the summer there is also the alternative of staying in a tent (you'll need to bring your own), and the dormitory is always an option.
If you have a specific need to stay outside of Ananda, contact Namasya Durgadas, and they will help you explore how to make this work. In any case, this will not affect the price of the program, which will remain unchanged.
Cost of the program
In addition to the weekly cost of the program there is a one-time registration fee of 50 Euros. The weekly fee of 150 Euros 150 includes accommodation, meals, lessons and activities, the book The Art and Science of Raja Yoga by Swami Kriyananda, and photocopies of other educational material.
Program availability
The program is active year round, with a minimum number of 3 participants, and limited to the number of available rooms.
Can you attend other courses during the program?
Participation in other courses offered at Ananda is not part of “Service is Joy level 1”. However, you can participate in classes on your free day, depending on prior consent of the teacher. If you want to attend a specific course, such as Kriya Preparation, you can do it before or after the program, but not during.
Attitudes and responsibilities
We ask that you respect the Ananda guidelines, that is, to be open and to be willing to study the teachings that are offered here, as they will help you to get the most benefit from this program. In addition, you are asked to maintain a responsible attitude and to participate enthusiastically in all activities, including group meditation, or sadhana, and the lessons that are part of the program. The coordinators and the many residents of Ananda will be happy to help you make your stay pleasant and inspiring.
Who are the teachers / coordinators?
The teachers / coordinators of this program are Namasya and Sanjaya. Both have lived at Ananda for several years, and as disciples of Paramhansa Yogananda, have many years of practical experience on the spiritual path. They are very enthusiastic about this residential program, based on karma yoga, and it is a real blessing for them to help others experience the harmony, simplicity, beauty, and joy that can be found in everyday life.
Services
Il costo del programma include:
- il corso e materiali (se previsti)
- tutte le attività giornaliere e le attività serali previste
- l’occorrente per la tua pratica: cuscini per la meditazione, tappeti per lo yoga, Aum board e coperte
- vitto e alloggio come specificato nel programma
Accommodation: information and prices
Cost table
Attention: During the Covid-19 period the prices below are no longer applicable. The correct all-inclusive price for each course can be found on its individual page.
| Single room with bathroom | € 72.00 |
| Single without bathroom | € 61.00 |
| Double room with bathroom | € 56.00 |
| Double without bathroom | € 48.00 |
| Triple room with bathroom | € 48.00 |
| Triple without bathroom | € 41.00 |
| Dormitory (4-5 beds) | € 36.00 |
Note: To the price of lodging and food, you have to add the price of the seminar, that includes all activities: Energization Exercises Lessons, yoga and meditation and evening activities (on most evenings).
Payments can be made in cash, by Eurocheck, credit card (MasterCard and Visa), Bancomat. We can’t accept cash over 1000.00 euros.
Opportunity
Next time you come to Ananda, sign up for the program Yoga in Action to get a taste of community service and receive a discount on the cost of the course. You can choose the option Yoga in Action for any course where this program is available and you can continue with this option as long as you wish. Your service project might change each day.
When we learn to serve with the right attitude, this is a spiritual practice and is called Karma Yoga. The daily practice of Karma Yoga is a joyful and practical spiritual discipline that will benefit every aspect of your life.
At Ananda, there are two levels of the Yoga in Action option:
Yoga in Action Level 1
75€/course of 5 days
With Level 1, you will serve for a period of one and a half hours. This experience gives you a chance to contribute to the beautiful atmosphere of Ananda.
Yoga in Action Level 2
35€/course of 5 days
Yoga in Action Level 2 is only available if you have had prior experience of the Yoga in Action Level 1 option, or any of the Community Living Programs. With Level 2, you will serve for a period of three hours, split into two periods of daily service.
How to Register for This Program
In the page of the course you want to participate to, you will find, if available, the special price of the course with Yoga in action level 1 and 2. When you sign-up on the website or call or write us to book the course, just indicate that you wish to participate to the Yoga in Action Level 1 or 2 program. It’s that easy. Once you arrive at Ananda you will need also to complete a Yoga in Action Form and return it to our reception office.
How to book
You may make your reservation directly here on the website or by phone (+39 0742 813620) or email (info@ananda.it). Your booking needs to be confirmed by our reception office. For courses held online, there is no need to indicate the details of your stay (date of arrival, departure…).
For courses held at our center in Assisi, please indicate your arrival and departure dates and times, the program you wish to attend, your preferred accommodation, your address, phone and email. If you need to modify your reservation, please inform us at least one week in advance.
Our reception office is open from:
Monday to Saturday 9:30-1:30pm, 2:30-5:30pm
Sunday 9:30-11:30am, 2:30-5:30pm
For on-site courses, the programmes start on the evening of the day indicated.
If you cannot arrive during office hours, please let us know in advance.
Please contact us to check what translations are available. Courses, both on-site and online, may be cancelled if there are fewer than five participants.
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