RESIDENTIAL COURSE Week of Spiritual Satsang: Unity in Diversity
The seeds for a better world lie buried in the heart of each individual. Just as, in our great human family, no two fingerprints are the same, our idealism must necessarily include the uniqueness of each person and the diversity that comes with it. And in your community, whether it is your family, your work environment or your spiritual congregation, harmony on all levels comes naturally as you learn to embrace diversity as a resource for a happy and fulfilling social and spiritual life.
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—Swami Kriyananda
This basic principle, which has been the secret of more than 50 years of expansive, creative, and dynamic community life at Ananda, highlights the importance of individual development in arriving at an enlightened society. It makes it possible to develop deep and fulfilling relationships with others; it creates a strong magnetism of harmony that the world, at present, needs more than ever.
Only in the calm, joyful acceptance of each other's diversity can we connect with the authentic spiritual aspirations that, present in every heart, unite us.
In this week, you will hear many personal experiences with this basic principle that will give you renewed courage for your journey.
ridiscover your life path, and, at the same time harmonize with your community.
You will learn to welcome the challenges of interacting with others as a springboard for your inner growth, considering your own emotional reactions to the diversity of others as a mirror of your own state of consciousness.
One moon gives more light than a thousand stars. When an individual, through confrontation with diversity, progresses on the path toward Self-realization, the seed of divine light in his or her heart begins to sprout and send rays of light into the world.
Main themes of the week:
- Stories of Ananda, and how to build community (with Jyotish and Devi)
- Conflict as a step toward higher harmony (with Uma)
- Unconditional acceptance: a path to growth (with Narya)
- From the arena of opinions to the realm of pure ideas (with Darshan)
- ... and so much more
Your teachers:
Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi are living examples of spirituality and loving friendship. Having served closely with Swami Kriyananda for nearly fifty years, they continue to travel as a couple, serving dynamically—and when necessary, virtually—around the world as global emissaries of yoga master Paramhansa Yogananda and his universal spiritual teachings of Self-realization.
Nayaswami Uma Macfarlane is a Kriyacharya, Counselor and Raja Yoga Teacher. An astute counselor and teacher, Uma offers a number of classes on Raja Yoga at the Ananda Assisi center.A student and teacher of yogic philosophy and spiritual science for 40 years, Uma lived for many years at Ananda Village in California, where served for a time as secretary for Swami Kriyananda.
She has taught at Ananda communities in the United States, as well in India and many parts of Europe. A native of the England, she brings wonderful wit and charming warmth to her classes as well as obvious depth of experience. She is currently serving in our Assisi, Italy retreat.
Narya Paolo Tosetto, has been on the path of Self-realization since 1989. A disciple of the great Master Paramhansa Yogananda, he lived for several years in Ananda Village, California, and now lives and teaches in Ananda Assisi.
He coordinates Ananda’s relations with local businesses and governments and is in charge of projects for the expansion of the Community.
He was appointed a minister by Swami Kriyananda, and in 2013 was ordained to serve as a Kriyacharya.
Darshan Jan Lotichius has been practising meditation since 1981. In 2000, Swami Kriyananda ordained him as a minister of Ananda Sangha, the international movement that presents Yogananda's teachings worldwide. Darshan conducts seminars in both Europe and America, and currently resides in the Ananda Assisi community, where he teaches how to integrate meditation into all areas of life: professional, artistic, social and personal.
17:30-19:30 Spiritual Practices
19:30 Dinner
20:30 Orientation
Monday-Thursday
7:00 - 8:45 Morning Spiritual Practices*
8:45 Breakfast in silence
11:00 - 13:30 Morning lesson
13:30 Lunch
16:15 - 17:30 Ananda Yoga
17:45 - 19:30 Energization and meditation or lesson in the techniques
19:30 Dinner in silence
20:30 - 22:00 Evening activities
Friday
7:00 - 8:45 Morning Spiritual Practices
8:45 Breakfast in silence
11:00 - 13:30 Morning lesson
13:30 Lunch
*Every Thursday from 6:30-8:30 we have a long meditation, with a break to enter at 7:30 and the Purification Ceremony at 8:30.
Services
We will offer you:
- all meals from the evening of arrival to lunch on the day of departure
- all meditations and guided sadhana
- Ananda Yoga classes
- the course and materials (if any)
- the essentials for your practice: meditation cushions, yoga mats, Aum-board
- kirtan and other evening programs;
* Membership card excluded
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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4 days
WEEKEND
WEEKEND
This course is offered in Italian only. For information, see our Italian web site.
3 DAYS