This course highlights how to live a spiritual life through numerous stories of the venerated St. Francis and the teachings of the great master Paramhansa Yogananda. Yogananda and St. Francis shared the same mission of guiding spiritual seekers toward union with God (ever-new bliss), but their approach naturally had to be adapted to the times in which they lived.

Francis had to work within the context of the Church: he knew that a holiness that caused a break with the Church would only bring chaos and would not elevate the spirit of his times. With great communication skills, he obtained permission from the Pope and high officials to bring his message to the people. But that message had nothing institutional about it: complete renunciation of money and possessions, and freely embracing a life of external deprivation and inner joy that is the fruit of prayer, meditation, and humble service.

Paramhansa Yogananda, on the other hand, had to build a bridge between science and religion, using the scientific method of Kriya Yoga. He spoke of a balanced life, well integrated between yoga meditation, family, and work. He preferred Lady Simplicity to Lady Poverty.

By comparing the lives of these two Masters, who communicated with each other in a dimension of consciousness beyond time, we too learn to balance work and service, organization and content, human love and Divine love “that moves the stars...”

Some salient points:

• Kali Yuga, the era of Francis, and Dwapara Yuga, the era of Yogananda.
• Devotion: the wisdom of the heart.
• Kriya yoga plus devotion works like mathematics: it cannot fail.
• Outward renunciation/inner renunciation.

Included is a visit on Saturday afternoon to one of the most sacred places of St. Francis, the Hermitage of the Cells (L'eremo delle carceri).

Dear friends, we will do our best, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide a translation for everything in your program. We apologise for any inconvenience!

Your teachers:

Nayaswami Mary Minty has been a member of Ananda for over 40 years. At Ananda Assisi, she has served in many capacities; for many years she ran the boutique, blessing everyone who came into the store with her warm smile and loving assistance.

In recent years she has served more as a minister and teacher, and she especially enjoys telling stories about the lives of the saints. Her deep devotion and joyful simplicity help her to communicate not only the facts of their experiences, but their love for God and the transforming power of their earthly presence.


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. In 2023, he was ordained as a Kriyacharya (authorized to give initiation in Kriya Yoga). 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.



The total price of your all-inclusive stay, which includes course, board and lodging, is:

€260,00 (140 euros per day) in a single room,
€200,00 (110 euros per day) in a double room,
€180,00 (100 euros per day) in a 3- to 5-bed dormitory.

* Price of membership card not included €. 18,00