About Swami Kriyananda
Swami Kriyananda became a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda in 1948 at the age of twenty-two. He received his guru’s training for the next four years.
The closeness of their relationship is described in two of Kriyananda’s books. Conversations with Yogananda shows how the Master related to his disciples—with warmth, kindly understanding of human foibles, and wisdom that was supportive and encouraging. The New Path is a primer on the disciple-guru relationship, demonstrating both the closeness they shared and the dedication of a devoted disciple.
After Yogananda’s passing in 1952, Kriyananda devoted the rest of his life to serving as his guru commanded—spreading Yogananda’s teachings through extensive lecturing and writing.
He also fulfilled one of Yogananda’s wishes when he founded Ananda Village in 1968. Yogananda often urged his disciples to build World Brotherhood Colonies where those who practiced Kriya Yoga could live together in small communities. This idea was so important to Yogananda that he wrote enthusiastically about it in the final chapter of the original edition of his Autobiography of a Yogi to it.
Kriyananda’s life was one of intense outward activity in service to his guru. His many books show how the teachings of Kriya Yoga can be applied to every aspect of human life. He wrote on family life, education, business spirituality, creativity and the arts, music, marriage and relationships, and much more.
He once described Ananda Sangha as a “movement” more than an organization. Since his passing in 2013, that movement has continued to thrive and spread worldwide.
The New Path
by Swami Kriyananda
Like Yogananda’s autobiography, Swami Kriyananda’s autobiography is a primer on the disciple-guru relationship, demonstrating both its profound closeness and the dedication of a devoted disciple. Kriyananda shares many stories and lessons learned from his Guru. The chapter on Kriya expands on what Yogananda wrote about Kriya in Autobiography of a Yogi.
Order the book: U.S. | India
The Importance of World Brotherhood Colonies to Paramhansa Yogananda
During the fall of 1951, four months before his passing, Paramhansa Yogananda spoke with Kamala Silva, his disciple since 1925, about the importance of spiritual communities.
“On one of the drives along the coast, Master spoke to me of the value of world brotherhood colonies. He referred to the forming of groups within a city or rural area in a manner of hermitage life, among members who do not desire to become renunciates, or can not do so because of certain obligations.
“Such a life would enable each one to be in daily association with those who share the same spiritual goal. He described such colonies as made up of married couples and their families, as well as single people, who have the will to serve, and to live in harmony with one another. Master envisioned the idea as one in which all may work together in a self-supporting group wherein each one is dedicated to God.”
— Kamala Silva, in her book The Flawless Mirror
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