Swami Kriyananda did indeed establish spiritual communities, and these became a central expression of his discipleship to Paramhansa Yogananda. The most prominent of these is Ananda Village, founded in 1968 near Nevada City, California. This community was conceived as a living embodiment of Yogananda’s ideal of “world brotherhood colonies,” where seekers could integrate inner spiritual practice with every aspect of daily life. It was structured as an intentional spiritual community, emphasizing meditation, simple living, and cooperative values as the framework for both individual growth and collective harmony.

From this initial experiment in community life, a broader network of Ananda communities gradually emerged. Additional residential communities were founded in places such as Assisi in Italy and in various locations in India, along with smaller Ananda centers and groups in other parts of the world. These communities and centers are often referred to collectively as Ananda communities, forming an international spiritual movement grounded in Yogananda’s Kriya Yoga teachings as interpreted and shared by Kriyananda. In each case, the aim was to create environments where spiritual practice, service, and daily responsibilities could be woven into a unified way of life.

Within these communities, spiritual ideals were not meant to remain abstract doctrines but to be tested and refined through shared living. Meditation and yoga formed the inner core, while outer life was shaped by principles such as simplicity, mutual support, and a spirit of cooperation. Many of these communities incorporated elements like residential neighborhoods, opportunities for serviceful work, and retreat or teaching facilities, all oriented toward fostering spiritual growth. In this way, Kriyananda’s work can be seen as an attempt to translate his guru’s vision into concrete social forms, offering seekers a context in which spiritual aspiration and everyday existence could be brought into conscious alignment.