Ananda Sangha is a worldwide spiritual movement and community founded by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, as a continuation of Yogananda’s mission. Rooted in the lineage of Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar, and Yogananda, it seeks to share Yogananda’s teachings on meditation, Kriya Yoga, Self-Realization, and the ideal of “simple living and high thinking.” In this sense, Ananda Sangha serves as an organized expression of Yogananda’s spiritual work, shaped through Kriyananda’s understanding of his guru’s vision and guidance. It is nonsectarian in spirit, yet clearly grounded in this particular Kriya Yoga tradition and its emphasis on God-realization.

At the heart of Ananda Sangha is a network of intentional spiritual communities and centers that aim to create environments conducive to inner growth. These include residential communities where members live together practicing Yogananda’s teachings, as well as retreat centers, teaching centers, and meditation groups. The first such community was established in Nevada City, California, and similar communities have since been founded in other parts of the world, including India and Italy. Through these communities, the movement seeks to embody Yogananda’s vision of spiritual living in daily life, not merely as an individual practice but as a shared way of life.

The activities of Ananda Sangha encompass a broad range of spiritual and educational offerings. There is a strong focus on Kriya Yoga meditation and Self-Realization principles, supported by satsangs, classes, workshops, and spiritual fellowship. The organization also includes schools, publishing work, retreat programs, and training for ministers and spiritual counselors, all oriented toward making Yogananda’s teachings accessible and practical. Music, service projects, and various forms of spiritual education are used as additional channels to deepen devotion and understanding.

Underlying these outward forms is a philosophy that emphasizes practical spirituality, divine friendship, and the integration of high spiritual ideals with everyday responsibilities. The phrase “simple living and high thinking” captures the aspiration to reduce outer complexity while cultivating inner refinement and God-centered awareness. In this way, Ananda Sangha presents itself as a global network of seekers striving to live Yogananda’s teachings in community, uniting Eastern and Western approaches to spiritual life in a harmonious and experiential manner.