Our Spiritual Leaders

Paramhansa Yogananda

Paramhansa Yogananda is best known as the author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of A Yogi. Yogananda’s extraordinary stories of saints and miracles are startling proof that we can personally and directly commune with God.

In 1920, Yogananda left India with the mission of disseminating the powerful teachings and techniques of Self-Realization known as Kriya Yoga. Yogananda said, "I want to help you attain actual experience of Him through your daily practice of Kriya Yoga. The time for knowing God has come!" Yogananda also emphasized the mystical, original teaching of Christ and the underlying unity of all religions. His aim was to help all sincere seekers, regardless of religious affiliation, to attain experience of God through meditation and "right living".

Swami Kriyanada (J Donald Walters)

Swami Kriyananda has instructed many thousands of students in the principles and practice of Kriya Yoga. An acclaimed spiritual teacher, Swami Kriyananda is the founder of the Ananda World Brotherhood Colonies in America and Europe. Kriyananda became a disciple of Yogananda in 1948 and lived with his guru during the last years of Yogananda’s life. Kriyananda’s autobiography, The Path, shares beloved stories of discipleship to his Master, Paramhansa Yogananda.

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