My name is Larry Rider. I have lived in 4 different Ananda communities in the last 30 years, and have always wanted to have more contact with other communities. Ananda is an international group of about 7 spiritual communities, based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. Our community here in Lynnwood has about 48 people in a 32 unit apartment complex on 5 acres.
Although Ananda focuses on sharing yoga and meditation with others, community has always been an important part of our lifestyle. Ananda was founded by one of Yogananda's direct disciples, Swami Kriyananda, who has dedicated himself to putting into practice Yogananda's ideals, which included community. He often encouraged his students to join together and form small co-operative communities.
Now, more than ever, we believe the ideal of people living and growing together, sharing resources, and helping each other, is vitally important as a lifestyle for the future.
Swami Kriyananda, now in his 80's, has moved to India where he is actively engaged in starting a new community near the city of Pune. Here in Lynnwood our structure is highly co-operative, with leadership in the community lightly administered by a very serviceful couple who have worked with Kriyananda closely over the years, and who lead by example. There is a great deal of openness and harmony, and a deep shared friendship among those who live here and with Ananda's larger spiritual family in the Seattle/Bothell/Lynnwood area.
I for one have always been interested in co-operation. I spent many years in Maine helping to develop the food co-op system there, until I moved to Ananda Village in California in 1979. I look forward to making more connections with others involved in intentional communities in the Seattle area.
The Ananda Community of Lynnwood would like to invite everyone to an Open House and Summer Solstice Celebration on Sat. June 20 here in Lynnwood. We will have music, food, entertainment, and a sharing of the ideals of community in today's world.
Information about Ananda' work in Seattle is posted at our website, www.anandaseattle.org.
Blessings to all,
Larry Rider for Ananda Community of Lynnwood