Paramhansa Yogananda - "Spiritual Community: Social Pattern for the Future"

Paramhansa Yogananda in chapter 48 of the Autobiography of a Yogi: "Yes, Doctor [Lewis], a project I have long considered is beginning to take definite form. In these beautiful surroundings I have started a miniature world colony. Brotherhood is an ideal better understood by example than precept! A small harmonious group here may inspire other ideal communities over the earth."

Ananda is founded on the ideal set forth by Paramhansa Yoganansa: world brotherhood colonies.

Ananda was founded by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and is one of the world's most successful intentional communities. Ananda came into existence in the late 1960's, a time when America saw thousands of attempts to create new models of living. Most of those experiments never survived their first year, but Ananda has thrived and grown. The thoughtful person must wonder why? Three reasons stand above all others. First, Ananda is built on high, spiritual principles with daily meditation as the oil that lubricates all of our interactions. Secondly, we put primary emphasis on the growth of every individual. And finally, through all tests and trials, we have stubbornly held to dharma, or righteous action.

Ananda members are disciples of Paramhansa Yogananda. Yogananda was born in India in 1893 and is best known as the author of the best selling book The Autobiography of a Yogi.