Spiritual Renewal Week

Chant with us in this beautiful and uplifting kirtan with many inspiring chants by Paramhansa Yogananda from his Cosmic Chants and others. Recorded during Spiritual Renewal Week 2025 at Ananda Village.

Chants

00:00 Invocation (traditional Indian temple chant)

02:33 I Will Sing Thy Name (by Paramhansa Yogananda)

11:44 What Lightning Flash (by Paramhansa Yogananda)

19:13 How Shall I Love Thee (by Swami Kriyananda)

27:45 Who Is in My Temple? (by Paramhansa Yogananda)

35:49 Lord, I Am Thine (by Swami Kriyananda)

44:05 They Have Heard Thy Name (by Paramhansa Yogananda)

50:09 Light the Lamp of Thy Love (by Paramhansa Yogananda)

57:55 I Will Be Thine Always (by Paramhansa Yogananda)

ABOUT PARAMHANSA YOGANANDA

Paramhansa Yogananda, born in 1893, was the first yoga master of India to take up permanent residence in the West. Yogananda arrived in America in 1920, and proceeded to travel throughout the United States on what he called his “spiritual campaigns.” Hundreds of thousands filled the largest halls in major American cities to see the yoga master from India. Yogananda continued to lecture and write up to his passing in 1952. Paramhansa Yogananda’s initial impact on the western culture was truly impressive. But his lasting spiritual legacy has been even greater. His *Autobiography of a Yogi*, first published in 1946, helped launch a spiritual revolution in the West. Translated into more than a dozen languages, it remains a best-selling spiritual classic to this day. [Read free at http://ananda.org/autobiography.] Yogananda brought the path of Self-realization and universal spirituality for daily life. “Self-realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God’s omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing. As the means of attaining this exalted spiritual state Yogananda initiated his followers into the ancient technique of Kriya Yoga, which he called the “jet-airplane route to God.” The path of Kriya Yoga, which combines the practice of advanced yogic techniques with spirituality in daily life, can be learned at http://ananda.org/kriya-yoga .

Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) became a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of "Autobiography of a Yogi", in 1948. At Yogananda’s request, he dedicated his life to teaching, writing, and sharing Kriya Yoga and spiritual principles worldwide. Over 65 years, Kriyananda authored 150 books, composed more than 400 musical works, and taught thousands, inspiring millions through his lectures, music, and practical teachings on meditation, community, and spiritual living. He is recognized as a pioneer of intentional spiritual communities, fulfilling Yogananda’s vision.

Enjoy this beautiful and uplifting concert recorded at the Temple of Light at Ananda Village during Spiritual Renewal Week 2025. One of the musical highlights of the year! Most music is by Swami Kriyananda.

Program

01:57 Invocation

03:23 Come Gather 'Round

06:02 Lift Your Heart in Strength

07:58 Brothers

11:16 Swami Ram Tirtha's Song

15:33 Free at Last

17:06 Praise Ye the Lord

18:49 Keep Calling Him

24:10 The Hill That Was Tara

27:38 Where He Dwells

30:30 Canticle

37:01 Amrita

40:13 The Song of the Nightingale

44:24 Love Is the Memory of a Lost Joy

52:23 New Dawn

55:53 O Master

61:33 Peace

Listen to the powerful story from the Indian scriptures describing the storied battle between good and evil, where the Devi manifesting as Goddess Durga leads the forces of good against the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Told by Seattle local Bangalore storyteller extraordinaire Murali Venkatrao, who will carry you to ancient and sacred India. Recorded at Ananda Village during Ananda's Spiritual Renewal Week, June 2024.

 

Watch this beautiful live performance of a shortened version of Swami Kriyananda's acclaimed play "The Peace Treaty", filmed at Ananda Village in California during Spiritual Renewal Week on July 2nd 2022. Directed by Devaki Soupios.

"The Peace Treaty" reflects the tension and unrest of our own times, and offers a solution: If we want peace on earth, expansion of our sympathies, though difficult to achieve, is the means. There exists somewhere, perhaps in the middle of the great Atlantic Ocean, a fairly large island. It lies far away from any continent, and few know of its existence. It may even exist in another dimension, or in some alternate universe. Crystal Island, this little-known place is called. It is a haven of peace and beauty. In certain respects it resembles lands we all know, but in others it is unlike any place on earth. . .

Thus begins the introduction to "The Peace Treaty", a poetic and profound play by Swami Kriyananda. It starts with the victorious conclusion of a righteous war. The evil aggressor has been defeated. There is a chance finally to plan for a lasting peace. The five clans who inhabit Crystal Island hope that a formal peace treaty will be adopted and signed by all the lords of the clans. But pride, vengefulness, selfishness, and the usual dreary catalogue of human failings intervene. Gradually it becomes clear that what is really needed is a transformation in human consciousness.

"The Peace Treaty" reflects the tension and unrest of our own times, and offers a solution: If we want peace on earth, expansion of our sympathies, though difficult to achieve, is the means. Written in the spirit of Shakespeare, the language beautifully expresses the rhythms of modern speech, while ennobling it. Kriyananda has created a drama with humor and intrigue, the underlying theme of which is as serious as the universal longing today for world peace.

Find out more about the play from the director.

Buy the book

ABOUT SWAMI KRIYANANDA

In 1948 at the age of twenty-two, Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) became a disciple of the Indian yoga master, Paramhansa Yogananda. Yogananda is best known for his spiritual classic, *Autobiography of a Yogi*. At Yogananda’s request, Swami Kriyananda devoted his life to lecturing and writing, helping others to experience the living presence of God within. He taught on four continents in seven languages over the course of 65 years. His talks, his music, and his many books have touched the lives of millions. An advocate of simple living and high thinking, his more than 150 books emphasize the need to live wisely by one’s own experience of life, and not by abstract theories or dogmas. A composer since 1964, Walters has written over 400 musical works. His music is inspiring, soothing, and uplifting. He taught meditation to thousands and has initiated many into the life changing technique of Kriya Yoga. His books and teachings on spiritualizing nearly every field of human endeavor include business life, leadership, education, the arts, community, and science. He is known as the “father of the intentional communities movement,” which began in the United States in the late 1960s, fulfilling Yogananda's dream.

Find out more at https://www.swamikriyananda.org/

Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nayaswamikriyananda

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kriyananda 

On this last day of classes, relax and enjoy hearing how disciples personally practice keeping spiritually uplifted. This morning's speakers have all been conscientiously living and practicing Yogananda's teachings. As they share how they keep their inspiration strong, you will no doubt gain insights for uplifting your own spiritual life.

With Badri Matlock, Erin Vinacco, Brahmacharini Lakshmi, Tyagi Dhyan and Tyagi Shanti, recorded during Ananda's Spiritual Renewal Week Saturday July 2, 2022.

Join your energy with hundreds of truth seekers, and strengthen the Divine light within yourself and the world over. We all have a role to play in the upliftment of consciousness. When we uplift ourselves, we open a door for Divine grace to uplift others. Through Paramhansa Yogananda’s practical teachings, learn how to be a master of your energy, to live more consciously in your true Self, and how to share from your center Divine inspiration and joy with others. Whether you come in-person or join us online, Spiritual Renewal Week will leave you feeling spiritual renewed in body, mind, and spirit.

With Nayaswami Hriman, Nayaswami Jaya, Nayaswami Pranaba, Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi, recorded during Ananda's Spiritual Renewal Week Friday July 1, 2022.

Join your energy with hundreds of truth seekers, and strengthen the Divine light within yourself and the world over. We all have a role to play in the upliftment of consciousness. When we uplift ourselves, we open a door for Divine grace to uplift others. Through Paramhansa Yogananda’s practical teachings, learn how to be a master of your energy, to live more consciously in your true Self, and how to share from your center Divine inspiration and joy with others. Whether you come in-person or join us online, Spiritual Renewal Week will leave you feeling spiritual renewed in body, mind, and spirit.

Swami Kriyananda remembered, “All the time when Master was with us, he would say, “Be in tune, be in tune.” He talked about it as the most important thing he could give to us, because through that attunement he is able to inspire us with the right decisions, the right understanding, in every situation.” Through attunement we can learn how to view life from a master’s consciousness.

With Nayaswami Dharmadas, Brahmachari Aditya and Nayaswami Asha, recorded during Ananda's Spiritual Renewal Week Thursday, June 30th, 2022

Join your energy with hundreds of truth seekers, and strengthen the Divine light within yourself and the world over. We all have a role to play in the upliftment of consciousness. When we uplift ourselves, we open a door for Divine grace to uplift others. Through Paramhansa Yogananda’s practical teachings, learn how to be a master of your energy, to live more consciously in your true Self, and how to share from your center Divine inspiration and joy with others. Whether you come in-person or join us online, Spiritual Renewal Week will leave you feeling spiritual renewed in body, mind, and spirit.

How do we consistently live and face life’s challenges with uplifted energy? Masters, saints, and sages throughout time have given numerous live, solely dedicated to showing mankind how this is done. They translated spiritual principles into practical application. To quote an affirmation from Swami Kriyananda, “Though my spirit soars in the skies of consciousness, my feet and hands labor here on earth to make truth real to all.”

With Nayaswami Nirmala, Nayaswami Padma, and Nayaswami Narayan, recorded during Ananda's 2022 Spiritual Renewal Week Wednesday, June 29th.

Join your energy with hundreds of truth seekers, and strengthen the Divine light within yourself and the world over. We all have a role to play in the upliftment of consciousness. When we uplift ourselves, we open a door for Divine grace to uplift others. Through Paramhansa Yogananda’s practical teachings, learn how to be a master of your energy, to live more consciously in your true Self, and how to share from your center Divine inspiration and joy with others.

Whether you come in-person or join us online, Spiritual Renewal Week will leave you feeling spiritual renewed in body, mind, and spirit.

Recorded during Ananda's Spiritual Renewal Week Wednesday, June 29th, 2022

Join your energy with hundreds of truth seekers, and strengthen the Divine light within yourself and the world over. We all have a role to play in the upliftment of consciousness. When we uplift ourselves, we open a door for Divine grace to uplift others. Through Paramhansa Yogananda’s practical teachings, learn how to be a master of your energy, to live more consciously in your true Self, and how to share from your center Divine inspiration and joy with others. Whether you come in-person or join us online, Spiritual Renewal Week will leave you feeling spiritual renewed in body, mind, and spirit.

Performed at Ananda Village, Spiritual Renewal Week 2022.

Program:

• Invocation

• Come Gather ‘Round

• Brothers

• A New Tomorrow

• Lord, May We Serve You

• Walk Like a Man

• Secret of Laughter

• The Non-Blues

• Devil Worship

• Truth Can Never Die

• Brave Were the People

• If You're Seeking Freedom

• Hello There, Brother Bluebell

• There's Joy in the Heavens

• Who Is Silvia?

• Woodland Devas

• Life is a Dream

• Home is a Green Hill

• I Live Without Fear

• Peace

You can find more music at https://www.ananda.org/music/