Ananda is a worldwide group of individuals who share the search for higher consciousness and the ideal of service to others. We express this service by offering uplifting values and techniques for achieving peace of mind and inner happiness. Ananda, which means "joy" in Sanskrit, was fo unded to support others in their quest for spiritual growth.Ananda was founded by Swami Kriyananda 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. www.ananda.org