Born in Croatia, educated in art and music. Never felt in tune with the country, culture, or world around him, started seeking truth in early teens. Just before entering music conservatory drawn to Master’s picture on Autobiography of a Yogi. Instant...
Raised in England by a devout Christian mother and a determined atheist father. Went to church, not for Christ, but for social life and fun. Search for truth led to atheism. Then found yoga, which eventually led to re-thinking her whole view of life
In early teens, dismayed by the increasing worldliness of his friends, felt disillusioned and alone. Father was a Kriyaban, gave him Autobiography of a Yogi. Shifted from native Uruguay to Canada, then to USA to meet Swamiji. Joined community in India,...
Growing up, on the outside, everything looked fine, but inside was always unhappy. Mid-teens began serious search for meaning, found Autobiography of a Yogi. Graduated from college and on that day, left everything to join Ananda community in Pune,...
Born in Uruguay, where, except for soccer, never felt in tune with the culture. Father was a Kriyaban, and supported his thinking “outside the conventional box.” Followed his older brother Hezequiel to Ananda India where he found his home.
Serbian father and Scottish mother. Bilingual, raised in Serbia, holidays in Scotland, where her missionary grandparents took her to church. Outwardly, very shy, but inner relationship with God was her security. Introduced by her fiancee to Master and...
Born to yogi parents, grew up in the Ananda community of Palo Alto. Was a “founding child” for the Education for Life School there. Studied filmmaking which led to being Swamiji’s videographer, following him around the world for the last years of his...
Raised in Miami, Florida, as an Israeli Jew. Hebrew came first, English was second. The presence of God was the given. What to do about it was the question? When working as a make-up artist in New York City, discovered yoga. See Ishani and Aryavan’s...
From the age of seven, every summer came with mother and siblings for holidays at Ananda Assisi. Lived in Germany, but Ananda was home. During university, every holiday was with Ananda — retreats, karma yoga, pilgrimage — until she came to live...
Raised by a devout Catholic grandmother. Deeply impressed by her compassion and unshakeable faith. Less impressed by the priest who trained her for Confirmation. Searched for community and connection through yoga and natural healing. Led her to Ananda,...
In her second interview, Narayani talks more about her time and experiences with Swami Kriyananda and how that shaped and defined her spiritual life.
Asha concludes the series of Conversations with Millennials with this video, reflecting on the essential and uplifting qualities of of the whole experience, and encouraging everyone of the "next generation" of this work to carry on with deeper...
Author of My Heart Remembers Swami Kriyananda, Narayani was Swamiji’s personal assistant for the last years of his life, always by his side. Since his passing, he is even more with her, guiding her, and her husband Shurjo as they build Ananda’s work in...
Grew up in Serbia, father was a committed communist. No spiritual training as child, but raised with principles of integrity, honesty, fairness. Inwardly always felt happy, regardless of circumstances. Became devoted to martial arts. Studied Asian...
Growing up Italy, Catholicism was the given, but it didn’t hold her heart. Living from the outside, life became serious with the sudden death of a beloved cousin. Inner angel presence of her cousin guided her to Autobiography of a Yogi.
Raised in a very Catholic household in a small village in northern Italy. One aunt, though, left the family to move into the Ananda Assisi community. So from the age of 4, yoga and Master were also there. At 15, went on a 10-year saga to rebellion,...
Grew up in a Jain family in Southern India, but formal religion meant nothing to him. Constantly searching for the meaning of life. Wrote journals full of questions addressed to God. Heading for a bright career as a chartered accountant, but turned away...
Grew up in India, Malaysia, Dubai, daughter of educators. Everything came easily, life was happy. Sudden awakening to the superficial nature of life itself. Drawn by the authenticity and joy of Ananda people found her path.
A self-declared skeptic, traditional Hindu worship held no appeal. Followed the expected path to marriage and family. Lived with undercurrent of melancholy, never fully faced. Followed friends into a of study of past lives, Reiki, meditation. Skepticism...
Raised in a spiritually rich village in South India, naturally devout, loved and prayed to God as naturally as breathing. Trained as an architect, found Autobiography of a Yogi, saw vast, new possibility in his relationship to God. Lives and serves in...