Meditation • Yoga • Spiritual Community

Are you seeking inner peace? Wanting to find purpose and meaning in life?

Perhaps you have had questions about God, or are seeking a deeper connection with the Divine. Ananda has helped thousands of people to achieve these goals. We offer support and friendship for your spiritual journey. What you'll find at Ananda:

Learn how to meditate

Ananda is one of the largest and oldest meditation centers in the United States. Skilled instructors with personal life-long practices will help guide you, from sitting comfortably to learning how to calm the mind and the heart. Whether your interest is meditation as a spiritual practice, or for stress reduction and health, you will feel at home in an Ananda meditation class.

Yoga: ancient tools for self-mastery

Though most people think of yoga as physical postures, yoga is an ancient and powerful tool for spiritual development. The science of Raja Yoga is a comprehensive approach to life that develops personal character, inner strength, and a calm, compassionate heart. Unlike most religious philosophies, yoga does not ask you to believe a dogma; you are encouraged to test its teachings in the laboratory of your life.

A joyful spiritual community of friends

One of the most frequent comments by visitors is, "I feel so much joy here!" The smiles you'll meet are genuine. Ananda is a place of music, laughter, deep spiritual fellowship, and a refreshing sense of humor.

All are welcome

The basis of this teaching is universal. People of all faiths are welcome; all faiths are honored. Ananda exists to support your search for greater meaning and understanding, whether it be called wisdom, truth, joy, or God.

Truths shared by the great religions

Sunday services are free and include comparative readings and talks from the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita. The emphasis is on the underlying truths shared by the great religions, rather than differences. The teachings at Ananda were brought to the West by Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. His direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda, founded Ananda in 1968 and continues his work today.

Ananda is about supporting your quest for inner peace and happiness. Feel cared about by a dynamic, non-judgmental and supportive network of friends as you meet the challenges and victories of your own spiritual journey.

Ananda is a vibrant spiritual community. We offer Meditation, Yoga philosophy and Self-understanding classes. Ananda Yoga and individual healing sessions help you keep calm, healthy and centered. Sunday services and Social events with friends will feed your soul. Come regularly; drop by on occasion or call to chat. We¹re here to give you support for your spiritual life.

Our Roots

The Sanskrit word for spiritual teacher is “guru.” Yoga teachings are passed from guru to disciple, usually through a lineage of teachers often going back many hundreds of years. For Ananda, that teacher is Paramhansa Yogananda, perhaps best known as the author of the classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. Yogananda came to America in 1920, and was the first of India’s yoga masters to make his home in the west. He was a tireless lecturer, extolling the benefits of meditation and yoga to millions of Americans over the next 32 years.

Yogananda passed away in 1952, but he trained a close disciple, Swami Kriyananda, to continue his work. Kriyananda carried out one of Yogananda’s most cherished dreams: the founding of spiritual communities. There are seven Ananda Communities and over 100 Ananda Meditation Centers and Groups in the world today. Swami Kriyananda is one of the few remaining direct disciples of Paramhansa Yogananda. Now living in India, Kriyananda is dedicating this phase of his life to re-establishing there the principles of Self-realization and balanced living, and to developing Ananda World Brotherhood Communities, spiritual retreat centers, and “Education for Life” schools.

At Ananda, you may discover what others have found…

"Ananda East ministers have helped me personally achieve a level of ...love and peace toward others, greater than I have ever had in my life. I have introduced other friends in my community to Ananda and they have had the same experience. "
- Henry, RI

"My experience with Ananda has brought me closer to my own Hindu culture and given me a greater appreciation for the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, and other great spiritual lights. "
- Raja, NJ

"I have always been impressed with the character, respect, and sincerity of Ananda, guests and staff alike. The ideals of simple living and practical wisdom that Ananda teaches have great value to anyone, regardless of spiritual background. The center promotes harmony while acknowledging the need for every individual to think and act freely. I would consider any community fortunate to have such a place in its midst."
- Theodore, CT

"Ananda East provides an oasis for our spirits. It is a center where people can come and be in community with like-minded people."
- Leon, RI