Living Discipleship Program: Application

Thank you for your interest in the Living Discipleship program! You are opening yourself to a remarkable program and process. Living Discipleship truly begins as soon as you set your intention on participating. Take your time as you prepare for the program. Notice the lessons and listen to the whispers from Master as he speaks through situations and all those around you.

Before you begin the application, please read and ensure you fully understand the Program Polices & Housing Costs. Please also confirm the below questions before you may continue to the application.

At any time feel free to reach out to the Program Coordinator for support or to answer any questions. [email protected]

Please confirm the following before you may continue to the application:*

I am an Ananda Kriyaban.

I have received approval and recommendation from my local Ananda leader.

I have read and understand the Program Policies, Housing & Costs document, including the Cancellation, Refund, and Technology-Free policies.

General Information

Full Legal Name*

First Last

Preferred First Name

i.e. Spiritual name, or anything else you would like to be called during the program

Contact Phone Number*

Please indicate the country-code (i.e. +1)

Viable method for virtual face-to-face conversations*

As part of the application process, you will complete a face-to-face conversation with the Program Coordinator. Please indicate any communication methods that will work for you.

Facetime

Skype

Zoom

Facetime Number

Please indicate phone number for Facetime if different from above Contact Phone Number.

WhatsApp Number

Please indicate phone number for WhatsApp if different from above Contact Phone Number.

Skype Username

Email*

Mailing Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Full birth date*

Please provide in MM/DD/YY format.

Marital Status*

Program Date for which you are applying*

Ananda Minister/Leader

The application process in Living Discipleship begins with a recommendation to participate from your local Minister/Ananda Leader, Nayaswami Pranaba or Lisa Clark.

Please provide the name and contact information for the minister/leader who is encouraging your participation. Please also include the nature of to-date conversations with the Minister/Ananda Leader with whom you are currently working regarding any steps you will be taking to prepare for the program. This information will help the Living Discipleship coordinator support you during the 25 days of spiritual immersion.

Leader Name*

First Last

Leader Email*

Leader Phone*

Please share any goals that you have identified with your Ananda Leader/Minister towards preparation for the program.*

Motivations for Participation

What has inspired you to take the Living Discipleship Program?*

What do you hope to receive from the program? What are your goals?*

If you have taken Living Discipleship before, or a previous form of this program, please indicate when.

Please offer comments or clarification of any of the above items.

Core Readings

Study is an important aspect of the spiritual path. As a disciple we have many books available to us to deepen our understanding of Master's teachings. Swami Kriyananda wrote prolifically!

Please bring your attention to the list of required reading materials below. If you have not read any of these at the time of filling out this program form, please enjoy reading and studying them prior to the start of your program.

Please select all of the books that you have studied or read:*

Autobiography of a Yogi

The New Path (The Path)

The Art & Science of Raja Yoga (included in the Ananda course of Self-realization)

The Essence of Self-Realization

The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita

The Need for Spiritual Communities, How to Start Them and Why

***Guidelines for Conduct of Members of the Sevaka Order

None of the above

Guidelines for Conduct of Members of the Ananda Sevaka Order

Please read and study the Guidelines for Conduct of Members of the Ananda Sevaka Order (downloadable link) in advance of the program. During Living Discipleship there will be a class on the topic. You will want to have studied the Guidelines that Swamiji has given to us. The Sevaka Order is central to Ananda. Whether a person lives in an Ananda Community or not, the Guidelines point to the principles which are reflected through the Ananda worldwide movement.

The Guidelines for Conduct was written by Swami Kriyananda as a reflection of the attitudes and practices that were being demonstrated by disciples in the formative years of Ananda. Rather than prescriptive rules, these guidelines emerged from the choices that were made for the harmony and spiritual well-being of the residents and community as a whole and have evolved over the years. These guidelines are foundational to Ananda and Community Living. Swamiji writes in the Introduction, “May these Guidelines for Conduct help to point the way to perfection for those who have accepted the ray of the divine light that was brought to the West by Paramhansa Yogananda, and that is expressed through Ananda World Brotherhood Village and all Ananda World Brotherhood Colonies located throughout the world."

Supportive Information

Please share more about you and your spiritual journey. This information will allow for more tailoring of the program for you and your fellow participants, as well as aid in the design of specific activities. Please note that this is solely for information purposes, and does not correlate with any sort of eligibility to participate in the program.

Teaching and Leadership

Do you teach any classes (meditation, yoga or other classes) in the world of Ananda? (please describe)*

Are you a certified Ananda Yoga or Ananda Meditation teacher?*

Ananda Yoga Teacher

Ananda Meditation Teacher

None of the above

Where have you taught, and how frequently?*

Do you offer yourself in service through any leadership role within Ananda? (Please describe)*

Chanting and Music

Do you include chanting as a regular part of your sadhana?*

Yes

No

At present no, but I would like to move in this direction.

Do you play the guitar or harmonium?*

Do you lead chanting for group meditations or satsangs?*

Do you sing or belong to an Ananda Choir? OR Do you have interest in joining one? (Please describe)

Yoga Postures

Have you practiced Ananda Yoga or another form of yoga asanas?*

Do you have a regular asana practice? (If so, please describe)*

What benefits do you experience from asana practice?

Have you experienced any limitations, discomfort or pain when practicing postures? (If so, please describe fully for sharing with sadhana leaders)*

Have you had any accidents, injuries, heart conditions such as high blood pressure, bone, joint or spine issues, or surgeries, etc. that may contraindicate certain poses or asana practice all together? (If so, please describe fully)*

Do you know how to honor your body and modify postures in order to maintain ease and remain injury free?*

Additional

What are your hobbies or special areas of interest aside from your spiritual and work life?*

Do you have any special skills or skills you enjoy sharing? (wood working, cooking, dancing, arts and crafts, etc . . .)*

What have been your areas of service? In what ways have you served at Ananda or would like to serve?*

In brief please share a bit about your professional life or work experience.*

Dietary Restrictions

Please note that our hosts at the Meditation Retreat do their best to accommodate dietary requests. They provide three delicious vegetarian meals per day and regularly accommodate individuals who are gluten-free or dairy-free. They always do their best to provide for everyone. However, they may not be able to accommodate all dietary restrictions, in which case you may need to supplement your diet by bringing some of your own food.

Dietary Restrictions*

I have no dietary restrictions

I have a medically-required dietary restriction, for which I do not have flexibility.

I have dietary restrictions driven by lifestyle preferences.

Please indicate any medically-required dietary restrictions that you adhere to.*

Again, while our hosts do their best to accommodate dietary needs, they may not be able to accommodate all restrictions, in which case you may need to supplement your diet by bringing some of your own food.

Please indicate any dietary restrictions driven by your lifestyle preferences.*

This includes, for example, if you prefer to eat gluten-free or dairy-free, but you occasionally indulge in non-GF or non-DF options. It does take extra effort on the part of the Retreat staff to accommodate varying dietary preferences, and you may be asked for flexibility regarding these preferences.

Introductory Statement and Photo

Please give a brief introductory bio of who you are for the benefit of your Living Discipleship teachers. This short blurb will be provided to your teachers along with a picture to assist in their preparation of activities and classes. In writing this bio, please consider how you would like people to be introduced to you as a devotee and fellow gurubhai. Include things such as: Where you are from, how you found Master and/or got on the path, your involvement in Ananda, your passions/hobbies, what you hope to gain from the program/activities, etc.*

EXAMPLE BIO: I have been involved with the Ananda Seattle community for several years and just took Kriya in July of 2017. I originally found the path through my parents, who have been devotees and Ananda sangha members for over a decade. Until recently, I lived and worked in Seattle, but have since left that lifestyle to immerse myself more in my spiritual practices and my Ananda family. I am currently living at Ananda Village, and I am delighted to serve with my spiritual family; I feel very blessed that I am currently in a situation where that is possible.

A few things about me: I love to dance and travel, and have found great joy in expressing myself creatively through chanting and singing. Music, and attuning myself to Swami’s music in particular, has continued to become more and more important to me as I deepen my path with Ananda. I am very excited to join in on group sadhanas, as I find to be a very key component in strengthening and supporting my own practice. I also look forward to deepening my connection to Swamiji, but through satsang with people who knew him for decades as well as in staying on the land of his original retreat. I look forward to this month as a very significant part of my life - of deep introspection and growth.

Headshot

Please upload a high-quality headshot photo of yourself*

This will be used by other participants, retreat staff, and guest teachers, to help everyone learn each other's names.

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, png, jpeg, Max. file size: 50 MB.

One-on-One Meeting

Upon submission of this form, the Program Coordinators will reach out to schedule a one-on-one meeting with you to discuss your application, needs, and where she can support you. This is required before you are approved for the program and may move forward with reserving your space at the Meditation Retreat.

Please indicate if there is anything in particular that you would like Nayaswami Maria, Atman and Shyama to know in preparation for your one-on-one meeting, or that you would like to address during the meeting.