The Underlying Philosophy:

     Everything one does in life is directed, far more than most people realize, by an underlying philosophy or basic understanding of life. Even criminals are motivated by their assumption that money and power, acquired by any means whatever, will be for them a source of happiness and fulfillment.

    Modern education, too, is based on certain assumptions -particularly on the belief that success means, again, money and power (acquired legally, of course!). Added to this twofold expectation is an equation of success with social respect, a comfortable home, and the means to purchase the things one wants in his life.

     A philosophy underlies the approach to life at the Ananda Institute of Alternative Living as well. It is the conviction that spiritual truth is central to all right understanding. Like the spokes of a wheel, this philosophy views the various departments of life as radiating outward from a central perception of things as they truly are. The core teaching of the institute is based on this philosophy, and is in direct contradiction to the underlying bias of modern times, which is that evolution has no purpose and arises out of utter, materialistic unconsciousness. The institute teaches, instead, that "living" and "non-living" matter are founded in consciousness; that life doesn't so much evolve from the depths of unknowing as it unfolds toward, or discovers, its own intrinsic nature. As that inner nature is gradually revealed, it uncovers an aspiration of its own which causes it to reach out toward ever-higher understanding, until, ultimately, it re-attains absolute consciousness.

     The recognition of man's higher nature is inborn in him. Everyone, to varying degrees, longs for the fulfillment of perfect happiness. The apotheosis of this longing lies in divine bliss. This is the true purpose of all religions, and is, in the last analysis, what unites them all. The basis of all religions is the quest for Self-realization.

     Thus, the institute emphasizes practical, not only theoretical, realities. Its teachings are experiential, not dogmatic. The unitive teachings of the great religions of the world are studied not eclectically but empirically with the experiences of true saints and wise men in all religions, as well as from the point of view of the impact of spiritual experience on daily life.

     Basic to this approach is the universal insight and world mission of India's great modern yoga master, Paramhansa Yogananda. His explanations of the teachings of Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, and of the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament of the Bible, are emphasized to give a direction to the study of other religions. The approach is non-sectarian, and emphasizes the every-day applicability of high truth.