Autobiography of a Yogi

In Search of Secret India...
study abroad 2010

Yogananda’s famous “Autobiography of a Yogi,” which describes in vivid detail his many years of spiritual training, and the subtle definitive laws by which yogis perform miracles and attain self-mastery, is the perfect spiritual guide to secret India.

After establishing a high school with yoga training in Ranchi, India, Yogananda came to America in 1920. Now, nearly 100 years later, students from Ananda College of Living Wisdom, an American college inspired by Yogananda, will tour India for five weeks as part of the college’s “World Cultures & Consciousness” study.

This year, the trip will be from mid-January to the beginning of March. Students will begin their program in Kerala, or “God’s Country” as many natives refer to it. In Kerala they will do service projects and presentations at two schools in Thrissur, study Kerala dance and culture, visit many South Indian temples and sites, learn South Indian cooking, tour the scenic Kerala backwaters, attend Ayurvedic programs and they’ve even been invited to a traditional South Indian wedding. Because of its religious diversity, Kerala is an ideal state for the students to learn more about Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, Hiduism and more.

From Kerala the group takes a 30-hour train trip to Pune, south of Mumbai. They will help those forming a new spiritual community here, staying in rustic tents, and enjoying the luxuries of “bucket baths” and simple living. They are also looking forward to meeting Nayaswami Kriyananda here, who has recently formed a fascinating new Nayaswami Order based on the principles of Dwapara Yuga. Kriyananda is one of the few living disciples of Yogananda who spent time with the great master and has made considerable contributions to fulfilling many of Yogananda’s goals for world brotherhood colonies and schools, like our very own college.

After Pune, they go to Varanasi, the holy city of Shiva, on the banks of the holy mother Ganges river. Words cannot describe the feelings of being in Varanasi, it is one place you must experience. The group will get a chance to walk in the footsteps of Yogananda, visiting places he visited, Trailanga Swami’s ashram, the ghat where Babaji’s sister appeared, Lahiri Mahasaya’s family, Anandamoyi Ma’s ashram and more.

On to Delhi and a stay at Ananda Sangha India for classes and events in Gurgaoan. After Delhi, they travel by train to Hardiwar, where a kumbha mela (holy festival) will be taking place. There are lots of ashrams and sadhus in the holy pilgrimage city of Rishikesh, and this is the last city the group will visit. Here, they’ll do more service projects in local schools for poor children, have classes and satsangs with the saintly Indian woman Vanamali Devi, author of numerous books on Hindu and Indian deities, and visit more ashrams and holy places. Lots of play, shopping and relaxation is also on the agenda for Rishikesh, where pilgrims can even do white water rafting on the sacred Ganges! The college is already planning it’s next study abroad in spring 2011 to Italy and other parts of Europe.

Pictures from Study Abroad Program:

- India 2007-08
- Egypt 2007-08

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