Tag: Living Wisdom School

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Finding ways to help: EFL in action

My dear friends, Jaya and Joy, are co-directors of the Living Wisdom School here at Ananda Village. I received their school newsletter this morning and it was so inspiring that I just had to share it in today’s blog.

Schools and students like these give me hope for the world. 😇

Yesterday, as I was working in the office, two of our students walked in with bright smiles. “Jaya, do you know what we’re doing this recess?” they asked, their delight lighting up the room. I looked up, intrigued. “No,” I replied, “tell me all about it.”

Their answer went straight to my heart: “We’re walking around and finding ways to help. Do you need any help?”

In that moment, I saw a powerful example of the Education for Life principle of Cooperation and Service in action. These kids chose to spend their free time actively looking for ways to be of service, purely from the kindness within. Their desire to help wasn’t assigned or required; it was a natural expression of empathy and care—a reflection of their inner growth and values.

It’s moments like these that remind us how these principles are more than just words; they are practices that shape who our students are becoming. When young people learn to see themselves as part of something greater and feel the joy of serving others, they grow into the kind of individuals who truly make a difference.

Thank you parents for sharing your incredible young ones with us! They truly light up our school and give hope for a brighter future.

With love, 
Jaya & Joy

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My astrological bangle: as good as new

My beautiful “like new” bangle!

The great Indian master, Paramhansa Yogananda, recommended the wearing of an astrological bangle to strengthen one’s aura and deflect or mitigate negative karma.

In Autobiography of a Yogi he wrote: “Just as a house may be fitted with a copper rod to absorb the shock of lightning, so can the bodily temple be protected in certain ways.”

When I first found Ananda, all my new devotee friends were wearing bangles, but I figured it would take me years to save up in order to buy one for myself. After all, the bangle is made of gold, silver, and copper, and — even back in 1999 — new ones cost a pretty penny indeed!

What I didn’t know (but was about to learn) is that Divine Mother will sometimes fulfill our need before we’re even aware we have it.

I had accepted a job as school secretary for Ananda’s Living Wisdom School, which was kind of crazy to start with, considering that I knew almost nothing about the areas I was now responsible for!

The school was in the same building as the Ananda church offices, so one afternoon as I was passing through the boutique my friend who was the the office manager, called me over and introduced me to a former church member.

Turns out this woman had come in because she was no longer using her astrological bangle and wanted to sell it. My friend, Stephanie, asked her how much she was selling it for and the answer was $500. Then Stephanie turned to me and asked if I was interested. Of course I was, but I didn’t have $500!

Without a moment’s hesitation, Stephanie turned back to the woman and asked whether she would be willing to take payments of $50 a month. Again the answer was yes, so Stephanie’s next question to me was whether I could handle that.

And in the space of about ten minutes I had my own bangle which was completely paid off within ten months!

Here’s the kicker: only a few weeks later the school experienced a major upheaval; a time of severe stress involving all the teachers and staff. I was still very new — not just to the job, but also on the spiritual path — and the drama of it all really threw me for a loop. But at least I had the energetic support of my astrological bangle!

In retrospect I understood that Stephanie had served as Divine Mother’s channel to make sure I was protected.

As the time grows closer for Ramesha and I to relocate to Sacramento for my bone marrow transplant, I started feeling like it was time to get my bangle checked out and cleaned, which I hadn’t done for probably fifteen years.

I finally contacted Bhima of astrologicalbangles.com just a few days ago, and after replacement of the silver and copper, cleaning, annealing, and polishing, my bangle is as good as new — ready to support and protect me through these upcoming challenges.