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Meet our team — teachers & staff
Spiritual Directors
Ananda Palo Alto
Nayaswami Shanti is a lifelong devotee and is now a co spiritual director here at Ananda Palo Alto. She teaches, counsels and still maintains a practice of medicine through her coaching practice of “Transformational Medicine.” Her talks are rich with stories from her life as a physician and her many years on the path. With her warmth and wisdom, she is a much-loved counselor and teacher. Shanti’s talks online.
Asha’s talks and online classes are a spiritual lifeline for thousands over the past 45 years. She has a gift for deep spiritual clarity, and the ability to offer it in a way that reaches the mind and the heart. She is author of Swami Kriyananda: Lightbearer: The Life and Legacy of a Disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Ask Asha, and other books, and has appeared in the film Finding Happiness. Asha’s YouTube Channel • All of Asha’s talks (audio and video)
David has been the foundation and steady hand guiding Ananda Palo Alto since 1987. He has long experience and patience working with a wide range of personalities (a rare skill, indeed). Under his guidance, Ananda has grown in many areas, developing the Living Wisdom School, expanding East West Bookshop, helping to birth Ananda Community in Mountain View, and most recently Ananda Valley Farm.
Ananda Worldwide
Swamiji named Jyotish his spiritual successor. He is warm, thoughtful, and wise—with a delightful sense of humor. He has been part of the development of nearly every aspect of Ananda, and has a wealth of practical wisdom—how to develop organizations, and especially how to develop people.
Devi is a founding member of Ananda and one of Ananda’s most inspiring teachers. She and Jyotish travel widely, and have dedicated nearly 50 years to sharing inspiration and insight gained from a lifetime of inner work and outward service.
