Dear everyone attending the event “Finding Happiness” tonight,
The movie you are about to watch was written by Swami Kriyananda, founder of the Ananda communities. I was the executive producer with Asha Praver. You will meet both of us in the movie at the ‘Italy scene’ and the ‘death and karma’ scene.

If you have seen the movie Awake: The Life of Yogananda, you probably could have noticed the emphasis Yogananda gives to the idea of creating spiritual communities. This was an important part of Yogananda’s message to the world, to establish ‘worldwide brotherhood colonies’ where people could live together, work, send their children to school, pray and practice meditation and yoga together and live in a peaceful and rich environment. Yogananda’s dream became reality through the life-mission of his direct disciple Swami Kriyananda. He created the Ananda communities with people that share the same ideals and Finding Happiness was the culmination of his work serving Master’s dream. In fact after Swami saw the movie for the first time he wrote to all his friends saying:

Dear ones, Please tell everyone – I have just returned from a celebratory dinner after watching “Finding Happiness.” I am still teary eyed from the experience. This movie is the culmination of so many years of ardent efforts to serve Master. I can’t begin to tell everyone how proud and happy I am for and of you all. You were so natural so eloquent, so intelligent! In fact, the most beautiful thing about the movie is that all of you were so YOU!!! It was completely genuine: not a false note throughout.

Then he thanked and blessed everyone with his love and so we too want to wish you an inspiring and uplifting experience with this movie hopping it will bring happiness into your life’s.

Dear Paal, please tell everyone that the movie was shot mostly at Ananda Village, the first community founded by Swami Kriyananda in Nevada City (California), their are some scenes of the communities in Italy and India.
It’s a true story because all the people in the movie are real residents in the Ananda communities except two actors. The actress, Elizabeth Rohm, that interpreted the role of a journalist nevertheless lives as well and everlasting transforming experience.

I hope you will enjoy the movie and maybe want to share this experience with others or even come visit us at the community of Ananda Assisi. Check out our calendar at ananda.it

If you want to buy the movie you can download directly from Finding Happines on vimeo on your PC or rent it. This will also help cover the costs of the movie that were entirely funded by Ananda members. We’re happy you have chosen to watch this movie and we hope you enjoy it.

Joy to you all,

Shivani