Swami Kriyananda

Swami Kriyananda (), born J. Donald Walters (born May 19, 1926), is a direct disciple of the yogi Paramhansa Yogananda (1893 – 1952) and founder of Ananda, a worldwide movement of spiritual intentional communities based on Yogananda's World Brotherhood Colonies ideal. Paramhansa Yogananda made him a minister for Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), authorized him to teach Kriya Yoga, and appointed him the first SRF head monk. Swami Kriyananda was elected Vice President of SRF in 1960 and member of the Board of Directors.

Kriyananda is the author of over 100 books and the composer of over 400 pieces of music. His books and music have sold over three million copies, and are published in 25 languages in 90 countries. He has lectured worldwide. In addition to English, he speaks Italian, Romanian, Greek, French, Spanish, German, Hindi, Bengali, and Indonesian.Kalra, Ajay, In the Name of My Guru, Life Positive, April, 2006

Biography

Early life

Kriyananda (then Donald Walters) was born in Teleajen, Romania, on May 19, 1926, to American parents, Ray P. and Gertrude G. Walters. His father was an oil geologist with the Esso Corporation (since renamed Exxon in the United States), who was then assigned to the Romanian oilfields. He received an international education in Romania, Switzerland,...
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