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Photos from Judy and Lorne's Trip to
Los Angeles in July 2007 .

The object of our trip was to attend a special gala event to mark the publication of Swami Kriyananda's new book, The Revelations of Christ, based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. The book lauch took place July 21, at the Wadsworth Auditorium in Los Angeles, (pictured below).

Judy and I arrived early enough to rub elbows with choir members doing some mixing and matching of their colorful outfits.

The artist who painted the picture that appears on the front of the book had a display set up outside the auditoriun.

The choir began the program before an audience of about 1300 people.

Choir members from various Ananda singing groups around the country took part.

Including Larry and Prem Shanti from Ananda Rhode Island; see if you can find them.

Ananda Spiritual Directors Jyotish and Devi followed the choir.

Swami then spoke. For almost an hour and a half he spoke joyfully and forcefully on the need for a new and deeper understanding
of Christ's teachings. An understanding based not on simple belief, but on direct experience. (Click here to see a video of his talk.)

After the event Swami gives a blessing.

The following day everyone gathered at a local public school auditorium to dedicate the New Ananda Los Angeles Center.

Again, the choir began the program.

Swami and others enjoing the singing. Seated next to Jyotish is the Director of the Ananda L.A., Krishna Das.

Swami then took the stage.

He spoke with that Spirit of Joy that brings me back again and again
This talk too is on streaming video, click here to watch it.

Right outside the auditorium Swami blessed all who came to him. Pictured below is our good friend Richard Salva
with his wife Laura. (Richard will be doing a program for us here in Michigan on November 3rd.) Judy and I also
receieved a direct blessing from Swamiji. I asked him, through me, to bless all of us here at Ananda Michigan.
Standing behind Swami is Krishna Das, and his wife Mantra Devi. Together they are Co-Directors of Ananda L.A.

A lovely California rose that also blessed us along the way.

Swami giving counsel and inspiration to a seeker.

On the previous Thursday evening of our visit Jyotish led a group of Ananda members in a performance of Swami's
inspirational play, The Jewel in the Lotus. The play was performed in nearby Malibu Beach.

Also, during out week in Los Angeles Area we visited a magnificent botanical park. Following are a few photos from that visit:

This lovely flower photo was taken at the meditations gardens located at the
headquarters of the work Paramhansa Yogananda founded in Los Angeles.

Lorne and Malcolm at the shrine in Yogananda's Temple of Leaves.

The headquarters of Yogananda's work in Los Angeles is located on a high hill in the middle
of the city. It is called Mount Washington. The amazing view there includes downtown Los Angeles.

Yogananda also founded an exquisitely lovely retreat in Los Angeles called The Lake Shrine.

Enshrined there are a portion of the ashes of Mahatma Ghandi.

I first made a pilgrimage to this holy site in 1968 and am deeply moved by God's blessings there every time I return. Here
Judy strolls the grounds; across the lake is a lovely old-fashioned chapel where pilgrims from around the world come to meditate

This is the interior of the chapel. During the years I lived in California I attended many services here.

Here's another view of the chapel from the outside. As you can see it is built to look like a Dutch Windmill.

There are shrines to the world's great religions dotted throughout the grounds.

There are also many sequestered places to meditate.

Devotees waving goodbye to Swami Kriyananda after the dedication of Ananda Los Angeles. Judy and I flew home that night.