About Ananda Marga
Ananda means “bliss” and Marga means “path.” So Ananda Marga means “Path of Bliss.”
Bliss represents infinite happiness, the fundamental desire of every human being. We naturally seek boundless joy because limited things provide only temporary satisfaction. To achieve true and lasting happiness, we must expand our awareness beyond our individual experiences to embrace a cosmic, infinite experience of perfect peace and contentment.
Ananda Marga offers a path to this state of "self-realization." It is a comprehensive system that integrates physical, mental, and spiritual practices to fulfill all human needs. Ananda Marga includes a wide range of techniques, from personal hygiene and yoga postures to social service and meditation, aimed at elevating individuals and society in all aspects of life: personal, social, economic, intellectual, and spiritual.
As a global organization, Ananda Marga has centers worldwide, dedicated to humanitarian activities such as yoga and meditation instruction, education, food distribution, disaster relief, medical care, and community development. Its philosophy is rooted in universalism, recognizing all beings as part of one cosmic family and advocating a balance between spiritual and worldly pursuits.
Ananda Marga's ultimate goal is the realization of the self and the welfare of the entire universe.
About Founder: Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar
Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, a modern philosopher, social theorist, scientist, and spiritual leader, has inspired a global following in over 130 countries. Born in 1921 in Bihar, India, his deep love for humanity attracted many to his teachings from an early age. Known to his followers as Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, or simply “Baba,” he adapted the ancient science of Tantra Yoga to modern needs, developing a rational philosophy centered on both the immanence and transcendence of God, and teaching practical disciplines for spiritual, mental, and physical growth. His followers have reported profound personal transformations and a deep sense of inner peace and bliss through his teachings.
More about Ananda Marga
-
In 1955, while still working as a railway official, Baba founded Ananda Marga ("Path of Bliss") to promote both spiritual development and social change. He trained missionaries to spread his philosophy of "Self-realization and service to humanity" throughout India and the world. Ananda Marga grew into a multi-dimensional organization with branches dedicated to education, social welfare, ecological awareness, women's empowerment, and more. In 1963, he established the Education, Relief, and Welfare Section (ERAWS), providing global humanitarian services including schools, orphanages, medical centers, and disaster relief through the Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT).
-
Baba made significant contributions in various fields, including ecology, linguistics, science, and the arts. He proposed Neohumanism, a philosophy that extends humanism to encompass love for all beings and the environment. He also advanced the theory of Microvita, suggesting that life’s building blocks are emanations of pure consciousness, linking disciplines like physics, biology, and mathematics. He was a prolific writer, composing over 5,000 songs and numerous works on topics from linguistics to literature, and advocated for the creation of art with a purpose, beyond "art for art's sake."
-
Baba developed the Progressive Utilization Theory (Prout), which calls for the maximum utilization and fair distribution of all resources, advocating a just and harmonious society based on Neohumanism. His strong stance against corruption and exploitation led to opposition from vested interests, culminating in his arrest in 1971 on false charges. Despite a seven-year imprisonment, including a poisoning attempt and a five-year fast, he was ultimately acquitted and released in 1978. He continued to expand Ananda Marga globally until his death in 1990.
-
Throughout his life, Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar wrote over 100 books and delivered thousands of discourses on topics ranging from mysticism and sociology to economics and ecology. His teachings on meditation, self-realization, and universal love have touched millions. His enduring legacy remains the driving force behind Ananda Marga's mission of global service, spiritual growth, and social transformation.
Sunrise EcoFarm, Ireland
Sunrise Farm, the Ireland master unit, located in the Slieve Aughty mountains overlooking Lough Derg in County Clare, is a 38-acre eco-sustainable community based on NeoHumanism. Our mission is to foster health, happiness, and sustainability through organic gardening, vegetarian cooking, yoga, and sustainable building techniques like earthbags and straw bales. We offer free meditation lessons and volunteer training in first aid, homoeopathy, and communication skills, preparing volunteers for global service.