Ananda Healing Prayer Council Newsletter

14618 Tyler Foote Road Nevada City, CA 95959 530-478-7561 ext 7028 May 309 Dwapara

Dear Ones,
A friend recently wrote to me this simple but powerful and instructive story:
Many years ago, Guruji asked his disciple Yogacharya Oliver Black if he prayed to God. Mr. Black said
he did. Gurudeva then instructed him to pray in God rather than to pray to God.
Likewise, Swami Kriyananda teaches us that if we are praying for divine joy, we must pray with a
sense of joy. When we pray in expectation of joy, we are already beginning touch the “hem of its garment”…
and to that degree, we are pulling away from sorrow, boredom, or despair.
Recently we’ve received many prayer requests regarding jobs, housing, and other things that we
might take for granted when times are good. Some of these requests are answered in a beautiful way;
especially when the recipient practices right attitude, and makes a good spiritual and practical effort. Divine
Grace seems to flow and give the devotee a good job, even when there are many applicants. I have seen this
several times now. Perhaps it is the fruits of good karma and a sacred trust at the same time. May we all be
grateful and generous If so, may we all continue to bless others through these teachings.
In Divine Joy,
Mary Kretzmann
Ananda Healing Prayer Ministry

Daily Gratitude:
 “Do not forget when you meet Beauty, beauty of every kind—the gorgeous color of the sunset, the
music of birds, the glistening water, the rustling trees, the soft breeze on your face, the warm sun, the
joy of love and friendship—to speak your gratitude to the Father within for surrounding you with so
much wonder and beauty and for opening your eyes that you might see and enjoy it.” Paramhansa
Yogananda, East West, Inner Culture
 “The secret of prosperity is gratitude and generosity.” Swami Kriyananda
Prayers and Affirmations from Paramhansa Yogananda:
 “I will find something each day for which to give thanks, and thus form the habit of gratitude for all
the good gifts the Father has bestowed upon me.” Paramhansa Yogananda
 “Father Divine, I care not what I may permanently possess, but give me the power to acquire at will
whatever I may daily need.” Paramhansa Yogananda
Testimonials:
 Dear Mary, Douglas is doing so much better! I think it must be a month or more since my request,
can you please continue to keep him on your prayer chain. He needs the prayers, he is going through
bankruptcy, foreclosure, etc., and negotiating with work to start back part-time and work up to full
time. But what an improvement over a month ago. Thank you so much for your prayers and energy,
Douglas is getting well…Blessings, Ann
 Mary - I thought you might enjoy having this picture of Laksmi (see other side). I’m often sending
Master’s prayer for abundance, and finding what I need is at hand.....In Master’s Light, Dene
Murti of the Goddess Laksmi

Symbolizing Divine Mother’s Loving Abundance

Visualize Divine Abundance when you do prosperity prayers or affirmations for yourself, or for
others. Pray in attunement to that aspect of Infinity that is already Divine Abundance itself. Imbue your
prayers with this abundant flow of light and joy. Pray also with receptivity to that Divine flow that wants to
bless you and others now. Feel that. In times of need, “Abundance” does not necessarily mean opulence, but
that our needs are lovingly met.
And let that aspect of Laksmi not only flow to you, but through you; bestow practical blessings on
others, in tune with your present realities. This may indeed be the true blessing of this Murti when we can
feel the impulse to bless others in a practical way, just as with healing prayers you already bless others in a
spiritual way. May your heart be generous. Bless others as you would be blessed. (Mary
Kretzmann)

The Hindu Way of Awakening:

By J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda)
Everything, when viewed with the eyes of wisdom, becomes a symbol of Infinity. It is a window onto
the universe. And even though that window need cleaning, a glimpse of the Divine can almost always be
caught, through it.
Ultimately, the symbols in Hinduism, like the symbols in every true religion, are meant to expand our
consciousness, to remind us of universal truths within ourselves. No temple, no church, no synagogue, no
mosque, no Buddhist vihara can monopolize truth. Outer forms can only remind us of who we are, within. In
the highest and truest sense, the human body is the true shrine, for it is within ourselves, first and foremost,
that we worship God wherever we sit, kneel, stand, or bow to the ground to pray. As we move about in the
world, we are, consciously or unconsciously, on a pilgrimage. By treating life as sacred, for it is a
manifestation of God, our own lives become sanctified.
The Divine Mother is that aspect of God which the planet most needs today. We need to bring love
back again—unconditional, trusting, self-giving love, a love that asks nothing in return, but that gives of
itself generously, freely, and forever. Such, surely, more than any other human feeling, is mother love.