The Mission of Ananda Kanan
Located in the Ozark Mountains of Southern Missoouri, Ananda Kanan ("Garden of Bliss") is a sustainable rural development project of Ananda Marga, Inc. Ananda Marga is a worldwide spiritual and social service organization, whose members practise meditation, yoga and vegetarianism.
Baba, the founder of Ananda Marga, said that there were three wheels of human progress: Gurukul (Progressive Education), Sevadal (Service and Protection Units), and Master Units. Master Units embody Ananda Marga's social pholosophy and provide an environment for spiritual development as well. Master units are meant to serve the surrounding area and create a model for a self-sustaining society based on values of universalism and spirituality.
The current director (rector) of Ananda Kanan is Ac. Prakashananda Avt. He is responsible for its maintenance and development. Besides helping to organize retreats, he must also ensure that all the physical property, the buildings and equipment, are in working order. Looking towards the future, he must try to implement Baba's plan for a master unit, which includes many different elements, such as food production, small scale industry, education, etc. Dada gets help from short term and long term residents of the Ananda Kanan community. He must also raise funds for all projects and maintenance. Some, but not all, funds come from retreat fees. The rest comes from small business enterprises, like clothing sales, and from donations from Margis and sympathizers.
There are 12 buildings at Ananda Kanan, including a large dharmacakra hall, Baba's quarters, dining hall, 2 large dorms, the jagriti, and several cabins. For more detailed info on the facilities, go to anandakanan.com.
Ananda Kanan has 66 acres, which consists of the retreat campus, some cleared fields, and some woods. It contains a 3.5 acre lake, a sports field, and several areas which are in various states of cultivation. There has been extensive plantation of trees- walnut and pecan, and also some fruit trees like apple, pear and peach.
Located next door to Ananda Kanan is a land-based community of margiis and sympathizers.