Cities of Light: A New Vision for the Future

Many of the great movements in history have sprung from little places, geographically cities oreven sections of cities, like the Left Bank in Paris. Small concentrations of creative people have producedfresh insights that eventually benefited the entire human race. Even today, there exists inAmerica places that are fomenting the seeds of the next great revolution of our time intentionalcommunities. One of these movements is called Ananda.A highly successful network of intentional communities, thousands of people are currently livingand working together in eight Ananda branches on three continents. Cities of Light contains thepositive, life-changing lessons and advice earned over the last 30 years at Ananda, and explainshow people everywhere, living in all kinds of communitiesintentional or otherwisecan cometogether to build or improve their own communities, making them a haven for successfulbusinesses, joy-filled interpersonal relationships, enlightened government, progressive education,and inspiring culture and the arts.

J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda) is an internationally known author, lecturer, and composer. Widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on meditation and yoga, he has taught these principles and techniques to hundreds of thousands of students around the world.

An advocate of simple living and high thinking, his more than 80 books emphasize the need to live wisely by one’s own experience of life, and not by abstract theories or dogmas.

In 1968, Walters founded Ananda Village in Nevada City, California, dedicated to spreading the spirit of friendship, service, and community throughout the world. Ananda is recognized as one of the most successful intentional community in the world. Today, over 1,000 people reside in five Ananda communities throughout the U.S. (Seattle, Palo Alto, Portland, Sacramento and Ananda Village) and in Europe. The European retreat and community located in Assisi, Italy, also serves Ananda meditation groups in Europe, Croatia, and Russia. Both the Nevada City and Assisi communities have world-renowned guest retreat facilities where thousands of visitors annually visit for renewal or instruction in many aspects of meditation, yoga, and the spiritual life. Walters has also established "Living Wisdom" schools for grades K-12 in Nevada City, Sacramento, Portland, and Palo Alto.

Mr. Walters books and music have sold over 3 million copies worldwide and been translated into 28 languages. He is the author of more than 80 books on a variety of topics including leadership, education, creativity, and moral values. His Best-selling titles include Awaken to Superconsciousness, Meditation for Starters, God Is for Everyone,The Art of Supportive Leadership, The Path – One Man’s Quest on the Only Path There Is, Money Magnetism, The Essence of Self-Realization, Affirmations for Self-Healing, Education for Life, and his best-selling Secrets gift books.