Women of Kriya Yoga: Living In Joy Podcast

In this episode, Marydale Ma speaks with Vineetha Menon about a life woven together by devotion, sacred music, and the grace of the Guru. Born into a deeply spiritual family, Vineetha shares how her childhood encounters with great saints planted seeds that never left her — seeds that carried her through a high-powered corporate career, motherhood, and ultimately to Kriya Yoga initiation by Guruji himself in 2004. She speaks with warmth and candor about holding a spiritual life alongside the demands of modern living, the making of her devotional album Rasa — a telling of the Krishna Rasa Lila through the sacred songs of the saints — and the three qualities she returns to again and again: truth, gratitude, and love. A beautiful conversation about finding the divine thread running through every chapter of a life fully lived. ✨ About Our Guest: Vineetha Menon was born in the UK and spent her childhood years in India, where wandering sadhus and enlightened saints would visit her grandfather's home. Through a child's heart, she experienced their devotion — heard them sing, and listened as they spoke of God. At fourteen, she read the Autobiography of a Yogi, and though it would be some years before the blessing of Kriya came to her, the longing was planted early. She was initiated by Guruji in 2004, and in late 2024 was asked to take over the Kriya center in North County San Diego, where she now serves as Center Leader. In her outer life, Vineetha Ma spent twenty years in the UK financial services industry before making her home in Oceanside, California, where she owns a yoga studio and is a mother to two teenage boys. She recently released RASA — a collection of rare sacred songs from the saints of her childhood, preserving them for posterity — an album that found its way to the Grammy ballot. ✨ Full show notes and transcripts are available at: womensministryofkriya.org/episode-9 [http://womensministryofkriya.org/episode-9] This podcast is brought to you by the Women's Sangha & Ministry of Kriya Yoga International. You can learn more at our website, womensministryofkriya.org [https://womensministryofkriya.org/]. Kriya Yoga is a powerful meditation practice that awakens constant communion with the Divine through the science of the breath. Handed down from teacher to student in an unbroken lineage of enlightened masters, it transforms body, mind, and heart—helping us be calmly active and actively calm. Today this living tradition welcomes seekers everywhere through the guidance of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, the principal disciple of the great master Paramahamsa Hariharananda. To learn more about Kriya Yoga, please visit kriya.org [http://kriya.org/].

In this deeply heartfelt episode, we sit in sacred conversation with Swami Sankalpananda, reflecting on her journey from a quiet childhood in Hungary to a life devoted to God, Guru, and selfless service. Swamiji shares tender memories of her early spiritual stirrings, the teachers and texts that guided her, her first encounters with Kriya Yoga and the ashram life, and the profound surrender that led her to monastic vows. Woven throughout is a gentle teaching on balance—between meditation and seva, creativity and discipline, inner joy and outer service—offering listeners inspiration, reassurance, and a living example of walking one's dharmic path with determination, humility, and love. ✨ Full show notes and transcripts are available at: womensministryofkriya.org/episode-7 [http://womensministryofkriya.org/episode-7] ✨ About Our Guest: Swami Sankalpananda Giri was born in Hungary. A spiritual seeker from a young age, she eventually found the path of Kriya Yoga and was initiated in April 2004 in Hungary. Soon after, in June 2004, she met her Master, Shri Guruji Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji, at the Tattendorf Ashram in Austria. Guided by her sincere aspiration for monastic life, she joined the Tattendorf Ashram in February 2005 and later participated in the 3rd Brahmachari Training Course from December 2005 until May 2006 in Balighai, India. Afterwards, she continued to reside at the Tattendorf Ashram, deepening her sadhana while engaging in seva. In 2016, she was ordained as a monk in the Giri monastic order by her Master, who gave her the name Sankalpananda, meaning "the bliss of strong determination." 🙏 About the Podcast: Welcome to the Women of Kriya Yoga: Living in Joy Podcast — a gathering place for women walking the spiritual path. Here, we share stories, teachings, and reflections rooted in the timeless practices of Kriya Yoga. These conversations are an offering from the Women's Ministry of Kriya Yoga International, inviting you to rest in stillness, awaken your inner light, and connect with a community of women to support one another in living in joy. This podcast is brought to you by the Women's Ministry of Kriya Yoga International. You can learn more about the ministry at our website, https://womensministryofkriya.org [https://womensministryofkriya.org/]. 🙏 About Kriya Yoga: Kriya Yoga is a powerful meditation practice that awakens constant communion with the Divine through the science of the breath. Handed down from teacher to student in an unbroken lineage of enlightened masters, it transforms body, mind, and heart—helping us be calmly active and actively calm. Today this living tradition welcomes seekers everywhere through the guidance of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, the principal disciple of the great master Paramahamsa Hariharananda. To learn more about Kriya Yoga, please visit kriya.org [http://kriya.org/]. 🔗 Learn more: Women's Ministry: womensministryofkriya.org [http://womensministryofkriya.org/] Kriya Yoga International: kriya.org [http://kriya.org/]

In this uplifting episode of Women of Kriya Yoga: Living in Joy, host Marydale Ma welcomes longtime Kriyavan and spiritual leader Diane Spence for a heartfelt conversation about faith, service, and transformation. From her early life across Jamaica, Canada, and the United States to her remarkable career in media and higher education, Diane shares how the living presence of her gurus reshaped her path and deepened her understanding of joy, peace, and purpose. Through stories of divine timing, service, and surrender, she reminds us that Kriya Yoga is not just a practice—it's a way of living in harmony with the Divine in every moment. ✨ Full show notes and transcripts are available at: womensministryofkriya.org/episode-5/ [https://womensministryofkriya.org/episode-5/] ✨ About Our Guest: Diane Spence lays claim to several cultural influences. While born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, she grew up in Ontario, Canada after her family immigrated there. After high school, she completed a couple of bachelor's degrees including a degree in broadcast journalism. After 10 years in the film and television industry, which included a move to New York City, she decided to pursue graduate studies in Virginia. She went on to complete her MBA and a PhD in Public Policy. She spent the remainder of her career as an Executive Director and Chief Business Officer at a research university. It was during her time in New York that she was introduced to Kriya Yoga by a friend. She took 1st Kriya initiation in 2001 and has been a practicing kriyavan since then. While in Virginia, she helped set up the Falls Church Kriya Center. She now resides in Florida and continues to seek opportunities to serve. 🙏 About the Podcast: Welcome to the Women of Kriya Yoga: Living in Joy Podcast — a gathering place for women walking the spiritual path. Here, we share stories, teachings, and reflections rooted in the timeless practices of Kriya Yoga. These conversations are an offering from the Women's Ministry of Kriya Yoga International, inviting you to rest in stillness, awaken your inner light, and connect with a community of women to support one another in living in joy. This podcast is brought to you by the Women's Ministry of Kriya Yoga International. You can learn more about the ministry at our website, womensministryofkriya.org [http://womensministryofkriya.org/]. 🙏 About Kriya Yoga: Kriya Yoga is a powerful meditation practice that awakens constant communion with the Divine through the science of the breath. Handed down from teacher to student in an unbroken lineage of enlightened masters, it transforms body, mind, and heart—helping us be calmly active and actively calm. Today this living tradition welcomes seekers everywhere through the guidance of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, the principal disciple of the great master Paramahamsa Hariharananda. To learn more about Kriya Yoga, please visit kriya.org [http://kriya.org/].

In this episode, Yogacharya Lucy O'Brien reflects on her path from Lutheran roots to discovering Kriya Yoga, meeting Gurudev Hariharananda, and embracing daily practice. She offers guidance for seekers on finding joy and living spiritual values every day. ✨ Full show notes and transcripts are available at: womensministryofkriya.org/episode-3 [http://womensministryofkriya.org/episode-3] About Our Guest: Yogacharya Lucy O'Brien met Shri Gurudev Paramahamsa Hariharananda-ji in her home community of Santa Barbara, CA in 1986. The blessing of initiation and that relationship transformed her life. She served Kriya Yoga International as a Center Leader and West Coast Regional Coordinator before accepting a role as Yogacharya. As a lifelong learner, she turned her attention to Eastern teachings after reading the Autobiography of a Yogi at a young age and considers herself under the flag of Paramahamsa Yogananda ever since. She worked as a bookkeeper, serving in the nonprofit community until her retirement. She has a very active retirement sharing her passion for the benefits of developing a personal meditation practice. Other activities include studying scripture, cooking, gardening, and spending time wrangling her two young grandsons. This podcast is brought to you by the Women's Ministry of Kriya Yoga International. You can learn more about the ministry at our website, womensministryofkriya.org [http://womensministryofkriya.org/]. Kriya Yoga is a powerful meditation practice that awakens constant communion with the Divine through the science of the breath. Handed down from teacher to student in an unbroken lineage of enlightened masters, it transforms body, mind, and heart—helping us be calmly active and actively calm. Today this living tradition welcomes seekers everywhere through the guidance of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, the principal disciple of the great master Paramahamsa Hariharananda. To learn more about Kriya Yoga, please visit kriya.org [http://kriya.org/].

In this first episode, our host, Marydale Ma, welcomes Yogacharya Durga Chanduri to share her journey of devotion, initiation by Gurudev, and steady Kriya practice. Together they reflect on how the Masters' guidance helps us live in joy and quicken spiritual growth. ✨ Full show notes and transcripts are available at: womensministryofkriya.org/episode-1 [https://womensministryatkriya.org/episode-1/] This podcast is brought to you by the Women's Ministry of Kriya Yoga International. You can learn more about the ministry at our website, womensministryatkriya.org [http://womensministryatkriya.org/]. Kriya Yoga is a powerful meditation practice that awakens constant communion with the Divine through the science of the breath. Handed down from teacher to student in an unbroken lineage of enlightened masters, it transforms body, mind, and heart—helping us be calmly active and actively calm. Today this living tradition welcomes seekers everywhere through the guidance of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, the principal disciple of the great master Paramahamsa Hariharananda. To learn more about Kriya Yoga, please visit kriya.org [http://kriya.org/].