Tyagi Daiva and Tyagini Gangamata Glazzard are the spiritual directors of Ananda Portland. They are involved in the many varied aspects of Ananda’s service to Portland, encouraging the ongoing development and well-being of those who participate. They live in the Ananda Community of Portland, offer classes in meditation, yoga and philosophy, provide spiritual counseling and ministerial services, and keep Ananda Portland connected to the larger family of Ananda Worldwide.
Much of the spiritual growth that occurs through Ananda happens in the midst of daily life – applying the principles and learning how to maintain the peace of meditation throughout all the circumstances that present themselves. From child rearing to business, community life to seclusion Ananda offers truth-seekers endless opportunities to spiritualize the moments and learn to live in the constant presence of God.
Tyagi Daiva discovered the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda in 1982 when given a copy of the Autobiography of a Yogi. He began studying and practicing them on his own, prior to finding Ananda in 1983. He moved to Ananda Village in 1985 and has been living in an Ananda Community ever since.
A founding member of the Ananda Builders Guild in 1985, building construction has provided many opportunities for his development (he is a licensed contractor in both Oregon and California where his work has been published several times). He has developed and run other Ananda businesses, such as Earth Song Market and Cafe and Song of the Rose Cafe. He was involved in the beginning of Ananda Community of Palo Alto and the early days of Ananda Portland (1991-95). In addition to helping build Ananda (both physically and energetically) he has enjoyed participating in an endless number of Ananda activities and events around the world. Music, theater, teaching classes in yoga, meditation and philosophy, volleyball – all have woven themselves into the fabric of Ananda life for him. Thoughtful and caring, Daiva brings a great sense of possibility and adventure to the spiritual life. His daughter, raised mostly in the environment, currently lives in the Ananda Community of Palo Alto and teaches first grade in the Living Wisdom School there.
Tyagini Gangamata arrived in California from her native home of New York City in 1985 and discovered Ananda in the late 1980s. She moved to Ananda Village in 1991 where, after a brief time, she began teaching the Art and Science of Raja Yoga in nearby Nevada City. Since then, she has been involved in many aspects of Ananda life. Director of Human Resources for Ananda Village, manager of Mountain Song (Ananda’s boutique in Nevada City), avid outdoors-woman (she hiked the John Muir trail through California one summer) and sports enthusiast, she is joyful and dynamic while exceedingly kind and gentle. A delightful teacher, counselor and divine friend, Gangamata provides support and guidance for many individuals throughout Portland.
