Volunteer Training

Volunteering in Ananda Marga

The twin motto is Ananda Marga is “Self-Realization and Service to the Universe.” They are like two sides of one piece of paper. One cannot separate one from the other. Doing selfless service purifies our minds. This pure mind enables us to enjoy deeper meditation practice.

There are numerous ways in which to do service. Ananda Marga members, all over the world, devote their spare time to render service in their locality and beyond. Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga, commented that the best way to promote the teachings of Ananda Marga is by doing constructive work.

There are different levels of membership in Ananda Marga. Most members are family men and women with jobs and care for their families while undertaking spiritual practices. They are called Ananda Margiis, or Margiis in short.

Local Full Timers (LFTs) are spiritual volunteers who work locally to assist the Dada or Didi in their work. Their commitment is usually for one year. Whole Timers (WTs) are Acaryas (spiritual monks and nuns, Sannyasis) who dedicate their lives to meditation and selfless service. They are assigned anywhere in the world to create Ananda Marga members and take up service work according to the needs of the area.

Ananda Marga is a volunteer-based organization. Volunteers sometimes get some basic living allowance but not a full salary. We meet our expenses by conducting retreats, seminars, courses, and training. In some places, there are self-sufficient commerce projects (bakeries, vegetarian restaurants, health food stores, selling of products from our organic farms, etc.). In this way, members live a spiritually based life and, at the same time, support themselves and others if possible.

We are always looking for volunteers. If you wish to become one, please contact your local Dada or Didi and make a plan for how to do volunteer work. Alternatively, contact our Sectorial Office in New York for details of Ananda Marga units and activities throughout North America.