Opening Circle

Experience Community Living

2-day weekend

Coming again in 2011

Spend a glorious Spring weekend in the Sierras, joining one of the world’s most vibrant spiritual communities in an all-community workday. Ananda’s Annual Rajarshi Day brings 200 willing souls together to beautify a community dedicated to Yogananda’s vision of “World Brotherhood Colonies.”

The Expanding Light is the guest facility for Ananda Village, home to 250 adults and children living on 800 acres of beautiful rolling hills and meadows. This weekend, you can enjoy a lively, heart-opening experience of serving with community members during one of the most joyful days at Ananda.

Your weekend of healthful service in the fresh air of the Sierras will be interspersed with inspirational activities like yoga and meditation, and devotional chanting. You’ll have plenty of time to meet the residents and explore what it’s like to be part of Ananda.

Your weekend begins with an opportunity for yoga postures and meditation before dinner on Friday night. Your orientation Friday night will introduce you to Ananda Village, as well as to meditation. You can begin Saturday morning with some group Energization Exercises and yoga postures before breakfast.

Then, join the traditional circle in the Ananda Village center for the opening blessing, to begin the day with Spirit! You can serve in an area that suits your interest, temperament, and skills: gardening, carpentry, cooking, painting, cleaning, brush clearing, and more. You can work as long as you like, perhaps taking time to walk around the community to enjoy the high energy level of the day.

Mid-day will bring a meditation, followed by lunch for all, and entertainment. In the afternoon, you can continue working if you’d like, or you might take advantage of the opportunity for some quiet time at The Expanding Light (a 5-minute walk from the heart of Ananda Village) or a tour of Ananda. In the evening, join Ananda members in Kirtan (devotional chanting).

Sunday morning, you’re welcome to join the Ananda community in our weekly Sunday Service.

This is a weekend that will send you home with a big smile on your face and a ruddy glow on your cheeks!

This weekend will be hosted by Anandi Cornell, a founding member of Ananda Village.

Spiritual Growth Workshops:

Mindful Living

Ancient Sciences

The Arts

Strengthening Your Inner Life

Spiritual Relationships

Sacred Teachings

Prices are all-inclusive and cover accommodations, meals, classes or activities, and course materials.

Experience Community Living starts the afternoon of the first date listed and ends with lunch on the last date. Please see our Daily Schedule.

See Transportation and Directions whether you are coming by plane, car, bus or train. Our Frequent Questions page answers many of the questions you might have about How to Go on Retreat.

2-day weekend