A Magical Tulip Weekend Experience
A Unforgettable Weekend at the Heart of Ananda
- Apr 14 – 16, 2023
- Apr 21 – 23, 2023
Re-inspire, Relax, and Rejuvenate Your Life
Immerse Yourself in Nature’s Beauty
The powerful healing, nurturing energy of thousands of flowers, everywhere you look, exceeds the imagination of what can happen inside of you during a weekend immersed in this bountiful beauty.
Add an inspired program with experienced hosts and long-time gardeners: experiential nature activities and introspective exercises, discussions, a delicious vegetarian dinner at the elegant Crystal Hermitage, and you will return home with a new lease on life.
In April, Nature puts on a glorious show at the Crystal Hermitage. 19,000 tulips fill myriad terraces, wending down the hill toward the Yuba River, hundreds of feet below. There are 108 different varieties, in dozens of colors and color combinations. Blossoming cherry and dogwood trees, wisteria, and other beautiful plants join the dazzling array of color, shapes, and fragrances to entrance and delight you.
Activities for Your Enjoyment and Upliftment:
- A guided garden tour by a knowledgeable Crystal Hermitage gardener
- A special talk about the history and inspiration behind the gardens
- A class on a meditation technique to help focus and quiet your mind
- Ananda Yoga® sessions to relax your body and relieve stress
- A private group meal at the beautiful Crystal Hermitage
- Inspiring and entertaining musical entertainment
- 10% discount at the Shrine of the Masters boutique
- Your choice of a free Crystal Hermitage book:
- The Spirit of Gardening –by Nancy Mair, Crystal Hermitage Master Gardener
- Space, Light, and Harmony –by Swami Kriyananda, Ananda’s founder
Receive the Blessings of Earth, Sun, and Flower Energies
Open a stronger connection with your higher self, renewing body, mind, and soul. You can wander amid the flowers and plants, take photos, chat with newfound friends, or sit and enjoy the spectacular views of the Yuba River canyon. The special healing vibrations of Crystal Hermitage, combined with the radiant color show, will rejuvenate your spirit. The high vibration and profound harmony will uplift and fill your heart with joy.
What do the flowers of Crystal Hermitage say to their admirers?
They speak of a beauty and love that is beyond this world, of a peace and harmony that is an intrinsic part of our soul. —Devi Novak, spiritual co-director, Ananda
This is an ideal weekend to share with a friend or relative. Yoga postures, meditation, and wonderful vegetarian food are staples of an Expanding Light visit.
Here are some comments from guests during the Crystal Hermitage Gardens Annual Tulip Festival:
- Thank you for the peace and beauty and gratitude and awe I feel here!
- Thank you for this gift of Beauty to the World! Sharing and revealing Mother Nature.
- Thank you for this amazing unconditioned gift of love and Beauty.
- Thank you!! This garden is a highlight of each year for me. My heart opens, and I feel so much healing here. It is wonderful to feel the energy of Divine Love so present here! So well done! So much love!
- This is the most beautiful garden I have ever seen, it is so alive!!!
- The flowers are beautiful! An amazing and peaceful experience to share with my daughter.
- I’m in heaven!!
- Thank you so much for creating more beauty in this world!
- Paradise on Earth. Thank you for sharing such Beauty.
- Thank you so much for bringing such beauty to this place for all to enjoy. We come every year!
Tulip Origins
Tulips originated in Central Asia, then became popular in Turkey, playing a significant role in their art and culture, and becoming their national flower. The tulip’s name comes from the Persian word for turban, as in full bloom they have a turban-like shape.
Introduced to Europe in the 16th century, the popularity of this lovely blossom grew quickly, particularly in the Netherlands. Considered a luxury, widespread demand for tulips became so great that the price of a single bulb soared to great heights, putting into motion a 17th century "tulip mania." As the value of tulips increased, people began trading their land and savings to acquire bulbs. At one point tulip bulbs were even used as money. Eventually, as more people were selling bulbs than buying, the tulip market crashed.
Tulips are now grown throughout the world, and tulip festivals are celebrated in many countries. People still identify cultivated varieties as “Dutch tulips.”
In the Language of Flowers, Tulips Symbolize Perfect Love
Because tulips are one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, they can symbolize rebirth. Victorians often associated tulips with charity.
Other symbolic meanings:
- Red tulips: true love
- Purple tulips royalty
- Blue tulips: tranquility and peace
- Dark blue for truth
- Yellow tulips: cheerfulness and hope
- Pink tulips: happiness, confidence, affection, and caring
- White tulips: purity, worthiness, forgiveness, honor, and holiness
- Orange tulips: joyfulness
- Variegated tulips represent beautiful eyes
- A tulip wedding bouquet represents elegance and grace
Enchanting in their simple, clear and color-drenched beauty, tulips are one of the world’s most beloved flowers.
Rejuvenate, Relax, and Restore
It’s easy to slow down, enjoy, and reconnect with yourself at The Expanding Light Retreat. Why? Because it’s:
- beautiful and comfortable
- quiet and tranquil, with a stillness that makes it easy to meditate
- out in nature, with woods, deer, birds and myriad wildlife
- on land made sacred by 50 years of meditation and spiritual activities
- filled with happy people
And…the food is delicious and healthy. You will return home uplifted, inspired and energized.
For more information, please send us a Question or Comment:
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Nandadevi
Spiritual Travel Host and Certified Ananda Meditation Teacher
Nandadevi Traymar has been a long-term practitioner and teacher of both Hatha Yoga and meditation in her home country, Argentina. She has served at the Expanding Light Retreat in California for nearly two years working with people of all ages and walks of life in the Karma Yoga Program, supporting them in their efforts to strengthen their spiritual lives. Nandadevi is a native Spanish-speaker who has enjoyed taking walking pilgrimage in Argentina.
Sundara
Inspirational teacher and retreat leader
International Director, Sharing Nature Worldwide
Gardener, Crystal Hermitage Gardens at Ananda Village
Sundara (Greg) Traymar is the International Director of Sharing Nature Worldwide and has been personally trained by world renowned author Joseph Bharat Cornell. Sundara is a gifted and inspiring teacher and wins friends wherever he travels. He has spent the last 12 years traveling the world, helping others deepen their love for nature.
or e-mail or call us at 1-800-346-5350
Costs (SAR)
Costs are on a per person basis.
- Apr 14 – 16, 2023
- Apr 21 – 23, 2023
| Tent RV |
Standard Shared |
Standard Private |
Deluxe Shared |
Deluxe Private |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $312 | $398 | $532 | $496 | $680 |
Prices are all-inclusive and cover accommodations, meals, classes or activities, and course materials.
A Magical Tulip Weekend Experience starts the afternoon of the first date listed and ends with lunch on the last date listed. Check-in is anytime between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at our Front Desk. Your room will be available by 3:00 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30. The first gathering of your group is after dinner.
Please see:
You can add extra personal retreat days before and/or after your program. Check availability and costs for the days and accommodations that you require.
A Magical Tulip Weekend Experience starts the afternoon of the first date listed. It’s ideal to arrive before 4 pm, if you are able to. That way, you can join in the afternoon session of yoga and meditation, which begins at 4:45 pm. Dinner is at 6:30. The first real gathering of your group is at 7:30 pm. If you need to arrive here after 5 pm, that’s fine, but it helps us if you let us know at 800-346-5350. We can also put aside a dinner for you if you need to arrive after 7 pm. The program 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.
