Let inner stillness become second nature
Surrounded by 72 acres of beautiful meditation gardens and wild forest in Northern California’s Sierra Foothills, the Ananda Meditation Retreat is an ideal setting for a rejuvenating, inner experience.
Ananda Meditation Retreat is part of Ananda Worldwide – a global spiritual movement based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, (author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi), and dedicated to helping individuals live in joy through meditation, yoga philosophy, community, and selfless service. Ananda was founded by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda.
Ananda Meditation Retreat is located 6 miles from Ananda Village~ a spiritual community of over 200 residents, and the location of Ananda’s main retreat center, The Expanding Light.
As seen in…
Uplifting spaces
Both comfortable and quiet, accommodations range from spacious, secluded cabins to budget-friendly bungalows. Shared housing and individual spaces are both available.
A beautiful natural setting
Still your mind, open your heart, and rejuvenate your spirit in our beautiful meditation gardens and wild forest setting.
Upcoming Retreats
April 17-20, 2025
Treat yourself to a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway in the beautiful gardens and forest of Ananda Meditation Retreat! This is a chance to recreate yourself through uplifting spiritual practices. The program includes attendance to Ananda’s yearly Oratorio concert, Christ Lives.
April 24-27, 2025
Still your mind and rejuvenate your spirit in this Supported Silent Retreat. Our meditation gardens and wild forest setting provide the perfect backdrop for you to go deep into silence and re-connect with your true reality…..the soul’s ever-existing Peace.
Our Inspiration
Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi are spiritual directors of Ananda Sangha Worldwide, and Nayaswami Jyotish is the spiritual successor of Swami Kriyananda. Jyotish met Swami Kriyananda in 1966, and Devi in 1969. They worked closely with him to build Ananda’s work around the world. Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi travel throughout the United States, India, and Europe speaking on the practice of Kriya Yoga meditation and spiritualizing daily life. They have separately and together written and edited several books.
Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) is the founder of Ananda. In 1948, at the age of 22, he became a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda. He bought property in Northern California in the late 1960’s and started Ananda Village. Now there are several more communities, including one in India and one in Italy, and many more centers and meditation groups. Swami Kriyananda is also the author of 150 books and over 400 pieces of music.
Paramhansa Yogananda was the first great master of yoga to make his home in the West, coming to the U.S. from India in 1920 and living here until his passing. Ananda is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and his line of gurus.
