Ananda Holistic Healing Training - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is it like living in an ashram environment?
The Ananda Institute of Alternative Living is located at the Ananda Meditation Retreat. The retreat staff lives as a community focused on helping each other to grow spiritually. The two primary foundations of our life here are meditation and service. Both staff and students meditate together every morning and many evenings, and we all participate in the daily chores such as meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, etc. This combination of meditation and selfless, joyful service is a key element in becoming a healing instrument. The meditation and reflection help us in our own personal growth. And through service, we learn to serve the Divine in others.

2. What are the biggest challenges living at the Ananda Meditation Retreat?
This will vary for each individual. For some it will be that it is a rural setting in the middle of a remote forested area. We are physically isolated from large groups of people and cities. We are five miles from Ananda Village and a 40 minute drive to the Nevada City, Grass Valley area. For us, social life is more inwardly focused during the week but weekends are mostly free. The housing here is very simple. It ranges from small, rustic cabins in the woods (with only propane heat & lights, no indoor plumbing) to dormitory rooms with electricity and indoor bathrooms. For some, living in an ashram can be challenging. We all meditate together followed by breakfast in silence. During week-long silent retreats (held several times a year) we may be asked to be in silence at all meals. For some, this is wonderful. For others, this may be difficult. Ashram life is designed to smooth-off the rough edges of our ego-based personalities. The good news is that this is a wonderful way to stimulate personal growth and we try to do this as joyfully as possible.

3. What are the advantages of living at the Ananda Meditation Retreat?
Overall, this is a very powerful healing environment. We live in a beautiful forest setting on 70 acres high in the Sierra Nevada foothills. We are constantly surrounded and filled with the healing vibrations of a Meditation Retreat that has been in existence for nearly 40 years. We have a beautiful meditation temple that helps you meditate deeply. We have uplifting meditation gardens honoring saints of various religions. Right on the premises, there are hiking trails through the forest and to scenic vistas of nearby mountains. For the adventurous, there is a 1-hour hike from our retreat down to the South Yuba River. Guests and students often comment about the warmth of our family environment, which helps everyone feel welcome and loved. Most of the staff and teachers are long-time devotees who have devoted their lives to God.

If you have more questions, please feel free to contact Sue (Mangala) Loper-Powers at sue@anandauniversity.org