Ananda Meditation Retreat - Nevada City, California

Angela Bohl

What a wonderful place to reconnect with nature, with myself, and with the cosmic energy. I came here for my birthday, and it was the best gift to myself. The land and gardens feel sacred. The people we met welcomed us with open hearts. And the cabins are really something special - ours was one of the most beautiful and comfortable places I’ve stayed. The love that has gone into creating this retreat can be felt strongly. It was a quiet time of year, and I was grateful for the serenity. I loved being able to join the morning meditation and evening yoga. We didn’t get to visit Ananda Village, which we were told is more bustling, but I would love to, and I would love to return here again and again. Thank you for opening your doors for all to experience the bliss of Ananda!

Dora Anderson

I spent a 3-day seclusion at the Ananda Meditation Retreat (MR) last week following a 4-day stay at Ananda's Expanding Light Retreat just 7 miles apart. It turned out to be a perfect combination for a week of inward connection and spiritual renewal! The MR was a more inward experience for me with fewer guests spread out over the whole compound. There is a beautiful 4-mile loop one can easily walk to enjoy a quiet walk in solitude among the pines and manzanitas. A shorter 20-minute walk out to Bald Mountain is another nice way to commune with nature. The 3-daily vegetarian meals (optional) were delicious, nutritious and were served in a lovely dining hall with other guests. My remote cabin, called "Peace of Mind" was quaint, cozy, quiet and provided everything I needed, including a kitchen if one chooses to cook on their own. I enjoyed the easy 8-minute walk through the gardens to take my daily meals. I highly recommend spending some alone time here to reset.

Nathalie

I attended a women's retreat at Ananda in September and really enjoyed it. The instructors were very knowledgable and kind. The other retreat guests were lovely, and the grounds were very peaceful and beautiful. There is a palatable good energy there. I'd definitely come back.

Ariel Gold

Loved my long weekend birthday retreat. Very restorative. Caring, dedicated teachers and a small, intimate cohort. Beautiful space, off the grid in the mountains. Yummy vegetarian food.

Only thing I didn’t really like was the Hindu Christian theology, and pictures of gurus and Jesus on the altar. Being Jewish I feel adverse to idols, but it didn’t get in the way of the experience and the teachers weren’t preachy.

Learned a new meditation technique that has helped me quiet the mind that other techniques didn’t. Also liked the affirmations with each yoga posture.

Stayed in the Contentment cabin solo, but suitable for two or three people. Short, beautiful, steep walk to the main Temple and dining hall. (photo attached)

Cesarina Pulleyn

I can’t even begin to explain how amazing my retreat adventure was. I choose to go to the silent retreat, hoping to find peace. I love to talk so I thought it might be difficult for me but it wasn’t, it was so rejuvenating and inspiring.
First, it was life changing. I showed up hoping to get eaten by a bear and left with so much love and peace you would think I had jumped aboard a time machine and traveled to my happy kid self and took her back with me.
The staff was incredible. Susan was calm, kind, friendly, creative, wanting to help in anyway she could, extremely knowledgeable and willing to share all of her insight.
The food and the kitchen staff best ever. I never thought I would like to eat Vegan but I loved it and even hoarded my meals so I could save them for later.
The gardens, the gardener and his secrets were transforming. I felt really connected to so much more than myself.
Even the other women on the retreat were kind and generous with their smiles.
If your looking for some peace, and inner growth I highly recommended going there.
I could ramble on so much more but I won’t.
Again, I highly recommend this place.
Thank you for the incredible experience. I will cherish this forever.

Christa

Ok for short retreats if 2-4 days. Longer than that, becomes a bit inhospitable. I was a Karma Yogi not retreat participant, so my experience was colored by that.

Wonderful idea, however the implementation falls short of vision in terms of love and community. Mosquitoes are out of control. Staff was cold and unwelcoming. Good for silent retreats. For human interaction, better to choose Ananda Expanding Light 6 miles down the road. Car is a must!

Judy Voruz

Ananda retreat center is very welcoming and supportive to their retreatants. The accommodations were simple and provided everything I needed to be able to relax and enjoy the beauty and quiet of nature all around me. They also serve delicious vegetarian meals. I would recommend them if you are wanting to do personal retreat.

Kamaladevi Beswick

This retreat offers the greatest feeling of peace; of being able to fully breathe, rest, rejuvenate. The Happiness Lodge was a comfortable, sweet and simple place to stay for a reasonable price.