Spiritual Centers to Visit in the United
States Reviewed
Susan Helene Kramer
1. Meditation Mount in Ojai, California
2. Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Centers in Los
Angeles, California
3. Vedanta Temple and Center in Santa Barbara,
California
4. Yogaville Meditation Retreat or Courses, Buckingham, Virginia
5. Ananda Village Meditation and Retreat
Center, Nevada City, California
New
- 6. Meher Mount
Pilgrimage
1. Meditation Mount in Ojai, California
I had a magical
experience in discovering Meditation Mount in Ojai, California. At the time I
was living in Santa Barbara and had some vacation days. I felt inspired to get
in my van and start driving out into the country, not having a destination in
mind.
I drove down Rt. 101 and just before reaching Ventura I took the exit for Ojai
- Highway 33, and drove inland about 15 miles, then turned right on Rt. 150
into and almost through Ojai.
It was here that my intuition took over
Just in front of Bocalli's Restaurant I turned left
onto Reeves Road. If I had stayed on the main road I would have started
ascending a mountain leading to Santa Paula.
(Turning onto Reeves Road gives no indication of the treasure at the very end,
the dead end, in fact at 10340 Reeves Rd. Ojai, California 93023.)
I kept driving and did something I had not really done before. I stayed on the
road even though it appeared to be a thin piece of private drive. And when it
really was a dead end there was a sign Meditation Mount - open 10am to sunset,
and a well-maintained asphalt driveway that wound its way with switchbacks up
the side of a foothill, ending at a parking lot.
I found myself surrounded by Tibetan-style structures. Upon getting out and
walking around I found that several homes were nestled into the sides of the
mount at the top, plus right on the top was a circular chapel to meditate, a
large glass-walled meeting room and an adjoining office area and public
restrooms.
A large patio on the far side of the meeting room led out to a path of gardens
with desert style plantings interspersed with benches for sitting, meditating
and feeling the impact of this place.
Wow, what an experience I was drawn to, and that first time all without knowing
where I was headed when I left Santa Barbara and drove 60 miles headed.
Yes, Meditation Mount has really been a special place to visit and spend time
feeling its uplifting vibration. Every time I've visited since I've sat on one
of those outdoor benches and imbibed the qualities of warm winds, bird calls, open expanse of sky that only can be seen from a high perch,
as the mount is.
The smell of large sage bushes permeates the air and reminds me that there are
certain places on our planet that uplift and give a boost to making meditation
a daily living experience, and Meditation Mount is one of these points.
Check out the Meditation Mount web site here:
http://www.meditation.com
Article and photo of Meditation Mount looking out over Ojai by Susan Kramer
2. Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation
Centers in Los Angeles, California
When I lived in Southern California I had two favorite retreat and
meditation places that I especially enjoyed. The first is Self-Realization
Fellowship Temple and Hermitage, Encinitas; 215 "K" Street;
Encinitas, California 92024-5040; Telephone: (760) 753-2888. And the second
spot is Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Temple, Pacific Palisades;
17190 Sunset Boulevard; Pacific Palisades, CA 90272; Tel: (310) 454-4114.
These are both centers for reflection and meditation that could be part of a
day trip from either the Los Angeles or San Diego area. Neither have overnight
guest facilities but there are motels in the area.
Encinitas Hermitage and Gardens
There are several spots at the Encinitas grounds that I particularly enjoyed:
foremost the gardens with winding trails leading from the buildings to the
overlook of the Pacific Ocean. The landscaping is laid out with a running
stream and small ponds artfully landscaped with beautiful tropical plants and
flowers that thrive in the Southern California climate.
There are spots to sit and reflect in the gardens, making this a really great
spot to go deeply into your inner self, your place of rest and composure that
may be covered up most of the time with day to day concerns.
Also on the grounds is a small chapel and I stayed for the evening program of a
recorded talk by Paramahansa Yogananda
and kirtan, which is devotional chanting, and then
silent meditation. The nuns and monks residing at the complex join in with the
gathering and lend there own peace to the visitors'
experience.
What I felt and experienced in my heart and soul was worth the time spent at
Encinitas.
Also, when I visited the Encinitas center and gardens I combined my trip
with a visit to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, just inland from the coast.
Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades
Imagine driving through Los Angeles and getting on Sunset Boulevard, heading
west toward the Pacific Ocean and suddenly coming upon an exquisite lake
surrounded by shrines to different religions. That was the uplifting experience
I had on my first visit to Lake Shrine.
The visitor enters from a convenient parking lot and goes through the guest
center building and out the other side to enjoy the stroll around the lake and
the various gardens devoted to world peace and unity. One of the altar sites in
dedicated to Mahatma Ghandi and houses a portion of
his cremated remains.
To me, Lake Shrine symbolizes the heart of peace that lies within every one of
us; it is an opportunity to sit and meditate and reflect the whole day if you
choose. There is also a tiny chapel for quiet contemplation and a gift shop,
also.
I lived in Santa Barbara for many years and found it a real source of
nourishment to take the 2 hour drive to this uplifting place of spiritual
succor amongst city life.
I highly recommend both centers for a boost to your meditation experience and
as a mini-retreat!
Here are the web sites to learn more about each center:
Encinitas
Hermitage
Lake
Shrine in Pacific Palisades
Article by Susan Helene Kramer
3. Vedanta Temple and Center in Santa Barbara,
California
Winding up Ladera Lane above Santa
Barbara, California, leads to the peaceful and inspiring Vedanta Temple complex
on 45 acres. Nine Sri Sarada Devi nuns are in
residence.
Here is a photo I took walking up the gently sloping path to the front steps of
the Temple where services are held and where you can sit for quiet meditation.
The consort of Sri Ramakrishna, founder of Vedanta was Sri Sarada
Devi. After he passed on she continued his work.
The atmosphere around the temple is permeated
with the smell of sage which is growing in the local shrubbery and the hills
and mountains behind the structures. I've found going onto the grounds an
uplifting experience without even going into the temple or bookstore. I like
sitting on the temple steps, facing a view of the wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
So, this visit gives the best of physical treats, and restoration to the soul,
with breathtaking sites of ocean in front, mountain peaks behind, immersion in
the garden environment, clear and fresh smells of sage, singing of birds and
helpful nuns and friendly visitors.
One could not help but be uplifted by spending time meditating in this
environment.
An added advantage of the center is the bookstore in its own small building
next to the temple - a complete source to buy books related to meditation and
yoga and many world religions, as well as malas,
incense, shawls, and all kinds of meditation and altar statues, pictures and
other supplies.
The Vedanta Temple website provides a map and detailed driving directions. If
you are already familiar with Santa Barbara and Montecito, follow East Valley
Road to the east and pass Sheffield Drive and Ortega Ridge Road. Then turn
left, north, up Ladera Lane.
The address is: Vedanta Temple, 927 Ladera
Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Phone (805) 969-2903. Visit the website listed
below or phone for specific opening times during the year.
For more information and map visit the Vedanta Temple web site:
http://www.vedanta.org/vssc/centers/sb.html
Article and photo of Vedanta Temple by Susan Helene Kramer
4. Yogaville
Meditation Retreat or Courses, Buckingham, Virginia
I was so fortunate during 1985 to 1986 to spend time at the
world-renowned meditation and world peace ashram of Yogaville,
located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 50 miles south of
Charlottesville, Virginia. The address is: Yogaville;
108 Yogaville Way; Buckingham, VA 23921-9726, USA.
Yogaville is the outcome of the vision of Integral
Yoga and its founder, Sri Swami Satchidananda
(1914-2002). It is home to the Light of Truth Universal Shrine, L.O.T.U.S.
The site is ideal for daily meditation with its peace and quiet in the wooded
setting along the historic James River. Visitors have many choices for spending
time at Yogaville, such as a day trip from
Washington, D.C. or Richmond, Virginia; a weekend getaway; attendance at one of
the planned retreats under a theme; longer term Teacher's Training
Certification in Hatha and related yoga and meditation practices, and more
options to suit the individual.
All visitors at Yogaville as well as those in daily
or set programs have the opportunity to meditate right along with like-minded
individuals in the daily ashram schedule, or to meditate in any quiet location
on the premises.
Living at Yogaville for a year, I had the opportunity
to really immerse myself in meditation, but any length of visit can be arranged
to suit your needs. The monks and community members are helpful in
accommodating your individual retreat needs.
Living arrangements can be in the motel-style Lotus Inn, dormitories, or even
tent camping in warmer weather. Lacto vegetarian meals are served; no eggs,
meat, fish. And, as you might suspect, no smoking or drugs are allowed.
Spending time meditating with others cannot be beat for developing your own
practice. It is inspirational and supportive to be in the company of others who
are making a success of meditation. I felt it was a jumpstart to my personal
growth.
And if you really want a solitary and quiet experience you needn't talk with
anyone; actually lots of energy is saved in having a silent retreat.
The largest draw for me was meditating in the L.O.T.U.S. - a temple built to
house altars representing major world religions and other known and as yet
unknown religions. This is truly one place you can experience religious
harmony.
A link to their quarterly magazine is just below.
For further information on what Yogaville has to
offer visit their web site:
http://www.yogaville.org
Review by Susan Helene Kramer
Recommended magazine
Sharpen your practices by subscribing
to Integral Yoga Magazine, an ecumenical quarterly journal on yoga and
meditation applied to daily life, inspired by its founder, Swami Satchidananda. Each issue contains knowledgeable in-depth
articles by professionals in their field. Check out the article samples at the
web site link. My highest recommendation!
5. Ananda Village
Meditation and Retreat Center, Nevada City, California
Ananda is the dream come true
of the founder, Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple
of Paramahansa Yogananda.
The large center is located near Nevada City in Northern California. It is
truly a World Brotherhood Community as it was set out to be. The address is The
Expanding Light; 14618 Tyler Foote Road, Nevada City, California 95959.
Ananda sits on 700 acres of exquisite forest and
clear space very conducive to meditation and yoga practices. Visitors can come
for different periods of time in stay in semi private
or private rooms or do tent camping.
As I had a camper-van I chose the tent camping which worked out fine. I will
have to say that the vegetarian meals were absolutely delicious and inspired my
own cooking at home. The atmosphere is congenial and friendly and of course
inspirational.
The types of programs offered include: First Timers Weekend and the longer Yoga
Teacher Training, and Meditation Teacher Training, as well as specific topics
of varying lengths, such as Joyful Vegetarian Cooking.
You can also arrange a personal retreat where you can spend as much time in
meditation as you choose, or just enjoy simply walking the grounds enjoying the
unique silence of nature. Personally, I love walking in nature and its grandeur
never fails to bring me peace of mind, inner calm.
Also in the village is a school for children in grades K-12 with a respect for
all religions as well as the virtues we all admire. That may be a reason for
visiting if you are looking for that style of education for your kids.
Ananda village has its own distribution center with
writings of Yogananda, Kriyanda
and others in the field of meditation and yoga. Plus you can enjoy buying from
their marketplace.
How to get to Ananda Village: The map at this URL is
the recommended route:
http://www.expandinglight.org/who/map.htm
I will mention that Nevada City is north beyond Grass Valley on Rt. 20 on the
way to Truckee and Reno.
Let's keep in mind that Self-Realization is a worthy goal, and Ananda Village is one place to get a foothold on meditation
and right living techniques.
For detailed information on Ananda Village and its
wonderful programs go to: http://www.expandinglight.org/
Article by Susan Helene Kramer
6. Meher
Mount Pilgrimage
Meher Mount sits at
2,500 feet elevation on Sulphur Mountain between
Santa Paula and Ojai. It is a pilgrimage site just a
couple of hours from Los Angeles to the south and Santa Barbara to the north.
This inspiring setting is dedicated to Avatar Meher
Baba (1894-1969).
The day pilgrimage site is on 172 acres that is mostly wild, though the area
around the main reception house and library, and the meadow down to 'Baba's
Tree' is kept clipped short, so it is open and can be walked on, as you see in
the photo.
First drive up the mountain to the reception house, sign in to let the
caretakers know you are on the property, browse the library and when you are
ready, they will direct you to the special coast live oak known as 'Baba's
Tree' - in the photo it is the fourth tree from the left.
There you can sit and meditate on a wooden bench and look out over Santa Paula
to the left, and the Pacific Ocean to the right, with a view of the Channel
Islands beyond. It is truly breathtaking and so peaceful.
Meher Mount is open to visitors Wednesday
to Sunday noon to 5pm, and closed Monday and Tuesday.
The address is 9902 Sulphur Mountain Road, Ojai,
California 93023.
If you are driving from Ojai take Rt. 150 up the mountain as if driving to
Santa Paula. Nearly at the summit you'll pass the entrance to Dennison Park. Go
2.5 miles further. Just past Twin Creek Ranch turn right onto Sulphur Mountain Road and go 2.7 miles to the sign on the
left that says Meher Mount. The road gets narrower as
you proceed. Park along the driveway before reaching the
reception house.
If coming from Santa Paula take Rt. 150 until you pass the Summit Restaurant.
Continue on for 1 mile to Sulphur Mountain Road. Turn
left and go 2.7 miles to Meher Mount. Park just before the reception house.
Bring water to drink and a picnic if you'd like. Before your pilgrimage fuel
your car and have something to eat as there are no concessions at Meher Mount.
It is certainly worth the trip. Driving up the mountain is a process that feels
like driving up to the highest point in your own consciousness. Then, sitting
under 'Baba's Tree' completes and adds the immeasureable
blessings it has been imbued with by Baba. Enjoy.
Article and photo by Susan Helene
Kramer
Meditation Lessons for
Teens and Adults – book or ebook
Spiritual Centers to Visit Copyright 2011-2014 Susan Helene Kramer;
page updated December 29, 2013
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