Calendar of Events

This is an Immersion Retreat for those who can attend the full Fri-Sun program. Limited to an enrollment of 12.

Lifetime Members of the Yoga Society of New York may use their free weekend benefit for this retreat. Call the office to make arrangements.

Items to Bring:
A neti pot (or a travel neti pot can be ordered for you upon request)
A yoga mat (or an Ashram mat can be made available)

Through spiritual investigation, we discover that entering nothingness is the same as embracing our own hearts, which Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati instructed us to do in order to have direct contact with our “I-Am,” to feel directly our cosmic form. But nothingness can be felt only when the thinking mind becomes still – nothingness appears only when the thoughts disappear. Shri Brahmananda taught many practices and techniques to bring us into that state of stillness: attention to nadam (inner sound current); Vedic fire ceremony; yogic practices of tratakam, pranayama and neti; feeling electromagnetic pulsation through quartz crystal meditation and attunement with the universe.

These will be explored this weekend, along with the power of Sanskrit (the language of vibration) and yogic philosophy through the writings and commentaries of Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati. The path toward stillness has been taught for millennia! Come embrace the silence and be ready to experience direct communion with the divine Self. All programs are presented by devotees of Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati.

"There is a natural fear of disappearing into nothingness. Be assured, you are not disappearing into nothingness. As a matter of fact, you are entering into your own being."
- Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, from the Essay "Organic Television, Organic Radio"

About the Teachers – in alphabetical order:

Bharati Devi (Bharati E. Balmes) began her studies with Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati (Ramamurti S. Mishra, M.D.) in 1968. She studied the Sanskrit language, Yoga-Vedanta philosophy, meditation and related subjects with him both in Europe and at his Ashrams in the U.S., simultaneously working as his assistant. Under his direction she began teaching in 1971. Bharati was named head of the School of Sanskrit at Ananda Ashram by Founder Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in 1974. She also studied with renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet Dr. Ram Karan Sharma from 1997 to 2015.

Hari Mulukutla is a student of Yoga, Sanskrit and Bhakti. Hari aspires to connect the wisdom of the ancient scriptures with the knowledge of contemporary science and technology. Hari's true spiritual awakening emerged at Ananda Ashram, a sanctuary of tranquility and spiritual enrichment. The teachings he received sparked a transformative journey into self-discovery and spiritual evolution. He is deeply grateful to the disciples of Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati and the founders of Jivamukti Yoga, who have enriched his spiritual journey. Hari is a certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher.

Karmananda studied Yoga and meditation with Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati from 1971 until 1993 and taught Yoga for many years. A long-time Ashram staff member, he is past President of the Board of Trustees of the Yoga Society of New York. As current Chairperson of the Buildings & Grounds Committee, he oversees all matters involving buildings, roads, grounds & gardens. He enjoys being a raconteur of Ashram lore on his entertaining and engaging tours of Ananda.

Karuna Devi met her Guru, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, in 1972, as a young wife and mother. She writes: “Meeting the Guru, beginning the practice of yoga, and moving to Ananda Ashram shortly thereafter, completely changed the course of my life. I was inspired by Guruji to study Sanskrit, chanting, meditation and practices leading to greater self-awareness, and that inspiration continues to this day. I am forever grateful.” Along life's path, Karuna has been deeply influenced by her study of Indian classical music with Acharya Roop Verma, Zen Buddhist practice under the guidance of Eido Shimano Roshi, and further Sanskrit studies with Acharya Ram Karan Sharma.

Krishna Devi is a Kirtan musician and Bhakti Yogini. She was initiated into the spiritual practice of Sanskrit chanting by her Guru Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, who taught the Sanskrit language as the "science of vibration." Krishna Devi regards chanting as a gateway into meditation and believes that chanting the sacred sounds allows an opening of one’s heart. She leads Kirtans at Ananda Ashram. She is also a published author of the book Kirtan Angels and has recorded and produced several albums. In addition, Krishna Devi teaches a weekly Beginners' Sanskrit class.

Purnima Dillsaver first heard of Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in her childhood from her mother and fortunately met him at age seventeen, when struggling with depression. Benefiting very much from his teachings, she chose to move to Ananda Ashram in 1985 after completing a BS in Zoology and doing research in pharmaceutical chemistry. She served on the YSNY Board for 16 years and continues to serve on the Schools' Board, of which she has been a director since 2005. In 2013 she self-published a book, The Standing Stone: The Challenge of the Master, with stories of traveling with Guruji, interwoven with Guruji's profound teachings.

Sarasvati Devi (S. Donates) received instruction in Sanskrit and Yoga-Vedanta philosophy from Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati starting from 1983. She is a retired Bilingual School Psychologist and worked with children from Kindergarten through High School during her career in the public school setting. She has taught at Ananda Ashram offering programs and teaching Introduction to Sanskrit for many years.

Shanta Bulkin met Dr. Mishra in the summer of 1972 at Ananda Ashram. Dr. Mishra said, "If you want to stay here, you must study Sanskrit!" From that 'clear line in the sand,' Shanta started to grow as a Sanskritist, studying with Guruji until his passing in 1993 and later with world-renowned Sanskrit scholar, Professor Ram Karan Sharma. Since 2012 he has been teaching Sanskrit in the College of Ayurveda at the Mt. Madonna Institute in California. He and his wife, Indirā, founded the East ~ West Sanskrit Institute in 2010.

Shri Radha met Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in 1977 and received intensive training from him until he left our world in 1993. She served as his secretary and assistant and, for the last decade of his life when a stroke affected his speech, as his primary ‘interpreter’ in programs and classes. Guruji appointed Radha as a life-term trustee of the Baba Bhagavandas Publication Trust and a trustee of the International Schools of East-West Unity. Since 2004 she has spent significant time in India, deepening her spiritual practice with Amma Sri Karunamayi. Throughout the years Radha has offered numerous classes and trainings around the USA.

Tara Devi (Tara Federman) received training in meditation, natural healing, Sanskrit and Yoga-Vedanta philosophy from Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati from 1971 on. Professionally, she is an educator of children with special needs. Tara has been a senior staff teacher at Ananda Ashram for many years. She offers a weekly evening program with emphasis on meditation and breathing exercises as well as a weekly Beginners' Sanskrit class.