Testimonials
Meditation Retreats at Ananda Girisuta, North Carolina
I have attended the meditation retreat with Dada Diiptimanananda and Didi Ananda Acira multiple times at Ananda Girisuta. Every time I was there, I had an unforgettable experience. I deepened my meditation and became a better person. The location was clean, with great accommodation for almost everyone. The first time, I attended myself, and the following times, I brought my entire family and three small children under five at that time. The satvic vegetarian food was delicious, so delicious that I could not stop eating.
Both the teachers are very knowledgeable in meditation practice and philosophy. The program is very relaxed, and in addition to meditation, we were able to connect with other people and explore the surrounding nature, which is very, very beautiful. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to improve their meditation, become a better, calmer person, and so much more.
Vladimir Iovu – Vijay
Meditation Steps Canada
“Blissful Moon Retreat” at Ananda Kanak, St. Louis Saint-André-Avellin, Quebec, Canada, was a special event organized by Meditation Steps, a soulful congregation of spiritual seekers, a revitalizing meeting place.
The venue is an old master unit, an eco-farm, and a meditation center. There is a river and forest next to it. The flow of the river, the chirping of birds, and the movement of wind against the leaves of the trees are soothing.
The program was balanced with 3 – 4 times per day of collective meditation and two asana classes. I particularly enjoyed lactovegetarian food as many participants shared their recipes and helped to cook as well. Most of the programs were collaborative, engaging, and welcoming. Acaryas (meditation teachers) delivered inspiring presentations on the topics of Tantra, Yoga, and Meditation.
The accommodation was modest but very homely, and it was good to be in the same rooms with brothers. Sisters shared their room with other female practitioners. The description accurately matched what happened during the program. I felt listened to, supported, and inspired by new spiritual ideas, insights, and connections with people. I keep in touch with many other practitioners and recommend that others stay in touch as Satsang (spiritual company) helps our spiritual growth. It is not easy to do anything in life alone. The more optimistic and dignified friends and colleagues you have, the better. The retreat was children-friendly, and we had five children join us. The organizers made sure to give plenty of space to accommodate the special needs of parents and their children.
I rate this retreat 5 out of 5 and recommend spiritual aspirants, meditators, and equity, and spiritually inclined individuals to join retreats hosted by Ananda Marga and Meditation Steps communities.
Nirmal, educator, Toronto, Canada
My recent retreat was held in Ananda Kanak in Quebec, Canada.
The nature in late spring was in full bloom. The beauty of the hills, lush forest and quiet streams left me in awe. I even saw a little deer carefully but bravely crosing the road and hiding in the depths of the forest when I took a silent walk early in the morning.
People.. I felt like home. We prepared meal together, we shared our stories, we did asanas and meditated a lot.
Dada, Didi and the organizers were inviting, friendly, knowledgeable and fun to be around 🙂 The communication was excellent before, during and after the retreat. They made sure everyone is heard and taken care of. I enjoyed every minute we spent with them and the group discussing deep spiritual topics, sharing our experiences and knowledge.
It was a special pleasure to observe the kids: how they initially were just enjoying themselves, but, as time progressed, got quiet, curious and even joined our practices 🙂
I learned a lot from this experience. The knowledge I gained keeps nurturing my personal practice, and I’m looking so much forward to join the next one!
Marina – Madhuvidyá
Ananda Dhiira Retreat, October 2023
I really enjoyed the retreat at Ananda Dhiira. The location is absolutely beautiful. One day, we walked to the nearby river. It was a very peaceful yet energetic place. We meditated there, and some of us even swam. Although the water was a bit cold in October, it was fresh, clear, and incredibly refreshing. I wanted to feel the water so much that I soaked in and didn’t want to get out. 🙂
About an hour after getting together, the atmosphere in that place somehow made all the women sincere and very friendly. The program was interesting and eventful, leaving us no opportunity to get bored or idle. The teachers radiated a special love that attracted everyone like a magnet. They were very attentive, always ready to help and answer any questions.
The food at the retreat was absolutely delicious. I had never eaten such delicious vegetarian food before. I was so happy to come home with some new recipes. The shared room was comfortable for all of us. Normally, I wake up at night, but there I slept like a newborn baby.
What I liked most was the spirituality they taught. It felt like I had been searching for it all my life. There was nothing superficial or modern about it, but the spirituality was at a very high level, and I could feel it from the very beginning. As it turns out, a person doesn’t need anything special to increase their spiritual growth. I had the chance to verify this.
We woke up at 5 a.m. for special spiritual practices, did yoga asanas, sang mantras, and meditated a lot. I also received my personal lesson to continue my practice at home. I don’t have enough words to thank everyone for all of that! I highly recommend this place to everyone.
Tatiana Guz – Tejashrii
I visited Meditation Retreat In Asheville, North Carolina.
It was an unforgettable, unique, and lovely experience! My first thought when I returned home was that I wanted more; I wanted to go back…
I’m a junior software developer, and this profession was still tricky for me, but now, after resetting on retreat – I have started to understand my work much better. Everything became so clear to me, as if a foggy layer came off my brain. I needed it so much.
The accommodation was comfortable, cozy, and warm (! Important in February)—lots of fresh air, tall pine trees, and kind and hospitable people. The food was varied, delicious, and exceptional!
Dada Diiptimanananda and Didi Ananda Acira welcomed us. They were awesome! They sincerely, openly, and kindly shared their wisdom and knowledge and answered all our questions. For me, they are like Universal Soldiers who serve society and people; both are capable of teaching us yoga, meditation, mantras, breathing exercises, lifestyle, and even how to cook (by our group request). We were lucky to have a master class in cooking our favorite healthy bread – Dada’s “secret masterpiece.” I really enjoyed every minute of the retreat and it’s company – mentors and my group mates! Miss them all so much.
I’m looking forward to returning to any retreat or meeting they are going to host; I’ll go to the edge of the World for them 🙂 Thank you both so much!
Liilia, After Ananda Dhiira Retreat, May 2021
The feeling that I have after this retreat is love, compassion for everyone and gratefulness. I am so grateful for being part of this.
Stephanie (Sneha)
This retreat has brought a lot of new spiritual awakening in my life. Before coming, I didn’t really know what meditation was or what to expect. It has been a great experience. I have met a lot of beautiful people, ate a lot of amazing food, and I was able to make relationships and build bonds with people that I wouldn’t have otherwise.
Garret F. (Girish) After Retreat At Ananda Dhiira, May 2021
I just attended the Meditation Steps retreat. I have been looking for friends who I can talk with about stuff that matters to me, and I found that here. It is going to be a big boost to my meditation. And I think it is going to get me on the path that I want to be on.
Jessica And Lisa Kelly
Coming to this retreat has been such a joy, and everyone brought such good energy. You learn a lot of stuff about meditation, and you eat a lot of delicious, delicious food. And just learn to love your body so much more. And Dada and Didi have such wisdom. They are so loving and glowing with happiness. And they love what they do, and it shows.
Gaush (Surainjan)
From the first step into this retreat center, I felt welcomed. I felt like home. It was marvelous, wonderful, beyond any expectations.
Dmitrijs Z.
I want to thank to everyone involved in this process. I feel more relaxed and calm after this retreat.
Gaush Urvan
I’ve enjoyed every moment with you all and so full of love now that there is no room for other words to say, except BABA NAM KEVALAM! Thank you everyone. Looking forward to next time together.
Nithya
The overall experience was great. The schedule was very well organized, which made it easier. All the four classes were amazing, and my wish is that everyone in the world should know this knowledge. This can make everyone’s life easier. Thank you to all the Didi and Dadas to make this into a wonderful experience.
Halia Djait (Haripriya), Summer 2021 at Ananda Dhiira
I really enjoyed this retreat. We had yoga classes, meditation classes, and Kiirtana, and it was really relaxing. Many meditation retreats don’t really allow kids, but here it’s nice because even mothers can come and do the retreat and the kids really loved it.
Maungal Dev
I love coming to to the retreats at Ananda Dhiira. It has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, that you really start feeling that you’re finally at home with your big and loving family. By the end of every retreat you feel that you got another 10 brothers and sisters and another two loving parents (Dada and Didi). During the retreat I gain so much positive energy, that it lasts for the next 6 months until the next retreat.
Jessica, after retreat in Pennsylvania, December 2019
My name is Jessie, and I am at the end of the meditation retreat, Meditation Steps retreats at Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. It was a wonderful experience. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I felt very drawn to the program. I feel that I have learned a lot of tools for deepening my meditation practice – my spiritual practice. I feel renewed energy, and I am looking forward to how this will translate into my regular life because I do feel transformation. Being a person that has struggled with depression pretty much my whole life, it has always been a struggle for me. Seeking antidepressants, different methods. This feels like it is the way for me to overcome it, and I really feel that light in my heart through these practices. Beautiful, uplifting music, Dada Diiptimanananda is an amazing musician, spiritual teacher. Didi, everyone has been very supportive and made me feel that they saw me as a person and really took the time to see me and help me grow. And I feel a transformation, I really do, and I am grateful for those programs. I have learned a lot. I have met amazing people, I feel like my heart feels more expanded. I came here and was excited for the program, and I practice yoga, but it has given me a lot of new tools to work with. I am happy for this experience.
Roman & Lyubov, July 2017
We believe that we are very lucky because we had a priceless opportunity to attend the retreat in Ananda Kanan. And these are not just beautiful words, because we had a chance not only to meet beautiful acharyas from Ananda Marga, but to learn from them, to practice together spiritual practices, which became much more powerful and more deep because of their spiritual profoundness. Each of them is an extremely interesting person with a good sense of humor, and at the same time they are very simple and gladly can help you in any way. Besides that, we lived in a very beautiful place in the forest by the lake, where you can hear only nature’s sounds and breath the air, which feels so thick of the forest’s tasty smells that it seems like you can chew it. We met a lot of new friends and we had a lot of fun together. It is so important for us to communicate with like-minded people and with the same goals in the life. Besides the intensive spiritual practices together, we also had sports competitions that brought us more together. Also, the real discovery for us was a river here [nearby] in Missouri. That crystal clear warm and calm water with the fish of different kinds and colors… the rock-ribbed brink is very high and full of caves that we were exploring curiously and discovering the springs of different sizes… and their waters are incredibly tasty and sweet and full of sattvic energies… So our common opinion is that we stayed in a place with a high concentration of Light energy, and the only regret we have is that retreat didn’t last any longer.
Alban (Arpan) Toci
The Meditation Steps retreat was a life-changing experience. It completely surpassed all my expectations. The meditation and yoga techniques that we learned are simple yet powerful. Since the retreat, I have been doing the practices twice a day, and they have brought about a deep feeling of inner peace and joy in my life. I recommend it to anyone who wants to take their meditation practices to the next level. Our teachers were Dada Diiptimanananda and Didi Ananada Acira, and they were excellent. They have devoted their lives to teaching, and their passion and enthusiasm really showed. The lessons happened very organically. They were more like discussions than lectures, and that made for an ideal learning environment. Whether instructing us as a group or individually, they encouraged us to ask questions and they answered them eagerly. The setting was incredible. The Prama Retreat Center is a beautiful domed building set on a hill, surrounded by woods on a 100 acre plot of land. There are trails going all throughout, and we enjoyed daily walks (and sometimes jogged) through the beautiful scenery with Dada Diiptimanananda. It was the perfect place to meditate. It was really inspiring being around like-minded people. The other students were so sincere and eager to learn that waking up for the 5AM meditation was not difficult at all. In fact, I really looked forward to it. There is no better way to start the day than with an early morning kirtan and meditation, especially when you are in the company of good people. All-in-all, I can’t imagine a retreat going any better. There was no dogma, just pure, practical tools that are designed to lead you to bliss. If you are considering going to one of the Meditation Steps retreats, stop considering and just do it. You won’t regret it.
Kay, Summer 2021 at Ananda Kanan
Namaskar I feel very fortunate to have spent a week with people, such beautiful people and souls. I don’t think there are enough words to express how I feel, but there is one word that is so overwhelming right now it is love. And I feel it all over my mind, over my soul and body, and I wanna share it everywhere I go. I wanna carry this legacy wherever I happen to be. I hope that more people will come to this blissful moment in their lives and get to experience this feeling.