7-Day Retreat at the Expanding Light Center, California
April 30th to May 6th, 2025
Held at the Expanding Light Retreat Center, just outside of Nevada City and nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains of Northern California, this 7-day retreat is an opportunity to gather in the heart of being for deep nourishment and connection to our true nature.
You will be joined by a community of warm-hearted people, dedicated to the truth of awakening. In this amplified frequency field, there is a potent transmission of love and awareness that allows a deep inner transformation.
Each day includes a discourse from Amoda Maa, a guided meditation, silent meditation, and ample time for dialogue and inquiry.
Kavi will sit side by side with Amoda, offering additional wisdom and guidance as well as poetry of the heart to support the teaching. We have found that this creates a beautiful dance of masculine and feminine that is much appreciated by those who love our teachings. Together, we will support you on your journey of living the truth of freedom in the midst of everyday life.
We will also enjoy three delicious vegetarian meals together, time for relaxation in the lounge areas and outdoor piazza or in your room, walks on the many surrounding nature trails and gardens, and enjoying each other’s company and friendship. We have found this is one of the much appreciated aspects of a retreat. In the evenings, we may enjoy an informal poetry or live music offering, a little light dancing, or just hanging out together.
There will also be an opportunity to visit the Crystal Hermitage, a very special place comprising a chapel based on the original church of St. Francis of Assisi, the “Moksha Mandir” meditation temple, and the breathtaking Tulip Gardens which are in bloom at springtime.
The Expanding Light Retreat Center is set within 700 acres of the Ananda Village (one of the most respected spiritual communities in the world, founded by a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda) and is a renowned sanctuary of peace.
A participant shares his experience of being at a 7-day retreat with Amoda Maa and Kavi.
Retreat Schedule
Please note — all times are shown as Pacific Daylight Time (this is the local time for California).
If you are traveling from other locations and need to do a time conversion, use the time zone convertor.
April, Wednesday 30
3pm onwards: Arrival
6pm: Orientation Meeting (with Ananda Village staff)
6.30pm: Dinner
7.45pm to 9pm: Welcome Meeting
May, Thursday 01 to May, Monday 05
8.15am to 9am: Breakfast
10am to 12pm: Morning Meeting
12.30pm to 1.30pm: Lunch
2pm to 4pm: Free Time
4pm to 6pm: Afternoon Meeting
6.30pm to 7.30pm: Dinner
May, Tuesday 06
8.15am to 9am: Breakfast
10am to 12pm: Closing Meeting
12.30pm to 1.30pm: Lunch
2pm: Departure
(Each morning and afternoon meeting will include a Guided or Silent Meditation, Discourse, Q&A time.)
You are also welcome to join the Community Meditation (silent) or Sadhana Practice (yoga/chanting/meditation) offered by the Ananda Village facilitators at 6.30am to 8.15am daily. This is optional.
Crystal Hermitage Gardens
Accommodation
Single (limited availability) and Twin (two people sharing) rooms are available and located in four buildings, within walking distance of the meeting space (Hansa Temple).
Serenity House — an inn-style house with shared hallway bathrooms. Each bathroom is for private use (not communal). There is also a shared lounge with small kitchenette.
Twin (two people sharing).
Single (there are two twin beds, but only one will be allocated).
Friendship House — a quiet house with only three rooms and one shared bathroom (for private use, not communal). For females only.
Single.
Harmony House — each room has a private entrance, private bathroom, and desk. All rooms are spacious and elegantly appointed.
Twin (two people sharing).
King (for couples only) — there are only two of these available.
Serenity House, Friendship House, and Harmony House are all within a 7 minute walk from the main building and retreat meeting.
Gaia House — a custom-designed “rammed earth” house of a high standard with “premium deluxe rooms”. Each room is luxuriously decorated with either an ensuite or shared (private) bathroom. No more than two rooms share a bathroom. There is also a large living room/lounge and kitchen/dining area.
Twin (two people sharing) with private/ensuite bathroom.
Twin (two people sharing) with shared bathroom.
Gaia House is a 15 minute walk from the main building and retreat meeting space.
Also available:
Cabins — each cabin is cozy but spacious, in a secluded location. There are shared outdoor shower-houses, separate for male and female.
Twin (two people sharing).
Single (there are two twin beds, but only one will be allocated).
Tents/RV — you can bring your own tent or RV (no hook ups available), there are several pleasant campsites. There are shared outdoor shower-houses, separate for male and female. (Please note — food or fires are not allowed on the campsites).
Commuter (with lunch and dinner) — if you live close by, you can also attend as a commuter (no overnight accommodation). Lunch and dinner must be taken with us, so as to keep the group energy and so you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Ananda Village and its facilities.
For Shared Accommodation —
If you are booking a Twin Room (two people sharing), you will be asked at registration if you’d like to share with a friend. Otherwise, another person of the same gender will be allocated to share with you. You can also choose a Twin Room as a couple, if no other option is available.
If you book a Twin Room (two people sharing) and no-one else is assigned to it, we will ask you if you’d like to upgrade to a Single.
Please look through the photo carousel to view the various accommodations.
Additional information —
All rooms have A/C and heating.
There is wi-fi available in all accommodations and throughout the retreat venue.
There is ample parking with EV charging stations.
Meals
Three delicious vegetarian buffet-style meals —prepared by the Ananda Village community — will be served daily. Organically grown foods are used as much as possible (including organically grown eggs and produce grown at Ananda Village, as well as organically grown Fair Trade coffee.) Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options will also be available.
A variety of teas, coffee, and fresh fruits will be available throughout the day.
If you have any more specific dietary requirements, you can let us know (but the venue may not be able to accommodate these). You are, however, welcome to bring special foods you may need — these can be stored in the refrigerator outside the main kitchen (no food is to be kept in rooms).
How to Get There
-
The closest airport is Sacramento International Airport (SMF), approximately 1.5 hours driving distance from the retreat center.
From here you can rent a car, or get a taxi/shuttle (see details in By Taxi section below).
-
Ananda Village is accessible from Sacramento or Reno, via Interstate 80. Driving time is approximately 1.5 hours.
From Nevada City, it is accessible via Highway 49. Driving time is approximately 30 mins.
-
Greyhound Bus
The closest Bus terminal services by Greyhound is Colfax (approximately 1 hour driving distance from us). Contact Greyhound directly for routes, current prices, schedules and reservations at 800-231-2222 or www.greyhound.com
Amtrak Bus/Train
Amtrak offers bus/train service from available cities into Colfax (if coming from the East) and Auburn Bus Station (if coming from the West), each about an hour driving distance from us. Contact Amtrak directly for routes, current prices, schedules and reservations at 800-USA-RAIL or www.amtrak.com
-
If you need a taxi ride from the airport, we recommend you to contact:
Michael’s Airport Shuttle
personalprivatedriver1@gmail.com
(916) 201-5168Forms of payment accepted: all major credits, PayPal, Zelle. They can accommodate other forms of payment as well.
Can send different size vehicle(s) depending on numbers of travelers.He can provide vehicles of different sizes, including a large comfortable SUV for several people to share.
We can help you arrange a ride-share (taxi/shuttle) with other retreat participants closer to the retreat date and after registration. It may also be possible to arrange a ride-share with another participant who may be driving/renting a car.
-
If you need somewhere to stay before or after the retreat dates, check listings near Nevada City, CA: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1QVNLCfX7EcSr4v28
If you need to stay close to Sacramento airport: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CGWFt6LGSC8rzMmx7
-
The full address for Ananda Village:
13930 Expanding Light Drive, Nevada City, CA
If you need to get in touch with the retreat center, you can contact them at (800) 346-5350 (working hours only). Please do not contact them with any questions specific to our retreat.
Registration
To register, a $300 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required to reserve your place.
Cost Per Person to attend the retreat at Ananda Village (includes all tuition & retreat activities, accommodation, meals & refreshments):
Serenity House, (shared bathrooms):
Twin — $2350
Single — $2750
Friendship House, females only (shared bathroom):
Single — $2750
Harmony House, deluxe accommodation (private bathrooms):
Twin — $2550
King — $2850
Gaia House, deluxe accommodation (private or shared bathrooms):
Twin (private bathroom) — $2650
Twin (shared bathroom) — $2450
Cabins (shared bathrooms):
Twin — $2350
Single — $2750
Tent/RV (shared bathrooms):
$2050
Commuter (with lunch and dinner):
$1650
Room Availability
If you cannot see the room type you would like, or you are unsure of which room to book, please contact us as we may be able to reconfigure room availability depending on the number of male/female bookings. We may also have more single rooms available, and shared rooms for couples.
Additional Information
There are currently no Covid restrictions in the USA, but we highly recommend that if you feel unwell you do not attend this retreat. By participating in this event you agree to take full responsibility for your physical and mental well-being.
We highly recommend that international travelers take out insurance.
In the unlikely circumstance of the retreat being cancelled due to a travel ban or any other global restrictions, your ticket deposit will be transferred to a replacement online Retreat at Home and the remaining balance will be refunded.
Payment and Cancellations
Tickets must be paid in full by February 1st, 2025.
The final balance is due by February 1st, 2025.
50% of balance is refundable if cancelled before March 1st, 2025.
There is no refund if cancelled after March 1st, 2025.
If you prefer to make the retreat cost payment in full or by check (without paying a deposit), please contact us.
By booking this event, you are accepting the Cancellations & Refunds Policy and Terms & Conditions Please read these carefully before you book your place.
Tickets and Registration
Upon registration you will receive confirmation of your payment.
Approximately two weeks before the start of the event, you will be sent a Welcome Letter with full info (what you need to know, what to bring, et cetera).
If you have any questions about accommodations or anything else, please contact us before you register.