Retreats

You’ll find our retreat house tucked at the end of a country lane in a small town in rural west Marin county.

A converted Queen Anne Victorian that was a bed-and-breakfast for many years, the house combines century-old charm with modern comforts and a warm, uplifting atmosphere.

During the retreat you’ll be joined by about 18 other people from many traditions and many locations who share an interest in passage meditation and Eknath Easwaran’s writings. Some people come with friends, but most come by themselves.

Meditation in a peaceful place, with like-minded people, can bring a new perspective to your life and help restore your feeling of balance and well-being.

A hearty, delicious vegetarian meal prepared from our best-selling cookbook, Laurel’s Kitchen.

Through our extensive collection of videotaped talks, Eknath Easwaran lights the fire of inspiration and renews our confidence in our ability to reach for the highest goals in life.

“In meditation I see a clear, changeless goal far above the fever and fret of the day. This inner vision fills me with unshakable security, inspires me with wisdom beyond the reach of the intellect, and releases within me the capacity to act calmly and compassionately.” – Eknath Easwaran

During breaks, take time to read and reflect in the English-style gardens surrounding the retreat house.

Fellowship with other spiritual seekers is as nourishing as the homemade granola, fresh fruit, and hot cereal.

Just as the body needs food and rest, the spirit needs time – to reflect, to unwind, to grow.

Trained presenters with years of experience in passage meditation work with small groups to help you see how this powerful program can renew and transform every aspect of daily life.

Time for a stroll around Tomales, a quiet, friendly town about 4 blocks long.

Videotaped talks capture the power, humor, and warmth of this extraordinary teacher. Click here to watch an excerpt.

Our meals reflect Easwaran’s appreciation for the beauty of mealtimes. Eating together is a sacrament, a time for healthy, nutritious food that is prepared and served with love and eaten in a loving, peaceful atmosphere.

A mantram walk on the nearby beach where Easwaran walked every day for decades.

Time for browsing through our complete library and bookstore of Nilgiri Press books and recordings, or for memorizing an inspirational passage by the pond – or for taking a run, or a shower, or a nap. Coffee, tea, and fresh fruit are always available for snacks.

“There is nothing like meditation on earth. Each day it is new to me and fresh. A life based on meditation on the Lord of Love within penetrates far beyond the multiplicity of existence into the indivisible realm of reality, where dwell infinite truth, joy, and beauty.” – Eknath Easwaran

A typical menu: vegetarian lasagna, whole-grain bread, steamed green beans, green salad, fresh fruit, and Alice’s peanut butter cookies.

“The retreat was such a special experience, one I hold near and dear to my heart. Spiritual companionship is something I never thought I needed, and now I can't imagine life without these special friends.”

“It is not a luxury on the spiritual path to have the company of spiritually oriented people. It is necessary for our spiritual development.” – Eknath Easwaran

“The best time for meditation is early in the morning. The dawn brings freshness, renewal.” – Eknath Easwaran

“In order to slow down, we should always take the time needed to pause and reflect. This is not only a necessary part of slowing down; it is one of the rewards too. And because it adds to efficiency and effectiveness in any walk of life, it is a very good use of time.” – Eknath Easwaran

Retreat workshops help you draw upon spiritual resources you didn’t know you had and apply them to the challenges of daily living. From a retreatant: “I feel so much better. The anxiety and fear that I was experiencing is almost nonexistent. I feel a renewed sense of optimism and hope. When the anxiety and fear does come up, I am now applying a wonderful new trick that I learned at the retreat . . . I forget which one of you mentioned it. That is to put the emotion into the mantram.”

The retreat wraps up with a meeting with Christine Easwaran and a tour of Ramagiri Ashram, where Eknath Easwaran lived for three decades.

The visit concludes with a visit to the memorial garden, dedicated to Sri Easwaran, and half an hour of meditation in Shanti, the meditation hall where he meditated and gave classes for 30 years.

“Thank you for a wonderful retreat. The sense of community and the contact with other like-minded people always makes the experience at Blue Mountain exceed my expectations.”