5-Day Meditation Retreat – 24, 2025 At Ananda Vrati, Pennsylvania
5-Day Meditation Retreat – 24, 2025 At Ananda Vrati, Pennsylvania
Quest Center, 411 Quicks Hill Road, Hop Bottom, PA 18824, USA
Up to 18 in group
August 20 - 24, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- Sample Daily Schedule:
- 5:00 a.m. – Kiirtana and meditation (optional sleep-in)
- 6:30 a.m. – Yoga class
- 7:30 a.m. – Morning meditation
- 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
- 9:30 a.m. – Morning class or outdoor walk
- 12:00 p.m. – Noon meditation
- 1:00 p.m. – Lunch
- 2:00 p.m. – Rest and free time
- 3:00 p.m. – Afternoon workshop or outdoor activity
- 5:00 p.m. – Evening meditation
- 6:00 p.m. – Evening yoga
- 7:00 p.m. – Dinner
- 8:00 p.m. – Short evening program
- 8:30–9:00 p.m. – Take a rest
About this Retreat
The meditation practices gradually became a profound source of happiness until, at age twenty-three, he decided to dedicate his life to teaching meditation and living as a monk.
Dada is a musician who loves classical music and sings mantra music and the Prabhata Samgiita devotional songs.
He has been teaching people meditation and yoga since 2005 in Taiwan, Russia, Canada, and the US.
Didi Ananda Acira learned meditation in Indonesia in the year 2000.
She became a nun in the year 2006 and was working mainly in South East Asia.
She moved to the United States in 2014 and is teaching meditation, yoga, and yoga detox at Ananda Dhiira Meditation Center in Penn Valley, California.
She receives small groups at Ananda Dhiira for meditation and detox retreats and teaches at Meditation Steps retreats in the USA.
Special Interests:
Meditation, yoga, yogic lifestyle, and philosophy
Health, wellness, and natural detox
Organic farming and living a natural lifestyle
Details of this retreat
Join us for a transformative five-day meditation retreat at Ananda Vrati Master Unit – Quest Center in Hop Bottom, Pennsylvania, from August 20–24, 2025. Led by Dada Diiptimánánanda and Didi Ananda Acirá, this immersive experience includes daily meditation and Kiirtana, yoga classes, inspiring workshops, and nutritious sattvic vegetarian meals, all set in a peaceful natural environment. The newly renovated retreat center features a large meditation hall, forest trails, and comfortable shared accommodations. Whether you’re seeking inner peace, spiritual growth, or meaningful connection, this retreat offers a unique opportunity to relax, recharge, and deepen your practice.
What To Expect
Daily collective meditation and Kiirtana (mantra chanting), with four sessions per day
Morning and evening yoga classes, suitable for all levels
Inspiring classes and workshops on meditation, yoga philosophy, and spiritual lifestyle
Three sattvic vegetarian meals daily — mostly vegan and gluten-free
Outdoor walks, light games, and peaceful time in nature
Optional personal guidance and individual meditation lessons
Core spiritual practices at the retreat include Baba Nam Kevalam mantra meditation, Kiirtana, and Lalita Marmika dance—each designed to harmonize body, mind, and spirit and prepare practitioners for deeper inner experience. Baba Nam Kevalam, meaning “Only the Name of the Most Beloved” or “Love is all there is,” is a universal mantra used to focus the mind and awaken inner bliss. It is chanted both silently in seated meditation and aloud during Kiirtana, a joyful, rhythmic repetition of the mantra with music and movement that uplifts the heart and purifies the mind. Accompanying the chanting is Lalita Marmika, a simple yet powerful dance that helps loosen the body, improve circulation, and cultivate devotion by engaging physical expression in spiritual ideation. Together, these practices serve as a foundation for personal transformation, emotional balance, and expanded awareness, creating an atmosphere of inner joy and spiritual depth throughout the retreat.
What To Bring?
Please bring comfortable clothing and shoes for trails and gravel roads, toiletries, a towel, a reusable water bottle, a notebook and pen, medications, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and other personal items. A swimsuit is optional if you wish to use the sauna. Yoga mats are available, but feel free to bring your own.
What To Expect
Daily collective meditation and Kiirtana (mantra chanting), with four sessions per day
Morning and evening yoga classes, suitable for all levels
Inspiring classes and workshops on meditation, yoga philosophy, and spiritual lifestyle
Three sattvic vegetarian meals daily — mostly vegan and gluten-free
Outdoor walks, light games, and peaceful time in nature
Optional personal guidance and individual meditation lessons
Core spiritual practices at the retreat include Baba Nam Kevalam mantra meditation, Kiirtana, and Lalita Marmika dance—each designed to harmonize body, mind, and spirit and prepare practitioners for deeper inner experience. Baba Nam Kevalam, meaning “Only the Name of the Most Beloved” or “Love is all there is,” is a universal mantra used to focus the mind and awaken inner bliss. It is chanted both silently in seated meditation and aloud during Kiirtana, a joyful, rhythmic repetition of the mantra with music and movement that uplifts the heart and purifies the mind. Accompanying the chanting is Lalita Marmika, a simple yet powerful dance that helps loosen the body, improve circulation, and cultivate devotion by engaging physical expression in spiritual ideation. Together, these practices serve as a foundation for personal transformation, emotional balance, and expanded awareness, creating an atmosphere of inner joy and spiritual depth throughout the retreat.
What To Bring?
Please bring comfortable clothing and shoes for trails and gravel roads, toiletries, a towel, a reusable water bottle, a notebook and pen, medications, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and other personal items. A swimsuit is optional if you wish to use the sauna. Yoga mats are available, but feel free to bring your own.
Schedule
We look forward to welcoming you! While our official arrival time is at 3 p.m., feel free to arrive earlier or later, depending on your travel plans. Our first program, a yoga class, begins at 4:30 p.m.
Each day starts with an optional early morning chanting and meditation at 5 a.m. (you’re welcome to join a bit later if you prefer) and is filled with enriching activities.
Departure is on Sunday after our final group sharing session.
Meditation Steps Retreat Schedule
Please note that the schedule shown is a general outline. A detailed and updated version will be shared with all participants during the week leading up to the retreat.
Ananda Vrati Master Unit, Pennsylvania
Wednesday
3:00 p.m. Arrival, accommodation, registration
4:30 p.m. Intro to Kiirtana and Meditation
5:30 p.m. Yoga Class
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Opening/orientation
8:00 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:30 p.m. Rest (Silence observed until 6:30 a.m.)
Thursday
5:00 a.m. Morning Meditation (Optional)
6:30 a.m. Yoga Class
7:30 a.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:15 a.m. Breakfast
9:45 a.m. Class: Mantra and Meditation
11:00 a.m. Nature Walk
12:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
1:00 p.m. Lunch
3:00 p.m. Class: Yama and Niyama
4:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
5:00 p.m. Yoga Class
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Evening Program
8:00 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:30 p.m. Rest (Silence observed until 6:30 a.m.)
Friday
5:00 a.m. Morning Meditation (Optional)
6:30 a.m. Yoga Class
7:30 a.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:15 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Intro to Personal Meditation
10:00 a.m. Individual Meditation Lessons
12:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
1:00 p.m. Lunch
2:30 p.m. Class: Food for Spiritual Progress
3:30 p.m. Nature Walk
4:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
5:00 p.m. Yoga Class
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Devotional Songs
8:00 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:30 p.m. Rest (Silence observed until 6:30 a.m.)
Saturday
5:00 a.m. Morning Meditation (Optional)
6:30 a.m. Yoga Class
7:30 a.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:15 a.m. Breakfast
9:45 a.m. Class: Mantra and Meditation
11:00 a.m. Nature Walk
12:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
1:00 p.m. Lunch
3:00 p.m. Class: Yama and Niyama
4:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
5:00 p.m. Yoga Class
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Evening Program
8:00 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:30 p.m. Rest (Silence observed until 6:30 a.m.)
Sunday
5:00 a.m. Morning Meditation (Optional)
6:30 a.m. Yoga Class, Kaosiiki, Tandava
7:30 a.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Class: Karma, Samskara, and Reincarnation
10:30 a.m. Closing and sharing
Each day starts with an optional early morning chanting and meditation at 5 a.m. (you’re welcome to join a bit later if you prefer) and is filled with enriching activities.
Departure is on Sunday after our final group sharing session.
Meditation Steps Retreat Schedule
Please note that the schedule shown is a general outline. A detailed and updated version will be shared with all participants during the week leading up to the retreat.
Ananda Vrati Master Unit, Pennsylvania
Wednesday
3:00 p.m. Arrival, accommodation, registration
4:30 p.m. Intro to Kiirtana and Meditation
5:30 p.m. Yoga Class
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Opening/orientation
8:00 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:30 p.m. Rest (Silence observed until 6:30 a.m.)
Thursday
5:00 a.m. Morning Meditation (Optional)
6:30 a.m. Yoga Class
7:30 a.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:15 a.m. Breakfast
9:45 a.m. Class: Mantra and Meditation
11:00 a.m. Nature Walk
12:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
1:00 p.m. Lunch
3:00 p.m. Class: Yama and Niyama
4:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
5:00 p.m. Yoga Class
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Evening Program
8:00 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:30 p.m. Rest (Silence observed until 6:30 a.m.)
Friday
5:00 a.m. Morning Meditation (Optional)
6:30 a.m. Yoga Class
7:30 a.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:15 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Intro to Personal Meditation
10:00 a.m. Individual Meditation Lessons
12:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
1:00 p.m. Lunch
2:30 p.m. Class: Food for Spiritual Progress
3:30 p.m. Nature Walk
4:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
5:00 p.m. Yoga Class
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Devotional Songs
8:00 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:30 p.m. Rest (Silence observed until 6:30 a.m.)
Saturday
5:00 a.m. Morning Meditation (Optional)
6:30 a.m. Yoga Class
7:30 a.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:15 a.m. Breakfast
9:45 a.m. Class: Mantra and Meditation
11:00 a.m. Nature Walk
12:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
1:00 p.m. Lunch
3:00 p.m. Class: Yama and Niyama
4:15 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
5:00 p.m. Yoga Class
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Evening Program
8:00 p.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:30 p.m. Rest (Silence observed until 6:30 a.m.)
Sunday
5:00 a.m. Morning Meditation (Optional)
6:30 a.m. Yoga Class, Kaosiiki, Tandava
7:30 a.m. Kiirtana and Meditation
8:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Class: Karma, Samskara, and Reincarnation
10:30 a.m. Closing and sharing
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Meditation Steps, Quest Center, 411 Quicks Hill Road, Hop Bottom, PA 18824, USA
Directions
Ananda Vrati – Quest Center
411 Quicks Hill Road
Hop Bottom, PA 18824, USA
The center is a 45-minute drive from Scranton, PA, and about 3 hours from Manhattan. The newly renovated facilities include hardwood floors, a professional kitchen, a spacious dining area, a large upstairs meditation hall, and five guest rooms with bunk beds (accommodating up to 18 participants). The property is surrounded by forests, meadows, and walking trails ideal for relaxation and spiritual reflection.
Most participants arrive by car from New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania. Rental cars are available at New York and New Jersey airports. We are not able to offer airport pickups.
Please plan to arrive by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20. Free parking is available in the designated gravel area (please avoid parking on the grass).
411 Quicks Hill Road
Hop Bottom, PA 18824, USA
The center is a 45-minute drive from Scranton, PA, and about 3 hours from Manhattan. The newly renovated facilities include hardwood floors, a professional kitchen, a spacious dining area, a large upstairs meditation hall, and five guest rooms with bunk beds (accommodating up to 18 participants). The property is surrounded by forests, meadows, and walking trails ideal for relaxation and spiritual reflection.
Most participants arrive by car from New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania. Rental cars are available at New York and New Jersey airports. We are not able to offer airport pickups.
Please plan to arrive by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20. Free parking is available in the designated gravel area (please avoid parking on the grass).
Accommodation
Dorms have bunk beds with shared bathrooms. Families room together; singles are placed in same-gender dorms. Private rooms are available for those who prefer more privacy. If space allows, couples or families may be upgraded to a private room at no extra cost at the start of the retreat.
Single Adults in Dorm Rooms
Couple in Dorm Rooms
Private Room
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
The center is a 45-minute drive from Scranton, PA, and about 3 hours from Manhattan. The newly renovated facilities include hardwood floors, a professional kitchen, a spacious dining area, a large upstairs meditation hall, and five guest rooms with bunk beds (accommodating up to 18 participants). The property is surrounded by forests, meadows, and walking trails ideal for relaxation and spiritual reflection.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Enjoy nourishing Sattvik vegetarian meals, free from meat, eggs, onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Most dishes are gluten- and dairy-free. No alcohol or tobacco allowed. Contact us for dietary needs.
What's Included
- 4 nights accommodation
- 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals per day
- Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day
- Daily yoga classes
- Daily meditation classes
- Online free meditation course
- Group excursions/activities
- Pre and post retreat support from our team
- Cooking class
- Pre and post retreat support from our team
- WiFi connection
What's Not Included
- Flights cost
- Travel insurance
- Visa fee
- Airport transfer
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