Harvesting Season
By Avadhutika Ananda Acira Acarya
As winter gently approaches, Ananda Dhiira continues to shine with subtle beauty and warm-hearted activity. We are still enjoying the fragrant remnants of summer — the last harvest of basil, lovingly transformed into abundant pesto and shared with margiis and visitors. Our garden remains vibrant, with cabbage and kale flourishing, and new winter crops — broccoli, Swiss chard, and more cabbage — settling into the earth with quiet promise. Every seed planted is a reminder of our dedication to natural living and the spirit of service that sustains our Master Unit.
Basil at Ananda Dhiira
A volunteer holding a giant cabbage at Ananda Dhiira
Master Unit Production: Homemade Basil Pesto
Collaboration with Shumei Organization
On October 21, we welcomed friends from the Shumei organization for a gathering filled with kiirtan, meditation, and Jorei healing. Eiko and Masa expressed deep inspiration and enthusiasm for supporting our ongoing efforts in natural agriculture, including the care and pruning of our fruit trees. The weekend was further enriched by Karma Yoga, as everyone joyfully joined hands to clean, organize, and tend to the Master Unit. The harmony of collective service created a warm and uplifting atmosphere — a true reflection of Ananda, the bliss that blossoms through selfless action.
Healthy Pathways to Peaceful Living Retreat
On September 15 and 16, 2025, Ananda Dhiira hosted the Healthy Pathways to Peaceful Living Retreat, a nurturing and transformative gathering led by Avadhutika Ananda Acira and Sister Mariscela. Surrounded by the serene embrace of nature, participants experienced a beautiful blend of physical, mental, and spiritual rejuvenation.
Sessions included yoga, meditation, natural detox with mud packs, and a deeply relaxing yoga nidra by the calming shores of the South Yuba River, where many enjoyed a refreshing swim. Sister Mariscela guided gentle and harmonizing practices in Tai Chi, breathwork, and Qigong, helping participants reconnect with balance and inner vitality.
The retreat was filled with moments of deep cleansing, sacred silence, heartfelt sharing, and expansive meditation. Participants expressed profound gratitude for the sattvik meals, the loving care provided, and the peaceful spiritual environment of Ananda Dhiira — a place that truly feels like home for the soul.
A Family Visit Blossoms into a Personal Retreat
October 17–19, 2025
A simple visit from Sister Vasanti’s and Sister Nikita’s families blossomed unexpectedly into a delightful and meaningful weekend retreat. What began as a casual family trip became a precious opportunity for deeper connection, spiritual nourishment, and shared joy. Together, we enjoyed inspiring satsaunga, uplifting conversations, and peaceful moments in the serene natural surroundings of the Master Unit.
We also celebrated the wedding anniversary of Sister Vasanti and Brother Abhaya, along with the birthday of their son, Avinash. These joyful celebrations added sweetness and warmth, filling the weekend with love, laughter, and spiritual unity.
Akhanda Kiirtana & Sádhaná Shivira
The following weekend (October 24–26, 2025), Ananda Dhiira hosted an inspiring Akhanda Kiirtana and Sádhaná Shivir. Devotees immersed themselves in continuous kiirtan, deep meditation, satsaunga, nature walks, and karma yoga. The joyful presence of young children — Turiiya and Xiomara — filled the environment with innocence and delight. Everyone felt deeply inspired, and many requested that such spiritually rich programs be offered more often.
Personal Retreat with Sister Anushrii
October 30 – November 3, 2025
To close the month, we welcomed Sister Anushrii and her friend for a personal retreat filled with silence, long meditation sessions, nature walks, and soul-enriching discussions. They also received a valuable meditation review and higher lessons, which brought them great inspiration and helped deepen their spiritual practices. Their time at Ananda Dhiira was a beautiful journey inward — peaceful, clarifying, and transformative.
Testimony from Sister Anushrii:
I just got back from a retreat at Ananda Dhiira, and it was such a beautiful experience! I went in hoping for longer meditations and time in nature, and that’s exactly what I got.
Didi Ananda Acira was so warm and welcoming, creating a personalized schedule that gave me the perfect balance of structured meditation and asana practice, along with plenty of free time to deepen my meditations or explore the stunning surroundings. One of the highlights was hiking through South Yuba River State Park, where I not only soaked in the beauty of nature but also learned about the wildflowers in bloom.
And let’s talk about the food—Didi’s cooking is incredible! She puts so much love and care into every meal, making each dish nourishing and delicious. She also led our asana sessions with great attention, ensuring I could comfortably follow along by offering plenty of modifications.
The Inner Compass, I am Not my Emotion, Superpower of Yama and Niyama for Modern Kids
A Book Composed by Sister Indranii and Her Son Aloka.
Over the past year, as I was guiding my son through the principles of Yama and Niyama, I realized how deeply these teachings shape the heart when they are introduced early — as seeds of compassion, truthfulness, courage, and benevolence. I searched for a child-friendly book that could convey these values clearly and warmly, but I could not find one. So, with an inspiration from my Guru, I wrote one myself.
This book is not just a storybook — it is an offering. A simple, gentle tool to help children understand their inner world, navigate their emotions, and grow with kindness and self-awareness.
All profits from this book go toward the Mindful Kids Library Fund, through which we donate books and host small story circles and mindfulness gatherings in public libraries and schools — so that every child, regardless of background, has access to these teachings of love and universal humanism.
If it touches even one young mind and helps plant one seed of compassion, then it has fulfilled its purpose.
With love and gratitude,
Indranii
