Shree Muktananda Ashram
Encyclopedia
Shree Muktananda Ashram, in the Catskills area of upstate New York, is an international retreat center owned and operated by the SYDA Foundation
. Its purpose is to provide a location where students of Siddha Yoga can study the philosophy and culture of Siddha Yoga
and follow its daily practices (known as sadhana
). The ashram is located in the hamlet of Fallsburg, approximately 130 kilometres north-west of New York City.
began a tour of North America. The Shree Muktananda Ashram was one of the main results of this tour. The SYDA (Siddha Yoga Dharm Associates) Foundation -- the administrative organization for Siddha Yoga -- bought the Gilbert Hotel, situated on Brickman Road, Fallsburg. Extensive renovations began and the site became the location of the offices that were to administer Siddha Yoga activities all over the world. The site would eventually include two other hotel complexes and cover over 100 acre (0.404686 km²). In the summer of 1979, Siddha Yoga devotees gathered for the first retreat in Fallsburg. At this stage, the centre was known as the Shree Nityananda Ashram, in honour of Swami Muktananda's guru, Bhagawan Nityananda
. A former ballroom became a meditation room and a temple honouring Nityananda was built.
In 1983, another hotel in the area, the Windsor, was acquired and converted to dormitory accommodation and offices. This centre became known as Sadhana
Kutir. In 1985, construction began on a large open-air pavilion known as Shakti
Mandapa
, which was located behind the original hotel building, now known as Anugraha (divine grace). In the following year, the SYDA Foundation bought the Brickman Hotel, also on Brickman Road, which became known as Atma
Nidhi
(treasure of the soul).
After Swami Muktananda's death in 1982, his successor Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
changed the name of the ashram to the Shree Muktanada Ashram.
Siddha Yoga
Siddha Yoga is a spiritual path based on the Hindu spiritual traditions of Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism. The Siddha Yoga path was founded by Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa . The present spiritual head of the Siddha Yoga path is Gurumayi Chidvilasananda...
. Its purpose is to provide a location where students of Siddha Yoga can study the philosophy and culture of Siddha Yoga
Siddha Yoga
Siddha Yoga is a spiritual path based on the Hindu spiritual traditions of Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism. The Siddha Yoga path was founded by Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa . The present spiritual head of the Siddha Yoga path is Gurumayi Chidvilasananda...
and follow its daily practices (known as sadhana
Sadhana
Sādhanā literally "a means of accomplishing something" is ego-transcending spiritual practice. It includes a variety of disciplines in Hindu, Sikh , Buddhist and Muslim traditions that are followed in order to achieve various spiritual or ritual objectives.The historian N...
). The ashram is located in the hamlet of Fallsburg, approximately 130 kilometres north-west of New York City.
History
In 1978, the Indian guru Swami MuktanandaMuktananda
Swami Muktananda is the monastic name of an Indian Hindu guru and disciple of Bhagavan Nityananda. Swami Muktananda was the founder of Siddha Yoga...
began a tour of North America. The Shree Muktananda Ashram was one of the main results of this tour. The SYDA (Siddha Yoga Dharm Associates) Foundation -- the administrative organization for Siddha Yoga -- bought the Gilbert Hotel, situated on Brickman Road, Fallsburg. Extensive renovations began and the site became the location of the offices that were to administer Siddha Yoga activities all over the world. The site would eventually include two other hotel complexes and cover over 100 acre (0.404686 km²). In the summer of 1979, Siddha Yoga devotees gathered for the first retreat in Fallsburg. At this stage, the centre was known as the Shree Nityananda Ashram, in honour of Swami Muktananda's guru, Bhagawan Nityananda
Bhagawan Nityananda
Bhagawan Nityananda was an Indian guru. His teachings are published in the "Chidakash Gita". Nityananda was born in Quilandy , Kerala, South India.- Early life :...
. A former ballroom became a meditation room and a temple honouring Nityananda was built.
In 1983, another hotel in the area, the Windsor, was acquired and converted to dormitory accommodation and offices. This centre became known as Sadhana
Sadhana
Sādhanā literally "a means of accomplishing something" is ego-transcending spiritual practice. It includes a variety of disciplines in Hindu, Sikh , Buddhist and Muslim traditions that are followed in order to achieve various spiritual or ritual objectives.The historian N...
Kutir. In 1985, construction began on a large open-air pavilion known as Shakti
Shakti
Shakti from Sanskrit shak - "to be able," meaning sacred force or empowerment, is the primordial cosmic energy and represents the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the entire universe in Hinduism. Shakti is the concept, or personification, of divine feminine creative power, sometimes...
Mandapa
Mandapa
A mandapa in Indian architecture is a pillared outdoor hall or pavilion for public rituals.-Temple architecture:...
, which was located behind the original hotel building, now known as Anugraha (divine grace). In the following year, the SYDA Foundation bought the Brickman Hotel, also on Brickman Road, which became known as Atma
Atma
Atma may refer to:*Atman , in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions: the higher self.* Atma, a 2011 album by the band YobATMA may refer to:...
Nidhi
Nidhi
In the context of Hindu mythology, Nidhi, that is, a treasure, constituted of nine treasures belonging to Kubera , the god of wealth. According to the tradition, each nidhi is personified as having a guardian spirit, and some tantrikas worship them...
(treasure of the soul).
After Swami Muktananda's death in 1982, his successor Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Gurumayi Chidvilasananda is the commonly used name of Malti Shetty , who is the current guru of the Siddha Yoga lineage. She is formally known as Swami Chidvilasananda or more casually as Gurumayi...
changed the name of the ashram to the Shree Muktanada Ashram.