Announcements – Page 2 – Vivekananda Retreat Ridgely

Ridgely’s 2018 regular schedule (not the weekend retreat schedule)

As always, we consider our weekly schedule at the beginning of our spring season-what is working for us, what is not. Here is the schedule that will go into effect AFTER April 15.

SUNDAYS 10:30-12 Bhagavad Gita class
12-1` Chandi chanting and reading

SATURDAYS (The schedule will alternate activities. You will need to consult the Ridgely calendar on our website.)

VOLUNTEER SATURDAYS

Now that spring might be around the corner, we will be starting up our outside work and we need volunteers to help us. What are we doing? We have a large organic vegetable garden and many flower borders, all maintained by Gitaprana with the help of volunteers. We have a shrine trail complete with labyrinth that needs regular care. We have 3 houses that take a beating during the winter and need paint touch-ups. We also have inside cleaning jobs.

This year we are considering training some volunteers to be tour guides for the many day visitors we have during the warm months. Every year we are happy to have more and more visitors and we love giving tours. The “downside” to this is that, with the increase in visitors, we are, more and more, pulling our own staff members away from work that needs to be done.
If you have an interest in Ridgely and it’s history and would like to share it with our guests on tour, please let us know.

WE WILL BE DESIGNATING 2 SATURDAYS PER MONTH AS VOLUNTEER DAYS BUT YOU MAY VOLUNTEER ANYTIME. JUST GIVE US A CALL.

MEDITATION SATURDAYS- please check our calendar for these events.

We are going to try to bring back our silent meditation retreats in modified form. Once a month we will hold a silent meditation morning from 9:30-1pm followed by a silent lunch.

e are also going to try a new kind of meditation-a forest hike. One Saturday a month, we will gather at Ridgely (with a bag lunch and hiking clothes) and go for a hike somewhere in the area-the Catskills, Minnewaska etc. Don’t worry-we will choose hikes that aren’t too strenuous ! The idea is to spend time in quiet reflection in nature.

Vivekananda Retreat is Open, Weather Permitting

It is almost Spring here at the retreat. Currently there is no snow or ice so we will be allowing visitors on a limited basis. If you wish to visit YOU MUST CALL IN ADVANCE. Our weather could change back to snow and ice at any time and, quite frankly, we do not want visitors … Continue reading Vivekananda Retreat is Open, Weather Permitting

Winter at Ridgely: We will close the retreat on December 25 and re-open in the Spring.

Ridgely often closes during the months of January-March, when the snow and ice build up on our internal roads making it difficult and potentially dangerous to drive or walk. We hope to see you in Spring!

Nov. 3 Sarod Concert Cancelled

We are still having our retreat Nov. 3-4 as posted earlier, however, the concert has been cancelled as the musicians could not make the date at the last minute. Instead, on Nov. 3 at 7pm we will have an informal stand with the scheduled speakers.

Kali Puja October 19 10pm

We will be performing our annual Kali Puja, the elaborate ritual worship of the goddess Dakshina Kali, the same form of the Divine worshipped by Sri Ramakrishna at the Dakshineswar Temple in Kolkata. This is basically an all-night puja that combines elements from both the Vedic and Tantric traditions. During the ritual the goddess is”invoked” … Continue reading Kali Puja October 19 10pm

Thinking about making a day visit to Ridgely? Please read this:

First of all, we are happy to show people this wonderful place where Swami Vivekananda stayed. If you would like to visit Ridgely, you must schedule a tour at least a day in advance. Right now we have so many day visitors we are asking groups to come at the same time so we can … Continue reading Thinking about making a day visit to Ridgely? Please read this:

Pravrajika Sevaprana Retreat Sunday, June 25 10:30-4:00

please join us for this one-day retreat with Pravrajika Sevaprana, a senior nun of the Vedanta Society of Southern California. Here is her description of the retreat: Why do we Suffer? Can suffering actually broaden our hearts and lead us to compassionate action whichin turn can free us from our isolation? We see so much suffering … Continue reading Pravrajika Sevaprana Retreat Sunday, June 25 10:30-4:00

Retreat w/Swami Sarvapriyananda: May 13 10:30-4 THIS RETREAT IS NOW CLOSED TO FURTHER ENROLLMENT

Many of our local friends have not met Swami Sarvapriyananda, the new Head Minister of the Vedanta Society of New York,recently transferred from the Vedanta Society of Southern California where he served as Asst. Minister.He is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order who has held many posts in India, including serving as teacher at the … Continue reading Retreat w/Swami Sarvapriyananda: May 13 10:30-4 THIS RETREAT IS NOW CLOSED TO FURTHER ENROLLMENT

Swami Sarvadevananda Retreat “Life After Death” March 28 and 29.

Ridgely will be open with a retreat given by Swami Sarvadevananda on Life After Death. WITH A HUGE CAVEAT: IF THE WEATHER IS SNOWY OR ICY, WE WILL CANCEL SO CHECK THE WEATHER AND CHECK WITH US IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND. Here is the schedule: March 28 7:30pm Session 1 March 29 … Continue reading Swami Sarvadevananda Retreat “Life After Death” March 28 and 29.

Ridgely is closed again due to big snow

A winter blizzard dumped more than 2 feet of snow here yesterday, March 14. More snow is forecast for later on this week. There is no chance of the snow melting. Instead it will slowly turn to ice on our roads and make conditions very unsafe for visitors. We will post again when the snow … Continue reading Ridgely is closed again due to big snow