May 15, 2025
What an incredible weekend!
Just look at the calendar and you can see that it promises something special for this past weekend. After all, Saturday was Swami Sri Yukteswar’s birthday; that always calls for a commemorative service. And Sunday was Mother’s Day.
So, of course, it made sense to schedule our Greenfield spring retreat for this very weekend. And, boy, was it ever special.
Time for Reflection and Renewal
Conducted by two monastics visiting from California—Brother Vidurananda and Brahmachari Preston, the retreat drew nearly 70 devotees from eight states. The weather was perfect, sunny and cool enough to invite being outdoors enjoying the springtime beauty of rural Virginia. (The retreat was held at the 4-H center in Front Royal.)
Devotees attended classes and meditations conducted by the monastics; chanted, meditated, and prayed together; and enjoyed vegetarian meals that had been prepared at Greenfield.
They also enjoyed the silence, opportunities for study and reflection both indoors and out, AND much luminous love. So much!
What’s Happening at Greenfield?
In a word, the Greenfield grounds are busy, busy, busy…
Simply driving down the lane, you might find yourself behind a flatbed truck delivering a huge load of white plastic piping. (Pipes were for handling water run-off from the new Greenfield Chapel currently under construction.) Then you may need to maneuver for a parking spot. (Many of the usual spots are taken up by piles of construction materials and by construction workers’ pickup trucks.)
The spring gardens are beautiful, as usual. But last week, of course, saw both retreatants and local devotees out on the grounds weed-whacking, mowing, cleaning cottages and generally sprucing things up, in anticipation many visitors from multiple states.
Work continues to move forward on the chapel. It still looks the same on the outside. Decking has been installed on the porch. And insulation work is underway on the lower level.
Please continue to support the ongoing construction project with your prayers. And, if you are able, do consider contributing to the Greenfield Building Fund.