abide in the experiential knowing of your own divine essence...
Reside in the Knowing of Your Own Self
At Home with Swami Nirmalananda
The Ashram's residential building was opened with great joy in September 2010. It is our home base 
because it is Swami Nirmalananda's home, which she shares with other committed yogis.
Though you are not living there with her, Swamiji would like for you to feel at home, so she writes to share regular reports and posts recent photos of the interior.
Swamiji loves to host friends and family members for informal gatherings and social events, while all our formal teachings and programs are offered at the Ashram's second building: Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center.
Click here for Ashram FAQs.
because it is Swami Nirmalananda's home, which she shares with other committed yogis. Though you are not living there with her, Swamiji would like for you to feel at home, so she writes to share regular reports and posts recent photos of the interior.
Swamiji loves to host friends and family members for informal gatherings and social events, while all our formal teachings and programs are offered at the Ashram's second building: Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center.
Click here for Ashram FAQs.
Meditation Room
Swami Nirmalananda leads practices three times daily in the meditation room: early morning puja, Guru Gita (pronunciation lesson and chant) followed by a
short meditation, before-lunch japa session (mantra repetition), and evening arati to Nityananda with a chant and meditation before bed. It adds up to a powerful energy that saturates the room and the whole building. The daily pujas and practices are what make it an Ashram, along with Swamiji's residence here. She is delighted when she can host personal guests, who always comment on the peaceful feeling in the meditation room, strategically located in the center of the whole building.
The big chair in front is Swamiji's chair, with the photos of Baba and Bhagavan Nityananda on either side, and a personal photo of Baba on the table to her left. The mound in front of her chair is the harmonium, on a table and covered with a one of Swamiji's shawls. On the left margin of this photo are chairs and blanket stacks, used by other ashram residents as well as guests, who came to the morning Guru Gita and are ready to return for the pre-lunch japa.
Swami Nirmalananda leads practices three times daily in the meditation room: early morning puja, Guru Gita (pronunciation lesson and chant) followed by a
short meditation, before-lunch japa session (mantra repetition), and evening arati to Nityananda with a chant and meditation before bed. It adds up to a powerful energy that saturates the room and the whole building. The daily pujas and practices are what make it an Ashram, along with Swamiji's residence here. She is delighted when she can host personal guests, who always comment on the peaceful feeling in the meditation room, strategically located in the center of the whole building.The big chair in front is Swamiji's chair, with the photos of Baba and Bhagavan Nityananda on either side, and a personal photo of Baba on the table to her left. The mound in front of her chair is the harmonium, on a table and covered with a one of Swamiji's shawls. On the left margin of this photo are chairs and blanket stacks, used by other ashram residents as well as guests, who came to the morning Guru Gita and are ready to return for the pre-lunch japa.
The Best Laid Plans...
When Swami Nirmalananda found the property at 1400 Hampton Drive in Downingtown PA, she was touched by the light and the spaciousness inside. "I had looked at many, many properties in the preceding six months, but found none to compare with the way this property could hold the shakti. I knew I could base my work and teachings here, plus invite many to enjoy the space with me."
Since the then-owners were running a day-care facility for five children, Swamiji thought it might be possible to hold two yoga classes per week, and (through the realtors) checked with the president of the homeowner's association. The answer was relayed - yes. Moving ahead with the purchase, due to the generous support of our widespread community, Swamiji checked again at the purchase deadline, this time checking personally, and got a clear yes. It was informal, meaning not documented, so Swamiji wrote an email to confirm it. Once the purchase was complete, the Board members of the homeowner's association sent a highly reactive email to Swami Nirmalananda, denying permission to hold the yoga classes. She wrote back and phoned several times, but never got even the courtesy of a response.
The Ashram complied immediately with the newly stated guidelines, moving all programs off-site or changing them from religious or education programs to social events. Consultations with the local zoning officials assured us that social activities are legally permitted in a private home, so Swamiji began inviting people over when they are in the area. She continues to do so and is delighted to host and feed invited guests, most of whom share her love of yoga. Just as any college professor will host their students at their home, or any business owner will invite clients over, or any member of an organization will invite their co-workers or fellow volunteers to their home, Swami Nirmalananda may hold social events with like-minded individuals whom she chooses to invite to her home.
No educational or religious (spiritual) programming is allowed in this location, so Swamiji enjoys informal conversation with her guests, as well as offering a tour of her home - which is the home base for her teaching of svaroopavidya. The tour includes the meditation room where Swamiji does her personal devotionals (in the morning, mid-day, at sunset and at night before bed). When time allows, guests lounge in the parlor with a cup of tea from our tearoom (the former owners probably used it as a bar!), chat in our sunroom or curl up on the comfy sofas with a good book. Swamiji loves the opportunity for informal interaction because so many of her teaching hours are more formal occasions.
Swamiji recognizes that these local events have affected everyone's experience of the Ashram. She says, "While I never planned to open a rooming house or bed-and-breakfast, I did plan on having a more open home as well as holding meditation programs there twice weekly. Those program are now moved to Kashi (Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center), and I'm happy to be creating programming that will run more frequently - four or five times weekly once I cultivate the local community and sevites. Ultimately this has been a boon, as is always true when life throws you curve balls. I get more informal time with my guests, plus I am offering more programs (audios of which will go on the website), plus the programs are in a more public venue. The expansion of my service to my Guru is assured." The process has been a rocky road, with the Ashram’s attorney suggesting that we are being subjected to religious discrimination, but we are working hard to assure everyone of our respectful compliance to zoning guidelines while enjoying our legal right to invite people for a visit.
We have now added the Ashram B&B program, in which we are partnering with local B&B's to provide nearby housing for guests, while we offer programming at Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center. Swami Nirmalananda is doing everything she can to both welcome yogis who want to dive deeper, while respecting the local regulations and our neighbors.
In accordance with Swami Nirmalananda's religious practices, every guest is treated as God, so we do a candle ceremony at the door to welcome each person. Shoes are left at the door. Swamiji's two cats are usually in seclusion during these social events, out of respect to those who might have allergies, but we will include photos on this page, in the changing gallery that is coming.
If you have any questions or concerns about these events and activities, please email us at home@svaroopavidya.org. We are happy to hear any feedback or concerns, answer any questions and consider any recommendations. Namaste.
OM svaroopa svasvabhavah namo namah
When Swami Nirmalananda found the property at 1400 Hampton Drive in Downingtown PA, she was touched by the light and the spaciousness inside. "I had looked at many, many properties in the preceding six months, but found none to compare with the way this property could hold the shakti. I knew I could base my work and teachings here, plus invite many to enjoy the space with me."
Since the then-owners were running a day-care facility for five children, Swamiji thought it might be possible to hold two yoga classes per week, and (through the realtors) checked with the president of the homeowner's association. The answer was relayed - yes. Moving ahead with the purchase, due to the generous support of our widespread community, Swamiji checked again at the purchase deadline, this time checking personally, and got a clear yes. It was informal, meaning not documented, so Swamiji wrote an email to confirm it. Once the purchase was complete, the Board members of the homeowner's association sent a highly reactive email to Swami Nirmalananda, denying permission to hold the yoga classes. She wrote back and phoned several times, but never got even the courtesy of a response.
The Ashram complied immediately with the newly stated guidelines, moving all programs off-site or changing them from religious or education programs to social events. Consultations with the local zoning officials assured us that social activities are legally permitted in a private home, so Swamiji began inviting people over when they are in the area. She continues to do so and is delighted to host and feed invited guests, most of whom share her love of yoga. Just as any college professor will host their students at their home, or any business owner will invite clients over, or any member of an organization will invite their co-workers or fellow volunteers to their home, Swami Nirmalananda may hold social events with like-minded individuals whom she chooses to invite to her home.
No educational or religious (spiritual) programming is allowed in this location, so Swamiji enjoys informal conversation with her guests, as well as offering a tour of her home - which is the home base for her teaching of svaroopavidya. The tour includes the meditation room where Swamiji does her personal devotionals (in the morning, mid-day, at sunset and at night before bed). When time allows, guests lounge in the parlor with a cup of tea from our tearoom (the former owners probably used it as a bar!), chat in our sunroom or curl up on the comfy sofas with a good book. Swamiji loves the opportunity for informal interaction because so many of her teaching hours are more formal occasions.
Swamiji recognizes that these local events have affected everyone's experience of the Ashram. She says, "While I never planned to open a rooming house or bed-and-breakfast, I did plan on having a more open home as well as holding meditation programs there twice weekly. Those program are now moved to Kashi (Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center), and I'm happy to be creating programming that will run more frequently - four or five times weekly once I cultivate the local community and sevites. Ultimately this has been a boon, as is always true when life throws you curve balls. I get more informal time with my guests, plus I am offering more programs (audios of which will go on the website), plus the programs are in a more public venue. The expansion of my service to my Guru is assured." The process has been a rocky road, with the Ashram’s attorney suggesting that we are being subjected to religious discrimination, but we are working hard to assure everyone of our respectful compliance to zoning guidelines while enjoying our legal right to invite people for a visit.
We have now added the Ashram B&B program, in which we are partnering with local B&B's to provide nearby housing for guests, while we offer programming at Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center. Swami Nirmalananda is doing everything she can to both welcome yogis who want to dive deeper, while respecting the local regulations and our neighbors.
In accordance with Swami Nirmalananda's religious practices, every guest is treated as God, so we do a candle ceremony at the door to welcome each person. Shoes are left at the door. Swamiji's two cats are usually in seclusion during these social events, out of respect to those who might have allergies, but we will include photos on this page, in the changing gallery that is coming.
If you have any questions or concerns about these events and activities, please email us at home@svaroopavidya.org. We are happy to hear any feedback or concerns, answer any questions and consider any recommendations. Namaste.
OM svaroopa svasvabhavah namo namah