In general, the outdoor gardens, Meditation Hall & Relics room are open to visitors throughout the day. If you’d like to come for a visit please let us know in advance.

While we are always happy to welcome you and make your visit meaningful, you may often find the members totally occupied with the work at hand. The Ashram is our home, place of work, and place of sadhana, and the combined demands do not often leave much time for socialization. Your goodwill and understanding are much appreciated.

If you’d like to participate in a collective activity, the monthly retreats are a good time to plan your visit. See the Activities page for more information about upcoming events. We also encourage participation by helping out during your visit. There is always much to be done, and helping hands are most welcome.

Guidelines

Throughout the ashram property, four specific rules are followed which were originally laid down by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother for the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry: No smoking, no alcohol or drugs, no sex and no politics.

Concentrated quiet atmosphere: In addition to these four requirements, cleanliness and quietude are much appreciated and help to cultivate an atmosphere of consecration.

Cell Phone: Please make sure your cell phone is silent when entering the ashram building.

Children: All ages are welcome, but children must be supervised at all times by an adult. We ask that children also be respectful of the quiet and concentrated atmosphere mentioned above.

Directions

The ashram is located at 2621 W Highway 12, Lodi, CA 95242. The city of Lodi, with a population of almost 70,000, is located about two miles to the east, Sacramento is located about 35 miles to the north, and San Francisco is about 90 miles to the west.

The Sacramento airport (SMF) is recommended for those travelling from within the US. For international arrivals, San Francisco (SFO) is the best option. There are public transit options for those coming from the Bay Area.

Overnight

Single room overnight facilities are available, subject to availability. Family and couple accommodations are not available. Guests are welcome to help out in any way they can during their stay, in the spirit of disinterested work done for the Divine.

The ashram’s main meal is lunch, and a simple offering for breakfast and dinner is also provided for guests. All meals and foods are vegetarian (no meat or fish).

Work Exchange Program

For individuals interested in longer stays, we offer a work-exchange program in which room and board are provided in exchange for full-time work helping to maintain the center. Familiarity with Integral Yoga is expected, but the level of commitment required is less than that for residence. This program provides an opportunity to deepen one’s understanding and practice of the Integral Yoga.

Details of the work exchange are arranged on an individual basis, and work may consist of gardening, cleaning, kitchen work, building and property maintenance, among other possibilities. Generally, seven hours of work per day with Sundays off are expected.

Work exchange participants are also expected to participate regularly in evening study groups on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother’s works.

If you are interested in participating in the work exchange program, please fill this form. All work exchange arrangements are made at the discretion of the SASP board.