American Veda Tours
2026 U.S. Retreat
November 6 to November 13 (7-day retreat): $1295
November 6 to 15 (Retreat plus Shaktipat intensive): $1665
In 2026 American Veda Tours will be American Veda Retreats. Instead of foreign travel, we’re staying in the U.S. Instead of moving around, we’ll be in one location: Walden, New York.
This retreat could not be more timely. In these tumultuous and uncertain days, many of us are seeking stillness, reflection, and deeper connection. Life moves fast, events are troubling, and the pressures and distractions of daily life often leave little room for quiet inner growth.
This retreat provides the opportunity to step away, slow down, and immerse yourself in a week of deep spiritual practice, profound learning, and nourishing renewal.
The retreat leaders, Phil Goldberg and Swami Brahmananda, have each been immersed in India’s spiritual heritage for more than fifty years. They will draw from their storehouse of knowledge and experiential know-how to construct a blend of wisdom and transformational practice that integrates mind, body, and spirit.
Philip Goldberg has studied the world’s spiritual traditions, as a practitioner, teacher, and writer. A spiritual counselor, meditation teacher, and interfaith minister, his numerous books include: American Veda; The Life of Yogananda; Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times; and Karmic Relief: Harnessing the Laws of Cause and Effect for a Joyful, Meaningful Life.
He hosts the Spirit Matters podcast, publishes frequently on his “Practical Spirituality” Substack, and serves on the board of the Association for Spiritual Integrity.
David Nowe – Swami Brahmananda – met Swami Muktananda and received Shaktipat initiation in 1975, later taking Sannyasa Diksha. In 1981, Muktananda directed him to found the Siddha Meditation Center in Los Angeles and appointed him National Coordinator of SYDA Centers and Ashrams in the U.S., overseeing 35 ashrams and 350 meditation centers.
In 1995, he founded the God Realization Ministry, bringing Siddha Yoga teachings to more than 200 Christian churches nationwide. As Spiritual Director of Simple Peace Retreats in Assisi, he led weekly silent meditation retreats for five years. In recent years, he has offered satsangs and conducted Shaktipat intensives in India, his current home-base, and throughout the world.
Retreat Format
Teachings and Meditation:
The retreat will feature extended sessions of deep meditation, drawing from a variety of methods, as well as discussions focused on the essential teachings of Vedanta, Yoga, and Kashmir Shaivism.
There will be optional periods of silence, plenty of time for contemplative walks alone and together, plus chanting, yoga asanas, an Indian music concert, Diwali celebrations, and more.
Shaktipat:
As a special addition to the retreat, Brahms will offer a two-day Shaktipat intensive following the retreat. Shaktipat is the awakening of the inner spiritual energy, known as Kundalini, through direct spiritual transmission. Swami Muktananda taught that this transmission—given through touch, word, look, or intention—awakens the seeker’s dormant spiritual power and initiates an inner process that leads to deep meditation, purification, and ultimately Self-realization. Brahms was trained and directed by his guru to give Shaktipat to sincere spiritual seekers, a practice he now shares with students around the world.
Location: Shanti Mandir, Walden, New York
Shanti Mandir is a quiet, 294-acre ashram surrounded by scenic hills, fields, lakes, and woods, with excellent walking trails. As a genuine ashram, it’s as close to India as one can get in the U.S., but with Western amenities and less than two hours from New York City (about 70 miles from midtown Manhattan).
The ashram staff are all devoted practitioners, and we will join them in some of their regular practices and rituals. There are daily satsangs where the Guru Gita is chanted, hatha yoga classes, and Saturday evening kirtan. Plus, because our retreat coincides with the Indian holiday of Diwali, we’ll participate in traditional ceremonies, rituals, and a sumptuous holiday feast. Other special events will include an evening of Indian music by ashram musicians and talks by devotees.
As is typical in an ashram setting, the accommodations are simple, comfortable, and well maintained rather than luxurious. The rooms are clean and cozy, the atmosphere is peaceful, and the overall environment is very conducive to practice, rest, and reflection.
Spaces are limited to 23 guests, and the retreat is already partly filled. Contact us through the link below for more information and to register.