Swami Viditatmanandaji and Swami Tattvavidanandaji visit the Bay each year in late June and early August respectively. The visits consist of guided meditation, morning and evening lectures on Vedanta, Gita, and Bhagavatam, satsang with questions/answers and a two or three day retreat and workshop.
Tradition holds that Lord Siva in the form of Dakshinamurti was the first teacher of Vedanta. He imparted Self-Knowledge to the four rishis seated at his feet, initiating an oral tradition which has been passed down to us through the centuries. It is indeed a great blessing to have teachers and mahatamas like Swamiji visit us each year and continue this great teaching tradition. For this we are honoured, grateful and very thankful.

Swami Viditatmanandaji 2009 Visit
Swami Viditatmanandaji unfolded the central themes of the 7th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita at the Jain Temple auditorium. The 7th chapter begins a section of the Gita that highlights the nature of Isvara resulting in one's enhanced devotion. After those sessions, 35 of us were able to receive the blessings of Swamiji's in-depth teaching through a 3-day, 8-class, residential retreat with Swamiji in Ben Lomond in the Santa Cruz hills. The text was Adi Sankara's Manisha Pancakam

Retreat 2009
The annual West Coast retreat for 2009 was held Friday-Sunday, June 26-28, in Sequoia Retreat Center in Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz hills. Sequoia Retreat Center is little piece of heaven in the middle of scenic redwood forest in Santa Cruz hills, yet only 45 minutes away from the Silicon Valley. Swamiji loves the place and says that it reminds him of hermitages in the Himalayas. The cozy lecture hall up on a hill can hold 40 people (So we will limit registration to 40 people), has a cathedral like feel, with floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the redwood forest. It is peaceful, exclusive, and conducive for learning. It is completely isolated from other groups. The meals are especially prepared for us and served in the adjoining dining area. Most cabins are within walking distance of the lecture hall. It allows people to stay as a small group, get to know each other and have meals together. People from the previous retreats have commented that they enjoyed this setup. The Sequoia Retreat Center

The subject of the retreat
The subject is you! Not you the role player in this life, as an employee, a spouse, a parent, citizen or a caretaker but you the person who plays the roles. The teaching in the retreat asks and answers such as `Who is this person? What are the characteristics of this person? What does the future hold for this person without the roles?' As Swamiji points out, during these 3 days you get to become a sannyasi (monk)!
The daily Schedule
We begin with a Vedanta class on Friday morning. There will 8 classes on Vedanta over 3 days, in addition to conducted meditations, satsangs (Q&A), optional classes on Vedic chanting, yoga and time to take hikes in the redwood forest trails, especially in the long break in the afternoon. Each day ends with satsang (Q&A) around 9 PM. The retreat ends at 5 PM on Sunday, allowing people to go home for the evening meal. This way you just to take one day off if you are working.
Contact Informatio
Please contact Zarina Kaji. casakaji@msn. com. 408-358-1786 or 408-679-1492 for retreat 2010

Swami Tattvavidanandaji 2009 Visit
Swami Tattvavidanandaji's during his visit gave morning and evening classes with a two day workshop on meditation

Morning Classes A series of 6 classes on Vedanta Dindima. Vedanta Dindima (meaning the proclamations/ tenets of Vedanta) is a beautiful, structured Prakarana Grantha by Adi Sankara. Swami Tattvavidanandaji' s English language translation, containing word-for-word and verse meanings is given to students. Swamiji has been able to unfold 10-12 verses every year, and last 2 year's of recording can be obtained from Sri Kumar Padmini, omtat.brahma@gmail.com

Evening ClassesA series of 6 discourses on the Dhruvopakhyanam from Sri Bhagavatam . Sri Bhagavatam is unique among Puranas, because it highlights the life of human beings, not gods. The idea is that through stories of the common people, one can relate to the struggles of our everyday life, draw lessons from it and make mid-life corrections for a happier ending.

2-day workshop on Meditation
A comprehensive workshop/seminar /tutorial on Vedantic meditation, nididhyasanam, was taught by Swami Tattvavidanandaji. Nididhyasanam is not merely a technique to quieten the mind and enjoy a sense of peace; it is of course that plus a whole lot more. It is contemplation on the truths learned from listening to concepts already unfolded. Swamiji based the workshop on a meditative text Kashi Pancakam by Adi Sankara's.

Vallombrosa Center:The workshop was held at Vallombrosa Center in Menlo Park, CA in the form of a non-residential retreat. Vallombrosa is a Catholic Church/Retreat in very serene surrounding .
The daily Schedule:
We started both days at 8 AM. There were several sessions with Swamij from 8AM to 5PM. Light breakfast and Lunch was provided with Coffee, tea and snacks available throughout the day.
Contact Information:
Please contact Lychee Chiu at lycheechiu@ yahoo.com for workshop 2010.