
What we’re about
PEACE VILLAGE LEARNING & RETREAT CENTER -- EXPERIENCE THE TRANQUILITY
Enjoy a weekend retreat on a wide variety of topics in beautiful Upstate New York, just one hour from Poughkeepsie!
PLEASE NOTE: Retreats go from Late March until Mid-December. We are currently on 'Winter Break' which is why no meetups are scheduled during these months. Stay tuned, if not yet~ you will soon see meetups scheduled for the spring! It will be well worth the wait.
At Peace Village, some enjoy the opportunity for solitude, for silent walks through the woods, and group interaction with like minded seekers. Others find answers to questions about spiritual knowledge, spiritual power, and the deep experience of meditation. Many have expressed surprise at the complete shift in awareness that can take place in just a few days.
* Discover new life tools through self work and group work in interactive sessions.
* Share with like-minded seekers.
* Take time for quiet reflection, relaxation, walks, and exploration of the beautiful grounds.
* Experience periods of silence and meditation.
* Study the practical aspects of spirituality through classes, exercises, and journaling.
* Enjoy the rejuvenating effects of a pure, serene, and spiritual environment with a vegetarian diet.
* Peace Village is a smoke free and alcohol free environment.
* Stay in comfortable rooms with private bath. In most cases, double accommodation is provided.
Web site: www.peace-village.org
Phone: (518) 589-5000
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Attitude of HappinessLink visible for attendees
The Attitude of Happiness
Life presents us with a variety of situations. How we respond depends on our inner state. Can we choose to hold an attitude of happiness? How can I prepare for this? What adjustments could I make?
The Attitude of Happiness can be developed. Although wealth and success play a role, they account for a surprisingly small proportion of one’s enduring sense of well-being. We can explore some scientific research on happiness, highlighting findings that show how happiness can be cultivated through mindfull behaviors, social relationships, and life purpose.
Join us for a session filled with insightful dialogue, meditation, and inspiration.### Facilitator:
Join our guest Vijai Sadal who has been practicing Raja Yoga Meditation for more than 45 years. He resides in Trinidad and visits us at Peace Village for en extended stay each summer. We will hear his personal experiences of his journey of creating an attitude of Happiness, and the benefits it has brought to his life. Come with an open mind and heart, your positive energy and your questions!
This session is part of our "Monday Online Insight" series. Join us on the first Monday of each month for an inspiring and enriching conversation led by an experienced Raja Yoga teacher. Each session explores a meaningful topic designed to spark reflection and personal growth.
Engage in thoughtful conversations, share your thoughts, ask questions, or simply listen and unwind in good company. These sessions offer a chance to gain clarity, find new perspectives on daily challenges, and experience moments of peaceful empowerment.
In addition to your meetup RSVP, kindly register through the link below.
Please click here to register in advance. - Raja Yoga Meditation Retreat - In HindiNeeds location
Raja Yoga: Let us understand the secret of life
- In this three-day spiritual retreat, we will deeply contemplate the following topics:
- The true introduction of the soul and the Supreme Soul
- To know and realize the innate qualities of the soul
- Experiencing the depth of meditation
- The impact of thought power on life
- An opportunity to learn and understand the deep secrets of the law of karma
- Attaining the eight powers through Raja Yoga and applying them in spiritual life
Facilitators:
Champaben Patel
Champaben is a microbiology graduate who has practiced Rajyoga meditation for over 30 years. She coordinates activities for our Hudson Valley area center and leads meditations and classes in Hindi, Gujarati, and English. Her focus is on practical spirituality and inner transformation, and she is known for her warm and approachable style. She offers workshops on stress relief, anger management, positive thinking, and values-based living, inspiring others to live with clarity, strength, and compassion.
Monika Kalra
Monika Kalra’s artistic journey has been deeply influenced by spirituality. A student of Rajyoga Meditation since 2001, Monika began expressing her spiritual experiences through art in 2016. Her work reflects the inner journey of self-realization, meditation, and victory over the self. Her recent series, Rosary of Victory, explores inner transformation through geometric abstraction was selected for exhibition at the 2025 Program for the Evolution of Spirituality at Harvard Divinity School and Sacred Arts 2025 at Oxford. Based at Peace Village, she leads contemplative art workshops, retreats, and experiential Raja Yoga sessions, helping others integrate spirituality into their creative expressions.
Ekta Nandrajog
Ekta has been practicing Raja Yoga Meditation for over 20 years, experiencing its profound impact on her inner stability and personal growth. Her journey of self-transformation naturally led her to contribute to the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center in Boston, where she supports the planning of various activities. Professionally, Ekta supports several medical offices. She values a life of balance, combining spirituality and service in all she does.
Jigisha Pathak
Jigisha holds a Master’s degree in English Literature, is a gold medalist, and was awarded a national merit scholarship. She began her professional journey as a teacher in India, working across various educational levels. For the past 25 years, she has been practicing Raja yoga meditation. She currently teaches Raja yoga both in person and online, and actively supports a range of Brahma Kumaris activities including translation, transcription, proofreading, cooking, and gardening.Registration
In addition to your meetup RSVP, please CLICK HERE to officially register for this retreat.
After registering we will reach out for a brief conversation before confirming your registration. - Redefining Friendship, Closeness and CareNeeds location
## Redefining Friendship, Closeness and Care
From Hurt and Expectation, to Healing and Love
In this retreat, we will explore how to redefine friendship, closeness, and care—so they arise from the spirit, free from attachment and expectation. What would it feel like to offer love from the heart, not because of what I receive, but because of who I am? When I see myself and others as souls—children of the same Divine Parent—these qualities take on a deeper, purer meaning. With spiritual vision and self-respect, I can connect with others in a way that uplifts rather than binds, and care in a way that is generous, not dependent.
Together, we’ll reflect on how spiritual love makes it possible to serve, support, and remain open without sorrow. Many of us have known friendship that turned to betrayal, closeness that brought pain, or care that felt self-serving—but these experiences do not define what’s possible. When I stop taking, I return to my natural form of giving—and in that, we begin to heal.
This retreat will include classes, interactive sessions, personal time, walks, and a chance for a new perspective on what is important in life.### Facilitators
Tina Agarwal, Ph.D. has worked as a research scientist in an academic setting and has a Ph.D. in plant science. She has been practicing Raja Yoga Meditation for over 25 years. She currently serves at the Brahma Kumaris Global Harmony House Meditation Center in Great Neck, New York. Sister Tina loves to discover her inner strengths and apply spiritual concepts to practical life, staying in dignity and peace in all she does.
Zvika Zur has been practicing Raja Yoga since 1998 and has an infectious enthusiasm for learning and sharing spiritual concepts. He lives in the Boston area, is the father of adult twins, and always says that the wisdom he learned at the Brahma Kumaris made him so light in being a father. He works in the IT domain as a software engineer.
Susan Pollock began her study of Raja Yoga in 1985 in Boston where she worked for many years in the field of advertising and promotions. Now a resident of Peace Village for 16 years, she can often be found facilitating or assisting in retreats, creating healthy meals in the kitchen, or helping with various aspects of your Peace Village experience.### Registration
In addition to your meetup RSVP, you need to OFFICIALLY register. Please CLICK HERE to register for this retreat.