# Event Details - **Event Name**: The Meditative Gardener - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 14 Aug, 2026 at 03:00 pm – Sun, 16 Aug, 2026 at 01:00 pm - **Event Description**: Join us August 14–16, 2026 at Song of the Morning for The Meditative Gardener Retreat, a Spiritual Living Retreat guided by Will and Wendy Page-Echols. “Do you realize that within you, in your soul, is a superb garden? a wondrous garden of thoughts, fragrant with love, goodness, understanding, and peace, and more beautiful than any earthly flowers that grow… ” – Paramahansa Yogananda ? About This Retreat Immerse yourself in the fulfilling spiritual aspects of gardening this season at the Phase 3 Community Organic Garden. As the vegetables and herbs begin to produce in abundance, establish a deeper connection with the propagating qualities of the earth and engage with the beauty and energy of burgeoning plant life. This is a unique opportunity to practice the principles of vibrant, awake living as introduced by Paramahansa Yogananda. As you participate in a meditative approach to cultivation, food sourcing, and communion with the essence of nature, you will feel a deeper relationship with your higher self in a way that will positively benefit you and the garden itself. We will explore Yogananda’s discussions of the consciousness of plants, focusing on individual vegetables and flowers to learn about their unique consciousness and to receive and share their messages. Weather permitting, we will do our energization exercises, chant, and meditate in the garden, practicing gardening as a vital part of the natural world. We will Practice the Presence of the Divine while weeding and planting using organic permaculture methods, chanting, and mantra. As evening falls, we will share a meal in the garden cooked over our fire pit, followed by a time of stargazing on the Platform. Come and experience the peace, joy, and uplifting enthusiasm that meditative gardening offers. ? Selfless Service Everyone who signs up for the retreat will choose a way to pitch in over the weekend, such as setting tables, washing dishes, or chopping vegetables, to more fully experience life in community. ?Spiritual Community Song of the Morning is much more than just a retreat center. It is an intentional spiritual community. On the property is our Clear Light Community, which was founded under the vision of Paramahansa Yogananda for “plain living and high thinking.” Yoganandaji emphasized the power of coming together in shared spiritual practices and values to uplift individuals and society as a whole. He envisioned these communities as models for a future where people could live in harmony and cooperation, ultimately contributing to a more just and unified world. The schedule includes joining our community in group meditations and yoga, all friendly for beginners and long time yogis alike, and Song of the Morning’s weekly Self Realization Fellowship Sunday Service and Fellowship Dinner. You are welcome to learn more about this yogic tradition before you arrive, but it isn’t required as we provide guidance along the way. ? Garden Retreat Packing List • Yoga mat for outdoor yoga, meditation, and sitting by the fire to eat • Rain jacket • Sun hat • Garden gloves • Bicycle for transportation on the retreat property (auto transport will also be provided) • Sunscreen • Natural bug repellant • Umbrella • Outdoor shoes • Flashlight or head lamp • Blanket you don’t mind taking outdoors for stargazing ? Registration Details Lodging Fee: By clicking the Register Now button from the registration page, you’ll be able to pay for your lodging, which includes the cost of meals and the $108 retreat fee. Prices are all inclusive and show rates for your camping or lodging for two nights, meals for the entire weekend, and access to all retreat programs. ?️ Weekend Schedule You’ll receive a full schedule at check in. Times may vary slightly. Subject to change. FRIDAY 2:00 – 5:00 PM Arrival and Registration 3:30 PM Yoga Class for Early Arrivals (Wheelhouse) 5:00 PM Dinner 6:30 – 7:30 PM Welcome and Introductions (Wheelhouse) • Review of Weekend Schedule • Consciousness of Plants: Luther Burbank and Emoto 7:45 PM Community Kirtan and Meditation • Chanting, Prayer, Silent Meditation, and Healing Service SATURDAY 8:45 AM Yoga Class (Domes or Wheelhouse) 10:00 AM Brunch in the Main House 11:00 AM Phase 3 Community Garden • Wander in the Garden in Silence • Communication with Plant Beings 12:00 PM Spiritual Awareness in the Garden • Interacting with Garden Plants While Weeding and Planting • Food Vibration Chart and Bose Cresograph 1:00 PM Snack 1:30 PM Using Chanting and Mantra to Practice the Presence While Weeding, Watering, and Planting 2:30 PM Free Time • Journaling, Karma Yoga, Rest, or Walk 4:00 – 7:00 PM Phase 3 Garden Outdoor Cooking and Eating • Preparing Garden Dinner • Planned Meal Time 5:00 – 5:30 PM • Vertical Poem • Wildflower Wisdom 7:45 – 9:00 PM Kirtan and Meditation (Domes) 9:15 PM Stargazing Outdoors on Yoga Mats, Weather Permitting SUNDAY 9:00 – 10:30 AM Exercises on the Lawn by the Domes • Closing Practice and Sharing 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM Sunday Service in the Domes 1:00 PM Fellowship Dinner - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/vanderbilt/the-meditative-gardener/200030073352813 - **Event Categories**: health-wellness, meditation, yoga, workshops, bhajan-jamming, trips-adventures, camping, spiritual, brunch - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 12 ## Ticket Details ## Event venue details - **city**: Vanderbilt - **state**: MI - **country**: United States - **location**: 9607 Sturgeon Valley Rd., E., Vanderbilt, MI, United States, Michigan 49795 - **lat**: 45.15596 - **long**: -84.42769 - **full address**: 9607 Sturgeon Valley Rd., E., Vanderbilt, MI, United States, Michigan 49795 ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: The Meditative Gardener - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/eec49bcbafd98c3dfd50dc57760e3ee36ff6526647e6fe0f1d7b82dfc2029d06-rimg-w1200-h628-dc684828-gmir?v=1786754144 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is The Meditative Gardener being held? - **A:** The Meditative Gardener takes place on Fri, 14 Aug, 2026 at 03:00 pm to Sun, 16 Aug, 2026 at 01:00 pm at 9607 Sturgeon Valley Rd., E., Vanderbilt, MI, United States, Michigan 49795. - **Q**: Who is organizing The Meditative Gardener? - **A:** The Meditative Gardener is organized by Song of the Morning Yoga & Meditation Retreat. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** The Meditative Gardener is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Vanderbilt, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If The Meditative Gardener sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "The Meditative Gardener", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/eec49bcbafd98c3dfd50dc57760e3ee36ff6526647e6fe0f1d7b82dfc2029d06-rimg-w1200-h628-dc684828-gmir?v=1786754144", "startDate": "2026-08-14", "endDate": "2026-08-16", "url": "https://allevents.in/vanderbilt/the-meditative-gardener/200030073352813", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "9607 Sturgeon Valley Rd., E., Vanderbilt, MI, United States, Michigan 49795", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "9607 E Sturgeon Valley Rd, Vanderbilt, MI 49795-9517, United States", "addressLocality": "Vanderbilt", "addressRegion": "MI", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "45.15596", "longitude": "-84.42769" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Join us August 14–16, 2026 at Song of the Morning for The Meditative Gardener Retreat, a Spiritual Living Retreat guided by Will and Wendy Page-Echols.\n\n“Do you realize that within you, in your soul, is a superb garden? a wondrous garden of thoughts, fragrant with love, goodness, understanding, and", "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Song of the Morning Yoga & Meditation Retreat", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/song-of-the-morning-yoga-and-meditation-retreat/25395719" } ] } ] ```