Four Stages of Life Retreat

With Naren K. Schreiner and Lopamudra Bose

July 18 - 20, 2025

Date and Time Details: Friday, July 18 - Sunday, July 20

Location: Song of the Morning

Address: 9607 East Sturgeon Valley Road, Vanderbilt, MI, USA

Contact: Song of the Morning Guest Services
office@songofthemorning.org
989-983-4107

  • Queen Bedroom (Lodge) – $430.00
  • Queen Suite (Lodge) – $530.00
  • Full Suite (Lodge) – $500.00
  • North Apartment – $500.00
  • Wheelhouse Apartment – $570.00
  • Glamping – $290.00
  • Queen Bed Room (Domes) – $350.00
  • Twin Bedroom w/ Patio (Domes) – $330.00
  • Twin Bedroom (Domes) – $290.00
  • Full Bedroom (Domes) – $330.00
  • Men's Dormitory (Domes) – $270.00
  • Women's Dormitory (Domes) – $270.00
  • Camping – $250.00
  • (Price Includes $150.00 program fee)

A Spiritual Living Retreat

“You are on a journey, stopping here for just a little while. Life is like a great caravan passing by. Your first interest should be to learn the purpose of this journey, and its destination. That destination is God. It could not be anything else.” ~Paramahansa Yogananda

The four stages of life (ashramas) were outlined in ancient India to give each person a balanced plan of life that was both personally fulfilling and also serviceful to society, while maintaining the steady goal of Self-realization. Each stage of life, like the four seasons, has a unique and beautiful purpose —each with a set of challenges!

Although modern life may seem to have gone astray, this Vedic wisdom can be applied to our lives today. Understanding this lifeplan can give you clarity of purpose for each stage, help you define priorities and how to balance divine duty with personal desire, and ultimately ensure a complete and satisfying life that results in divine illumination.

This weekend retreat is designed for all age groups of every stage of life. We will learn from the wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda’s commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita and other writings, and you will have time to delve into your own lifeplan, your current stage and what lies ahead for you. Whether you are starting life and building a foundation for a future career or family, or wondering what your current purpose is and how to balance your work, your dreams, your relationships, your spiritual goals; or you have retired and are discovering your new purpose and how to balance age with spiritual practice; or you feel complete with life and ready to withdraw; this retreat will help shine light on how you can bring fulfillment of dharma (righteous duty), artha (family, prosperity and career), kama (love and happiness) and moksha (spiritual freedom, union with God).

Lodging Fee: By clicking the Register Now button, you’ll be able to pay for your lodging, which includes the cost of meals and the retreat fee.

Retreat Fee: $150 helps make these programs sustainable and will be included automatically when you register for your lodging. Dormitory-style lodging is available for those on a budget, with a sliding scale for those in need. Simply reach out to our office for sliding scale and partial work-trade opportunities. 

What to Bring for Retreat:

-journal and/or notebook

-meditation shawl and a meditation cushion

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Four Stages of Life Weekend Schedule

Friday

  • 2 – 4 pm – Check-in
  • 5 pm – Dinner
  • 6:30 pm – Welcome and Introduction to the Four Ashramas 
  • 8-9 pm – Guided Meditation and Chanting

Saturday:

  • 8:30-9:45 am Guided Meditation and Chanting
  • 10:00 am – Brunch
  • 11:30 am – Spirit & Nature Contemplative Walk (approx. 90 min.)
  • 1:00 pm – Snack available in Main House
  • 2 pm – Hatha Yoga – Domes (90 min.)
  • 3:30 pm – Workshop on Life Stages
  • 5 pm – Dinner
  • 6:30 pm – Q & A with Discussion
  • 8-9 pm Guided Meditation and Chanting 

Sunday:

  • 8:30 – Guided Meditation and Chanting (beginning with simple yoga postures)
  • 9:45 am – Closing
  • 10:00 am – Refreshments available in Main House
  • 11 am – Self-Realization Sunday Service Reading (75 min.) – based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda
  • 1 pm – Sunday Community Dinner

Click the button on this page to register

About the Leaders

Naren K. Schreiner

Naren has been a disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda since he was 16, and after living in the Self-Realization Fellowship Ashram for 14 years, he continued his vocation of spiritual service. He resides at the Kali Mandir in Laguna Beach, CA where he is an ordained Hindu priest. Most of his time is dedicated to traveling […]

Learn more about Naren K. Schreiner

Lopamudra Bose

Lopamudra Bose has been a part of Sangita Yoga since its inception, working on translations, research, teaching language and offering cultural and spiritual guidance. Initiated in the lineage of Paramahansa Yogananda, her spiritual focus is the foundation of her life. Her desire to preserve the traditions of her homeland is the basis of all her […]

Learn more about Lopamudra Bose

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