Vivekananda’s Thousand Islands Cottage Open

Vivekananda’s Thousand Islands Cottage Open
Introduced Yoga and Vedanta/Hinduism to the West

For those interested in yoga, meditation and Eastern spirituality Swami Vivekananda’s cottage in the Thousand Islands Park provides a unique opportunity to visit a sacred place and participate in a group meditation. The Cottage is opened up each summer for the months of July and August by members of the NY Ramakrishna Vivekananda Center of NY (http://www.ramakrishna.org/.) There is a daily meditation and satsang (singing and chanting), called an RT, that takes place at 4:30 and lasts about an hour. All are welcome but it is suggested to call in advance: 315 482-3031

Swami Vivekananda is credited with introducing yoga and Eastern spiritual practices to the West in 1893 when he spoke at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago.

In 1895 he spent 7 weeks at the cottage of Miss Elizabeth Dutcher on Wellesley Island teaching and sharing his knowledge. It is here that he achieved the highest state of Samadhi (nirvikalpa), a meditative state where one’s consciousness soars. Vivekananda would later say that his stay at Wellesley Island was a “momentous period” of his life. His biographer, Swami Nikhilananda founder of the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Center, says that his insights and spiritual powers blossomed while there.

Directions from 81 north 1) Pay toll and cross Bridge onto Wellesley Island and take first exit (Exit 51)
2) After exiting proceed to stop sign, turn right and go to second stop sign.
3) At second stop sign turn right, and proceed about 4 miles to the village of Thousand Island Park.
4) At Thousand Island Park proceed to stop sign (near Grocery, Ice Cream Parlor, Tennis Courts).
5) At stop sign turn right onto St. Lawrence Avenue and proceed about 2 blocks until the street ends at Tabernacle building.
6) At Tabernacle turn left, go about one block and turn right up the small road marked with the arrow pointed to “Vivekananda Cottage.” (See map below).

For a review of Vivekananda’s cottage and more information go to: http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/sacredvivekananda.html

Vivekananda’s cottage is one of many sacred sites in upstate NY. For a detailed listing of other sites, go to Mother Earth Prayers and click on sacred sites: http://www.motherearthprayers.org/