Kriya Yoga Centre in Sterksel
Swami Hariharanandaji’s first ashram in the West is founded in The Netherlands in 1993, near Eindhoven in the village of Sterksel. This little village is one of the eight “blisses” of the province Brabant. The Kriya Yoga Centre Sterksel including 4 hectares of land, has a long history of spiritual and religious activities.
Swami Hariharanandaji had guided meditations in Europe since 1974 and The Netherlands was one of his favourite destinations, together with Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France and Austria.
In The Netherlands he gave lectures on a yearly basis in Amsterdam, Hilversum, The Hague, Arnhem and other cities. From the end of the 1980s he stayed mostly in India and the United States.
After an absence of five years he returned in 1991 to The Netherlands and again stayed with Peter van Breukelen in Houten. He ordered Peter to search for a large building that could serve as an ashram where all initiates, including families could stay and meditate for longer programs.
In 1993, after having seen many buildings and old monasteries, Peter and Sylvia visited the estate and gallery of Harry Storms. The 4 hectares of land were beautiful and serene, there were two ponds, a large one and a little one in which white and pink water lilies blossomed. There were magnificent oaks and old pine trees, which were planted in the time of the “white fathers”. The building had a separate home and a part that could be used as an ashram. Also the location was perfect; near the Belgian and German border, so in reach for multiple nationalities.
The purchase of this estate became possible thanks to donations. The purchase certificate was signed on April 21th, 1993. A lot had to be done to make the building suitable for an ashram. Many volunteers helped day and night to restore and rebuild the property. A large, professional kitchen was built in, there were new toilets and showers, a dining hall with furniture, the meditational hall was adjusted and the former ateliers were transformed in to bedrooms with handmade wooden closets and luxurious beds. Also the home for Peter and Sylvia needed a lot of work.
The work was just done when Swami Hariharananda arrived in August 1993. Right up to the last moment it was uncertain whether he could be present at the opening. Swamiji was also beloved by his Indian disciples. On August 6th 1993, Guruji inaugurated the ashram with a beautiful ceremony. There where so many people present at the ceremony and the following program, a large tent was built in the garden. From then on Baba returned to Sterksel every year and guided many beautiful meditations.
From 1996 he stayed more in Vienna in order to help with the foundation of new ashram. In 1997 Swamiji went to Florida, to found his last and largest ashram.
There is still a group meditation in Sterksel every Thursday evening.
Furthermore there are meditation programs guided by several international teachers on a regular basis. A least once a month there is a longer mediation program in Dutch, German, English, or French.
