The Vision is born (March 2022)
During a stay at Guruji’s ashram in India, Florian had the idea to create a similar place in Europe. The idea immediately resonated, sparking a dedicated search in Austria (Florian), Hungary (Viktoria), and Germany (Antje). This marked the beginning of a big dream: to establish a space for meditation, learning, and spiritual growth – Guruji’s home in Europe.
First steps: Searching for the perfect place (June – September 2022)
The search for a suitable property began. In June, Florian, Kerstin, and Antje traveled to Hungary to meet Viktoria and view the first property. In August, the search continued in the Feldberger Seenlandschaft area – stunning locations, but the high prices made them unaffordable. In September, a promising property near Feldberg was revisited, but the broker turned out to be unreliable. The search continued.
The turning point: The road trip with Guruji (September 2022)
A bus tour was organized to visit various properties across Germany. Farms, timber-framed barns, and former hotels were inspected, but none seemed suitable. Finally, Antje came across a former border barracks – initially an unlikely choice for an ashram. However, Guruji saw its potential and wanted to visit it immediately.
The star-filled sky over Holzhausen (October 2022)
On October 6th, the former border barracks in Holzhausen was visited. While Guruji and the group were enthusiastic, Antje and Maren, both from East Germany, had mixed feelings at first. However, the untouched expanse of stars during their departure hinted that something special could emerge here.
The Breakthrough: Approval for the project (March 2023)
After intensive discussions with local authorities and the municipal council, the project received official support. On March 27th, Antje presented the vision to the council, and concrete talks with relevant authorities began the next day. Florian successfully negotiated a lower price for the property – a major milestone!
First community gatherings (May - September 2023)
During Pentecost, the first large gathering with Guruji and the community took place. Additional visits to Holzhausen followed, during which plans for the center were further developed. The vision became increasingly tangible as more individuals came together, united by their shared inspiration and dedication to this unique project.
Moving into chaos (October – November 2023)
Antje and Brian moved into Lakshmi House – an initial base for the future center. There was much to do: clearing out trash, cleaning rooms, and organizing initial work efforts. One particular challenge was tackling unpleasant areas like the old soldiers’ restroom.
Progress and Challenges (January – March 2024)
The first "Work and Spirit" camp laid a strong foundation for further renovations through collective effort. Frost and water damage posed new challenges for residents but were overcome with teamwork. This eventful period also saw creative input from Anjali and Brian's departure from Gurudham Center.
EN 
DE