The Rudrananda Ashram was established by Swami Chetanananda in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1971, at the direction of his guru, Swami Rudrananda. The ashram moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1982. In 1993, the former Mann Home in Northeast Portland, Oregon became its new home.

In Portland, for the first time in its history, the ashram has enough space to house nearly all its residents under one roof and a meditation hall large enough to accommodate all residents, local members and out-of-town students who come for intensive practice retreats. In addition, the Portland ashram includes the beautiful hatha yoga studio space used by The Movement Center.

The two principal highlights of the ashram are the tributes to gurus in our lineage: Swami Rudrananda’s (Rudi’s) shrine, located in the center courtyard behind the building, and a life-size statue of Bhagavan Nityananda in the meditation hall. The ashes of Dr. Rollin Becker, an accomplished osteopath with whom Swamiji studied, are interred at the site of the Infinity sculpture designed by Swamiji. A statue of Shiva Nataraj presides over a fire pit on the front lawn, the site of many havans (fire pujas) conducted by Swamiji and Brahmin priests.

The building includes the Institute offices, residents’ rooms and apartments, a large kitchen, and common living and dining areas. The garden areas around the building, including a small Zen garden, are meticulously maintained by ashram members.

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