Upcoming Events
All are welcome
Thursday Kriya Yoga Service
Our Kriya service features prayer which includes the saints and sages of all traditions, readings from Paramahansa Yogananda and the Bible, a time of guided and silent meditation, and an inspiring talk.
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Thursday Kriya Yoga Service
Our Kriya service features prayer which includes the saints and sages of all traditions, readings from Paramahansa Yogananda and the Bible, a time of guided and silent meditation, and an inspiring talk.
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Women’s Satsang with Shantima (February: Let go and let God)
Our beloved Swami Shantima brings us her rich spirituality, decades of teaching experience, and knowledge of mysticism each month at Women’s Satsang. During the gathering, Shantima shares her special love and understanding of a woman’s spiritual journey along with meditation and a sacred ritual. Join her and a welcoming group of women for connection and wisdom in our temple.
Spiritual Practice for Men (February: A Day in the Spiritual Life)
Herb Tierney’s class includes teaching, meditation, and discussion. All men are welcome!
Tommy and Charu: A Night of Love
We were thrilled when our good friend Tommy Gravino appeared at Carnegie Hall this year with Charu Suri. Now Tommy is generously bringing Charu and other musicians to our spiritual home for a memorable concert of world-class music, with a warm-up by Megan Hook and Bruce McClellan.
CHARU is a pianist and composer who has brought Indian classical music into her work, featuring pieces designed to complement different emotions and different times of day. She has appeared at Carnegie Hall five times and plays for sold-out audiences worldwide. Charu has been nominated for a Grammy in 2026! The winners will be announced February 1, just before she arrives to be with us.
This concert is sure to bring many visitors to our doors, so plan to get your tickets early! This evening would make a perfect Valentine's outing. Tickets will also be available at the door until we sell out.
There will also be a reception following the concert.
Visit Charu's website here to learn more about her.
Purchase tickets ($25 each) using the button below or mail in or drop off your clearly designated payment at The Assisi Institute, 1400 N Winton Road Rochester, NY 14609. There will be no paper or electronic tickets, but we will check ticket holders in at the door.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Thursday Kriya Yoga Service
Our Kriya service features prayer which includes the saints and sages of all traditions, readings from Paramahansa Yogananda and the Bible, a time of guided and silent meditation, and an inspiring talk.
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Thursday Kriya Yoga Service
Our Kriya service features prayer which includes the saints and sages of all traditions, readings from Paramahansa Yogananda and the Bible, a time of guided and silent meditation, and an inspiring talk.
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Saturday Evening Prayer and Potluck (February)
Join this warm smaller community for evening prayer (5 - 5:30), and then enjoy a vegetarian potluck dinner and conversation. Most months, there will be an additional activity to enjoy. This is a great way to get to know us!
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Spiritual Book Circle (February)
On the fourth Monday of the month, community members enjoy a time of quiet, meaningful conversation on Zoom. After a few moments of silence, we take turns sharing our thoughts and experiences and then responding to each other.
Thursday Kriya Yoga Service
Our Kriya service features prayer which includes the saints and sages of all traditions, readings from Paramahansa Yogananda and the Bible, a time of guided and silent meditation, and an inspiring talk.
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Spring Retreat 2026: Making Contact
Making Contact: The Art, Science, and Spirituality of Meditation as Taught by Paramahansa Yogananda and the Christian Mystics
March 21, 2026, 10 am to 3 pm
We live in an age of anxiety: Change is occurring at the speed of light, divisiveness rules the day, and violence of all kinds confronts us daily.
We all desire to be centered in what is solid and lasting, and we all aspire to live lives that are meaningful, peaceful and joyful. We also long to live from a place of conscious contact with God, our Creator. For this reason, a meditation practice, rooted in the ancient wisdom of our ancestors and verified by modern science, is crucial to our sanity, our health, and our spiritual evolution. Truly, meditation is life changing.
In this spirit, I warmly invite you to join me at The Assisi Institute for our Spring Solstice Retreat on March 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
During this time, we will come together in our sacred temple, guided by the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda and the Christian mystical tradition. Participants will maintain silence throughout the retreat in order to deepen their meditative experience. The day will include teaching and group meditations as well as time for private meditation and journaling.
Together, we will learn:
…that if you can breathe, you can meditate
…the scientifically proven, positive effects of a mediation practice
…how meditation integrates the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of our humanity
…simple, effective meditation techniques appropriate for everyone, including mantras from the Yogic, Christian, and Jewish traditions including OM and Hung Sau.
…an introduction to Centering Prayer
…how meditation will bring us into conscious contact with God and open us to divine guidance and protection
We are also very pleased to offer optional, additional support. Johnny Gallus, a teacher at The Assisi Institute, will offer a follow-up Zoom session to answer questions and offer helpful suggestions to deepen your meditation practice. The date for this Zoom session will be announced at the retreat.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned meditator, we are confident this course will be a blessing to you. If you are interested in being initiated into Kriya Yoga at a later date, this process will help to prepare you for that auspicious event.
Details:
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 10 am to 3 pm (Lunch, 12 - 1 pm)
Lunch: Please bring your own vegetarian lunch. We have a refrigerator and a microwave for your use. We will provide a snack table with coffee and tea throughout the day.
Cost: This retreat will be donation-based, with a suggested donation of $100.
*There will be no remote participation for this day; however, the recording will be available for a donation as part of another online class later this year.
Please join us for what promises to be a hopeful, stimulating, and deeply enjoyable experience. We look forward to welcoming you!
Spiritual Book Circle (January)
On the fourth Monday of the month, community members enjoy a time of quiet, meaningful conversation on Zoom. After a few moments of silence, we take turns sharing our thoughts and experiences and then responding to each other.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
A Morning for Initiated Kriyabans
Please join us for an uplifting, in-person morning in our temple. Isha Das will lead us in meditation, and there will be teaching, support, and time for sharing.
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Thursday Kriya Yoga Service
Our Kriya service features prayer which includes the saints and sages of all traditions, readings from Paramahansa Yogananda and the Bible, a time of guided and silent meditation, and an inspiring talk.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Saturday Evening Prayer and Potluck (January)
Join this warm smaller community for evening prayer (5 - 5:30), and then enjoy a vegetarian potluck dinner and conversation. Most months, there will be an additional activity to enjoy. This is a great way to get to know us!
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Thursday Kriya Yoga Service
Our Kriya service features prayer which includes the saints and sages of all traditions, readings from Paramahansa Yogananda and the Bible, a time of guided and silent meditation, and an inspiring talk.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Thursday Kriya Yoga Service
Our Kriya service features prayer which includes the saints and sages of all traditions, readings from Paramahansa Yogananda and the Bible, a time of guided and silent meditation, and an inspiring talk.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Spiritual Practice for Men (January: Kriya Yoga and the Hero's Journey as taught by Joseph Campbell)
Herb Tierney’s class includes teaching, meditation, and discussion. All men are welcome!
Women’s Satsang with Shantima (January: Let go and let God)
Our beloved Swami Shantima brings us her rich spirituality, decades of teaching experience, and knowledge of mysticism each month at Women’s Satsang. During the gathering, Shantima shares her special love and understanding of a woman’s spiritual journey along with meditation and a sacred ritual. Join her and a welcoming group of women for connection and wisdom in our temple.
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Meditation with Isha Das
Join Isha Das and community members for a time of silent meditation to invite God's blessings on the new year.
Spiritual Book Circle (December)
On the fourth Monday of the month, community members enjoy a time of quiet, meaningful conversation on Zoom. After a few moments of silence, we take turns sharing our thoughts and experiences and then responding to each other. We are basing our time together on Pema Chodron's Things Fall Apart. We read a few short chapters ahead of time each month.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Annual Christmas Meditation and Service
Our Annual Christmas Meditation and Service:
Join us for silent meditation in the temple from 10am to 1pm. This year, the service will feature beautiful, inspiring music from Bruce McClellan, Tim Shannon, and Megan Hook.
At 1pm, Isha Das will lead us in our annual Christmas Service.
At the end of the service, we will enjoy Christmas tea and treats. (Your baked specialities are welcome!)
Saturday Evening Prayer and Potluck (December)
Join this warm smaller community for evening prayer (5 - 5:30), and then enjoy a vegetarian potluck dinner and conversation. Most months, there will be an additional activity to enjoy. This is a great way to get to know us! If you have questions, please email Muktima here.
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Luminaria 2025
Join us for this well-loved Assisi Institute tradition to remember and honor your loved ones. We will lovingly assemble the luminarias and carefully line them up and down the sidewalk in front of our building. They will remain lit for several hours to bring cheer and hope to the many people who will travel Winton Road during that time.
The service will include prayer, a short meditation, music, and the loving reading of the names of all those whom we remember and honor. Service will also feature heavenly music from Tommy Gravino.
You may dedicate a luminaria in memory of or in honor of a loved one. The cost of each luminaria is $10. There are two ways you can order your luminarias this year. Orders are due by Monday, December 15 by 5 pm.
Click here and you will land on a page with the option to pay and to write in the names of those you are honoring using PayPal. (Please wait 10 seconds after you make your donation to be redirected to the online form)
Or, if you prefer, mail or dropoff your check at The Assisi Institute. Then, fill out this online form. (If you prefer, you may fill out a paper form on the front desk at The Assisi Institute.)
We look forward to being with you, seeing the beautiful sight, praying through this beautiful service, and hearing all the names of our loved ones.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Friday Lakshmi and Divine Mercy
Fridays at noon we engage in three powerful devotional traditions, two from the East and one from the West.
Thursday Kriya Yoga Service
Our Kriya service features prayer which includes the saints and sages of all traditions, readings from Paramahansa Yogananda and the Bible, a time of guided and silent meditation, and an inspiring talk.
Rosary and Reflection
Join this friendly small group for a one-decade rosary, a brief spiritual reading and shared thoughts, followed by Yogananda's Healing Prayers - all in 30 minutes!
Spiritual Practice for Men (December 2025)
Herb Tierney’s class includes teaching, meditation, and discussion. All men are welcome!