This weekend, Katy and I made a quiet getaway to Ojai to celebrate her birthday. Even though we live on a retreat center, sometimes a change of scenery is just what’s needed. There was a retreat happening at our place this weekend, so it felt like the right time to step away, find a little extra privacy, and slow things down together.
Ojai is a magical town—only an hour from where we live, but it feels like stepping into another world. It's currently pixie tangerine season, and the orange groves are overflowing. It felt like everywhere we turned, the landscape was glowing with citrus. Yellow wildflowers scattered across the pastures, adding even more color to the already stunning views.
Ojai Retreat & Inn: The Perfect Getaway
We were lucky to find a place to stay. Most of the town was fully booked, but we managed to reserve a room at the Ojai Retreat & Inn. It ended up being just what we needed. The inn has an old-school charm—simple, quiet, and peaceful, with a beautiful library, walking paths, a waterfall, and meditation spots nestled around the grounds.
What made the stay unforgettable was the view. From the patio, you can see the whole valley, and at sunset, we witnessed what’s known locally as “the Pink Moment”—a brief and magical time when the Topa Topa mountains are washed in hues of pink, orange, and soft red. It’s the kind of moment that makes you pause and breathe a little deeper.
The Influence of Krishnamurti
Ojai has long been a magnet for spiritual seekers. One of the most well-known figures to call it home was Jiddu Krishnamurti, a spiritual teacher whose influence still lingers in the town’s energy and landscape.
Just down the hill from our inn is a place Krishnamurti considered the most sacred in the world: The Oak Grove. At first glance, it’s an unmanicured patch of land—simple, wild, and quiet. Krishnamurti specifically wanted it that way, untouched by landscaping or human interference. We took a walk there, sat beneath the oaks, and meditated in the stillness. It felt ordinary and extraordinary all at once.
The grove is where Krishnamurti gave many of his public talks and led walking meditations. There’s a timelessness to the place—no signs or spectacles—just trees, earth, and open sky.
A Visit to Krishnamurti’s Home
Later in the day, we drove across town to visit another of Krishnamurti’s sacred spaces: his former home. Though he passed away years ago, the house has been kept open to the public, preserved much as it was when he lived there.
It’s a stunning home—white walls, white tile floors, bright light filtering in through high ceilings. The design is minimalist and full of peace. The only change made to the home is that his bedroom was turned into a meditation room. Katy and I sat in silence there, feeling the quiet depth of the space he once inhabited.
Outside, there was a medicinal garden—not manicured, but wild in its own way—and a gazebo where we sat and rested. The whole visit felt like stepping gently into the atmosphere of his teachings.
What I Took Away
There’s a line from Krishnamurti that stayed with me on this trip. He said that freedom doesn’t come from religions, sects, teachers, or teachings—things that often divide more than they unite. Instead, he pointed to something much more subtle and personal: that freedom comes from what we choose to place our attention on, and from our willingness to examine the contents of our own minds.
It’s simple but powerful. We can always ask: What am I paying attention to right now? What thoughts am I entertaining? What assumptions am I carrying? That alone can create the space for clarity and presence.
Conclusion
Our weekend in Ojai was quiet and meaningful—a celebration of life, love, beauty, and perspective. As spring settles in, and wildflowers begin to bloom all around us, I carry that sense of spaciousness and inner attention with me into the week ahead.