The Western Baul Artist Residency brings together a cohort of artist in the beautiful community-oriented, contemplative space of Triveni Ashram.
Residents enjoy solitude and independent work time as well as communal meals and evening in-process sharing and conversations.
-
Naomi Worob the creator and host of the Western Baul Artist Residency. She is a devoted student of wisdom traditions, and of beings of love, light, kindness, generosity, and compassion. She is an artist, choreographer/director, facilitator, and yoga teacher, offering classes, workshops, retreats, and residencies that invite deep embodiment, creative expression, and authentic relating.
Naomi believes the world needs all of us—our full selves, our vulnerable selves. The world needs our love, our attention, and our creative offering. When we gather with our whole selves and create from the deepest parts of our being, we nourish ourselves, each other, and the world.
-
For centuries the Bauls of Bengal were an obscure clan of bards, yogis, heretics, and mystics who wandered the dusty roads of northern India. Going from village to village in northern India, these rebels—who courageously went against the status quo to include everyone, regardless of creed or caste—sang songs and danced with joy to uplift the ordinary person above the daily grind for survival and into a direct experience of the sublime.
In the early 1980s, American spiritual teacher Lee Lozowick (1943–2010)—founder of the Hohm Community and Triveni—was deeply inspired by the Bauls after encountering some of the rare writings available at the time. On a pilgrimage to India in 1986, accompanied by twenty-five students, Lee met Bauls in person for the first time. This meeting marked the beginning of a unique cultural and spiritual exchange that would evolve into what is now known as the Western Baul Path.
At the heart of both Baul and Western Baul traditions lies embodiment and creativity. The Western Baul Artist Residency carries forward this spirit.
People of all backgrounds—regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, education, religion, or spiritual path—are welcome.
-
Each resident is housed in a private or shared bedroom within a beautiful, spacious guest house. All the food is vegetarian and provided within the cost of the residency. Specific allergies and dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Residents eat breakfast on their own. Lunches and dinners are shared. Each resident participates in cooking and cleaning up at times throughout the residency.
-
Triveni is located on two hundred acres of pristine land in the high desert of central Arizona. Here are some important details about this environment:
Rural Environment
The location is rural, 25 minutes from the nearest grocery store and about an hour to the larger town of Prescott.
There will be opportunities to go into town during our weekly grocery shopping. Otherwise, residents should plan to bring what they need and stay onsite.
Limited Cell Reception & Access to Wifi
There is limited cell reception.
There is access to wifi in community offices about a mile down the road from where we stay.
Substance Free
There is a designated smoking area just off the property, otherwise Triveni is a substance-free environment.
Culture & Spiritual Practice
Triveni is a temple environment that houses sacred art from many of the world religions as well as photographs of the founding lineage gurus. Daily practices include meditation, rituals from the Hindu tradition, including nama chanting, as well as kirtan or chanting traditional hymns and songs in Sanskrit. You are invited to participate in the culture and spiritual practices at Triveni in a way that feels true and good to you. You do not need to participate in rituals and daily practices to participate in the Western Baul Artist Residency. However, you do need to be comfortable within this environment and open to others’ beliefs and practices.
-
The meditation hall, library and some guest rooms are ADA accessible. Other areas may be less accessible. If you are a parent or caregiver, please be in touch to see how we may be able to accommodate you and your family. Please let us know if you have any specific needs or concerns.
-
There are different spaces that can be made available for your work. Here are some examples of what is available:
Bad Poet Music studio
Meditation hall - meditation, yoga, theater, and dance space
Outside trails
Library
Guest house (leela mandir)
-
Full Residency Arrival & Departure:
Sunday, December 6, 2026 - morning or afternoon arrival, 4 pm orientation
Sunday, December 20, 2026 - afternoon departure
If you would like to come for one week, you will arrive on a Sunday afternoon and leave the following Saturday evening or Sunday morning. The cost of the residency will be adjusted accordingly. Please note if you are flying, it is your responsibility to arrange transportation to and from the airport.
Daily Schedule
6:30 am, Puja (optional)
6:55 am - 8 am, Silent meditation and Arati (optional)
6:30 - 8:30 am, Breakfast
9 am - 12:30 pm, personal time
12:30 pm, Lunch
2 pm - 6 pm, personal time
6 pm, Dinner
Post Dinner, free time or evening sharing
Weekly Schedule
In addition to what happens daily, the following events happen weekly:
Monday
6 pm, Community Potluck & Bridge
Tuesday
5:30 am, Hanuman Chalisa
Wednesday
7:10 pm, Western Baul Artist Residency sharing / workshop
Thursday
6 pm, Triveni Community Dinner
7:10 pm, After Dinner Program
Friday
7:10 pm, Western Baul Artist Residency sharing / workshop
Saturday
9 am - 12:30 pm, Optional community service / seva
Sunday
6:55 am - 8: am, Guru Gita
8 am, Chai
4 pm, Western Baul Artist Residency Pause in the Process Tea and Sharing
7 pm, Darshan and Tavern
Everything in italics is part of the ashram schedule. These events are entirely optional; you may choose to attend these events or not.
-
Triveni Ashram is located an hour north of Prescott, Arizona, and two hours north of Phoenix. If you are driving, directions will be forwarded to you once your visit is confirmed.
If you are flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport or Prescott Regional Airport, we will be in touch about transportation prior to the residency. You will either book a shuttle or we will arrange group transportation.
-
Cost
The cost of the two week residency is $1200 plus dana for Naomi.
Scholarships / Grants
We understand that for some this cost is a barrier to participation. It is our goal to make it so people who are interested in and aligned with this residency may participate.
If you are a working artist, there may be grants that may support you coming to the Western Baul Artist Residency.
If the cost is not affordable for you, apply for a scholarship and let’s work together to see how you may be able to attend.
Application Process
Each application will be considered on a rolling basis and may be followed up with a phone or zoom conversation prior to being accepted. Once your application has been accepted you, you will be sent information about payment. You may pay a deposit of $150 and set up a payment plan or pay for the whole residency at that time.
-
Openness to a diversity of identities, beliefs, and practices
Interest in creativity as a means of knowing oneself and offering something of value to the world
Interest in getting to know other residents and living and working in community for the duration of the residency
Ability to self-direct your time and practice / creative project
-
The Western Baul Residency affords equal opportunities to applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to equity and inclusion and believe all voices and perspectives are necessary in our collective path forward.
The Western Baul Residency Scholarship Fund
The Western Baul Residency is a unique gathering that brings together artists, writers, scientists, educators, activists, and spiritual practitioners in a contemplative and collaborative environment. Residents are invited into a rhythm of solitude and community, of deep work and shared reflection.
The Western Baul Residency Scholarship Fund helps ensure that this space remains accessible to a diverse range of participants, regardless of financial means. Your support makes it possible for more voices to be part of this vibrant dialogue, fostering creative expression, inner inquiry, and collective inspiration.
Contribute today to help sustain this rare and meaningful opportunity for practice, connection, and creation.