This retreat is aimed to give a sound base to participants for their spiritual journey. Apart from study of Sankhya and other theoretical concepts, there are regular classes during retreat to learn yogic Assanas, Ayurvedic health system and few activities to explore the beautiful nature around. This residential programme offers you a life time learning opportunity in sacred environs with an insight into Metaphysical aspects of Indian spiritual life. This retreat is a balance of learning, recreation and encourages participants to understand ‘self’ in the context of the world around us. It is to understand the life as a divine opportunity provided to us to realise something eternal within us as well as within the world around us.
- Practice of Assanas – 45 Minutes
- Yagya (Fire ceremony), rituals and chanting of Gayatri Mantra - 20 minutes
- Dhyan (Meditation) – 30 Minutes
- Excursion - During free time
- Festivals – Major festivals falling within the duration of retreat are celebrated in traditional ways.
- Classes on different topics as per schedule of the programme
This retreat is mostly organized in Vrindavan,Rishikesh and some other spiritual towns of india. Haridwar is one among the seven most sacred cities of India and located at the foothills of tranquil Himalayas along the banks of the Sacred River Ganges.Other towns selected for retreats have their unique charm and we keep weather conditions of particular month in mind before finalizing the venue.Stay arrangements are made in Hotel / Ashrams having moderately comfortable,neat and clean rooms and serving simple vegetarian meals.
| Asana/Dhyan/Rituals | lessons | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Excursion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00-7:00 AM | 7:00-8:00 AM 5:00-6:30 PM |
8:00 - 9:00 AM | 12 Noon - 1:00 PM | 7:30 - 8:30 PM | During free time available between lessons and on days specially kept for the purpose |
In this programme we invite imminent scholars and practitioners from all over India and world to share their wisdom with participants in an informal atmosphere. Yogic Asanas are taught by qualified yoga experts and Ayurvedic input is given by experienced doctors.
First /Second Week: Haridwar, Rishikesh
| Day | Learning Objectives/Activities | Additional activity (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Day | Introduction to Sankhya school of Indian Philosophy along with Yoga | Introduction to Ayurveda - 1 (As a system of medicine) and trial of a massage along with an Introduction to Panchkarma |
| 02 Day | Theory of Three Gunas (Attributes) of Prakarti (Nature) and their significance. An overview of Indian Philosophy (Six classical systems, Jainism and Buddhism).Both theist as well as atheist systems will be discussed. | Introduction to Ayurveda – 11 As a complete alternative system of medicine developed in ancient India. Identification of your body type according to Ayurveda |
| 03 Day | Introduction to Sankhya theory (as a theoretical base behind Yoga school of thought ,Introduction to popular ‘types’ of Yoga | An introduction to different Dhyan (Meditation) techniques |
| 04 Day | Introduction to Sankhya theory - Continued (Sankhya as a tool to strengthen Yogic concepts) | A comparative study of Sankhya and Yoga. History of Sankhya as oldest philosophy of the world and its scientific importance. |
| 05 Day | Introduction to Dhyan (Meditation) as a step within Yoga practice and importance of Yoga as a means of overcoming Samskaras ( Based on Sankhya theory) | Study of ‘Sankhya –yog’ as described in Bhagavad-Gita by Lord Krishna |
| 06 Day | Evolution of the world according to Sankhya (similarities and differences between Sankhya and Yoga system ) | Learning Mantras and group chanting |
| 07 Day | Introduction to theory of Karma and rebirth prescribed in Hindus philosophy (Concept of reincarnation and its relevance in Indian spiritual systems) | Introduction to Indian Gods and goddesses along with their significance in religious life.Selected stories from India Mythology. |
| 08 Day | Understanding selected Sankhya literature through authentic texts books | Introduction to Indian Gods and goddesses along with their significance in religious life. Selected stories from India Mythology |
| 09 Day | Understanding selected Sankhya literature through authentic texts books | Theory of Karma |
| 11 Day | Understanding practical influence of Sankhya through its references in Bhagavad-Gita, Buddhism and other spiritual traditions originated in India. | Discussion on Topic decided by participants |
| 12 Day | A summary of entire learning (contents and the process) | Discussion on Topic decided by participants |
| 13 Day | Identification of suitable Yogic Assanas / Meditation practices for Yourself with help of experts after understanding of Sankya | Discussion on Topic decided by participants |
| 14 Day | Self reflection, revision and strengthening of the concepts learnt during this course | Discussion on Topic decided by participants |
Third week : (15th Day to 21st Day)
Third week is optional and dedicated to detail study of any subject or topics of your choice; you may consult us about the possibilities. In this week we will also explore some of the sacred Himalayan towns. This week will be planned according to your natural interests, which are sometimes not known in advance. You can also decide contents of this week at the end of the first week of the retreat. We believe that each individual also have some special interests and intellectual needs and that need to be addressed like any other basic need. These interests can be explored without attending routine classes.
Cost
Per person for 2015 and 2016 for regular programmes
- 14 days: Indian Rupees 31000 or 551 USD
- 21 days: Indian Rupees 46500 or 831 USD
Per person for 2017 and 2018 for regular programmes
- 14 days: Indian Rupees 35000 or 651 USD
- 21 days: Indian Rupees 5500 or 991 USD
Cost includes
- Accommodation: In comfortable but non- luxury Ashrams /Hotels
- Food: Three meals (vegetarian) as well as tea/coffee three times
- Literature/lecturers/Study material/All Activities mentioned in programme along with excursions to explore the town
Fourth Week (Optional)
A spiritual trip to Jaipur, Pushkar, Agra (Taj) and Varanasi. This optional trip is suitable for those who are looking forward to experience important Spiritual destinations of North India and will be organized on request only. The cost can be calculated after knowing number of interested participants during the retreat.
| 22 Day | Jaipur |
| 23 Day | Jaipur / Pushkar |
| 24 Day | Agra |
| 25 Day | Overnight Train |
| 26 Day | Varanasi |
| 27 Day | Varanasi |
| 28 Day | Overnight Train to Delhi or to destination of your choice |
This optional trip is suitable for those who are looking forward to experience most important tourist destinations of India and will be organised on request only.
| Year | Dates /Month | Weather | Venue of the Retreat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 20 August to 11 Sept | Monsoons | Vrindavan |
| 2015 | 08 Sept to 29 Sept | Monsoons | Vrindavan |
| 2015 | 01 October to 22 Oct | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2015 | 11 October to 01 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2015 | 25 Oct to 15 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2015 | 08 Nov to 29 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2015 | 03 Dec to 24 Dec | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 07 Jan 2015 to 21 Jan | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 17 Jan to 07 Feb. | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2015 | 28 Jan to18 Feb. | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 11 Feb. to 04 March | Winters | |
| 2016 | 25 Feb to 18 March | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 11 March to 01 April | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 25 March to 15 April | Summers | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 11 April to 04 May | Summers | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 20 August to 11 Sept | Monsoons | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 08 Sept to 29 Sept | Monsoons | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 01 October to 22 Oct | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 11 October to 01 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 25 Oct to 15 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 08 Nov to 29 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2016 | 03 Dec to 24 Dec | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 07 Jan 2017 to 21 Jan | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 17 Jan to 07 Feb. | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 28 Jan to18 Feb. | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 11 Feb. to 04 March | Winters | |
| 2017 | 25 Feb to 18 March | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 11 March to 01 April | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 25 March to 15 April | Summers | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 11 April to 04 May | Summers | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 20 August to 11 Sept | Monsoons | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 08 Sept to 29 Sept | Monsoons | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 01 October to 22 Oct | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 11 October to 01 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 25 Oct to 15 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 08 Nov to 29 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2017 | 03 Dec to 24 Dec | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 07 Jan 2018 to 21 Jan | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 17 Jan to 07 Feb. | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 28 Jan to18 Feb. | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 11 Feb. to 04 March | Winters | |
| 2018 | 25 Feb to 18 March | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 11 March to 01 April | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 25 March to 15 April | Summers | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 11 April to 04 May | Summers | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 20 August to 11 Sept | Monsoons | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 08 Sept to 29 Sept | Monsoons | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 01 October to 22 Oct | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 11 October to 01 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 25 Oct to 15 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 08 Nov to 29 Nov | Winters | Vrindavan |
| 2018 | 03 Dec to 24 Dec | Winters | Vrindavan |