Part 1/2 : Cherished Memories: Daily spiritual practice is like taking bath every day. A retreat is like a swimming pool, with total immersion! Read about amazing 4 day kriya yoga retreat of Dec 24!
- in eternal aum consciousness
- Dec 25, 2024
- 9 min read
Immersion:
Daily spiritual practice is like taking a bath every day. A retreat is like a swimming pool, with total immersion! Read about the amazing 4 day kriya yoga retreat of Dec 24!
This blog is being published on Christmas 2024. As kriya yoga is an international organisation, dedicated to the spiritual evolution of human beings, it is not a coincidence that this blog is released on the day love, only love, just love, itself took birth in the form of Jesus Christ! Among the many realized masters, including Buddha, Krishna, Christ, we realize the common teaching of loving everyone, everything, at all times.
Kriya yoga initiation:
Please read the blog on kriya initiation to get the context before proceeding to read this blog on the retreat.
Commitment to spread kriya.
I have decided to get all my family and friends initiated into kriya. In the initiation in January 2025, around 10 of them will become kriyanvaans. They have read the initiation blog and I hope this blog on the retreat strengthens their commitment to practise daily. And they will in turn spread the kriya further. I am only a medium. The thoughts, actions and blessings come from guruji.
“Dont be the only one
Get at least ten done!”
This will exponentially transform the world to be a better place.
I believe that the world changes around you, when the people around you get the access to tools of transformation.
Mind power training
I remember, in 2019, when I learnt about the power of the subconscious mind, I got all my friends, family etc, trained from naresh rangwani, my mentor, friend and guide.
Invitation to GEV (Govardhan Eco Village) Retreat:
Histas baba, our yogacharya, spoke to me in a practise session, (which happens every Sunday at Lalbaug centre), and told me to come to the retreat in Govardhan eco village in Dec 24. I did not see this as a suggestion. I saw this as an instruction from a guru to a disciple to follow. I checked the dates and said yes almost immediately and registered myself with the link given.
The theme of the retreat:
The theme was darkness to light. Perfectly in sync with the word GU-RU, which means dispelling the darkness, literally!
Learn about the guru, the dispeller of darkness here
The schedule:
The program schedule was very simple, with early morning yoga sessions, with enough time for breaks in between for meals and resting. Here is the schedule.
Bus ride to the GEV:
The organizers had arranged for a bus that left from Radio Club in Colaba all the way to the retreat, picking up participants on the way. We started from Andheri exactly at 9.10 as planned. No one was late. This was an amazing start. On the dot! What a way to start 12th December, a Thursday!
I was surprised to find out that my dear friend Skanda baba was not coming to the retreat. I was wondering what has kept him away. Being a blessed soul, he already has what he was seeking. But I really missed him. I have not seen many, more dedicated and helpful than him and very prompt in their responses.
Some fun on the bus:
Shilpa ma served me a grand samosa on the bus and I met Gerard, a fitness expert. It immediately brought back the memories of the recent Kashi trip with Natasha, Kelly and Satish. Where I had taken up a new role now. "Tour coordinator for Spiritual nomads". Haha … My kashi trip experience for samosa to samadhi is here
GEV arrangements:
We were all given bands on our right hand, (guruji included! which he readily wore, just like all of us!) I found myself, sharing a room with three amazing kriyavans (souls who follow kriya yoga). Gev is a place where there is no music, no party, no dj, only sattvik food, managed by ISKON. This is a completely self sustaining place with rain water harvesting etc!.
The vibe of the entire place is simply soothing, an ideal place for a retreat. This is exactly what I was looking for. An ideal place to meditate, reflect and study. You can find more information on GEV here. (Ideal time to visit is on weekdays when there is no rush. Please avoid Sundays)
I would strongly recommend that you share more information on this place with all your friends, if they are looking for a similar inner connect experience. This place is not known to many, in fact for many of us, it was a first visit, though it is very close to Mumbai City!
Meeting Shilpa, Jatin & Nirmay!
Meeting Shilpa ma, her cousin brother, Jatin baba, into interior design and furniture and another high end interior designer, Nirmay baba, was another coincidence ! It's a small world, we realised. I have so many common friends with them! I later realised the significance of the meeting with Shilpa ma, which will be clear, as you read about the poem towards the end.
Everyone comes into our life like a wind, gently guiding and correcting the sailboat of life... As it drifts in the cosmic ocean.
A view from our cottage.
A picture with Histas baba:
I met Histas baba who initiated me into kriya yoga. As I met him, he told Kabir, my roommate and the official photographer of the event to click a picture! (Kabir is a young, creative, dynamic guy into the film industry.) Baba told him to take our picture, stating that I will look different in six months. What it means, time will tell. Whatever it is.
There were many satsangs, the following is a compilation of talks in the retreat, not necessarily in an order to form a string of pearls, but diamonds of wisdom shared by yogacharyas and gurus that glitter and dispel the darkness, scattered, yet shining brighter than the sun! From darkness to light! I am just the medium to bring them to you.
How was this blog written:
Many have seen me using the mobile, while the talks were going on, thinking i was chatting on WhatsApp! This entire blog was written during the retreat, trying to catch the diamonds, as they emerged from the coal mines of my inner darkness, in the form of words from guruji, masters and Aacharyas.
Purpose of the blog:
I hope that you can re-live the retreat through this blog, if you attended, and if you could not, for some reason, this blog tries to capture a part of the shared insights. The contents of this blog are not a verbatim reproduction of what was said, but my perspective, which calls could be flawed by judgements, which I have tried to keep to a minimum.
Meditate, reflect:
There were sessions where yoga charyas were imparting insights and we had to meditate, reflect and get an understanding on our own. Amazing sessions.
Meditation session:
As usual the mediation guided kriya session was amazing. Every yoga charya brings their own understanding and experience in the subtle nuances of the practise. Every meditation session was taken by a different yogacharya.
Dinner:
An early dinner, followed by a visit to Shilpa mas room with her brother to check on her, as she was slightly unwell. Shared some tips on accupressure with her, a doctor from our group visited and by next morning she started feeling better and was moving around. This was a big relief!
Late night stroll and herbal tea:
With my room-mates fast asleep, a late night stroll with Soham, a young, professional securities broker was amazing. He is an amazing soul.
The wind, the rustling of the leaves, the anahanta nada merging with the sound of crickets, created a magical atmosphere. Finally after having a cup of herbal tea, it was time to hit the sack, as we had an early start to the day.
Day 2:
Good morning GEV:
Stretching with yoga and breathing to open the body up very early in the morning at 5.45 am was refreshing. This was an amazing session. We ourselves don't know how tense and stiff we are! Stretching helps open the energy channels, vital to kriya yoga!
Here is a view from the opposite direction as the session ended..
Breakfast:
The tea with jaggery was the highlight! We were caught between the desire to have more tea vs the pull for satsangs ahead, and had to rush up a bit! Fatafat chai piyo aur bhago!
Bowing down to gurudev Paramahamsa Prajnanananda:
A disciple requested a book to be autographed from him and he readily agreed. There were parents with kids, people with some challenges, some happy, some advanced souls… Everyone was being blessed with the same love and connection.
We were in a line, for bowing down to guruji. A realised soul is a great blessing as it puts the disciple in the presence of divine, pure fire, that immediately cleanses all the negative energies and past karmas!
Here is the tallest member of our group!
Lunch and interaction with Kabir:
A super talented guy who is into writing and has dreams of directing films. His insights on movies, global politics, bollywood inside info is simply amazing! Guruji was surrounded by kriyavaans during lunch time.
All meals were very simple, sattvik and tasty.
While walking in GEV, these sights vere common.
Day 3 Saturday:
We just realized, that it's a full moon night tomorrow. The moon is already very bright now in the sky as we walk in GEV. Here is the full moon image.
The moon represents the mind. The sun represents the time. Both are within us as ida and pingla nadis. Many techniques use these both energies to accomplish specific tasks within. In kriya yoga, the focus is on the central channel or the sushumna nadi. Hence there is no alternate nostril breathing, and breath is natural and relaxed in the entire process, one is only conscious of the breathing.
Golf Carts:
Regular golf carts to ferry participants was very cool. On the first day, Histas baba saw us walking and offered us a ride with Guruji!
Meeting Radha and Krishna! Amazing time With radha and Krishna in a visit to the Goshala. Here every cow and bull has a name. Krishna is very old now. Around 25 years old, but very very gentle. Radha is younger and more active.
Here are a few pictures captured by Vaishali, a kriyavan, who was with me.
Krishna and me together
With Radha!
And look who paid us a visit!
Shopping at the gau-shop.
I got some assorted items for daily use. Here is the number to order it from. It comes by courier! A must do. Their collection is natural. Be chemical free. That is the way ahead. You don't even realise the harm all the chemicals are causing to your body, energy and mind!
Amazing temples:
GEV is full of amazing temples.
Day 4
Our fellow participants! The blessed ones!
Fantastic kriya today from the first row, as i reached quite early. I am a slow starter, I realised, and I need time to assimilate things.
Next steps
If you have already been initiated in kriya yoga .
1. Practise kriya yoga regularly.
2. Keep awareness on breath, anahata naad, fontanelle region, khechari with eyebrows raised.
If you have not been initiated, please refer to the blog link given at the start for initiation and get initiated.
Gratitude
Sincere gratitude to everyone for reading this. Thank you from the bottom of heart to everyone in the retreat for making it a memorable experience for a lifetime. 🙏🏻
Kriya practise:
I was not regular in my kriya practice, as i am a newbie from November 24, but seeing Anil baba doing kriya for 50 years and being super fit and sharp at 76 is maha inspiring to be regular in practice.
I can feel that a transformative journey has begun. Seeking blessings from gurdev, guruji, yogacharyas and kriyanvans to guide me ahead on this path.
Let's meet again:
See all of you soon, as one big, large family, soon.
Gratitude
Seva for GEV Retreat a shared by skanda baba
Overall planning and vision
Histas Baba
Suresh Balakrishnan Baba: STULZ CHSPL Foundation
Neha: STULZ CHSPL Foundation
Logistics:
Sandhya Rao
Sammeer Rane
Laxmikant Baba
Renuka Ma
Pratima Ma
Shilpa Ma
Every disciple who brought their car for others.
Meditation Hall and receiving visitors at Airport/Hotel:
Aditi Suri / Dipak Baba / Pratima / Ajit Mittal Baba/Yasmin Ma
Suchita Ma / Monica Ma / Vivek Suri Baba / Sandeep Baba
Mrunalee Ma / Gunjan Ma / Charvi Ma / Archana Ma /Sona Ma
Filmmaking
Kabeer Dhamija Baba
Jatin Popat Baba
Yoga:
Monika Ma
Mrunalee Ma
Reception Team:
Ajay Baba / Pratik Baba / Prashant Baba / Rinku Ma
Bookshop:
Kaumudi Ma
Pushpa Ma
Pratik Baba
Treasurer:
Ruby Ma
Kitchen for Guruji:
Dipak Baba
Overall incharge / Gurujis Room:
Laxmikant
Chandrashekar Baba
Sammeer Rane
Haresh Patil
Coordinator:
Skanda
Chandrashekhar
Mumbai Centre Leaders
Aditi Suri
Histas Baba
This is the feedback from GEV management after the retreat.
“GEV Management were very pleased with the disciples who attended the Retreat. They expected a lot of challenges from such a huge number including unnecessary and unreasonable demands. It has been their experience with some previous retreats held at GEV.
They reported to organisers that they were surprised with how cooperative the participants were with their management/staff. Everything was done timely and calmly.
We have received similar comments from our hosts at our previous retreats at Lonavala, Matheran and Silvassa resorts. They were also very complimentary about the time management, cleanliness and cooperative nature of participants.”
Blessing:
Blessing you with discovering and perfecting the practice of kriya yoga, to reach a true state of merging the doer and observer the KRI-YA to become one with the divine light, sound and vibration.
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