Spiritual Retreat in kashmir with Samyama Healing Centre | Samyama Foundation - July 2024
- in eternal aum consciousness
- Jul 16, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 18, 2024
Invite to the retreat:
As soon as I got the invite for the samyama retreat from Hetal and Parag, I confirmed immediately.
Kasauli retreat.
The previous retreat was amazing and it's blog is here for everyone to read.
It has links to social media pages and samyama website to explore the journey of the soul further.
Your can visit www.samyama.org to know more.
The Kashmir Retreat begins:
Many of our friends came in late as their flights got delayed. Some got cancelled. I just told our friends jokingly that Akaska has no pilots, Spicejet has no money and Air india is always late!
Luckily we booked indigo and came on time. So far so good. Most of the other airlines were delayed!
The schedule:
Each retreat is carefully planned to give the participants the blessings and grace of divine energies. Please read about it here.
Overview:
Watch this wonderful Facebook video, summarising the retreat
Day 1:
The satsang meditation, followed by question and answer with guruji and maa, gave many answers to questions. Some were validations of the insights I had in last 5 years. Some were new.
Some of the interesting learnings were absorbed and they will direct earlier and future blogs.
Samyama has it's own set of blogs in reading them, sets you thinking!
I have learnt a lot, reading these blogs.
Liberal School of Spirituality:
In this session, the meaning of liberal school of spirituality became clearer. Samyama is free of hierarchy as I have seen in most spiritual organisations. There is a race to the top with many positions like monk, senior monk, head monk, etc. Here there is no hierarchy. In the satsang any one can ask questions. In fact new comers are encouraged and given the first chance to ask! Everyone is equal here. Volunteers are responsible for organization of the event, but they are also equal!
Samyama:
Samyama is the alignment of body, mind and soul, which is nothing but alignment at different levels. After each level of alignment, the next level of alignment is discovered. This is a beautiful concept.
Handout:
A 4 page handout was provided, which highlights, the key concepts and practices. Following these guidelines may seem difficult at first, but is not impossible. Many of the concepts originate from Yama and niyama of yoga, explained in today's context, in a simplified form, for everyone to understand. This is the role of gurus. To guide the society in its current times. Hence the evolution of techniques, while retaining the basic unchanging eternal principles. One has to integrate the guidelines in the day to day life. Each sentence needs contemplation. They are like sutras. Where a line means 1000 words of explanation. Read each line and plan it's implementation after understanding it's meaning. Knowing is the first step. Action is a manifesting of effort. Effortless action gives the best result. Integration of these principles in day to day lifestyle is the key. This will take time, but it's possible. (The actual 4 page handout is only for participants, so can't share it here).
Healing
It is not uncommon to see people healed of ailments in the samyama retreats. It has happened before and will keep happening in future. A participant shared about how in this retreat, she never got any knee pain and did not have to use volini and knee pads, inspite of extensive walking.
Missing Link
With Samyama, the missing link of the souls journey is becoming clearer and clearer. This is a key insight. We never think of the soul, Soul is the only thing we will carry forever. Rest of the mind, body, status, money etc. will all be left behind. Working on soul purity and soul quality is the key.
White clothes in first satsang:
White coloured clothes, which all participants were asked to wear at satsang, is the color of peace, relaxation and being receptive. Hence in our culture, we wear white at funerals. A collection of peaceful people, give a message with prayers to the departed soul, which is still attached to the body due to unfulfilled desires, that the mission of this life is over and it's time to move on. A peaceful person can spread peace. Hence the white colour.
Relaxation
Relaxation is the key. (This is similar to yoga nidra, where the body is completely relaxed. As per the western science, they focus on the brain. In sanatana, we focus on the mind, which is a manifestation of energy. It has no specific place. You can focus it anywhere, inside or outside the body, in fact anywhere in the universe, and create infinite universes! As the body relaxes, the senses are withdrawn and mind becomes still, making meditation easy). Hence a relaxation session was the precursor to meditation and silence.
Energy Retention
As matter is energy and energy is matter (as per Einstein's famous equation), Everything in the universe is a manifestation of Energy. The positive energy we get in samyama retreat can be retained for longer time. For sustained self development, specific practices as per the guidelines is needed. The importance of daily practise can not be underestimated. As we replenish the body with regular food, similarly we need to replenish and restore the spiritual energies as well.
Practises before the retreat
Before starting the retreat, it was told to follow certain practises at 10 pm every day. It was designed to make participants more receptive to the information and energy shared. Some participants did not, some did. Coming to a retreat, prepared, is recommended. I will make sure I follow this hundred percent next time.
Getting a book on Advaita basics.
As I got introduced, I came to know from Lara, from Dubai, one of participants, that her husband has written a book on the basic principles of adwaita. She is from Armenia and has a keen interest in adwaita, which made her attend this retreat! She shared the pdf with me. And I finished reading the book, in a days time. It's a super interesting book for someone who wants to be clear on the principles. Let me know if you want me to share the link.
Connections with other souls in the path:
In the retreat, made some new friends, across age, gender locations and professions! It's true that spirituality is for the rich, as osho states, as you can only explore inwards, when the "needs" are taken care of. No doubts about it!
Shikara Ride:
We had a ride in the shikara in the dal Lake. Here is me, looking for god in the cup of kahwa!
I am still looking!
Day 2:
Gulmarg gondola ride:
The meditation at the phase two, which was near the snow was awesome. The cool air, the cold stone, the wet mud, created a peaceful atmosphere. It is in silence, that the mind automatically gets intuitive thoughts at the right time. This is like a dish antenna. If the antenna is moving, it does not receive signals. If it's still, it does. So sit still and let the magic happen. No visualization needed. Just be in silence. Do you see me in the white cap on the rock?
Here is a picture taken of the "red bus" group!
Day 3:
Sonmarg trip:
The zero point visit was amazing. We got to ride on snow bikes. A quick meditation session followed. I was very disappointed to see the garbage lying around everywhere, created by tourists. A social initiative of cleaning the garbage with a large team is the need of the hour and it can be done. Instead of complaining, it's better to ask. What can I do ?
Day 4:
Shopping for clothes made in kashmir including a jacket and kurta was fun. Got a kashmir cap too! I was literally bent sideways, holding all the shopping bags!
Satsang in the evening:
After the cultural program that ended on a high note, the satsang started. Satsang here is a question answer session. It is not a Bhajan kirtan session, as is commonly seen elsewhere. There were great insights in the satsang. The satsang is not recorded and is meant for participants only. Nevertheless the insights shape the future.
A lesson in clarity and role play:
One of the volunteers, V was emotional and had tears in her eyes, when she was speaking to her father, (who was not well) on a video call. I did not know that he had passed away after the call in a few hours. When I asked her, just before the satsang, how is he? And she smiled and replied. He is no more. I was shocked to hear this. I have never seen anyone like this in my lifetime! The calm composed look on her face said it all. I will never forget this incident. Being spiritual gives you tremendous clarity, composure and strength to handle life as it comes.. She was in the role of a volunteer. Her role of a daughter was over. Hats off to her.
Helping R with nds diet.
I met R last time in the kasauli retreat. This time, I introduced him to nds diet system, adapted to travelling. He travels a lot and this can help him immensely. I also got a buddy H aligned with him to support and guide him. Both will start soon.
R had some apprehension about shankh naad also. That too was cleared. Many simply don't take action when things are not clear. One only has to ask. That's all!
Shakhnaad training:
There is no greater satisfaction than giving and sharing without any expectations. That is the only reason to write these blogs. We got some time on the last day. So
Took a session on shankhnaad and it's profound impact on health with five participants.
Importance of retreats:
Retreats are the times to absorb energies and knowledge both. Some knowledge can be gathered by reading books or listening to videos. But the question remains, to whom to listen to? You need an authentic source. Energy transmission happens during the retreats.
My Second Retreat:
In my first retreat at Kasauli, I did not feel much different. However, after the second retreat, there is some change i feel. I know that consistency and repetition gives results. I will attend future retreats too as they are fun, energy filled and and company of good souls.
Restricted Interaction with Maa and Guruji:
There are no darshans, rituals, artis, pujas here. Maa and Guruji only answer questions during Satsang. There is no one on one time with participants. One can write to them for personal guidance on email separately. A participant asked me, why is the interaction limited? I replied that most advanced souls speak very less, and only what is needed. In their role, they are doing energy work and clearing your doubts. Dont expect them to engage in small talk like why is there less sugar in the tea today!? I had a similar doubt in the first retreat about informal interaction, But it this retreat, it got resolved on its own.
Action:
Be open and make an inquiry, instead of thinking we have always done it this way! Join samyama in their next retreat, read their blogs, Facebook pages etc. you have got some knowledge from the blog, but attending the retreats will give you the necessary energy for blissful life.
Sat knowledge
Chit energy
Together they create Ananda blissful state.
See you at the next retreat in Bangalore, which will be focused more on satsang sessions. Explore more on www.samyama.org
Blessing:
May this reading open up new dimensions for your spiritual journey. May the journey be accelerated with divine blessings of Guruji and Maa from samyama.
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