Intensive
Meditation Retreat with Swami Jnaneshvara
November 17 - December 7, 2010
(or Nov 17 - Nov 26 for a 10-day retreat)
March 7 - 27, 2011
November 16 - December 4, 2011
Immerse yourself in three weeks of the profound wisdom and practical teachings of Swami Rama.
Swami Jnaneshvara will devote several hours a day to serving a handful of sincere people who are both avid readers and practitioners of the principles and practices on the SwamiJ.com website, and who are dedicated readers and practitioners of the methods described in the books of Swami Rama. Classes will be interactive.
Classes are interactive, and you are expected to fully participate in all scheduled discussions and practices. Our philosophy is that programs such as these should be both fun and useful, and that this happens best with open interaction rather than purely lecture style.
10-day
retreat:
If you would like to participate in the retreat, but do not have three
weeks available due to your other obligations, please come for 10 days,
from November 17 until November 26. The orientation session will be
Tuesday evening, November 16, 7:30 p.m. (the same as for the 3-week
retreat). Please plan your travels such that you will be in the ashram
and in the meditation hall at this time for the orientation session.
Please plan your departure for afternoon of November 26. The morning
session of November 26 will be devoted to any questions you may have,
and enjoying your farewell with the other participants.
The program will include:
* Two group discussion sessions per day, most days. Discussion sessions will draw upon the yoga sutras, a few of the articles from SwamiJ.com, and three books by Swami Rama.
* Witnessing, self-awareness and mindfulness practices, and discussions. The discussions will be based on guided practices and your "witnessing" practices between sessions.
* Guided meditation and yoga nidra several times per week
* Four silent meditation times per day
* Training in systematically integrating hatha yoga postures, pranayama, and meditation for each of the four daily meditation times
* Personal coaching on breathing and pranayama practices
* Plenty of time for quiet reflection and walks along the Ganges
Please bring with you the following materials:
Please download and print these four articles (total of 52 pages). We will use these often for reflection, discussion and self-awareness practices.
Steps in Meditation (3 pages)
Practices, Witnessing, and Internal Dialogue (6 pages)
Understanding Swami Rama Teachings (39 pages)
Yoga Sutras Basics (5 pages)
Yoga Sutras Summary (2 pages)
(These PDF files can be found at http://www.swamij.com/calendar/rishikesh-retreat.htm)Please visit Swami Jnaneshwara's page at http://www.swamij.com/calendar/rishikesh-retreat.htm for a complete listing of reading materials and downloads for the retreat.
Books (can also be purchased in the ashram):
Conscious Living by Swami Rama (ISBN 8188157031; Amazon)
Samadhi the Highest State of Wisdom by Swami Rama (ISBN 8188157015; Amazon)
The Essence of Spiritual Life (ISBN 8190100491; Amazon) also called "Sadhana"
Schedule: Following is a general schedule outline. While there will be several events each day, not all of the listings below will happen each and every day. Our Programs are flexible, and we shift to accommodate the needs of the participants.
6:00 Personal
hatha, pranayama, and meditation #1
7:00 Walk, reading, reflection, personal time
8:00 Breakfast
8:30 Walk, reading, reflection, personal time
9:30 Group class, discussion, training, or videos
11:30 Personal hatha, pranayama, and meditation #2
12:00 Walk, reading, reflection, personal time
1:00 Lunch
1:30 Walk, reading, reflection, personal time
2:30 Group class, discussion, training, or videos
4:00 Tea
4:30 Walk, reading, reflection, personal time
6:00 Personal hatha, pranayama, and meditation #3
6:45 Supper
7:30 Group class, discussion, training, or videos
9:00 Personal hatha, pranayama, and meditation #4
Accommodation: Double occupancy only, as space is limited. Enrollment limited to 20 participants. Application is required. Please download your application form here and e-mail back to mailbox@sadhanamandir.org.
Download Intensive Meditation Retreat Application Form
Program fee (nonrefundable): Rs. 600 per day (includes food and lodging) prices subject to change without notice
What to Bring: The ashram provides linens and towels. Please bring your own toiletries. You may also wish to bring an alarm clock, flashlight, hatha yoga mat, umbrella, insect repellent, water bottle, 500 ml. thermos, and walking shoes. Modest, casual, comfortable clothing is recommended.
Caution: Though the ashram is located on the banks of the holy river Ganga, we do not allow visitors to swim in the river. The dams can release water at any unexpected time and swimmers have been known to be swept away. There are also water snakes. Not to mention dead bodies that are occasionally submerged in the river. There are wild animals in the jungle across from the ashram, including tigers, leopards, mad elephants, snakes, boars, and so on. We do not allow visitors to walk in the jungle. Please be advised that any visitor unwilling to respect the ashram's policies may be asked to leave the ashram.