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2012 Summer Retreat
January 7-15, 2012
From the 7th to the 15th January the Shiva Meditation Centre held its annual summer retreat. The event began with a special Abishek (bathing of the statue of Bhagavan Nityananda) at the beginning of Satsang to celebrate.
Murti (statue) of Bhagavan Nityananda
Each evening we had Satsang with Swamiji. During this time he outlined the “four noble truths” of Kashmir Shaivism:
- Chiti - There is consciousness
- Mala - Consciousness becomes contracted. Shaivism says we’re contracted little Shivas.
- Upaya - There is a way to un-contract consciousness.
- Moksha - In realisation contraction is completely overcome.
Each evening Swamiji discussed one of these four truths. During his talks, Swamiji referred to great Shaivite texts including, Pratyabhijnahridayam, the Shiva Sutras, Spanda Karikas and Vijnanabhairava. We had a pleasure of trying out different contemplations from the Vijnanabhairava including focusing on the pause between the breath and having our awareness on the third breath (the upward breath). We also meditated using Bhagavan Nityananda’s technique of drawing the breath up into the head. It was wonderful to try out all these different contemplations, noticing the effect of each one.
Swamiji giving a talk
In one of his talks, Swamiji said, “The nature of consciousness is free. Our own consciousness has become bound. The closer we get to consciousness, the freer we are. Consciousness is free, full of love, luminous and all-knowing.” Swamiji said, “Everything we have been searching for is already within us. We’re much greater than we think we are.”
During the morning, after completing seva (service) around the ashram, we enjoyed daily Self-inquiry sessions with Devi Ma. For three on the mornings we focused on the emotions of anger, then sadness and fear. The shares from the participants in dealing with such emotions were wonderful, being both moving and insightful. Overall the morning programs provided a feeling of connectedness among the retreats as many were moved by each others shares.
Devi Ma with Eliza and her little ones
In the afternoons the retreat participants had the option of participating in hatha yoga classes, chanting workshops, meditation workshops and pujas (worship or blessing). On Thursday afternoon we were in for a treat when the Shiva Ashram musicians performed some live music at Kailas. It was a lot of fun.
The final Satsang of the summer retreat was buzzing with excitement. We were in for a special treat when Swamiji and Devi Ma played the main chant, Hare Ram. Swamiji referred to Baba’s message, “See God within your Self and you’ll see God in others. To love, you have to know your own heart.”
The retreat culminated with the Intensive on Sunday the 15th January. It was a perfect summer’s day which was a reflection of the wonderful peaceful and joyous feeling in the hall and a great end to the retreat.
Photos
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