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The Summer Retreat is always a major event at the ashram and this year was no exception. People came from all over Australia to join us for the week, including groups from our centres in Adelaide and Brisbane.
The theme of the retreat was Self-inquiry and, every night, Swamiji gave wonderful Satsang talks in which he drew on themes from his new book on the subject. Covering the background to Self-inquiry; yogic concepts of spanda (spiritual aliveness); and the Shaivite approach to ‘energies’, his talks gave great food for contemplation. During the day, Ma Devi discussed elements of what Swamiji had raised the night before and led us in some powerful meditations on the topics.
Part of the pleasure of the retreat is the chance for participants to fully immerse themselves in ashram life and people eagerly engaged in seva (selfless service); did hatha yoga and took part in chanting workshops. On Friday, there was an afternoon of excellent music at Pop and Selma’s café and, that night, an ecstatic dancing sapta. The retreat culminated in the Intensive, which is when Swamiji traditionally gives Shaktipat, or the awakening of the meditative energy. It was the perfect end to a great retreat.
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