Over nine days in January, the summer Retreat was a time to intensify our spiritual practice and deepen our connection with the inner Self. Everything in the ashram is designed for this goal, whether we are meditating, working in the garden, cooking, or even doing the dishes.

Programs began at sunrise, for the early risers, with abhishek (washing of the Bhagavan Nityananda deity). Meditation and chanting the Guru Gita was next; and then it was time for seva, where we helped with work around the ashram, before we all met with Devi Ma at 11:30am.

Devi Ma’s programs focused on a variety of techniques and she conducted question and answer sessions with us. She shared insights and different perspectives from her years of sadhana. As news of the Queensland floods broke, Swamiji and

Devi Ma spoke about the power of prayer and for several sessions we dedicated the protective Triymabakam mantras to the flood victims. This was especially moving, as many of the ‘retreatants’ were from Queensland and had friends and relatives who were affected.

In the afternoons we had ecstatic chanting workshops and meditation sessions with Swami Atmananda. The yoga classes were particularly good and it was inspiring to get into a rhythm of doing hatha yoga every day and be led by all the various talented Shiva Yoga teachers.

Each evening Satsang Swamiji spoke about spiritual practices from the perspective of Kashmir Shaivism. He spoke about the path of self recognition, the teachings of Gurdjieff, and the power of matrika (language) and the spiritual path. Swamiji related all the teachings back to our own experience.

The Satsang before the Intensive was filled with an immense excitement. The hall was packed with people and filled with shakti (spiritual energy). It was the best party ever. This was the first retreat held in our new hall and for the whole day of the Intensive it was our home. 

The joy of the day was magnified by Swamiji’s talk, shaktipat (spiritual awakening), and all the people who attended. Fittingly, the day ended in a rush of ecstatic dancing, as the band chanted and Swamiji played the bells. The day did not want to end.