It was a five days programme, conducted by Dr. Pallavi Joshi, meditation leader from Chandigarh, and directed by Swami Sri Krishnananda ji. 49 devotees from Delhi,Chandigarh,Punjab,Haryana,UP, MP, HP,Rajasthan and J&K attended the programme.
The main objective of this retreat was to develop a deep interest among devotees to pursue the study of the Bhagwad Gita scripture through GTWA because the same would help them in their spiritual practice as taught by Guru ji.
On the first day, the programme started with opening address by Swami Sri Krishnananda ji. He welcomed the participants and expressed his happiness on the starting of Retreat Programmes at Anand Shikhar. He informed the participants that the Retreats would be mainly conducted by the meditation leaders and he would simply guide them.
This was followed by Gita Chanting on Raj Yoga, Chapter 4 of the Gita. Then after a brief silence, group reading started from GTWA (Swami ji’s compilation on Raj Yoga from GTWA), followed by individual meditation.
During the post lunch session, participants attempted self evaluation on the learning from the chapter read out in the forenoon session through a questionnaire given to them. While right answers were read out, devotees corrected their own answers and understanding.
On the subsequent three days, other chapters of Yoga, namely, Karma Yoga, Gyan Yoga and Bhakti Yoga were covered in the same manner as described above. Before reading these topics, Gita Chanting was done on Chapters 3, 13 and 12 pertaining to above Yogas respectively.
On the second day, there was a long evening meditation from 5.00 to 8.00PM.
On the last day, after individual meditation in the morning, there was Gita Chanting of all the 18 Chapters followed by Arti and Prasadam. Closing address by Swami ji was followed by chanting and pushpanjali.
After dinner, devotees enjoyed a video shows on Ganga Upnishad and Swami Anandmoye’s talk on ‘You can Know God in this Life’.
There were also Bhajan sessions on two days which gave a very inspiring and devotional touch to the whole programme.
Besides, energization exercises and meditation (group and individual) were done every day, both in the morning and evening.
Some of the feedbacks received from devotees are as follows:
- The Retreat Programme was wonderful and I really gained a lot. Meditation leader conducted the programme very nicely…Vibrations of the place are so blissful..I look forward to attend more such retreats….Monica Jain, Ambala, Haryana
- It is a great experience…I feel blessed in attending this programme here…Rooms are comfortable…. Hospitality is good….….Sohani Sharma , Kathua, J&K
- I have been coming regularly here but every time I find something new to learn..Swami ji inspires us on our Sadhna..Facilities are excellent…Kavita Goyal, Zirakpur, Punjab
- The programme was good… Had Swami ji conducted, it would have been better..Very good hospitality…Rakesh Sharma,New Delhi
- The programme schedule followed was very beneficial…Thanks to Swami ji and meditation leader for helping me to understand Gita…Feel blessed in getting this opportunity to attend this retreat. Excellent facilities….Sanjeev Manhas, Hoshiarpur, Punjab
- The programme helped me in understanding the four parts of Yoga…Bhajans and video show enhanced the spiritual environment and added to our devotion..Hospitality is great….Anita Manhas, Hoshiarpur, Punjab
- I was filled with joy and peace after the retreat..Retreat was helpful in awakening the need for devotion..Programme was very well organized….excellent hospitality…Sanjeev Dixit, Noida, UP
- Retreat will definitely help me in the progress of my spiritual journey….Quality of food was excellent….Reeta Dixit, Noida, UP
