The Sat Yoga Ashram and Retreat Center officially opened its doors on 7/1/11 and welcomed our disciples-in-training as the first group of retreatants to enjoy the divine beauty of our new spiritual home. The joyful energy and openness of the retreat atmosphere could be palpably felt. This historic event was the culmination of years of service, devotion, dedication, and divine grace that was finally fulfilled with an indescribable sweetness and significance which made a lasting impression on all of the Sat Yoga postulants.

“It is difficult to describe with words something as powerful as the experiences and even more so the imperiences that I lived during the five day retreat at Arunachala. The incredible beauty of nature, the sounds of the rain, the songs of the birds and above all, Shunyamurti’s teachings and guidance made it easy to go inward and allow for deep silent meditations full of divine energy. The beautiful energy field created by a community that is rising in love enhanced every experience—from eating the delicious meals, to doing nature walks and listening to the teachings—everything was full of magic!” remarked Rafael with calm excitement.

“The retreat, aside from representing the culmination of three years of concerted daily effort by many devoted souls, marked a watershed in the melding of the Sat Yoga family. This was the first time that we’d been together, intensely, for five consecutive days and with so much on our plates. What a joyful time it was!” exclaimed Jagdish.

“Arunachala reinvigorates and recharges my soul’s urge to return to its Source, just as the fine mist in the air penetrates and rejuvenates my skin. The ever-changing sky blows away whatever dark clouds of Maya may attempt to linger. Sunsets mesmerize the senses into silent awareness, while Shiva’s lightning bolts charge from the heavens onto the Sacred Mountain to keep it alight within me. At the Sat Yoga Ashram, I have found the protective grotto-womb for the Madonna to birth and raise the Godseed. The transformational process from the profane false self to the realized Real Self is held safe at the Sat Yoga Ashram in the company of Sat Yogis who, because of their own transformational inner work, are able to see through any remaining coverings that would hide the Divine Light within,” expressed Marjiva in heartfelt bliss.

“Ascending the slopes of Arunachala felt like returning Home. Indeed, this special event, this landmark retreat, has been many years (if not many lifetimes) in the making, and the unique experience (and imperience) that each of us received is a clear manifestation of the love and attention that has gone into this project—both from the earth and from the heavens,” reflected Purusha.

Certainly, the retreat left an indelible mark on the soul of every retreatant.

The postulants, upon arrival at Arunachala, were immediately struck with wonderment by the incredible amount of work and “finishing touches” put in by the retreat committee, evidenced by the spectacular beauty and fine attention to detail displayed in the  construction craftsmanship and the decoration of the cabins and lodge. Perhaps even more incredible were the equanimity and tender smiles of the Karma Yogis who had gone up several days before to make everything perfect for the rest of the retreatants.

The first day of the retreat was spent in gratitude, with all of the postulants giving thanks and blessings for the collective efforts of each other’s Karma Yoga, for the opportunity to be in the position of reverence and responsibility, and for what the Ashram’s opening meant to them. After the sharing of each student’s sacred message, Shunyamurti emphasized the importance that each person be in a state of absolute emptiness, of gratitude, and of remembrance—for each thought that arises in consciousness makes an impact on the surrounding environment and henceforth affects all visitors seeking spiritual solace in Arunachala. The evening closed with a communal “breaking of bread,” the first supper shared by the spiritual family.

“The ashram land, Arunachala, is immersed in meaning; every step, every inch, of the earth is laden with teaching and metaphor.” And so began the second day of the retreat, with a blessing of all of the retreat cabins, or “bhavans.” Bhavan means “peaceful abode,” and thus the group gathered in each bhavan, moving from Prema Bhavan to Viveka Bhavan, Vigyana Bhavan, Vairagya Bhavan, and Purna Bhavan, finally ending in Samyak Sambodhi Bhavan, to offer blessings and infuse each abode with spiritual energy and purity of intention. Shunyamurti provided a teaching on the significance and meaning of every one of the names of the bhavans, as the postulants climbed the higher chakras and lived the metaphors that they had been studying and aspiring for, all the way to the Supreme Enlightenment of Perfect Buddhahood.

That evening, Shunyamurti gave a class, teaching the true meaning and significance of Arunachala, reminding the students that they are Arunachala: “You are Shiva.” Next, the group joined together to intone a hymn to the holy hill of Arunachala written by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. What followed was a spontaneous and immeasurably powerful dehiscence of Divine Energy, a bursting forth of bliss, love, joy, and salvific beauty, and an irruption of the Eternal into the temporal. Immediately after the sharing of this ineffable energy, the group joined together in meditation to further imperience this blissful beatitude of Being.

Before dinner, Shunyamurti gave a class on the levels of discipleship, adumbrating the subtle distinctions of understanding, commitment, and dedication that were available along the spectrum of discipleship. He also renamed the postulants the “Pravartaks,” which is the Sanskrit equivalent of the Catholic term “postulant.”

The next day the Pravartaks performed a pilgrimage along Gangaji, the sacred river of Arunachala: first to Rishikesh, the source of the river, and then to the beach at Varanasi. The group again gathered to offer their blessings and reverential recognition of the powerful energy present in these sacred locations. The day closed with a meditation led by Marjiva, which was followed by “the most majestic sunset I have ever seen.”

On the last night of the retreat, Shunyamurti unveiled a pranayama/breathing exercise known as “transcendental breathwork.” The effect on the group was very intense, bringing some out-of-body into the bliss of their incorporeal essence, and others into their fear of leaving body identification. Half of the Pravartaks meditated to provide a peaceful and secure energy field while the others participated in the actual breathing experience, under the careful guidance of Shunyamurti.

Each day of the retreat was magical, filled with time for activities and time for being. There were graceful asana classes led by Saraswati, Karma Yoga opportunities to bring action into non-action and to give back thanks to the group and the land, unforgettable meditation sittings, Gyana Yoga classes offered by Shunyamurti, and an indescribable air of divine camaraderie. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were a gift of ambrosial prasad offered by Radha’s Kitchen, infused with divine nectar and sattvic energies, which provided the retreatants with the experience of ashram cooking par excellence.

The retreat was resplendently replete with stillness, solitude, and blessed simplicity, while immersed in the conviviality of community life. “I had the uncanny experience of being alone (all-one) while remaining in group.” There was understanding and respect for anyone undergoing internal processing—and many had short, maya-dissolving meetings with Shunyamurti—as well as ample space for those who desired to remain in solitude and silence. Everyone found that his/her personal intention was catered to by the format of the retreat, and responded gleefully to the break from the hustle and bustle of city life.

“The five-day retreat at the Sat Yoga Ashram is difficult to describe because it was so other-worldly. In an age where we are so hardened, cynical and inured to the attacks and withdrawals of others, where we are almost unceasingly focused on ourselves and our myriad short-lived pleasures, forced to remain perpetually on guard, encountering the selflessness, love, commitment and kindness of the many aspiring yogis of Sat Yoga can be an assault on the senses, a challenge to who we think we are and how the contemporary world must be,” described Jagdish quite eloquently.

“The Sat Yoga Postulant Retreat was a chance to return home to our Source, to imperience the bliss of Being while experiencing a get-away with a trusted and beloved family of luminous beings. It is a rare occurrence to meet such a dedicated assembly of enlightened souls in their natural habitat and to share with them in learning, living, and loving” concluded one retreatant.

If you are interested in participating in a future Sat Yoga Retreat, please write to retreats@satyogainstitute.org for more information.

Namaste.

(this article was compiled from the notes of several retreatants)