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Meditation Retreats
This year, nineteen cities will be having one-day meditation retreats as well as a weekend Guru Purnima retreat in San Francisco. Retreats consist of periods of silent meditation pranayama, and yoga asanas, interspersed with Amma’s inspiring discourses and joyful bhajans. In the peaceful atmosphere of the retreat, Amma teaches the deeper significance of kundalini, the chakra system, Sanskrit chants, mantras, and the enlightened philosophy of Sanatana Dharma. Please see the guidelines below. |
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| Amma enters the meditation hall, greeted by devotees wearing white clothes to symbolize purity. The vibration of the white clothing harmonizes the energy of the retreatant group, promoting a sattvic state of mind. Amma's joy overflows, and fills the meditation hall with motherly affection. |
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| Throughout the day, between periods of silent meditation, Amma will speak on spiritual subjects and teach yoga asanas. |
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| Pictured below, a meditation technique is demonstrated, known as a mudra, that brings focus to the mind and harmonizes the pranic energy in the body. You can see an illustration of a chakra projected on the screen. Also pictured below, devotees practice the purification of breath, sukha pranayama. |
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| Deep meditation is the main practice at the retreat. By taking time out from our busy lives to focus on meditation, we gain a deep sense of spiritual renewal and strength that lasts through the rest of the year. Amma also shares such profound teachings, that one's mind is filled with high and lofty thoughts upon which to contemplate and develop over time. |
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| At the close of the retreat, Amma is honored with a beautiful, inspiring, traditional Arati ceremony. The light from little lamps on the trays symobolizes the warm glow of spiritual enlightenment within the heart of each person. It is this heart connection which ultimately leads one to the truth, as Amma exemplifies with her every gesture, day after day. |
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| Amma greets retreatants on the way out of the meditaiton hall. These final moments of the day show the unforgettable connection that develops between Amma and her children. |
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General Guidelines for Meditation Retreats Amma understands the many distractions and difficulties we sometimes face when we try to meditate. Accordingly, she has designed the retreats in a special way. During the retreats, participants will be requested to maintain silence. As Amma says, “Silence is the language of God.” The silent retreat atmosphere allows us to focus solely on our spiritual practice, thereby allowing us to go deep within. Participants are encouraged to forgo ordinary conversations, set aside their day-to-day concerns, and dive deep into the ocean of the Self within. As Amma teaches, it is only when we look within through meditation that we find the true presence of Divine Mother deep within our inner hearts. At the beginning of each retreat, detailed instructions will be given so that newcomers can easily learn how to meditate. The powerful energy associated with being in Amma’s divine presence will help beginning meditators to glide easily into a meditative state. For those who already have an established practice, being in Amma’s presence will help to deepen the peace and bliss experienced in meditation. Many who have attended retreats with Amma in the past have experienced that simply being in her presence had a powerful transformative effect on their daily practice of meditation. People from many different religions and spiritual paths have attended, and have found their own faith deepened and enhanced. As Amma often says, “Be in your own faith, travel on your own path, but elevate more and more in that path.” These retreats will provide a very precious opportunity to all who want to deepen their spiritual practice and travel ever higher on whatever spiritual path they have chosen. Anyone who wishes to learn about meditation or deepen their meditative practice is most welcome to attend. For more information about retreats this year, please click here. During All Programs, We Kindly Request That You...
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi May All Be in Peace Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu May Everyone Be Happy |
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