
Guru Purnima Retreat & Celebration 2018

Friday, July 27
8 AM – 6 PM
Guru Purnima Retreat
Saturday, July 28
8 AM – 6 PM
Guru Purnima Retreat
Sunday, July 29
8 AM – 1 PM
Guru Purnima Retreat
Sunday, July 29, 4 PM
Guru Purnima Grand Celebration
The Retreat
You are invited to join Amma for a very special meditation retreat in the Dallas area prior to the Guru Purnima Grand Celebration hosted by Amma’s Dallas devotees. Take advantage of this special chance to set aside day-to-day concerns and dive deep into the blissful ocean of the Self within – all in Amma’s divine presence.
Amma understands the many distractions and difficulties we sometimes face when we try to meditate. Accordingly, she has designed this retreat in a special way. As Amma teaches, it is only when we look within through meditation that we find the presence of Divine Mother deep within our hearts.

Special Highlights will Include:
Chakra Cleansing Techniques
During the retreat Amma will teach Chakra Cleansing practices previously only available to those who could travel to her ashram in India. As many of us are unable to travel to India, Amma is now bringing these powerful Chakra Cleansing practices to the United States. Kindly note that Chakra Cleansing initiations are only given once during the Guru Purnima Retreat. Makeup sessions will be not offered due to time limitations.
Shaktipath: Divine Radiance Transmission
Amma will once again be giving Shaktipath transmission during this retreat. Amma will place her hand on each participant’s head during meditation and transmit her divine radiance. Shaktipath is an extremely powerful spiritual gift to receive from Amma. It will greatly help one’s spiritual progress and can awaken the Kundalini Shakti, which is the presence of the Divine Mother in the form of profound inner spiritual energy found in the body. Makeup sessions will be not offered due to time limitations.
Special Pujas
This year, sacred pujas (worship ceremonies) will be conducted in the divine presence of Amma during the Guru Purnima Retreat and Celebration. The tentative schedule will be announced soon.
Registration & Fees
Registration & Fees
How to Register
Please register online or by downloading and faxing, emailing or mailing the registration form below.
We will acknowledge all completed registration forms as we receive them and send a confirmation letter with more information, including guidelines on what to wear and bring to the retreat.
Register online with promo code SRIM2019 for a limited time and enjoy a 10% discount on your retreat. Promo code expires June 2 (midnight).
Limited rooms and retreat spaces available, register now!
PLEASE NOTE: Hotel accommodations are not included in retreat fee. Preferred hotel rates have been negotiated with local hotels. Please click on the Hotel tab below to see the preferred rates and booking information.
Refunds will be issued for any cancellations received up through July 2 (minus a $15 cancellation fee). We regret that refunds are not possible after this date.
Full Three Day retreat
* Full 3 Day Retreat: $325 (Price before 10% discount)
* The retreat fee includes lunch, dinner and snacks, but not accommodations.
Register for FULL THREE DAY RETREAT
One-Day Sessions
* Friday, July 12 – $175 (Price before 10% discount)
* Saturday, July 13 – $175 (Price before 10% discount/Includes Shaktipath)
* Sunday, July 14 (Half-Day) – $95 (Price before 10% discount)
Register for Retreat Only – Friday July 12
Register for Retreat Only – Saturday July 13
Register for Retreat Only – Sunday July 14
* The retreat fee includes lunch, dinner and snacks, but not accommodations.
Registration form to Mail or Fax
Guru Purnima Retreat – PDF Form
Please Note:
1. Children under 17 years old need special permission to attend the retreat.
2. Amma does not grant personal interviews during meditation retreats.
3. Space is limited at the retreat, so please register early.
4. Chakra Initiations will only be given on Friday. Shaktipath will only be given on Saturday.
5. No makeup sessions will be given for missed chakra initiations or missed shaktipat.
Tentative Retreat Schedule
Tentative Retreat Schedule
Please Note: Chakra Initiations will only be given on Friday. Shaktipath will be given on Saturday. No makeup sessions will be given for missed chakra initiations or missed shaktipath.
GURU PURNIMA RETREAT SCHEDULE – PDF Form
REGISTER HERE FOR SPONSORSHIPS
Hotel Information
Hotel Information
The Guru Purnima Retreat and Celebration will be held held at the Monroe County Conference Center in Forsyth, GA.
PLEASE NOTE: Shuttle service will be provided to & from the Monroe County Conference Center once in the morning and once in the evening. Shuttle times will be posted shortly. We appreciate your patience.
Sri Pada Puja Sponsorship
Sri Pada Puja Sponsorship
The origins of Sri Pada Puja are deeply rooted in the history of Vedic tradition. The wondrous gift of entanglement is the sacred secret contained within the ceremony of Pada Pooja. When we melt into a deep mood of gratitude and devotion, we receive the beautiful return flow of divine compassion and the uplifting of our consciousness.
Pada puja is a specific form of gratitude. It is a ritual to express our thanks to a revered spiritual teacher. The word pada means foot or feet in Sanskrit. Pada puja means to give thanks at the feet of the one we are honoring. In Vedic tradition, the spiritual leader was called the guru. He was the counselor, healer, master teacher and mystic of the community. The Bhagavad Gita, the iconic sacred text of Vedic civilization, recounts the words of the incarnated God Krishna, who was both king and spiritual master: “I destroy the darkness of ignorance with the shining lamp of wisdom, through my compassion.”. The Sanskrit word Guru has two syllables: gu refers to darkness and ru to light. The master leads the disciple from darkness into light with compassion. This darkness of ignorance is the identification that one has with one’s self, one’s material attachments and material possessions. This identification surely leads to sorrow since this attachment is for things that are fleeting and not for something long lasting.
The master is the only person who can dispel that darkness. Only the master can light up that wisdom within you in order for you to realize that you are already one with existence and therefore need nothing from this material world.
Offering puja to the feet of the guru expresses our gratitude for his dedication and compassion, given to benefit us. In addition, the shakti — the accumulated power and energy — of the guru is stored in the master’s feet. We offer our thanks to the source of his wisdom and understanding.
The origins of Pada Puja are deeply rooted in the history of Vedic tradition and are mentioned by many venerable sacred texts. Adi Shankaracharaya, one of the greatest sages of Hinduism, says in his Guru Ashtakam (8 Verses in Praise of the Guru: “Surrendering to the feet of the Guru (Master) is the most beautiful and ultimate happening, without which everything else seems futile (“shareeram suroopam tathaa vaa kalatram yashashcharu chitram dhanam meru tulyam”).
Quantum physics has identified an astonishing phenomenon called entanglement. When two quanta experience an energetic encounter, they adjust their frequencies to match each other. Even if they are separated by the full breadth of the universe after their interaction, they maintain the connection forever. The object with higher frequency establishes the level of vibration for the other, for it is the nature of evolution to be continually moving toward higher states of existence. When one sits in pada puja at the feet of an enlightened being whose frequency matches that of the cosmos, their frequency will also rise in the process of entanglement. This is how the cosmic connection is made.
The wondrous gift of entanglement is the sacred secret contained within the ceremony of Pada Puja. When we melt into a deep mood of gratitude and devotion, we receive the beautiful return flow of divine compassion and the uplifting of our consciousness.
You can continue to enjoy the benefits of this entanglement by sponsoring the Sri Pada Puja. The prasadam will be highly energized during the puja and can continue to produce profound changes in your external daily lives throughout the year when installed at home on an altar.
The science of gratitude is based on the principle that we already have much in our lives in our lives to be thankful for. Many wishes are miraculously granted in the aftermath of Pada Puja. Sponsor now and feel Amma’s miracle.
If you have faith in the Guru’s feet
If you have deep feeling for the Guru’s feet,
If you imbibe the state of the Guru,
Then you don’t have to look for God
God will come looking for you
Sant Tukaram (17th century poet-saint)
REGISTER HERE FOR SPONSORSHIPS
Guru Purnima Annadanam & Maha Prasadam Sponsorship
Guru Purnima Annadanam and Maha Prasadam Sponsorship
Traditionally meaning “an offering of food”, it is said in the scriptures that to feed another human being is far more meritorious an act than giving them mountains of gold and silver. The Manava Dharma Shastra (ancient code for domestic, social and religious life in Sanatam Dharma) states ‘atithih devo bhava’ (‘regard the guest as a deity’). Based on this principle it is believed by some that spirits or deities may move upon the earth in human guise, and that such beings possess special powers or abilities that may help those who are open-hearted and generous towards unusual strangers.
Annadanams are conducted with this very principle in mind, for among the hungry crowd there may also be the anonymous genuine devotee, saint or even a deva or deity. Indeed, each and every poor person is regarded in this way, as expressed in the Sanskrit saying ‘daridra Nārāyana’ (‘God dwells in the poor person’).
During the Guru Purnima Retreat and Celebration, meals will be served daily to those in attendance, and this your chance to help. Divine Mother is immensely pleased with this service to Her children. Several options exist for supporting the program in this heartfelt way. All of the amounts given are to serve three meals to those in attendance at the Guru Purnima retreat as well as the Maha Prasadam that will be served after the auspicious Sri Pada Puja Celebration on Sunday, July 29.
Thank you for your generous support.
REGISTER HERE FOR SPONSORSHIPS
Guru Purnima Flower Seva Sponsorship
Guru Purnima Sri Pada Puja Pushpanjali (Flower Seva) Sponsorship
“What are flowers? Are they not messengers of love, prayers of the vegetable world, the aspiration of nature and the smile of the divine?”
From the book – “Flowers – Their Spiritual Significance”
During the auspicious 2018 Guru Purnima Sri Pada Puja on July 29, beautiful flower malas will be lovingly offered to adorn our beloved Amma Sri Karunamayi. Submission of flowers to the Divine Mother is considered submission of oneself to Her.
When we offer flowers to the Divine Mother, we are transmitting our devotional ‘bhava‘ or emotion and are literally requesting the divine to grant us health, wealth and happiness (both material and spiritual benefits.) It is the bhava of surrender and faith (sharanagati and shradda).
Please show your love, devotion and gratitude to Amma during this special weekend and honor and celebrate your one true teacher by sponsoring the flowers that will be used in the malas to adorn our beloved Mother.
Thank you for your generous support.
REGISTER HERE FOR SPONSORSHIPS
Guru Purnima Vastra Pradhanam for Amma
Guru Purnima Vastra Pradhanam for Amma
The offering of vastra (saree and blouse material) to Amma concludes the ritualistic worship of Amma during the Sri Pada Puja. Offering vastra to Divine Mother is akin to praying to Her attributeless form to work for one’s spiritual progress and welfare through the medium of ‘with attribute’ form.
A nine yard saree is offered to Amma which represents the functioning of Divine Mother through Her nine forms, as per the requirement of the devotee. The number ‘nine’ represents the nine main forms or incarnations of Shri Durga. The nine yards (levels) of the saree represent Her nine incarnations carrying out her divine mission. Offering a nine yard saree invokes the unmanifested Divine Energy which encompasses all the manifest forms of Divine Mother, that is Shri Durga, to manifest in all Her nine forms to perform the required mission.
REGISTER HERE FOR SPONSORSHIPS
Guru Purnima Souvenir Booklet Sponsorship
Guru Purnima Souvenir Booklet Sponsorship
We extend to you the opportunity to purchase ad space in the Special Guru Purnima Souvenir booklet. You can sponsor full, half, quarter page and business card size ads whether to offer pranams or to thank Amma for being your spiritual teacher and what She has done in your life or to advertise your business.
The contribution you provide will greatly bless our efforts. We ask that you please respond by the designated deadline. Should you have any questions or need additional information regarding the souvenir booklet please contact Satia Madimchetty at (469) 877-3676 or satia@sbcglobal.net or gurupurnima@karunamayi.org.
Ads can be placed by individuals, families, businesses, satsang groups etc.
Thank you for your Support!
Guru Purnima Blessing Donation Bag
Guru Purnima Blessing Donation Bag
Thanks And Giving
Paying Blessings Forward
We are requesting all retreat attendees to bring with them a blessings bag which we will collect at Guru Purnima registration and donate to various homeless shelters in the Dallas area.
The Celebration

The 2018 Guru Purnima Sri Pada Puja and Celebration
will be held at the
Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West
1590 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75234
at 4 pm on Sunday, July 29

The celebration program will feature Amma’s divine discourse, inspirational talks and bhajans. We will also have an opportunity to celebrate all Gurus and spiritual teachers, including Amma Sri Karunamayi, through the ever sacred Sri Pada Puja to Amma’s lotus feet.
Sri Pada Puja prasad is an enduring spiritual treasure. Anyone can sponsor the Sri Pada Puja and receive the prasad, whether you are present at the Guru Purnima Celebrations or are not able to join us for the event itself.
Do you plan to only come for the Celebration & need to stay only for Sunday Night? To book extra room nights at the Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West for Sunday, July 29th after the Sri Pada Puja Celebration or any other night, a special discounted rate of $139 (plus tax) per night is available. Please email Suresh Pandav at gurupurnima@karunamayi.org and include (Extra Hotel Night) in the subject line of your email.
The Significance of Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima is the most important time of the year for receiving the blessings of holy people. Blessings received during this time are equal to the blessings received during the entire rest of the year. According to India’s venerable rishis, cosmic energy flows through the human body, entering through the crown chakra and leaving through the feet. This is the reason why so much importance is given to the holy lotus feet of God, one’s teacher, or any holy person. The spiritual teacher becomes a channel for tremendous cosmic energy, which is available to all through their lotus feet. Thus, honoring one’s teacher at this time of year is most auspicious. Cosmic energy flows from the spiritual teacher’s feet in abundance. Amma has touched the lives of countless people in her incarnation, leaving devotees overflowing with bliss and tremendous gratitude. You are cordially invited to join us in our celebration of appreciation to our beloved Amma.
Related Resources
-Secrets of the Chakras –
A Special 4 Part Video Series with Highlights from Amma’s Previous Guru Purnima Discourses