About Satsang Retreats

Satsang is a celebration of Presence and Beingness. It is an invitation to recognize the profound Nature of what we already are through silent Self-Enquiry and by simply being aware. As we seek to understand the delusions of personal identity, we experience a deep stillness and endless joy. Through constant abidance where no abiding remains, there is Recognition of the ever-present Pure Consciousness which is the true and eternal Self.

Return within,
To the place where there is nothing.
And take care that nothing comes in.
Penetrate to the depth of yourself,
To the place where thought no longer exists
And take care that no thought raises its head!
There where nothing exists… is Fullness!
There where nothing is seen… is the Vision of Being!
There where nothing appears any longer
Is the sudden appearing of the Self!
Dhyana, it is this.

— Sri Gnanananda Giri

The 3-day Satsang Retreats offered by Swami Atmananda Udasin are a great opportunity to deepen the practice of awareness and Self-Enquiry and to reach clarity of understanding. The teachings during these retreats are based on the Direct Path in the tradition of Advaita (Non-Duality).

Schedule
6:00 – 6:45 Conscious and Silent Walk along the Ganges (optional)
7:00 – 7:50 Meditation
10:00 – 10:30 Silent Tea (Garden)
10:30 – 12:30 Satsang
12:45 Community Vegetarian Lunch (on Day 3)
16:00 – 18:00 Open satsang
19:00 – 19:50 Meditation
19:50 – 20:30 Universal Prayers, Arati & Chanting

The Satsang Retreat begins at 19:00 on the evening preceding the first day, with an Introduction to the 3-day programme, and ends on the third day after the last meditation session.

During the retreat, there is a conscious walk and a silent meditation in the early hours, in the presence of Swami Ji. Later in the morning, there is a silent tea in the garden, followed by a satsang. In the afternoon, the satsang is open as usual to all seekers.

Each day closes with the evening silent meditation, exclusively for retreat participants.

Participants should always arrive 15 minutes earlier for the meditation sessions and the satsangs, so that they can enter in silence and sit quietly.

On the third day, a community vegetarian lunch will be organized in the garden of the ashram.

Group Pictures and Testimonials

  • Satsang Retreat, 19-21 October 2015

  • Beloved Ones,
    Thank you so much! The Satsang Retreat was just great! It was an amazing and powerful time... All Swami Ji’s pointings and teachings were of a big help! Everything was organized with so much love and care! Deeply touched.

    Mahima
  • These 3 days were FABULOUS, a moment of Truth... Hope to be back very soon!
    Thanks a million times!

    Valérie
  • Thank you for the marvelous satsangs which are also darshans! Thank you for carrying us, through Grace, each day and making us more and more transparent… Thank you for the kindness, the beauty, the joy and all this Love…

    Aude Marie
  • I will never forget you Swami ji and… wish all the best to you and all the wonderful souls that make the Ajatananda Ashram a place for the spirit to seek and discover their True Self.

    David
Practical Information

Code of Conduct

All who attend the Satsang Retreat must conscientiously observe the Ashram Rules & Code of Conduct for the duration of the programme.

The spirit behind these guidelines is to ensure that the spiritual purpose of the ashram is maintained, enabling all participants to benefit from the satsangs and the meditation practice, and more generally, from the serene atmosphere of the precinct.

Please carefully read the Code of Conduct, prior to attending a Satsang Retreat.

 

Accommodation and food

Due to the limited number of rooms at the ashram, which are occupied by full-time residents, Satsang Retreats are non-residential programmes. During the retreat, participants can enjoy the peaceful and positively energized atmosphere of Ajatananda Ashram, surrounded by monks and spiritual seekers. There are a wide range of affordable guesthouses and hotels available in Laxman Jhula and Tapovan. Please note that we cannot recommend or book accommodation on behalf of participants.

 

Participation Fee and Conscious Donation

The daily satsang at 16:00 remains free and open to all. A nominal participation fee is required for attending the full retreat, in order to cover basic operating expenses. However, no one is ever turned away for the inability to pay.

Although satsangs and teachings are free, voluntary conscious donations are welcome to further promote the availability of these teachings. These donations can be deposited in the donation box in the entrance hall, and are most gratefully received.

Registration

In order to participate in the Satsang Retreats, it is necessary to register in advance. You can fill out the registration form(s) here:

More Information & Registration form here.

Registration forms will also be available at the Ashram during the introductory meeting at 18:00 on the evening before the first day of the Retreat.

Please note that “drop in” participants are not allowed. Those who have completed a previous 3-day Satsang Retreat can also attend one or more additional retreats.

 

 

These Satsangs are coordinated by the Ashram Team and ‘Les Amis d’Ajatananda Ashram’, in partnership with Eveil Conscience, and will take place in French, with simultaneous translation into English. You will therefore be able to listen and see Swamiji in full screen and follow his teaching which will be based on a text from the Advaita tradition and followed, as in every Satsang, by a question and answer session.

Please note! In order to participate, your registration is mandatory. Please click on the ‘Register Here’ button below the description of the event to access the registration form.

To support the teaching of Swamiji and the Ajatananda Ashram, we will maintain the principle of conscious donation. If you wish to do so, you will be able to make your donation at the time of your registration.

The Zoom link, guidelines for the meeting and the text that will be commented on by Swamiji will be sent to you the day before the event. We suggest you either print the text or display it on an additional device during the Satsangs.

We invite you to keep your camera on and display your first and last name as your username for the duration of each Satsang as a sign of your full participation. Please kindly read our Additional Guidelines here.

If it is impossible for you to attend any of these Satsangs due to your professional obligations or time zone differences, please feel free to to contact us by following this link. We will do our best to offer you an alternative option.

CLOSE THE WINDOW

These online Satsangs are coordinated by the Ashram Team and ‘Les Amis d’Ajatananda Ashram’, and will take place in English, with simultaneous translation into French. You will therefore be able to listen and see Swamiji in full screen and follow his teaching which will be based on a text from the Advaita tradition and followed, as in every Satsang, by a question and answer session.

Please note! In order to participate, your registration is mandatory. Please click on the ‘Register Here’ button below the description of the event to access the registration form.

To support the teaching of Swamiji and the Ajatananda Ashram, we will maintain the principle of conscious donation. If you wish to do so, you will be able to make your donation at the time of your registration.

The Zoom link, guidelines for the meeting and the text that will be commented on by Swamiji will be sent to you the day before the event. We suggest you either print the text or display it on an additional device during the Satsangs.

We invite you to keep your camera on and display your first and last name as your username for the duration of each Satsang as a sign of your full participation. Please kindly read our Additional Guidelines here.

If it is impossible for you to attend any of these Satsangs due to your professional obligations or time zone differences, please feel free to contact us by following this link. We will do our best to offer you an alternative option.

CLOSE THE WINDOW

All who attend the Satsang Retreat should consciously observe the Ashram Rules & Code of Conduct for the duration of the programme. The spirit behind these guidelines is to ensure that the spiritual purpose of the Ashram is maintained, enabling all participants to benefit from the satsangs and the meditation practice, and more generally, from the serene atmosphere of the precinct.

1. Retreatants should maintain an atmosphere of PEACE and TRANQUILLITY in the Ashram premises at all times.
2. They should bear compassion and consideration towards one another to uphold the essence of the practice.
3. To ensure the spirit of awareness and the focus on the teachings and spiritual practice, participants are encouraged to abstain from unnecessary conversation whilst in the Ashram.
4. AUDIO RECORDING, PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING within the premises of the Ashram are prohibited without due permission.
5. Retreatants should dress simply and modestly with their shoulders and knees covered whilst in the Ashram.
6. We forbid the use of mobile phones or alternate communication/entertainment devices at any time during the retreat.
7. It is ideal to carry no material belongings or the least and the most necessary of them which should be taken care of in one’s possession. The Ashram will not be held responsible for any items missing.

May all be happy! May all be peaceful!! May all realize the Truth!!!

    [mc4wp_form id=”9308″]