Satsang Retreat Testimonials
It was definitely a privilege to be there by the Guidance of Swamiji. In times of disruption, I feel first to thank all of you who made this opportunity available to us, spiritual seekers.
Through his presence and teachings, it is possible to witness our True Nature. I feel very inspired, full of gratitude and I hope to be in the presence of Swamiji again. It’s time now to digest all the teachings and confirm my True Nature as Unborn Awareness.
Thank you, Life!
Thank you, Seva Team!
Thank you, all sages and saints!
Thank you, Ajatananda Ashram!
Thank you, Swamiji!
Love, Love, Love!
OM!
Through his presence and teachings, it is possible to witness our True Nature. I feel very inspired, full of gratitude and I hope to be in the presence of Swamiji again. It’s time now to digest all the teachings and confirm my True Nature as Unborn Awareness.
Thank you, Life!
Thank you, Seva Team!
Thank you, all sages and saints!
Thank you, Ajatananda Ashram!
Thank you, Swamiji!
Love, Love, Love!
OM!
Milena
I really feel blessed that I had the opportunity to attend the Satsang Retreat. I feel, that the teachings of Swamiji, together with the meditation and the beautiful atmosphere, food and energy, created by the loving kindness of all the volunteers, helpers and students, maybe did not liberate the self from the person I am identified with, but made this person humbler, more sincere and kind.
I want to say thank you from the depth of my heart!
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu!
I want to say thank you from the depth of my heart!
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu!
Nils
What a blessing to have spent all these moments with Swamiji and to have received his teachings, which he delivers with the authority that comes from direct experience. And to have heard his relentless invitations, we could even say orders, to practise, to remain in the heart, to not touch the stories of the mind, to deconstruct our personal self in order to find our true Self (which is not a thing) and to “merge” with Infinity.
And then, at other times, to hear him assert with such force that it’s the practice or, rather, the practitioner with his or her sense of “I” that’s the so-called “obstacle”: there’s nothing to be found, everything is already attained and, if there’s something that needs to be done in order to be in this recognition, it’s simply to remain still and pray that Grace be granted…
Personally, I need to hear both these approaches and that’s what I’m taking home with me.
I was also deeply moved to see Swamiji’s total devotion, his humility and his availability to seekers.
What more can I say but a huge thank you, Swamiji, for being among us.
And then, at other times, to hear him assert with such force that it’s the practice or, rather, the practitioner with his or her sense of “I” that’s the so-called “obstacle”: there’s nothing to be found, everything is already attained and, if there’s something that needs to be done in order to be in this recognition, it’s simply to remain still and pray that Grace be granted…
Personally, I need to hear both these approaches and that’s what I’m taking home with me.
I was also deeply moved to see Swamiji’s total devotion, his humility and his availability to seekers.
What more can I say but a huge thank you, Swamiji, for being among us.
J.L.
Dear Ajatananda Ashram Team,
Hari OM! Thank you so much for this great memory. And thank you so much for this retreat.
I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity that was afforded to me. I feel so privileged to have been able to feel Swami Atmananda’s presence and am truly touched by his availability, his humility and his wisdom.
I would also like to thank the whole team of volunteers!
These three days have opened a path for me. I can never walk back. The teachings will stay with me.
I look forward to furthering my path towards Truth alongside you.
Open Heart,
Hari OM! Thank you so much for this great memory. And thank you so much for this retreat.
I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity that was afforded to me. I feel so privileged to have been able to feel Swami Atmananda’s presence and am truly touched by his availability, his humility and his wisdom.
I would also like to thank the whole team of volunteers!
These three days have opened a path for me. I can never walk back. The teachings will stay with me.
I look forward to furthering my path towards Truth alongside you.
Open Heart,
Romain
When I first met with Swamiji almost two years ago, it was love at first sight on a cosmic level. No one had ever dissolved my doubt and false certitude like he did satsang after satsang. The level of his teaching was leaving no room for my stubborn mind to argue.
However, even if the intensive were happening twice per season, I never felt the need to attend any of them...something in me thought that it was mainly for beginner seekers. But since all prejudice are born from ignorance, I was wrong to think so.
The reality I discovered for myself after attending the last intensive, is mind blowing. For me, I quickly realized that the level of teaching happening in the morning satsang (only available to the one attending the intensive), is way beyond the knowledge taught on regular satsang, which I would not believe to be possible if I had not witness it myself.
It’s true that everyone can only absorb what they are open to transform, and no one can progress faster if we are not ready yet. But I would say with confidence that if Freedom is sincerely what you are seeking from the depth of your being, then this intensive is a powerful antidote.
May grace be upon all.
However, even if the intensive were happening twice per season, I never felt the need to attend any of them...something in me thought that it was mainly for beginner seekers. But since all prejudice are born from ignorance, I was wrong to think so.
The reality I discovered for myself after attending the last intensive, is mind blowing. For me, I quickly realized that the level of teaching happening in the morning satsang (only available to the one attending the intensive), is way beyond the knowledge taught on regular satsang, which I would not believe to be possible if I had not witness it myself.
It’s true that everyone can only absorb what they are open to transform, and no one can progress faster if we are not ready yet. But I would say with confidence that if Freedom is sincerely what you are seeking from the depth of your being, then this intensive is a powerful antidote.
May grace be upon all.
Tee K.
The retreat was held within the field of Swami Ji’s gently blissful Presence. This was felt during the morning walks, the silent sittings, and the satsangs held on the rooftop of the ashram, surrounded by the vibrancy of both the city and the Nature. During and since the retreat there has been a clear dissolving of the sense of ‘me’, with a rapidly decreasing interest in sustaining any sense of separation and delusion, such is the clarity of Swami Ji’s clear, concise and precise pointing. There is no room in the satsang for the unreal. There is such gratefulness – beyond words – for Swami Ji’s unwavering pointing to That and only That. It is incredible.
Satyadevi
How can I express the gratefulness I feel deeply? It was such a blessing to live with you all during those precious days, serving together in all directions as needed…. I felt the beauty of the work of all, as a community (including all those dear volunteers of course), as love in action and the expression of Grace. It was so touching….I saw the gratefulness manifesting through the commitment of each one! It was also for me the opportunity to see and recognize some of the old patterns of mine, and letting them go in the flow of “what is as it is”, with humility and benevolence, coming back to the simple Presence.
And the depth of the teaching, the beauty of the rooftop of the Ashram, the all-pervading shakti (the inside as the outside), also experienced during the silent meditations, the Joy during the chanting and arati, the wonderful silent walking meditations along Ganga river, the sweetness and generosity of the community expressing in so many ways, all those forms of this unique retreat were so conducive!
One of the main gems I have received is to feel the deep call (I already heard many times in this life) to abide in the pure I-am-ness, the spontaneous Presence, as a priority. This is now the best I can “do”… or let it be, by giving all the awareness required.
With all my love to you, dear Swami Atmananda Udasin and the community of Ajatananda Ashram! Thank you so much for welcoming us so kindly… May you be in peace, knowing how much you are blessed and under protection, in deep trust, confidence and Joy!
And the depth of the teaching, the beauty of the rooftop of the Ashram, the all-pervading shakti (the inside as the outside), also experienced during the silent meditations, the Joy during the chanting and arati, the wonderful silent walking meditations along Ganga river, the sweetness and generosity of the community expressing in so many ways, all those forms of this unique retreat were so conducive!
One of the main gems I have received is to feel the deep call (I already heard many times in this life) to abide in the pure I-am-ness, the spontaneous Presence, as a priority. This is now the best I can “do”… or let it be, by giving all the awareness required.
With all my love to you, dear Swami Atmananda Udasin and the community of Ajatananda Ashram! Thank you so much for welcoming us so kindly… May you be in peace, knowing how much you are blessed and under protection, in deep trust, confidence and Joy!
Thérèse
Once again I want to thank Swami Atmananda Udasin Ji and all the Ajatananda Ashram incredible team for this amazing satsang year, the second I am able to spend with you, this time from the first to the last day of the season. How to describe the energy of your ashram and the qualities of the teaching I am receiving? Blissful, pure, humble, open, generous, from heart to heart, deeply loving, whole with integrity, consistence and ethics… The Satsang Retreat in April was the last gift, before letting go of this daily appointment for a while... Be sure you will see me again in September!
Valeria
It was an honour to delve deeper into Presence with Swamiji. The retreat was very meaningful for me and helped to orient my approach to spiritual practice. I am very grateful to the Brahmacharis at Ajatananda Ashram for their generosity of spirit and kind attention and care of the retreatants.
I am especially grateful to Swamiji for welcoming us all with such openness, like we were all members of one family of the heart, to the beautiful table of Truth! I highly recommend this retreat to anyone who resonates with these teachings and wants to explore this approach in a supportive community of like-minded souls.
I am especially grateful to Swamiji for welcoming us all with such openness, like we were all members of one family of the heart, to the beautiful table of Truth! I highly recommend this retreat to anyone who resonates with these teachings and wants to explore this approach in a supportive community of like-minded souls.
Rebecca
Thank you for sharing with us the Presence. The retreat brought a better understanding and viveka, also a field for experimentation, revealing the last things we need to detach from. Moreover, it was a great joy to be surrounded by your happy and conscious vibrations, which helped me to be in the heart.
Laurence
Let me thank you all for the opportunity I have got to live privileged moments in the Ajatananda Ashram during this Satsang Retreat.
These three days have been a wonderful combination of unique teaching moments with Swami Atmananda Udasin and good sharing moments with the community of the Ashram and the other participants to the retreat. The place offers the serenity and the quietness that makes us completely available to live something extraordinary.
The retreat will be an important milestone on my path as spiritual seeker. Thanks to all for these good moments.
These three days have been a wonderful combination of unique teaching moments with Swami Atmananda Udasin and good sharing moments with the community of the Ashram and the other participants to the retreat. The place offers the serenity and the quietness that makes us completely available to live something extraordinary.
The retreat will be an important milestone on my path as spiritual seeker. Thanks to all for these good moments.
Christian
Deep gratitude to Swami Ji and the Volunteer Team! Their kindness in gestures and their presence really touched me.
This retreat with Swami Ji has been really helping with the attention to and the recognition of “what is” and “what is not”, the understanding of the unstable mind and the absorption and stabilization in the Self.
Thank you so much!
Sending loads of love!
This retreat with Swami Ji has been really helping with the attention to and the recognition of “what is” and “what is not”, the understanding of the unstable mind and the absorption and stabilization in the Self.
Thank you so much!
Sending loads of love!
Yangchen
The retreat was absolutely wonderful. During these three days I didn't really see the time passing…I enjoyed every single moment. A loving atmosphere of intimacy and equality between all resulting in a very deep and intense inner experience based in natural simplicity. If I’m able to describe it. The teachings of Swami Atmananda Udasin are just so consistent, so direct, powerful and at the same time very accessible. Highly precious. Definitely rare!
It was really inspiring to see the ashram brothers living in such harmony and union. Always so kind and dedicated. A special thanks to you dear friends for taking a great care of us! Totally beautiful!
It was really inspiring to see the ashram brothers living in such harmony and union. Always so kind and dedicated. A special thanks to you dear friends for taking a great care of us! Totally beautiful!
Aline
A heartfelt Namaste to each and everyone! This retreat has made fluid the space between my heart and mind. I cherish the inner silence where ‘I AM’ reveals itSelf. The profound awareness made during the morning walks, the power of Swami Atmananda’s Presence and teachings throughout satsang, the love felt through meditations, the Presence encountered through the eyes of fellow participants, the mysterious divine energy through chanting and the joy in which the Ashram’s community members rendered their service to us, made this retreat a beautiful platform bringing us to abide in our true Presence. Until we meet again next year, Life willing, much love and gratitude to all. Hari OM!
Miriam
I just wanted to thank you all one more time for the wonderful satsang retreat. You all did such a fantastic job making us all feel welcome and cared for, as you do every day at every satsang. It was an incredibly fruitful retreat for me and I feel like something has shifted in me. It has been easier to rest in Presence, even during a challenging 14-hour bus ride to Dharamsala! I am so grateful for the precious teachings and all the compassion and community! I hope to see you all again one day!
Parisa
There is no way to say thank you for what is offered, for what is given with so much kindness and love in this sweet and peaceful place of refuge. The retreat nourished and filled me in many ways.
Shashi
Once again, the satsang retreat has afforded a fantastic opportunity to re-orient the mind towards the truth of who I am, of what the world really is and of what life is really all about. The words expressed here, of course, cannot convey the enormity of what is unfolding and becoming clear. Waiting at Dehradun Airport yesterday and sitting on the flight there was only love and peace. Smiles melted boundaries. Nothing was really happening, just waltzing through a dream. How bizarre was that?
Swami Ji has mentioned several times, with humour, that practising witnessing/atma vichara while driving is not the most opportune time for this sadhana. Actually, it has become one of the most sweet times in this practice: watching the mind's habitual responses to the never ending sensory input from the eyes and ears. And of course, it is also the perfect time to understand surrender and trust and realise who is truly controlling events of this drama. Que sera, sera!
May all beings be wrapped consciously in Truth!
Swami Ji has mentioned several times, with humour, that practising witnessing/atma vichara while driving is not the most opportune time for this sadhana. Actually, it has become one of the most sweet times in this practice: watching the mind's habitual responses to the never ending sensory input from the eyes and ears. And of course, it is also the perfect time to understand surrender and trust and realise who is truly controlling events of this drama. Que sera, sera!
May all beings be wrapped consciously in Truth!
Uday
I'd just like to thank you and the team for the wonderful Satsang Retreat. Notable are the generous hearts and high quality of everything that is shared with such openness and magnanimity.
Particularly valuable for me was in getting a clearer sense of the ‘intender’ as the one who is not ‘I’. Not for the first time but each time the recognition goes that much deeper.
It was also very nice that you walked with us, meditated with us, led the singing chanting and shared tea and food with us. Gives feeling of inclusiveness.
Om and warm thank you, thank you.
Particularly valuable for me was in getting a clearer sense of the ‘intender’ as the one who is not ‘I’. Not for the first time but each time the recognition goes that much deeper.
It was also very nice that you walked with us, meditated with us, led the singing chanting and shared tea and food with us. Gives feeling of inclusiveness.
Om and warm thank you, thank you.
Shiva Dyan
Dear Friends,
It can be very difficult finding a safe place to just be. To very simply just observe, and to observe with an open heart. The satsangs of Swami Atmananda Udasin carved a very warm and sincere path to find such a place. And then we found that place in the unnoticed space within which life is unfolding.
Swami Atmananda welcomed us not just into Ajatananda Ashram, but to sit beside him in a lifestyle of pure awareness. After the three days had passed, I went to perform something as mundane as checking my email -- but unlike the countless times I had ever done that, there was this enormous canyon between the action, the actor, and my perception of it. And in that space, I found only devotion. I used to hunt for clever and innovative transcendental talks and lectures, and where Swami Atmananda quenches such a thirst, his penultimate darshan is his presence alone.
It has been an absolute honour to have shared the peace that speaks at Ajatananda Ashram. Hari OM!
It can be very difficult finding a safe place to just be. To very simply just observe, and to observe with an open heart. The satsangs of Swami Atmananda Udasin carved a very warm and sincere path to find such a place. And then we found that place in the unnoticed space within which life is unfolding.
Swami Atmananda welcomed us not just into Ajatananda Ashram, but to sit beside him in a lifestyle of pure awareness. After the three days had passed, I went to perform something as mundane as checking my email -- but unlike the countless times I had ever done that, there was this enormous canyon between the action, the actor, and my perception of it. And in that space, I found only devotion. I used to hunt for clever and innovative transcendental talks and lectures, and where Swami Atmananda quenches such a thirst, his penultimate darshan is his presence alone.
It has been an absolute honour to have shared the peace that speaks at Ajatananda Ashram. Hari OM!
Trip
Thank you again for the wonderful 3-day Satsang Retreat. The heart-filled energy of everyone from your ashram was so nice. So much detailed and thoughtful organization!
And very valuable teachings of course! It was a special and impactful experience for me.
And very valuable teachings of course! It was a special and impactful experience for me.
Vera
My experience was just That. Beautiful and healing in every way. I was able to meditate and dive into deep contemplation for the first time ever after hearing the teachings from Swami Ji. My life is transformed so long as I continue to relax into the space that I have glimpsed for a moment! Ever present gratitude for the teachings and experience.
All my love to you,
All my love to you,
Joel
Since my first participation in Satsang, I have felt in my heart that this place is very special. The Satsang is a really powerful moment. The pure love and joy that circulate amongst everyone are delicious nourishment for those who are on this spiritual journey. I felt very inspired by the presence of each one. I am very grateful to the entire Ashram team. All their attentiveness, seriousness and happiness form a delightful spiritual atmosphere.
The pointers received at Satsang touched me deeply. I was able to rediscover a lot of space, trust, love and joy. Gratitude Swami Ji for your immense generosity in sharing this teaching with accuracy, depth and love.
I felt at home, but in a house with no doors, no windows, no walls. Thanks for bringing me to the center, thanks for bringing me to the heart.
With deep love,
The pointers received at Satsang touched me deeply. I was able to rediscover a lot of space, trust, love and joy. Gratitude Swami Ji for your immense generosity in sharing this teaching with accuracy, depth and love.
I felt at home, but in a house with no doors, no windows, no walls. Thanks for bringing me to the center, thanks for bringing me to the heart.
With deep love,
Lilian
Hari OM! Ajatananda Ashram and the divine beings there have shown me the way to the Real (Truth) from the Unreal (Untruth) and a path to my home.
My deep Gratitude to Swami Ji
Thank you for everything.
My deep Gratitude to Swami Ji
Thank you for everything.
Sridhar
We both are feeling very enlivened and refreshed after this retreat. We seem to have dropped a lot of persistent mind habits in the realization that they are illusory. And what remains is a knowledge of our true Nature, a relaxed presence that makes us feel very well, that everything is good. Deep gratitude to Swami Atmananda Udasin for being here on the way to help guide us home.
Innica & Jaiya
I would like to express my gratitude for the retreat. I feel that Swami Ji is communicating an essential Truth that is a privilege to experience. I very much appreciated the dignified and warm-hearted service offered by the team of volunteers. I particularly enjoyed the morning Satsang which felt like a revelation of glorious Truth…The Kirtan with Ganga Ma was a welcome addition…
I would wholeheartedly recommend this retreat to earnest seekers with an interest in Advaita or a deeper understanding of our True Nature.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this retreat to earnest seekers with an interest in Advaita or a deeper understanding of our True Nature.