The Bhagavad Gita is one the greatest pieces of literature in the world, and the most popular book in Hinduism. It describes how the liberated state of mind can be unfolded. In this retreat we will immerse ourselves in the wisdom of the Gita by learning to chant some of the most essential verses in the original, sacred Sanskrit language. We will explore their meaning and the impact that this knowledge can have on our day to day life. Together we will practice the core teaching of the Gita, which is Self-realization, by meditating on the undivided, eternal Being that resides in the heart of all beings.
The retreat will conclude with a havan or homa, a Vedic fire ritual. The Gayatri mantra, the most holy of the Vedic mantras, will be chanted 108 times while sacrificial herbs and clarified butter are offered into the flames. With that we offer the sense of smallness, doubt and division of the mind to the fire of Knowledge, where they are enlightened into the vision of Oneness - the liberated state of Being.
Instructors: Vishuddha Nath, Eykaa and Sinja
Language of instruction: English
Vishuddha Nath moved to India after high school to study with his Guru Swami Shyam, and spent many years in the Himalayas studying Indian philosophy and practicing meditation. He has a Master of Philosophy degree in Sanskrit from the University of Oslo, and has translated the Gita into Norwegian. He is also the author of the book Reaching Nirvana: A guide to meditation and mindfulness.
Eykaa is a meditator and medical doctor. Originally from Berlin, she now lives in the Shyam Ashram in the Indian Himalayas. She dedicates her time to the practice of meditation and the study and unfoldment of the vision of Oneness. Eykaa shares the techniques of meditation and pranayam and invites you to sing and chant together.
Sinja has a background in international management and is the founder of the Amaram Cafe (amaramcafe.com), a virtual space for meditation, Self inquiry and singing (Kirtan).
In 2016, she met her teacher in the Indian Himalayas and, since then, has been studying meditation and the teachings of non-duality. (You can hear more about the relevance of meditation for our everyday life in her TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/FZLaU_KlTAU)
Program:
Thursday:
15.00: Check-in opens
16.30-18.00: Welcome circle
18.00: Dinner
20.00-21.00: Introduction into meditation and Kirtan (chanting)
Friday:
7.30-8.30: Pranayam and meditation with Eykaa and SInja
9.00-10.00: Breakfast
10.30-12.30: Introduction to the Yoga philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita by Vishuddha Nath
13.00-14.00: Lunch
14.30-16.00: Learning how to sing essential Gita verses in Sanskrit and understanding their meaning with Eykaa and Sinja.
16.00-18.00: Free time
18.00-19.00: Dinner
20.00-21.00: Kirtan (chanting) and meditation
Saturday:
7.30-8.30: Pranayam, movement and meditation with Eykaa and Sinja
9.00-10.00: Breakfast
10.30-12.30: Singing the essential Gita verses and learning the Gayatri Mantra for next day’s fire ritual.
13.00-14.00: Lunch
14.30-16.00: How to apply the wisdom of the Gita in your daily life with Sinja and Eykaa
16.00-18.00: Free time
18.00-19.00: Dinner
20.00-21.00: Chanting and meditation
Saturday:
7.30-8.30: Morning nature walk and meditation
9.00-10.00: Breakfast
10.30-12.30: Havan (Vedic fire sacrifice) with 108 Gayatri Mantra recitations.
13.00-14.00: Lunch and farewell
14.00-15.00: Checking out
Workshop price
Single room – 6450 kr
Twin room – 5550 kr per person
Double room – 6750 kr per 1 person / 9975 kr per 2 persons
Group room – 4650 kr per person
The price includes:
Accommodation for 3 nights at Nøsen Yoga og Fjellhotell
3 nutritious vegetarian meals per day
Tea, infusion and snacks in the workshop
VAT is included in the price
The price does not include:
Our café offer, for example. coffee, or specialty teas
Extra towels / linen
Pick up to / from Fagernes or Gol (see own prices under directions)