Rules of Conduct

"Remember that Liberation is the only important goal in this life, and whatever time you're giving to this sacred Goal is the only time you're not wasting!" Sriman Narayana 

"Meditation goes hand in hand with discipline, without discipline there's no meditation. Discipline is a rigid structure to which you adapt yourself and therefore transform. The key to all Spiritual Practice is adapting yourself to the practice, instead of adapting the practice to you." Sriman Narayana 

These Silent Meditation Retreats are for the Seekers of Truth that are willing to work hard for their Liberation, with serious intent, commitment and responsibility. For you to come to this retreat you must be committed to comply with all the rules, so that you can take the most out of your retreat and also that you don't disturb, nor get disturbed by others retreat. 

1- You must commit yourself to stay until the end of the retreat. In the retreat you will undergo many challenges, it won't be easy. You must be prepared and willing to face them and persist until the end. Giving up will be bad for you and will weaken others commitment also. 

2- You must commit to respect and participate in all meditation sessions and teachings and respect all scheduled activities (waking and sleeping time, meals time, and meditation sittings). For the retreat to make sense it's crucial that you attend all meditation sittings in the Meditation hall, skipping meditation sessions, or leaving during the meditation session is not allowed. It's not allowed to lay down on the floor of the Meditation hall. 

3- You must accept the Meditation technique and commit to learn and practice it diligently. You also are required to respect all in the Ashram, residents or other participants. You must fully accept all instructions and guidelines given to you during the Retreat, remember that even if you don't understand or disagree, they are there to help you. 

4- You need to abstain from other spiritual practices, rituals during the retreat. No physical exercises apart from short walks Inside the predetermined areas, in slow manner mantaing concentration. Your presence in the retreat shouldn't disturb or distract anyone. Your attention must be focused on the technique. 

5- You must commit to the silence. Silence starts in the day of arrival ending only on the last day. Any form of communication (talking, writing, signals, etc) with others is prohibited. If you have any problem never talk with another participant, you can quietly call a previous designated ashram resident and he will try to help you, but do so as last resort. There will be specific timings for questions concerning the Meditation technique. If you disrespect the silence you will be asked to leave. 

6- Please Maintain a complete segregation between men and women during the Retreat and stay at the Ashram. If you have come with a friend, companion, or family member, please do not have any contact during the period of the Retreat and stay in the Ashram. It is also important not to have any kind of physical contact during your entire stay in the Ashram, neither with people of the same sex nor with those of the opposite sex, even before the beginning of silence and after the end of silence one should avoid physical contact such as: hugs, handshakes, and others. 

7- Clothing: Please bring enough clothing for your 12-day retreat. Clothing worn during the retreat should be simple and comfortable. Tight, see-through or short clothing (which shows shoulders, belly or legs) should not be worn. Also avoid fabrics that make a lot of noise (synthetic or plastic clothes). Sunbathing and partial nudity are not allowed. Avoid creating distractions to others as much as possible. It is not allowed to use Perfumes or any other strong smelling product (deodorants, moisturizers, or shampoo).

8- it's forbidden to bring and make use of alcohol, drugs, intoxicating substances, sedatives of any kind to the retreat. It's forbidden to bring food, sweets, snacks. The food offered in the Ashram is simple vegetarian meal suitable for your meditation. With intense meditation, the need for confort foods increases in a way to sabotage the work thats being made. Stick to the food wich is offered in the ashram, and make your meals lighter. 

9- You're not allowed to bring and read books, to do any writing, listening to music, to play musical instruments, there can't be any distractions, remember you're trying to go within. Also no electronics allowed, no cell phones, etc. It's best not to bring them at all, if you bring them give them to be safeguarded in the Ashram. You can't record the satsangs or any activities. If you want to take pictures of the Ashram you can do it in the last day before departure.

10- You will be completely isolated/ focused in yourself, in the practice, so no communication with the outside world, and it's not allowed to leave the Ashram premises. 

11- Remember that an Ashram is sacred grounds, it is a blessing to be in one. The Ashram facilities are simple, food is simple vegetarian, but quite enough to assist your needs throughout your retreat. A lot of impurities arise in a intense retreat (anger, attachments, greed, lust, hate, irritation, judgements etc), don't project that on the Ashram or other participants, take responsability and keep it to yourself it will get washed away eventually. Accept whatever is Givin to you with humbleness and gratitude. 

12- to keep the purity of this retreat it is donation based, you are not paying for it, after the retreat is over, you will be allowed to donate what ever you feel suited. That means that for you to be able to make this retreat others have come before you and made it possible. Your are being receive as a guest to benefit from what others have sacrificed to build, so instead of being judgemental, demanding, accept with gratitude, and honor your opportunity. Understand that your here to change yourself not others, nor the place.

"The intense thirst for Liberarion, the Meditation technique, the right attitude ex: a humble grateful heart, filled with Devotion; the dedication, persistence, hardworking capacity, are key ingredients for Real Spiritual Growth." Sriman Narayana