Retreats - Testimonials

Retreat: retreat from october 31 to november 11, 2022

 

I thank the opportunity to be present in this chain of goodness, it was very important for me although challenging, being without subterfuges, completely turned to myself with the purpose of remembering the I AM caused me fear, but the field of space sustains peace, serenity and communion becomes relatively easy.

I leave here with my pearl to put on my necklace of life to further adorn my walk, which doesn't stop here.

I thank the residents, you are wonderful, completely dedicated, serious, and respectful. I thank you immensely, and may I be able to serve humanity as you have done.

And I thank the creator and sustainer of this dharmic network, Sriman Narayana.

Thank you!

 

Retreat: retreat from october 31 to november 11, 2022

 

I feel gratitude and joy to express for the beautiful opportunity to participate in this retreat.

To all the members of the Ashram, thank you for your loving, selfless and unselfish service. I found silence, purity, love and service in its most beautiful expression.

Thanks to the participants who with their silent attitude also made this retreat bear its best fruits.

And of course, thanks also to the instructor.

I found in the retreat a serious, structured and very complete proposal to deepen my inner work.

In short, thanks to the unique life that generated the conditions to meet at this time and in this place.

Retreat: retreat from october 31 to november 11, 2022

 

I arrived without many expectations about what I would find, only many about what I was looking for. The absence of speech, for me, was not difficult, since I have always been a quiet person. The problem was when the constant silence of speech met with the constant chatter of the mind, which screamed and threw stones at the lining, like a parakeet, along with this, maintaining body awareness was no easy task.

The mind, which I thought before was a companion for adventures, proved to be extremely controlling, I felt it wanting to usurp my life, it was desperate, but at least I had the opportunity to look at it and know that I am not it.

Did I find what I was looking for? Of course not! One walks the path, and I am just at the beginning of mine.

Being here, in the City of Angels Ashram, brought me a North, a guideline full of truth and hope about which path I came to coexist. The work is luminous, intense, very committed and is an act of giving.

I am very grateful for the opportunity of this retreat in this sacred place, I felt very safe and welcomed.

God bless!

 

Retreat: retreat from october 04 to october 15, 2022

 

With the end of innocence, faced with a challenging world, I tried to face it. My goal was to become strong, physically and mentally. I dedicated years, decades of my life to developing my mind and body. The body through physical training and fighting, the mind through academic training, philosophy, and meaningful reading. I came in contact with meditation, but with the focus of controlling my emotions and directing my will. In the end I was able to reach my goals and accomplish my objectives. However, after so much time, so many techniques, so much effort, an emptiness remained. An emptiness that afflicted me, no matter how hard my mind tried to explain it, there was no coherence. The goals, all created, no longer satisfied me or managed to distract me. Among the goals I had created was to go on a meditation retreat. And at the most desperate point, the path revealed itself and God acted. Inexplicable coincidences arose and the opportunity to immerse myself in a silent and meditative retreat emerged. Demanding from me a decision, a surrender.

During the retreat I learned about Kriya Yoga, meditation as a path to God. But all the effort to build a strong body and mind would not be in vain. During the retreat the internal war was fierce. The surrender for meditation requires a renunciation of the mind, of the body. It would not be easy and it was not. I was able to experience some moments of surrender and awakening to this new world. This time, not just superficially it, but surrendering to it. Diving without fear, greed or any other feeling. Just surrender.

Something has changed, I don't know what it is, and this time I won't try to mentalize in an attempt to find out and "control" it. I will just be.

Thank you to the Ashram;

Thank you Swamini Anandamayi Ma, Swami Sankara, Gaya and Swami Ram;

Thank you Sriman Narayana!

 Thank you to my path brothers who lived their internal battles and dedicated themselves fully. You have my deep respect!