The serene and scenic campus of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (AVG) ashram at Anaikatti was the venue of Arsha Seva Kendram’s (ASK) maiden Ekaante Vedanta Retreat held Jan 23-26 2025. It was a unique, energizing and insightful few days enjoyed equally by about 40 participants – most students over a number of years as well as a handful of registrants who were new to Vedanta.
Spread over 4 days, the Ekaante Vedanta retreat was a learning experience for all participants. It provided a glimpse into daily lives of the long term resident students on AVG campus, pooja routine followed at Medha Dakshinamurthy and Murugan temples, impromptu satsang with Swami Sadatmananda ji and interactions with other AVG functionaries. Other seva activities such as dining hall routine and exposure to on-campus sources like library, study room etc.
Retreat dinacharya would start with pooja at the Medha Dakshinamurthy temple. After invoking the Lord’s blessings, series of Dhyanam and satsang sessions was each day’s proceedings.
The retreat had a few core study topics and activities
- Guided study of Sādhana Pañcakam by Acharya Jayakumar ji
- Series of sessions on “Bringing Vedanta into daily awareness” by Acharya Srinivasan Ji.
- Introduction to Ayurveda, misconceptions surrounding it and it’s daily application by Dr Sheershika.
- Long term students Meera ji and Narayan ji conducted a set of Yogasana that helped the participants limber up and stay refreshed even as the day’s proceedings were under way. It was a valuable tool useful in modern busy day-to-day lives.
- Arsha Gokulam Mysore seva activities and talent showcase led by Sunitha Ji.
- Visit to a Tribal Village in Anaikatti hills under Dr Soundararajan’s guidance.
The retreat concluded formally with a participant feedback, vote of thanks and Guru Dakshina ceremony, Feedback shared by participants, especially first time attendees was at the same time thought provoking and conveyed the impact the retreat had on them.Satsang, group studies, seva and sessions that answered long held questions were felt to be invaluable and an important milestone in knowledge enhancement. It was a cheerful occasion tinged with a sense of longing for more to come. Indeed, one of the suggestions was to make the retreat an annual event.
Jan 23-26, 2025