Advaitamritam ( अद्वैतामृतम् )
The Nectar of Advaitic Knowledge
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Spiritual Retreat at Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati
Swami Vivekananda had founded Advaita Ashrama at Mayavati to facilitate the practice and preaching of Advaita Vedanta. He envisioned the coming of serious spiritual aspirants to this holy place with the intention of seeking the Ultimate Truth.
In line with his wish, Advaita Ashrama will be conducting spiritual retreats in the months of March, April, May, June and September, October, November 2023 respectively. These retreats are meant only for serious spiritual aspirants (jijnasus) desirous to learn the way to atma-jnana or Self-realization. Please note that the discussions will be mainly from the Advaita Vedanta (jnana-marga or the path of Self-enquiry) point of view.
Dates of the retreats in 2023
10 MARCH
TO
16 MARCH
ENGLISH
10 APRIL
to
16 aPRIL
ENGLISH
10 MAY
to
16 MAY
ENGLISH
14 JUNE
to
20 JUNE
ENGLISH
Application process for retreats scheduled in March, April, May, and June begins on December 1st.
10 September
to
16 September
ENGLISH
10 October
to
16 October
ENGLISH
14 November
to
20 November
ENGLISH
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR RETREATS SCHEDULED IN SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, AND NOVEMBER BEGINS ON JUNE 1ST.
Who can participate?
Both men and women in the age group of 18 to 50 can participate. It is strongly recommended that only those who are inclined towards the path of Advaita Vedanta (the path of Self-enquiry or jnana-marga) should take part in these retreats, because the discussions will be purely from that point of view. The participant should be free from any physical or other ailments, so that he or she can fully focus on the course without any hindrance. All the retreats are going to be held in English language.
Further, only those participants should enrol for this retreat who are ready to strictly abide by the daily routine and the discipline of the Ashrama. Please see the daily routine which is given towards the end. All the sessions are mandatory for the participants.
One who has already taken part in one of these retreats in 2022 will not be permitted to take part again in this year.
After the submission of the form, the participant will be informed (through email) whether he/she has been allowed to take part in the retreat. Only then he/she should pay the fee.
Enrolment Fees
For the 6 days of his/her stay in the Ashrama for any one of these retreats, the participant will have to pay a nominal fee of rupees 6000/- (six-thousand rupees only), which will include arrangements for his/her stay, breakfast, lunch, morning/evening tea, and dinner.
In each group of these retreats, only a limited number of participants will be allowed. Place in this retreat will be reserved on “first come first basis”.
After the payment of the fee, if the member cancels his participation for some reason, the fee will not be refunded. Instead, he/she can participate in any of the future retreats without paying the fees again.
Dates for Arrival and Departure
for the Participants of Advaitamritam
March Retreat
The participant should reach Mayavati on 10th March by 3 pm and report at the Manager’s office. At 7 pm on that day, there will be a special session to welcome all the participants and to introduce them to the retreat. The retreat will commence on the 11th and continue till the 15th. The participant will have to leave Mayavati on 16th March morning.
April Retreat
The participant should reach Mayavati on 10th April by 3 pm and report at the Manager’s office. At 7 pm on that day, there will be a special session to welcome all the participants and to introduce them to the retreat. The retreat will commence on the 11th and continue till the 15th. The participant will have to leave Mayavati on 16th April morning.
May Retreat
The participant should reach Mayavati on 10th May by 3 pm and report at the Manager’s office. At 7 pm on that day, there will be a special session to welcome all the participants and to introduce them to the retreat. The retreat will commence on the 11th and continue till the 15th. The participant will have to leave Mayavati on 16th May morning.
June Retreat
The participant should reach Mayavati on 14 June by 3 pm and report at the Manager’s office. At 7 pm on that day, there will be a special session to welcome all the participants and to introduce them to the retreat. The retreat will commence on the 15th and continue till the 19th. The participant will have to leave Mayavati on 20 June morning.
September Retreat
The participant should reach Mayavati on 10 September by 3 pm and report at the Manager’s office. At 7 pm on that day, there will be a special session to welcome all the participants and to introduce them to the retreat. The retreat will commence on the 11th and continue till the 15th. The participant will have to leave Mayavati on 16 September morning.
October Retreat
The participant should reach Mayavati on 10 October by 3 pm and report at the Manager’s office. At 7 pm on that day, there will be a special session to welcome all the participants and to introduce them to the retreat. The retreat will commence on the 11th and continue till the 15th. The participant will have to leave Mayavati on 16 October morning.
November Retreat
The participant should reach Mayavati on 14 November by 3 pm and report at the Manager’s office. At 7 pm on that day, there will be a special session to welcome all the participants and to introduce them to the retreat. The retreat will commence on the 15th and continue till the 19th. The participant will have to leave Mayavati on 20 November morning.
daily schedule of the retreats
The daily schedule of the retreat has been chalked out to give ample scope for the three steps involved in the process of Self-enquiry, viz shravanam (listening), mananam (thinking), and nididhyasanam (meditation). The day will start with the chanting of the Vedic mantras. Every day there will be three sessions of shravanam (of 90 minutes each). Shravanam will involve the study of the text of Vivekachudamani under the guidance of a monk. There will be two sessions of mananam (time for deep thinking), and two sessions of nididhyasanam (meditation). Out of the two sessions of nididhyasanam (meditation), one will be guided meditation (by a monk). The details of the day are as follows:
Morning session

Post lunch session

The schedule given above is open to further modification for the sake of improvement or for the sake of workability.

Our Prayer
We pray to the Supreme Divinity to shower his grace (anugraha) on every member of this retreat so that he/she can uplift himself/herself and rediscover oneself in a NEW LIGHT.
–OM TAT SAT
Swami Shuddhidananda
Adhyaksha
Advaita Ashrama