• Table of Contents
  • Fasting for Enlightenment by Swami Veda Bharati
  • The Yoga Society 40th Anniversary by John Barry Stutt
  • Largest HYT Teacher Training in Rishikesh EVER!! by Maryon Maass
  • TTP Graduation Talk by Swami Veda
  • Something Swamiji Said by Katie Stueve
  • Contemplative Walking in a Peace Garden by Lori Beron
  • Swami Nityamuktananda in Florence by Sabina Cesaroni
  • Something Stolen by Swami Nityamuktananda Saraswati
  • Only A Life: A Journey to the Vashishta Cave by Arlene Matthews
  • A Walk in the Winter Dawn by Joanne Sullivan
  • A Himalayan Blueprint by Joan Anundson-Ahr
  • February Retreat in Thailand by Thaniya Kevalee
  • CDivine Mother at SRSG by Swami Veda
  • A Retreat to Re-Treat Yourself Submitted by Rose Reindl
  • New Swami Rama Book
  • Download the Shiva Sutras Series! by Wesley Van Linda
  • The Children Are Here! by Carolyn Hume
  • 2011 Events and Beyond
  • Full Moon Meditation Dates
  • Location of our SRSG ashram
• AHYMSIN Newsletter Archive

A Retreat to Re-Treat Yourself

(Solar Science with Pandit Dabral) November 10-13, 2011 Calgary, Alberta, Canada

submitted by Rose Reindl

(Click for larger photo)

We wish everyone could have experienced the three day retreat with Pandit Hari Shankar Dabral near Calgary on the November long weekend. As anyone who has had the good fortune of meeting Panditji can tell you, there truly are no words to describe how it is to be in his Presence, to learn from him and to enjoy his laughter, cheer and selfless ever-giving nature. Listening to Panditji sing mantras and prayers creates an inner joy beyond expression. So we wish you had been there yourselves since these words will not do justice to what was an inspiring, nourishing and beautiful retreat.

We can not wait for Panditji’s next retreat being planned for April 2012. Be sure to mark your calendars!

The November retreat began with everyone gathering together for the Full Moon Meditation on Thursday evening. Friends from the city also came out to join us for a cozy evening of candlelight, prayers, and the deep meditiation that comes with Full Moon.

We began each of the next three mornings of the retreat with meditation, prayers and gentle hatha.  The hatha was undertaken mindfully with breath awareness, invoking energy and pranas. Under the skilled guidance of Panditji, we felt energized and fully awake by practicing the gentle movements of Swami Rama’s “Exercises for Joints and Glands”.

(Click for larger photo)
Surya Namaskara)

After breakfast we met again for 2-3 hours of teachings in the vast and mysterious philosophy and practices of Solar Science. Many yoga practitioners are familiar with Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations) as a series of twelve yoga postures linked together in a vinyasa. Panditji showed us the many ways Surya Namaskara is much more than a physical practice. A different kind of energy is created when we invoke the sun at the beginning of the practice and then recite the mantras as we move through the poses. By moving mindfully with breath, mantra and a concentration at the solar plexus, Surya Namaskara takes on a whole new meaning.

Approaching our yoga as spiritual practice with conscious awareness of the Sun within invokes a sacredness that creates a unique and beautiful experience.

After the morning session, a delicious lunch awaited us followed by a couple of hours to ourselves: to nap, walk along the river, visit with new friends, contemplate, journal or meditate. Later in the afternoon, we met again for more practices including Surya Namaskara with seed mantras, Agni Sara and recitations of Gayatri Mantra - learning even more about the subtleties and philosphy behind these intriguing Solar Science practices. The afternoon session was followed by chai and cookies, the inspiration of Satsang and then yet another delicious sattvic meal prepared lovingly by our professional and very skilled cook, Sat Pal Maharaj (Darshan Lal).

The last day of the retreat was also the 15th anniversary of Shri Swami Rama’s mahasamadhi - the day he consciously left his body at HIHT in India, November 13, 1996 at 11:08pm. On that special Sunday, we met for morning meditation, prayers and hatha once again. Panditji also gave a beautiful tribute to Swamiji: reminding us of the great privilege of being part of this Living Tradition that dates back over 5000 years, passed on from teacher to disciple for millenium. Also reminding us of the selfless work and determination of Shri Swami Rama of the Himalayas, the one who brought these teachings to the West and did so much for humanity. We feel forever grateful for the transformations Swamiji has inspired in countless students thereby creating more and more people to serve humanity in selfless ways, guided by the wisdom and blessings of the Himalayan saints and sages. With tremendous reverence and gratitude, we humbly bow to Shri Swami Rama.

Many of us did not want to go home on Sunday, wishing we could stay basking in the Light and Joy of our teacher, the teachings and like-minded friends.  We all feel very grateful to have such an Amazing Teacher and Great Soul as Panditji living here in Calgary, for his kindness and generous offering of Swami Rama’s teachings, and for the Yoga Family he has created that will remain eternally connected by the beautiful and sacred Himalayan Tradition.

     Panditji Dabral

A few of our Calgary Yoga Family walking to class
November 2011 Solar Science Retreat with Pandit Dabral