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| AHYMSIN NEWSLETTER, ISSUE - October 2020 | ||||||||
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2020 Navaratri Silence Retreat in Taiwanby Francine Kuo (Sujata)2020 Navaratri Silence Retreat in Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China (October 19~23, 2020) This year is very special in many ways, good or bad; we try to observe in neutrality. Swamiji taught us that in order to attain world peace, we need to find the peace within. What better practice can it be other than silence to find the peace within? By the grace of the Guru lineage, we are very fortune to be able to practice silence together in one beautiful venue in Taichung. This is the fifth year since this center started hosting silence retreats under the Guru’s blessing, and this year is especially meaningful for each one of us. Swamiji [Swami Veda Bharati] also reminded us often that our meditation should not be a self-centered meditation. Therefore, in this retreat, every morning we perform internal fire offering by chanting Saumya mantra and Guru mantra 108 times to pray for the benefit of humanity. We also shared the meaning of Navaratri, Shakti, Lalita Sahasranama and how to apply the Shakti principle in daily life. As always, Swamiji’s and Swami Ritavan’s teaching and guidance about silence is our best companion during the retreat. This one has been working on a Chinese translation of the book of Silence by Swamiji, volumes I and II , so it is delightful to be able to share some insights from Swamiji with the participants.
As we all know that the covid-19 has not yet any sign to rest in peace itself, therefore, we had applied some measures to make sure that every participant is well protected. We provide single room for each one, and deliberately limited the seats taken to guarantee that everyone has safe distance during hatha yoga or meditation session, so that they need not to wear mask all the time. Thanks for the nice weather, we also be able to open each window around to have fresh air even indoor. Every morning, we recheck body temperature as healthy management. During dining hour, we require everyone wash hands and wearing mask while taking food in cafeteria form and 4 persons one table policy. We maintain the physical distance, yet during meditation, our mental distance is even closer.
Among this small group, a few of seats of one day silence practice were opened for those who can’t joint 5 days retreat because that they have to take care of new-born babies or elderly at home. Last year, this center had some new mothers and fathers; there is no way to leave for 5 days, but one day is manageable and very precious for them. We are indeed grateful for be able to make this “unique” silence retreat possible. Thanks for the grace of Divine Mother and Gurudeva, everyone, in one’s own pace, in one’s own capacity, has light up one’s own lamp a little bit.
May Ma Tara bless All. May the light of ones’s own lamp light up the way of spiritually as Swami Ritavan encourages us.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
Editor’s Note: Francine Kuo (Sujata) is center leader of Himalayan Insky Yoga. Website: https://inskyyoga.blogspot.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/inskyoga
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