Dhyan Foundation Yoga Retreat under the guidance of Ashwini Guruji of Dhyan Ashram, was held from Oct 25 to Oct 31 in Jaipur. The retreat covered topics of Spiritual Healing, Surya Sadhna, Science of Yagya, Past Life Visitation and Astral Travel among other things. With 200 plus seekers from different parts of the world gathered in one place, this six night residential retreat organised by Dhyan Foundation was truly a treat for the soul.
The session began with practice of Surya Saiyam early in the morning. Participants had the fortune of immersing themselves in the chants of Ashwini Guru ji while soaking in the surya (sun's) prana.
Guruji explained the importance of drishti and dhwani of the Guru for the progression of a shishya. "Guru drishti and dhwani are the key to upgrade your frequency. In olden times, guru was disseminated by the Guru to the shishya, when the shishya would come and sit in the company of Guru, 'Upanishad,' term comes from here. It is not possible to do this online or via recorded content," he explained.
The participants were introduced to the basics of Spiritual Healing where they learnt the techniques to scan the aura and distinguish between various people without looking at them.
Participants were also taken through a practice to increase glow in the body using the surya prana and certain mantras. "I was amazed to see the instant transformation in my face after the practice," shared Dr Natasha Prabhu, a fertility specialist who had flown down from Kochi to attend this session. "Not just me, change was apparent in all around. Everyone was glowing like bulbs in a matter of minutes!"
"Yagyas are a science to interact with the devlok. When a yagya is performed in the correct manner, forms of devs and devis manifest in the yagya agni, there is smoke in the fire, air becomes fragrant and there is apparent change in the environment," explained Ashwini Guruji and the participants were introduced to the chants and process to perform the agnihotra yagya for general well-being and protection. Guru ji also discussed the various ingredients that go into a yagya and the specific qualities of different fragrances and herbs that are used.
"Agnihotra is a nitya karma performed at the time of sunrise and sunset. Process of yagyas for protection and aarogya was also taught in this session," shared Sharad Sharma, a finance whiz who is also a Dhyan Foundation volunteer, trained in the science of mantras and yagyas by Guruji himself.
Guru ji demonstrated the power of mantras and dhwanis through a practical demonstration, where sand particles were exposed to different sounds. "I was truly mesmerised to see the sand particles organise themselves into a beautiful pattern upon hearing Guru ji's om ucchharan," shared Romi Verma, a techie and entrepreneur who flew down from the US to attend this.
While all the participants in the session had past life visitations and several spiritual experiences in the sanidhya of Ashwini Guruji, what stayed with everyone was the gyan, the glow and intensity of the practices.